First grade rainbow fish illustrators

1st grade artists are learning about the differences between illustrators and authors, specifically in the "Rainbow Fish" series. We zoomed up on our fish so much that we don't even see the entire fish! We also talked about space and overlapping so that some weeds, sand and bubbles are in front or behind each other. We used pattern in our rainbow scales!

Learning Goals:

I can describe the difference between an illustrator and author.

I can create pattern with fish scales

I can show space using overlapping

First Grade Whoville Architecture

First graders are studying architecture. We looked at many types of architecture and compared and contrasted them with a friend. We looked architecture that is old & new, fancy and basic, homes and castles, bridges and sculptures, famous and everyday. Students each received an image of one of these constructions and after discussing with a friend the similarities and differences, we chose to put them in one of four areas on the board: 

1. I would love to LIVE here. 

2. This is the most FUN place! 

3. I would NEVER want to visit here. 

4. This is the most strange and UNIQUE place. 

Then we discussed the reasons why students chose what they did! It was so fun to hear their answers!

We expanded our thinking with this worksheet for the backs of our artworks.

We read "The Grinch Who Stole Christmas" and looked at the architecture of the cities. We next designed our own Who Architecture and even added a Grinch peeking in on the town! Thank you to elementaryartroom@blogspot.com where you can find the creator of this cute lesson!

Learning Goals:
*I can describe what an architect does
* I can compare and contrast different types of architecture
* I can talk about why people would want various types of architecture
* I can describe what an illustrator does (like in the book "The Grinch Who Stole Christmas" and design Whoville architecture.

1st grade Princess and the Pea

First grade artists thought about the differences between an author and an illustrator of a book. We talked about art careers and what we could be if we wanted to grow up and be an artist. We then looked at two renditions of the book "The Princess and the Pea." One was more like the original tale and the other was more of a modern spoof on the story. The illustrators chose to do their artwork very differently. 

We noticed the different textures  of the donated fabrics that we had and glued the strips down to pile up the many mattresses for our princes and princesses. We also worked hard to blend watercolor cold paint colors in the background. 

1st Grade Snoval Collages

1st Grade artists have worked hard on their Snoval collages! We used multiple materials like buttons, fabric, wallpaper scraps and other things to create these adorable snovals (oval snowmen). After reading books about snowmen, we talked about been cartoon illustrators as a art career and also reviewed our use of pattern in the scarves.

Learning Goals:

Students can identify a collage

Students can distinguish between art careers

Students know the difference between an author and an illustrator

Students can use pattern in their artworks

Kindergarten Rainbow Order Stars

Kindergarten artists read the book, "Draw me a Star" by the author and illustrator Eric Carle. We learned how to draw stars in a few different ways. We also sang the Roy G. Biv song that teaches us about rainbow order. We drew our shooting stars, and and the shooting lines be all different types of lines! (one of our art elements).  Next, we colored our shooting lines in rainbow order. 

1st grade Illustrators for the book "Rainbow Fish"

1st grade artists talked about the many art professions that they could be if they wanted to grow up to be an artist. We landed on the profession of illustrator and looked at the way the illustrator in the book, "Rainbow Fish" created his illustrations. We used huge paper, markers, sponges, glue and glitter to create our own Rainbow Fish.

Kindergarten and 1st Grade Illustrators

Kindergarten and 1st Grade artists read the book "The Three Little Pigs" and we discussed art professions that they could be if they grew up and wanted to be an artist. One of these jobs is an illustrator for a book! We all were able to become illustrators for the 3 Pigs book and we drew our own little pigs complete with patterns and expressions!

2nd grade Dump Trucks

2nd Grade artists read a fiction book called "I Stink" about dump trucks and we noticed how the illustrator used primary and secondary colors in his illustrations. We drew our own dump trucks and are using primary colors to create secondary colors in our work.

1st Grade Castles

1st grade artists are learning about various art professions! They looked specifically at the job of an architect. We read the book, "Who wants a dragon?" and looked at the way the illustrator drew the castle and dragon. We then became architects and created our own castles!

Kindergarten Alligator Lunches

Kindergarten artists read the book, "What's for Dinner?" and saw how the illustrator used mouths in the book that actually open! We created our own big alligator mouths and practiced cutting shapes like circles, triangles and fancy fish shapes. We also drew some bumpy texture onto each alligator. Watch out! They bite! :)