Paper Plate Fish (Peer Lesson)

 

 

     I, personally, really enjoyed this project.   This lesson was introduced by discussing patterns and differences between various simple shapes, etc.  This project allowed us to be creative and incorporate other subject areas into this simple, yet fun activity.  This is ideal for younger students, but can also be broadened and more detailed for use with older grades. 

 

 

          Instructions:

     1. We were provided with paper plates that had large squares already traced onto it. 

     2.  Each student determined which three basic geometric shapes we wanted to incorporate to create the pattern within the squares of the paper plate.  We practiced these first on scratch paper before drawing them on the actual paper plate. 

     3.  We then drew and colored in the pattern we selected for our own plate. 

     4.  Next, we completed the remainder of the fish by coloring in the rest of the paper plate in a design we created. 

     5. We cut out a mouth for the fish and used the cutout for the mouth as a fin on the fish.  We then drew on gills and added eyes to complete our project. 

     6.  The teacher added fishing line so that we would be able to hang and display our own individual fish.  

Scrapbook Quilt (Peer Lesson)

     This project allowed us to use our creativity to create our own paper quilt that represented our interests or things that we like.  We used scrapbook paper as the pieces to our quilt and added patterns within our design of the quilt.  This lesson can be simplified to be used in younger grades, or expanded and made more detailed to be used with older students. 

     Instructions:
1.  We selected eight sheets of scrapbook paper that we liked or thought related to our interests or lives.  We also picked up squares and circles that were cut out to be used to trace on our sheets. 
2.  We selected four of the scrapbook sheets and traced squares onto these sheets, then cut them out.
3.  The next step was to trace four circles onto the remaining for scrapbook sheets and then cut these out. 
4.  We were then to cut each circle and each small square into quarters. 
5.  We arranged, then possibly rearranged the smaller quarters to create designs to resemble that of a patchwork quilt.  We placed the created circles inside of our created squares and determined the way that we wanted to have these placed on our background sheets. 
6.  We then glued down the pieces to the quilt and decorated the border of the paper quilt we had created. 

Clay Pinch Pots (Peer Lesson)



 

     This project incorporated the use creating a pinch pot with clay and using symbols to represent ourselves or important aspects of our lives.  We first learned about ancient civilizations and how they used pottery and the symbols they incorporated into their pottery.  One good thing about this media is that clay can be used in varying levels of complexity, and therefore, can be used in younger classrooms or with older students. 

 

    

     Instructions: 

  1.  We first put newspapers down on desks to protect our area. 

  2.  We were then each given a 'lump' of clay and was asked to knead the clay to remove air bubbles. 

  3.  Once the clay had been kneaded, we rolled the clay into a ball and pressed our thumbs into the middle of the clay and turned it in a circular motion. 

  4.  When we had shaped the clay into a pinch pot of the desired size and thickness, we smoothed out the surface with our fingers and water. 

  5.  Then we carved our designs and symbols into the pinch pot and allowed the pot to dry. 

  6.  Once dry, we painted the pot and added any remaining symbols that were not carved into the clay. 

  7.  To finish this project, we needed to create a symbol key explaining what each of the symbols meant to us or represented. 



     
          Extension Activity:
     One particular activity I found to extend this lesson was to use the same techniques as we did with our clay pinch pots to create ceramic animals- in this case, fish.  It is not much more complicated than the pinch pot, except for having to mold the clay into the shape of a fish rather than a pinch pot.  This would be for a lower elementary classroom, and can be used when studying fish or during an art class. 

 



Jasper Johns Name Art (Peer Lesson)

 

     This lesson was a great way to introduce patterns and how patterns create unique and creative projects.  We were first introduced to the works of an artist by the name of Jasper Johns who incorporates patterns and repetition to create his own artwork.  We were given an opportunity to create our own patterns and use primary and secondary colors in our art. This is yet another example of an activity that can be used in more simple ways to be used with younger students, and then expanded on to be used with older students. 

 

          Instructions:

     1.  We were provided with one large sheet of white construction paper and selected a stack of colored construction paper for this project.  We were asked to fold the  white construction paper into sections of 12.  We then glued the smaller squares of colored paper onto the white paper- alternating the colors in a checkerboard design. 

    2. We were then given oil pastels to create our name writing letters in a pattern format onto the papers. We were encouraged to apply lots of pressure to create bold lines. 

    3. Teachers then demonstrated how to use watercolor paint over the white pieces of paper and how to mix the colors to create secondary colors and shades, etc.  We decided which colors we wanted to use and painted them onto our own white sheets. 

    4.  Before displaying our pieces, we needed to allow the pieces to dry as the watercolor paint on the paper made it a bit soggy. 

