Project/Unit description/Expedition
This unit of study has been an exploration of art materials and techniques. The students have used a variety of media and their associated techniques to communicate stories and ideas through art. Students have been encouraged to make their own decisions in many cases, to work experimentally, and to make their own discoveries. The students have learned how these art-making materials relate to their own experiences and the world around them. This lesson was in many ways a culmination of these experiences and an opportunity to put newly acquired knowledge into practice. In today’s lesson, the kindergarten artists used acrylic paint to add color and detail to ceramic art that they created during previous classes.
Essential Understanding.
Artists use color and technique to create and enhance art.
Inquiry/Learning target
How paint and color are used to add detail, to convey information, and to add interest in 2 and 3-dimensional art.
Key Concept(s)
Color
Technique
Observation
Symbol
Skill(s).
Painting techniques
Color mixing
Communication through art
Integration of accumulated art skill
Art Focus
Students will focus on the use of painting techniques and color mixing knowledge
Literacy Focus
Students discussed their discoveries and observations as a group and as individuals during this lesson. They learned vocabulary words related to the lesson and engaged in a dialogue about the meaning of these words in order to relate them to their own experiences.
Documentation
This lesson was a tremendous affirmation of student learning during this unit. Student verbal responses and actions repeatedly indicated that the artists were retaining and synthesizing the information that they have been learning. They also suggested that many of the students are developing a variety of secondary skills and competencies associated with the art making process. The students engaged in a short discussion at the beginning of class related to a series of examples of kindergarten art. They discussed the use of color in a realistic sense to define elements in the art as well as imaginative color in art.
The students observed a demonstration of how they might use paint to embellish their ceramic artwork. They talked about the firing process and physical transformation of the clay in terms appropriate for the age group. During the demonstration, the artists worked collaboratively to make decisions about the use of color in the demonstration example and debated the use of realistic versus imaginative color. After the demonstration the students began returned to their spots and began to paint. Without prompting, most students engaged in a deliberate process of paint mixing and experimentation during the work sessions. Many students described interesting color mixing outcomes and observations about painting on the textured and porous surface of the ceramic clay slabs. When students encountered challenges, most experimented and worked persistently in order to find a solution.
During this lesson, students communicated effectively with each other and with their instructors. Without exception, the student artists utilized techniques and knowledge learned and practiced at various points during previous lessons in this unit of study. The students not only comprehended the learning and skills associated with this project, but drew upon the learning experiences that led to this final project.
This unit of study has been an exploration of art materials and techniques. The students have used a variety of media and their associated techniques to communicate stories and ideas through art. Students have been encouraged to make their own decisions in many cases, to work experimentally, and to make their own discoveries. The students have learned how these art-making materials relate to their own experiences and the world around them. This lesson was in many ways a culmination of these experiences and an opportunity to put newly acquired knowledge into practice. In today’s lesson, the kindergarten artists used acrylic paint to add color and detail to ceramic art that they created during previous classes.
Essential Understanding.
Artists use color and technique to create and enhance art.
Inquiry/Learning target
How paint and color are used to add detail, to convey information, and to add interest in 2 and 3-dimensional art.
Key Concept(s)
Color
Technique
Observation
Symbol
Skill(s).
Painting techniques
Color mixing
Communication through art
Integration of accumulated art skill
Art Focus
Students will focus on the use of painting techniques and color mixing knowledge
Literacy Focus
Students discussed their discoveries and observations as a group and as individuals during this lesson. They learned vocabulary words related to the lesson and engaged in a dialogue about the meaning of these words in order to relate them to their own experiences.
Documentation
This lesson was a tremendous affirmation of student learning during this unit. Student verbal responses and actions repeatedly indicated that the artists were retaining and synthesizing the information that they have been learning. They also suggested that many of the students are developing a variety of secondary skills and competencies associated with the art making process. The students engaged in a short discussion at the beginning of class related to a series of examples of kindergarten art. They discussed the use of color in a realistic sense to define elements in the art as well as imaginative color in art.
The students observed a demonstration of how they might use paint to embellish their ceramic artwork. They talked about the firing process and physical transformation of the clay in terms appropriate for the age group. During the demonstration, the artists worked collaboratively to make decisions about the use of color in the demonstration example and debated the use of realistic versus imaginative color. After the demonstration the students began returned to their spots and began to paint. Without prompting, most students engaged in a deliberate process of paint mixing and experimentation during the work sessions. Many students described interesting color mixing outcomes and observations about painting on the textured and porous surface of the ceramic clay slabs. When students encountered challenges, most experimented and worked persistently in order to find a solution.
During this lesson, students communicated effectively with each other and with their instructors. Without exception, the student artists utilized techniques and knowledge learned and practiced at various points during previous lessons in this unit of study. The students not only comprehended the learning and skills associated with this project, but drew upon the learning experiences that led to this final project.
Students were each set up with their own painting stations where they could mix their own colors and paint their clay slab.
Students had the choice of what kinds of colors they wanted to use to paint their creature and habitats. They made good observations about how colors could affect their slab. During demonstration one student noticed that the example of a colorful owl did not have the typical colors of an owl but many different colors. She proclaimed "it doesn't have to be real colors because maybe they used their imagination!"
Students quickly made some discoveries about the differences with painting on a 3D surface instead of a flat surface as seen in this video. |
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In this video, the student discusses the challenges of painting on the textured surface and how to paint in the recessed areas. |
Each of these videos, students discuss different techniques used in order to get paint in some of the smaller harder areas that were carved into the slab.
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After working on their first slab students were able to paint their second "habitat." As seen in the photos below, some students used their first slab as reference in order to use similar colors in each piece.
It was great to see students work together to solve problems. At each table and even across the room students helped each other. If students were unsure how to make a certain color they shared their knowledge on their findings and how to make certain colors. One student was unsure how to make a light pink and after being told by someone at her table, she was able to share her experience getting the color with a student at another table.
Students were asked about their color choices used to paint certain elements in their slab creations.
In this video, the student discusses her color choice when painting the flowers in her clay habitat. |
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In this video the student also discusses his color choice for the bee hive he created in his clay habitat. |
Students created some interesting creatures and habitats and it was great to see the creature and habitat painted together.