LINES, LINES, LINES

It's the end of the school year and I find myself wanting to review the elements of art before graduating my Kindergarteners to first grade. I drew lines on manilla paper before students came to class. We identified these lines (most of my students are E.L.L. and special education) but I can imagine finding these lines in a painting with a high level class. Next students were asked to make these lines with CLAY. Most made coils. . . 

Some students broke their clay into pieces and placed it on the lines. . . 

Then I asked the students to make their lines come OFF the page.

Finally the art mentors (5th graders) helped with clean up. Wedging the clay back together and putting it in a plastic bag with a wet sponge keeps the clay pliable for our next project. 

Initial Reaction

When I asked my Kindergarteners if they knew what their initials were you can imagine their reaction. They stared at me blankly. I needed the Kinders to know how to write their initials for upcoming clay lessons so I decided use initials as inspiration for a mosaic art lesson.

Just as I taught them to write their names by tracing the yellow name I wrote on their paper, I taught them to make their initial(s). First I wrote their initial big with a yellow marker. I held up each of the letters for the class and they guessed whose initial it could be. "J is for John!" "My name starts with a J, Jose!"


Next students cut bright pieces of foam into smaller pieces and glued them on their initial. Finally they created a black background. I showed pictures of beautiful mosaics from all around the world and we talked about how the artists put the tiles closely together but never overlap them. I think their initial mosaics are really beautiful! The best part is they will all be able to write their initials on their clay pieces!