Ms. K Jorgenson and Ms. M. Jorgenson- Clay Ornaments

This was the last peer taught art lesson for this semester. We made lacy clay ornaments. The first step was drawing out a lace design that we liked on the powerpoint we were shown. Once we had our design we  taped wax paper over the stop of the paper we drew our design on. Then we were given clay in a baggie, we had to mix it around to get rid of the water. Once the water was mixed in, we cut a small hole in the tip of the baggie so we could push the clay out of the end. We traced our lace design we drew on top of the wax paper. Once we had the design done, we used water colors to paint it. We had to chose either warm or cool colors. I chose warm colors. The final directions were to tie a ribbon onto it when it was dry.

Extension Activity:  I would have my students study the different uses of clay and then I would do another project using clay. Possibly go into the schools pottery classroom and study the history of spinning clay on a wheel.

Ms. Cronin and Ms. Eikamp- Stepping Stones

The art lesson we were taught was from the area of crafts. We made stepping stones out of cement. We were asked to bring in a 4x6 photo of our choice. The teachers laminated our photo before the project began. The first thing we were asked to do was to draw what we wanted our stepping stone to look like. We were also suppose to decided which pattern and which stones we wanted to use. I chose a picture of my parents and I. The colors I chose around my picture were maroon and blue. I chose maroon because my parents and I were at a Northern football game in this picture. The first step was to get cement poured into our plastic circular tray. Then we had to move the cement around by shaking our tray in order to get rid of the air bubbles. Once the air bubbles were out we set the picture into the middle and then set the stones around in the patterns in which we were taught. I used a repetition pattern for my stepping stone.

Extension Activity: I would teach the students about the history of the different patterns, such as mosaic. Then I would have them make a smaller stepping stone to go with this one so they could put it in their gardens.    

Print it! Ms. Opsahl and Ms. Vetch

This project was inspired by the book, "Easter Egg Farm." We started out by drawing an easter egg on a medium sized paper, we used whatever designs we wanted to make them unique. Once we had our egg drawing done we used meat tray foam and imprinted our egg design into it. Once the design of our egg was imprinted onto the foam, it was time to apply the paint.

We used printmaking ink. First you set your blank paper over the foam them you use a roller to apply the paint. Once all the paint is applied then you do a corner test to make sure that the design formed on the paper. Then you let your papers dry. We did four egg designs. Once they were dry we glued them onto a large piece of construction paper.

Extension Activity: I would extend this art project by teaching the history of the easter egg and why we have eggs during the easter holiday. I would bring in real eggs into class and have the student decorate them.

Rainbow Fish Collage: Ms. Anderson and Ms. Deslairiers

This is the completed bulletin board for Lindsey Deslairiers and I's lesson plan, The rainbow fish collage.  We wanted a board that stood out and was colorful like the bottom of a tropical ocean. We used tissue paper and construction paper to create the under water look of the bulletin board. We stapled the students finished products to the board. 

 This is an example of the fish that we had the students create. Our topic was collages. We started by reading the students the book, "The Rainbow Fish" by Marcus Pfister. We then reviewed what primary and secondary colors where. The students first started out by drawing a fish of their choice and cutting it out. The students then picked out the colors they wished to use. In my fish I used green, purple, and blue. I chose these colors because it reminded me of the fish in the book we read. Once the students picked out the colors they wished to use, they would rip the paper into shapes then glue them down to fill the entire fish in, leaving no white spaces. Once the entire fish was filled in, the students could add beads, glitter, tin foil, etc to add to the fish and create a look of fish scales. 

Extension Activity: I would extend this activity by teaching the students more about the different tropical fish. This could be integrated into a science lesson. The students could pick a fish and research it. The students could give presentations on the fish they chose.     

Scratch Art: Ms. Bruemmer and Mr. Kiefer

This lesson was taught on the subject of scratch art. We started out by learning some history and vocabulary of the concept. Then we were taught some different ways of scratching the paper. We practiced this on a scrap piece of paper. We were all provided with the tools and scratch paper. We also were given a random shape in which we had to incorporate that into the art we scratched. My shape was a lemon looking shape. I made the shape into the body of a turtle and then I added features to the body to enhance the picture. I used about 4 different techniques on scratching to creative the turtle. We finished off the picture by gluing it to a piece of paper to form a border.

Extension Activity: I would have my students write a short story about the piece they created. They could describe whats going on in their picture through words.

Pop Art: Ms. Katzenburger and Ms. Mammenga

This project was based around the famous artist Andy Warhol and his pop art creations. Andy Warhol was known for his artwork which was based around the same picture, but he used different color schemes in each one. We were first put into groups of four, then we were asked to sketch the common object. In my group we sketched a jug. Everyone had to sketch the same item, but use a different color scheme. Once we were done sketching we were to put all four of our pop arts together in the similar fashion of Andy Warhol. We then shared our projects to the class. I chose the warm color scheme.

