Transparency Printmaking

I am not sure where exactly I got this assignment from. But it's great for 6th grade. We start off the first day brainstorming about shapes and what they could represent. Each student uses a whiteboard and then we make a master list. Then we play a quick drawing game, where I have them draw various things (a city, a person, favorite food) using only shapes. Their assignment is to then go and think of three adventures they have been on--it could be a road trip, a visit to another state or country, an exciting game they played in, etc. They are to use shapes.

The next step is to choose their drawing and then redraw it onto a piece of 8.5x11 paper. They then place the transparency on top and use tape, old labels and stickers to "redraw" it. We use Exacto knives to make precise cuts (and talk about safety!)

After that, I do a printing demo. We've already gone over vocabulary, so they know what a baren and brayer are (which doesn't stop them from calling it a hand roller and stomper...). I have them make multiple prints because we will alter the ones that are not successful.

This one was my favorite from last year:

Here is an example of the printing plate, a print and a modified print, also from last year. This year, NO CORNER SUNS!

And a few that have been printed so far this year:

The kids really like this project and once they see the process, they really get it. I think I might continue with the printmaking unit and do styrofoam printing next.

Elements of Art-6th Grade Edition

The assignment on the left (my copy). Students completed cubes on right.

 Usually I like to start the trimester off with 6th graders, with an introduction to the Elements of Art. Sometimes I do the "Elements of Art Olympics" which I adapted from The Incredible Art Department but this trimester I started off showing this Elements of Art video and then we filled out a vocab chart. After that, I have them create an Elements of Art cube, where each side is different element (with Form being the cube itself). It's pretty cool and kids think it's neat that the cube is an actual element. Sometimes I have them complete an Elements of Art scavenger hunt around the room.

Completed cubes

Vocab chart done in sketchbook

Robots, robots, everywhere!

Probably some of my best lessons are the ones that come at the last minute, born of desperation. Last year, I had only a few days left in the trimester and was about to start a clay unit with my 6th graders. And my clay was rock hard. I had no time to go get more clay. Time for Plan B. My best friend and I had spent an evening making a robot for a party. We had a blast finding normal items we could "robot-ize" for our project. Suddenly I thought about having my students get in groups of 3-4 to build robots out of recyclable materials. We scrambled around the school to find boxes and lids and other assorted items. I pulled out my box of randoms. They had a blast! Kids still come in to see their robot and I have all grade levels asking if they can make robots.

1st Generation Robots on display

This year I didn't do robots until the second trimester. I decided to include a value/drawing unit. I found these great handouts to help. We talked about shading and students had to use shading in their drawing (at least 3 values).

Next came the fun part. Building a robot! I told students to start bringing in recyclable items to use on their robot. And of course many wanted to go dumpster diving in the back of school. We talked about assembling the robot and the best materials to use (hot glue vs. masking tape) and how to alter items to use (paint, wrapping, etc.) on the robot.

2nd Generation robots watch over class...

It was a fun project and kids totally got into it!

6th Grade Monster Heads

Well, after the first firing they didn't look so good. So I took some samples to Georgies to see if it was kiln error, glaze error or user error. The good news is that it wasn't anything major and the pieces could be re-fired. I was pleased this morning when they looked normal and shiny and not pitted! Here are a few standouts from this trimester.

Clay Monster Heads

We are elbow-deep in clay this week. Well, maybe more like wrist deep. My sixth graders are working on their "Monster Heads" using hand-building techniques like pinch pot, slip and score and molding. Some are more fantastical than others, some are more realistic. I have been doing this assignment since I started teaching--probably the only successful assignment from that year! They end up looking really neat and the students learn techniques that they can build on in seventh and eighth grade (if they end up in Art).