James Rizzi Inspired City Mural

The First graders studied community and went on school trips to all sorts of local establishments like the bank, bakery, supermarket, police station, library and more. In the Art Room we looked at James Rizzi's fun-filled cityscapes. The students drew and painted their own building shapes. Then they collaged funny faces and/or patterns and added black outlines. The students worked together to create some of buildings they visited and then all the buildings were put together to create a whimsical Rizzi-inspired town.

Fall Tree Landscapes

The first graders created stunning Fall Tree Landscapes while learning about the “horizon line” as a follow up to a lesson on horizontal and vertical. They drew a horizon line and then painted the sky and grass. In the next class, the students drew“Y”s for tree trunks and then painted tree leaves in Fall shades.

Rainforest Puppets

Lemur, Jaguar and Sloth

The First Graders made Rainforest animal puppets in the art room to correspond with the animals they were researching in their classroom. They used basic cardboard shapes to make the puppet, thinking of the special features that distinguish each animal. Then they brought their puppets to life using a multitude of materials like felt, foam, fabric, fur, yarn and more to create colorful and fantastical creatures. When the parents came to their in-classroom Animal Book Publishing party, they were treated to a puppet show as well!

Anaconda

Pirhana

Macaw

Tarantula

Thinking About Daydreaming

The first graders were asked to think about "where they go when they daydream." Then they drew their ideas in pencil, went over their drawings in sharpie, erased their lines and watercolored the illustration. The paintings are so whimsical and fun!

Paper Portraits holding Books

The First Graders created self-portraits holding their prayer books proudly. The children traced and cut ovals from paper for their head and neck and then added facial features with more cut paper. They also chose a shirt from wallpaper and hair from yarn or fabric. Finally they decorated their books and traced their hands, which some also decorated. 

Recycled cardboard House Books -first grade

In conjunction with a publishing party the first graders have in their classrooms, we made artistic "house books" in the art room. With inspiration from the brilliant book The Big Orange Splot by Daniel Pinkwater, Roberto the Insect Architect by Nina Laden, Mr Pine's Purple House by Leonard Kessler and others, we gradually explored the beauty of uniqueness and the basic elements of architecture. The students first built their houses with recycled pieces of cardboard and glue. Doors/covers were also chosen. Next the students painted their cardboard pieces and had the options of collaging and/or drawing in craypas.The first graders had the choice of writing and/or illustrating the inside pages. Finally the books were compiled with pipe-cleaners and the houses stand proudly. The children love this inventive project that integrates with their language arts learning.

Animal Shape Collages - First Grade

We read the book Color Zoo by Lois Ehlert and were inspired by the bright shapes and colors. The first graders chose from many paper shapes and colors to create animal collages of their own. 

 

 

Giant Rainforest Tree Frogs

The First Graders' classroom rainforest study is enhanced in the Art Studio with rainforest art projects. The students each build a giant tree frog and then paint it with vibrant colors and add eyes. The frogs are displayed for their Rainforest Animal Book Publishing Party.

PRIMARY COLOR COLLAGES

These collages, made in Art Class, were inspired by the work of Dutch artist, Piet Mondrian. The first graders were asked to use only primary colors and black, vertical and horizontal lines, squares and rectangles in their compositions, as Mondrian did in his late work. We were able to review many concepts including use of perpendicular and parallel lines.

1st grade craypas resist mandalas

The first graders used their knowledge of shapes, colors and lines to create unique mandalas that reflect each of their personalities and aesthetic sensibilities. Mandalas are circular geometric designs intended to symbolize the universe. The basis of the mandala is the center from which shapes, lines and patterns emanate. Early mandalas were created in sand and stones and have origins in ancient Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity and Judaism. The Star of David symbol, adopted by Judaism in the middle ages, is a common motif found in mandalas.