Extension Activity:  I would have the students be in groups and they would research other artists with unique techniques. I would have them do a ten minute presentation of the artist and then I would have the students create a similar art project of that particular artist.

Pebble Painting: Ms. Trautner and Ms. Weikamp

This was the second lesson plan that was presented. The lesson started by the teachers reading us a picture book about shapes. We put pieces of paper into a shoe box, then poured paint inside with a rock. We shook the shoebox as much as we wanted. Then we took the pieces of paper out and cut them into geometric shapes. We used primary colors for three of them and then we were instructed to make a secondary color using two of the primary colors. I chose yellow, red and blue as my three primary colors, and I chose yellow and blue to create green on the circle shape.

Extension Activity: I would have the students find the length of the sides or the circumference of the circle, this would turn this art lesson into a math lesson also.  

Paper Weaving: Ms. Jundt and Ms. Thorne

This was the first Art lesson that our peers taught. This lesson was on the art of weaving. We were introduced to some new terminology such as twisting, tint, shade and weaving. The materials we needed were cardboard for the background, strips of newspaper, paint and glitter if we pleased. First, we taped strips on newspaper going one way across the board, then we did it going to opposite way. Once all the pieces were evenly distributed we were to weave the newspapers, under and over each other. We were to twist the newspapers and then tape them down. Once this was all done, we painted the background of the cardboard a shade or a tint. Then we painted the strips however we pleased and added glitter to jazz it up.

Extension Activity: After teaching the students more about weaving and the different cultures that use weaving, I would do a project in which the students were to weave their own basket. I would have the students decorate their baskets however they pleased choosing either warm or cool colors.

Starry Night Finger Painting

This activity was inspired by Vincent Van Gogh's painting "A Starry Night." I was excited to get in and be able to use our fingers to paint. The techniques we learned on how to create different textures was interesting to me. I didn't think I could get the painting I got by using my fingers. My home state of Washington inspired my finger painting. I painted the mountains, green hills, blue bay and sunsets I see when I am back home.

For an Extension activity, I would have the students create another finger painting picture. This time I would have the students tell a story through their painting. This would allow creativity and let the students be unique and tell a story in which they come up with. I would have the students share their story.

Hidden Safari

This project was a lot of fun because I have never seen anything like this. First we started out drawing a animal from the safari in a cool colored color pencil, then we added layer over layer of warm colored patterns to hide the safari animal. When you put on the special "ruby red glasses" you can see the animal that is hidden. This art project was really creative and I feel as though elementary aged students would love this project because it is fun and engaging.

An extension activity you could do with this project would be that once the students are done with their piece you could have them research fun facts about the animal they drew. The student can share the facts with the class, you could also extend that into a more in depth research project of animals, having the students formally present facts about their animal.

Eric Karl Collage

For this project we were introduced the collage technique of making art. We watched a segment on Eric Carle and the way he did his artwork for his children's books. The way he did his projects were very interesting to me. I was excited to try this collage technique. We first painted different pieces of paper to make unique textures. I swirled my brush around so the background looked like water and i used the end of my paintbrush to create a different texture for the turtles shell. I enjoyed this project very much.

An extension activity a teacher could do in their classroom would be to first read an Eric Carle book then have the students experiment with paints and show them different ways to create texture. Then have the students cut out scenes from their painted papers. I think students would really enjoy this activity.

Elements and Principles of Design

Texture: If you could touch the item photographed, how would it feel? A picture in which it looks like you can feel it.

Organic Shape: Shapes based on natural objects such as leaves, trees, mountains, etc.


















For this project we were to go out and take several pictures of what represented each of the elements and principles of design. Then we made a powerpoint of at least 8 of the pictures we took and then we explained each element or principle of design.

For an extension project I would assign groups and have each group of students have one element or one principle. I would then have them go out and take pictures of what they thought represented each one. They would then give a presentation to the class on their specific element/principle. This activity would get them working in groups and it would help them become and expert on all the elements/principles.

Footprint Introductions

Katie's Footprint:
I had a lot of fun creating this project. I was able to express myself using multiple medias. I worked with construction paper, tissue paper, sequins, foam paper, and markers. If I were to explain this project to a fellow educator I would explain the steps for creating it. First, have your students trace the outline of their foot on construction paper. Second, have them brainstorm ideas for different things that represent them. On the foot I created, everything about the foot represents my life. The soccer ball represents my love for soccer and how I play it at NSU, the palm tree is for my family trips to California, the heart represents how close I am with my family, the mountains, rain, sailboat and tree represents my home state of Washington, the dog represents my Newfoundland and the dress represents my love of shopping. After the students have brainstormed all their ideas, have them find different medias to represent them and glue them on the foot. This project has no limits on creativity. The students can go in any direction they want. After their foot is created the students can introduce themselves to the class, this gives them a chance to have the spotlight and have them tell the whole class about themselves. For an extension activity with this art project I would have the students write a story about themselves and their favorite activities. This extension project relates to Language Arts.