Kindergarten and First Grade started off the year learning about Mondrian and Kandinsky. They were inspired to create bold artworks by painting, cutting and gluing, and mixing colors.
Kindergarten began by learning all about Mondrian. They used their imaginations to look at his artwork. Students noticed that he mostly used the colors red, yellow, and blue and lots of straight lines.
We began by cutting lines out of black paper and gluing them down. Remember: a dot is a lot and a blob is a slob!
The next class we read Mouse Paint which is an EXCELLENT book for the little ones. Kinders were inspired to mix up their own colors! They used tempera cakes to carefully fill in the shapes they had made with lines. They were amazed that they could make colors by mixing up the primary colors.
These turned out great, they are so colorful and the kids had a great time exploring and discovering art materials and color mixing.
First graders had a similar experience learning about Kandinsky.
They even listened to music as they painted great big lines and shapes onto paper.
The next week, we also read our old favorite Mouse Paint. Several students were excited to read this book again and remembered the story from last year. They were old pros as mixing colors and had a blast filling in their shapes and designs.
I love the vibrant colors and variety of designs in the finished pieces:
What a great way to start the year! Here is the EQ/Standard/Sample board. 2nd graders are working on their Matisse Drawing with Scissors composition. 3rd graders will learn all about Gerogia O’keeffe and create a painting based on her artwork. 4th graders will be exposed to #FAFATL and create artwork inspired by Catlanta. 5th graders will learn how to make graffiti style lettering and design their name.
BONUS: On Monday morning, one of my most vivacious 2nd grade students brought me this picture which she had drawn:
It is a phenomononally detailed picture of me teaching art! She included my magic hat, rules, owl, and ART letters on the whiteboard! It was such a great gift and really brightened my day. 🙂
August 28, 2013 at 7:23 pm
Isn’t this your dad’s favorite artist? Really cute girl! 🙂 I like that the kinders had to use construction paper to set up spaces for each color – that’s my kind of organized art! 🙂
AWESOME picture your student made you – I know that absolutely made your day!
I can’t wait to see catlanta and the graffiti names! 🙂
August 29, 2013 at 12:01 pm
Thank you! it was a great project to start off the year.
August 28, 2013 at 9:49 pm
Ahh I loveeeee Kandinsky! Such a great artist to use to talk about line, color, and shape! 🙂
Looks great Mollie!
August 29, 2013 at 12:03 pm
Every time I talk about Kandinsky I am reminded of that room in MoMa and how you were SO SOOOO excited to see Kandinsky’s work in real life. 🙂
August 29, 2013 at 12:34 pm
This is a great process you’ve made; first introducing color mixing in one project then proceeding to more self-expressive artwork based on the principles of the first. Great work Mollie!
August 29, 2013 at 2:18 pm
Thank you! Building on skills and concepts is so important for young artists 🙂
August 29, 2013 at 6:06 pm
You’re so creative. That’s why you’re an art teacher and I’m not. I would never think to do these projects. They look really fun, though! Can you read me that book next time you come over? Thanks girl.
August 30, 2013 at 11:31 am
I will read it to you I have it memorized after reading it 34864872634234 times
August 30, 2013 at 12:14 am
Hi Mollie, I have nominated your blog for a Liebster Award! I love the work your students are doing—-and I just realized that I wasn’t putting things together very well because I actually know you, but didn’t know you go by Ms. K 🙂 Thanks for checking out my blog the other day! Please check out my blog http://www.spaldingart.blogspot.com to see what to do next! Keep up the great work!