Aluminum and Coppertone Foil Name Plates

Our fourth graders have been working very hard on their name plates. Before starting this lesson, I taught the students how to draw block letters using rectangles. This method helps to make sure that all of the letters are the same size. The students practiced by writing each block letter of the alphabet. I made a very basic double sided hand out with an example of each block letter and then a box next to each to practice their own.  

When they were done, I gave them a 3"x12" piece of newsprint. Newsprint works best for this since it is thin and this helps to transfer the letters to the foil easier. Using a ruler, we divided the paper strips into 6-8 rectangles depending on how many letters are in their names. Names with six letters or less created 2 inch boxes and names with seven or eight letters used 1.5" boxes. In the "negative" space around the letters, each student was to create some sort of pattern or design. 

 Each student received a 3"x12" piece of 36 gauge foil for their project.  I taped their paper name design on top of their foil. We used old magazines underneath the foil sheets so that the students could trace their paper names onto the foil and have a soft surface to press into and create deeper lines.  

Next, we used black India ink on top of the foil. 

When the ink dried, we used steele wool to rub off some of the ink. 

Finally, we used black posterboard and metallic paint to created a background to mount our names to. 

I am very proud of my 4th graders! 

Owls at Night on Recycled Dictionary Pages

HOOT!  HOOT!  HOOT! 

These awesome owls were created by our 4th graders. 

-The students started by using recycled dictionary pages from old children's dictionaries. 

 -Using watered down Elmer's glue and brushes, the students created a collage with the torn book pages. 

- Next the students painted some sort of perch (branch, rock, fence, etc) for the owl to set on, on top of the book pages. 

-The sky was colored with the edge of a pealed crayon so that the pattern of the words would show some. 

-The owls were drawn and painted on a separate piece of paper. 

- For the final step, the students cut out the owls and then I hot glued a packing peanut in between the owl and the background so that the owls were three-dimensional. 

I hope you enjoy our recycled creations! 

3rd grade landscapes

Our 3rd graders have been working on some Fall landscapes. I have taught this project in three different ways for some variety. All of the classes learned a little bit about perspective.  The students learned about foreground, middle ground and background.  They learned how to draw their trees so that they appeared to be closer, or further away based on where they placed them on the paper and what size they drew them.  

Some other classes painted beautiful birch trees at night using a paint scraper.  I hope you enjoy our finished products. I apologize that I don't have photos of the process, but it was quite the messy experience so I couldn't quite grab the camera :). 

Enjoy! 

Fall pumpkins and apples with Mrs. Bruder and Mrs. Varouh's classes using a Krimpart tube. 

Optical Art Cubes

Our fourth graders have been learning about form and optical illusion in the art room.  We started the year off with the challenge of creating a cube and on each of the six sides drawing an optical illusion.  The students did a great job and they are mostly on display in our library.  

3rd Grade Optical Art Paintings with Warm and Cool Colors

Here is the start of our 3rd grade optical art paintings using warm and cool colors! They are turning out beautifully.

And now for some finished ones...