Klee Shape Faces

Kindergarteners created art in the style of Paul Klee.  We read "The Cat and the Bird: A Children's Book inspired by Paul Klee" and we looked at the actual painting by Klee titled "The Cat and the Bird."  We talked about abstract art (art that doesn't look as real as a photograph) and how some abstract artists like Klee like to use lots of shapes in their artwork.  For this project we focused on learning the difference between a line and a shape.  Then we moved on to the difference between regular (geometric) and irregular (organic) shapes.

On the first day, we drew and sharpied dog or cat faces.  Since I'm a real dog lover I couldn't help but give the kids a choice.  When I have done this project in the past, I have focused on the painting "Senecio" by Klee but I must admit drawing animals is a little more fun!

The next day, we painted using warm colors since Klee focused on the warm colors in his paintings. When we paint with the warm colors, we start with the lightest warm colors and work our way to the darkest colors so that the water doesn't get to dirty for the yellow right away.  I try to pick the yellow up early on so that it doesn't get too messy! Students were challenged to avoid painting shapes that were touching (sharing sides) with the same color.  Some exceptions had to be made at the end when we ran out of colors.

Learning Goals: I can...
- Create abstract artwork in the style of Klee
- Tell the difference between a regular and irregular shape
- Balance colors throughout my artwork
- Use good craftsmanship when drawing and painting

Evergreen Trees

Our first graders created these cool textured evergreen trees! Students got a chance to play"teacher" and teach the class how to created their own unique patterns.
Learning Goals: I can...
- Create unique designs
- Create texture
- Use shapes to create a picture

Inspiration for this project was found here.

Mouse Paint

“Mouse Paint” is a great book about color mixing for kids.  Kindergarteners read this book and then mixed their own secondary colors using the primary colors.  We used these secondary paintings the next time to create secondary colored mice.  As a final touch we added primary colors in the background.  

Here are a few rhymes we use to help us remember the primary and secondary colors.

“The primary colors are red, yellow, blue.”  (with a fast clap for each color)

“The secondary colors just take longer to do. They are orange, green and purple... the secondary crew.”

Learning goals: I can...

• Mix primary colors to make secondary colors
• Cut shapes to create a collage

Fish

We read the story "Only One You."  The fish in the story taught us about the value of uniqueness.  This story served as inspiration for our drawing and painting project.

Learning Goal: I can use line to create shape.  After explaining that a line does not become a shape until it connects I tried to trick the kids!  As we began to draw the oval for the fish body I stopped while it still looked like the letter "c."  Then I asked, "Is this a shape?"  "No!" the kids exclaimed until the moment I connected it into an oval. I tried repeatedly to trick them while drawing fins and eyes but once they caught on there was no way they were going to let me get away with calling a line a shape! Great job kiddos!

We also practiced coloring in with good craftsmanship.  Ask your child about these phrases:
- Sides first (and then the middle)
- Lawnmower lines
- Goodbye Mr. Whitespace (and hello color!)