3rd grade donuts!

This is new project for third grade this year.  They learned a lot about value and how to use watercolor to create the illusion of a three dimensional object.  We drew the donuts by tracing a can for the large circle and a bottle lid for the center.  We added a couple of lines to give them depth, then began painting, using a darker version and a lighter version of the same color.  I think they turned out deliciously!!  :)

Watercolor winter wonderland in 5th grade

I usually repeat this project every year in 5th grade and this year was no exception.  I had some really nice ones this year too.  We decided to use black tempera for the trees because I've found that few students can get the black watercolor dark enough and they tended to look gray in previous years.  So we did everything else in watercolor and then last painted the foreground trees.

Snowy cityscapes in 4th grade

This is a new project in 4th grade this year and I think it may be a keeper!  We discussed line, shape, perspective, and of course foreground, midground, and background while creating these colorful cityscapes. 

Schulz Self Portraits in 1st grade!

My first graders learned a little about Charles Schulz to create these adorable self portraits.  We drew them together and they added details to make them unique.  I always love to see how cute these turn out.  Each one has it's own personality, just like the students that created them!  

Happy Valentine's Day!

I began this quick and easy lesson on form and shape with a substitute one day a few weeks ago.  Once I returned we went into more depth (no pun intended!) about how the curved lines make our hearts appear to pop out of the page.  We also talked a bit about the color spectrum so some students chose to do theirs in color spectrum order, although that wasn't a requirement.  We used one of my favorite mediums (besides paint of course!) Crayola Color sticks.  We even incorporated some fraction math by dividing the heart.  I should also mention that we drew everything in pencil first, then traced in Sharpie.  Otherwise you'll have black sharpie all over your rulers!  Instructions are posted at the bottom! :)