 



     Extension Activity:

 

       A fun extension activity I found would use a similar technique of creating pattern onto a piece of paper, but would be in the shape of a spiral snake.  Each section of the snake would need to be detailed using crayon or oil pastel and then covered with watercolor paint to show the resistance to the crayon or oil pastel.  This could be incorporated into science to show resistance and how the paint resists the crayon or pastel used for the patterns within the overall spiral snake pattern.  

 



 

 



Springtime Printmaking (Peer Lesson)

     This lesson provided an opportunity to create new patterns and textures into paper, which we then used to create a springtime design or object.  I chose to create a flower as I love all things floral and thought it would create an interesting spin on a flower than I would traditionally see.  I chose to use Qtips, a few different sizes and textures of sponges, a plastic fork, and the wheels to a toy car to create the patterns for this project.  This is a lesson that could truly be used for any age group- moving from large, simple outlines and patterns to more complex and detailed objects.   

            Instructions:
     1. First, we brainstormed a spring object to draw on our large sheet of construction paper. 
     2. We then drew the object lightly on the paper using a pencil- which acted as an outline.  We were encouraged to use as much of the large piece of construction paper as possible.
     3.  Then we laid down newspaper to protect the tabletops from the mess of paint that we may get on it. 
     4.  We were then shown the various materials we could incorporate to create patterns and textures onto our papers.  Once we were shown these materials, we were able to test out (on scratch paper) and then apply these materials to our own papers to create various prints.  We were encouraged to fill up our paper using lots of different colors and prints and to try to avoid white spaces, if at all possible. 
     5.  We allowed our paintings to dry, and then cut out the objects once the papers were dry and assembled them to create our finished project. 



          Extension Activity:
   A fun extension activity I found online was to create textures onto a piece of styrofoam and then transfer the print onto a different sheet of paper.  I really feel that this activity can be used for all ages of students- ranging from very simple to more complex designs and patterns. 
        

Melting Into Spring: Crayon Melting (Peer Lesson)

    
     For this project, we used melted crayon shavings on wax paper to create a cute little spring object with a creative effect.  I really enjoyed this project and the way it turned out, and hope that I will be able to incorporate this into my future classroom someday.   

     Instructions:
          1. To begin, we shaved crayons and saved the shavings to be used for this project. 
          2. We then placed the crayon shavings on wax paper- taking into consideration that we would need enough shavings to cover the space that we wanted to outline our design onto. 
          3. The teacher then used a hot iron on the wax paper to melt the crayon wax.  Students used their fingers, if they wanted, to blend the colors and create various designs within the melted wax. 
          4. Once the wax was melted, we traced our design from a laminated outline copy with permanent marker onto our wax paper on top of the wax.  We then cut out the design. 



     Extension Activity:
         A related activity that I think is really neat is the flower project shown above.  Students would use a similar technique of shaving crayons in various greens, which the teacher would melt in a way that it could run down the page rather than using wax paper as in our lesson in class.  This could also be used as a springtime project, or to show the changes made to a specific medium when heat is applied (change within an object)- which could be incorporated into a science class. 

Yarn Eggs (3D Design- Lesson)

    

 

     For this lesson, Amanda and I drew the 3D design concept of art.  We decided to incorporate springtime into this lesson to make it more relevant and interesting.  We had the students complete a 3D yarn egg created over a balloon.  This was a fun and messy way to bring art into the classroom and I really enjoyed this project.  We began the lesson by reviewing terms found in art and math areas and then read a book relating to circumference to the students to relate the terms to the project that we were completing.  We also showed a brief powerpoint that went over the steps with pictures before allowing the students to work on their own. 

 

     Instructions:

          1.  Students will be given balloons, glue mixture, yarn, and other materials needed for this project.  Students will be asked to blow up the balloons to a small size and tie the balloons off.  Once the balloons are blown up, students will take pieces of yarn that have been provided to them to physically measure the circumference of the balloon. 

          2.  Students will be asked to roll up sleeves or cover up any nice clothing while completing this project, as it gets quite messy.  The teacher demonstrated the process of dragging a piece of yarn through the glue mixture and using a spoon and the side of a bowl to scrape away any excess clumps of glue. 

        3. The yarn covered in glue was then tightly wrapped around the balloon with the lines overlapping to create a density in the lines of yarn on the balloon. 

       4. The project must be allowed to try before it's moved.  Once the yarn is dry around the balloon, the teachers popped the balloon to have only the dried yarn structure around the balloon shape remain. 

 

    

     Extension Activity:

           A fun activity I found to compliment this lesson would be the one shown above.  Instead of wrapping yarn with glue mixture around a 3D shape, it instead is laid out in swirls and different patterns on a sheet to dry flat.  Once it is dry, it can be displayed in a window for a fun and creative new way to display art or liven up a space.