Project 10

Byzantine Medallions

Activity:
For this activity, students were asked to create medallions out of clay, paint them and decorate them according to social class assigned by the teacher. This is an example of a medallion from the "upper class" category. 

Extension Activity:
As an extension activity, we would explore the history and culture of the byzantine empire. Each student would create two medallions, one for each social class to avoid social problems between students of "different classes". Each student would then pair-share with a partner why they decorated each medallion the way that they did to reflect each class as an exercise in speaking and listening. This would also help each student to reinforce their own learning by having to explain it to another student.

Project 9

African masks

Activity:
For this activity, students were asked to create paper masks that resembled animals, as are used in ceremonies by some African people. Students were asked to use certain types of paper techniques like curling, feathering, folding, etc. For my example I used feathers and folding.

Extension:
As an extension activity, I would tie this in with a geography and social studies unit on Africa. As a class we would then create a graphic organizer connecting African masks with as much as we can think of! For example, which other cultures use masks? Why? Which animals are used? Why? Would they have used other music or art during these events? etc. Using this method, I will help to teach my students to make connections and reinforce the spiral curriculum.

Project 8

Seasons

Activity:
For this activity in printmaking, students were asked to create four prints on Styrofoam;one representing each of the four seasons. Students were then asked to pain the Styrofoam pieces and press their print onto paper.

Extension: 
 As an extension activity, students would create cards with each of their prints and use these cards to learn and practice letter writing.

Project 7

Biomes

Activity:
For this activity, each student chose an animal, draw it, and had to depict where it lived using 3D paper art. They had to include a foreground, middle ground and background.

Extension Activity:
As an extension activity, we would include this in a science lesson about biomes and play a game where i would select animals and the students would tell me where it lived.  This could be done in groups, one by one, or even have the students try to stump one another with questions.

Project 6

Rainbow Fish

Activity:
For this activity, students were read the story "Rainbow Fish" and asked to using bleeding tissue paper to create their own fish. They then glued sequins and eyes on to their fish. This was a painting unit.

Extension Activity:
As an extension activity, students could learn about water biomes as a science lesson.

Project 5

Coat of Arms

Activity:
For this activity, students were asked to create a personal coat of arms. They were to use symbols and colors to make it representative of themselves. They could use suggested symbols and colors or make up their own, as long as they could explain why they used what they did.

Extension Activity:
As an extension to this activity, we would study the middle ages in social studies, specifically western civilizations.We would then also dissect existing coats of arms to discern what the symbols on them mean. Who did this coat of arms belong to? Why do you think so? What was their social position? Who were they connected to? What things were important to this person and their family?

Project 4

Van Gogh

Activity:
For this activity, we studied the artist Vincent Van Gogh. We then used bleeding tissue paper and pastels to mimic Van Gogh's painting with line styles.

Extension:
For this activity, we would study other artists, musicians and thinkers of Van Gogh's time period, as a history lesson. The students would then pair up and each pair would present on their chosen person as a speaking and listening activity. This would also reinforce the presenting student's learning, as the person doing the talking/teaching is doing the learning.

Project 3

Hidden Safari

Description:
For this activity, students are asked to start by drawing an animal lightly in blue pencil on a blank sheet of paper, following a short lesson on an artist that incorporates camouflage into his art. 

Extension Activity:
as an extension activity for this project, we would have a science lesson discussing camouflage in-depth. "Why does this animal need camouflage? What about it's environment is it trying to blend in with?" etc.

Project 2

Dot Day

Description:
On "Dot Day" we read a story about an art student and her teacher and how a simple dot can become a masterpiece if you believe it can. As a class, we then experimented with several different art mediums. I used scratch art (the butterfly), and paint for my main pieces.

Extension Activity:
 As an extension activity for dot day, I would ask the students to pick one of their pieces and explain it to the class as a 'speaking and listening' activity to coincide with language arts.

Project 1

Identity Footprint

Description:
For this project, students will trace either one foot/shoe or both on a piece of construction paper and cut it out. They will then decorate it to represent themselves using at least three different types of media. When they have finished, they then will explain what each decoration means in relation to themselves.

Extension Activity:
As an extension activity, students could create Shoe prints without their names on it and as a class attempt to find out who made it based upon the decorations. This could be done as either an icebreaker or as a bonding activity.