Clay Frogs

 Description: 

For this project we created a frog and a lily pad out of clay. We started by rolling out our clay using leveling boards to create an even slab of clay. Then we used a cardboard template to cut out our lily pads. Next, we started making our frogs. We rolled our clay into a ball and cut it into 2/3rds. We used the bigger piece to make the body of our frog. Then we rolled the rest of our clay into a long snake-like log. We cut two longer pieces for the legs of our frog, two medium pieces for the eyes, and four small pieces for the feet. Then, we scored the body and the pieces to attach everything to the body. We also used a small amount of water to sort of "glue" everything together. Then we created the details on the face, and feet. Finally, we painted the frog and the lily pad. 

Extension Activity: 

To incorporate language arts. students could write a short story about their frog. Before they write the story, they could do some research on frogs including how they live, what they eat, etc. This could help create a science tie-in to the lesson. They could then include some characteristics of the frogs in their story that they write. If the teacher is currently focusing on informational writing, the students could instead write a report on frogs. If the students are older, they could even focus on a particular species of frog. 

Skyline Print Making

 Description: 

For this project, we created a skyline using printmaking techniques. First we started by painting the sunset background using watercolors. We used the wet-on-wet technique to create a more authentic sunset look on the watercolor paper. Then, we set these aside to dry. While our sunsets were drying, we started making our print. We used a piece of paper the same size as our foam plate to create a skyline of our choosing. The only requirement was that it had 3 structures. Then, we taped our paper to the foam printmaking board and traced the design again using a lot of pressure. After this, we took the paper off and traced the outline on the foam plate one more time to make sure everything was pressed really well into the plate. We then took black printmaking ink and rolled it onto the foam using a brayer. We first pressed this design on a piece of scratch paper to make sure that it was going to work correctly. Then we covered the print with black printmaking ink one more time and pressed the plate onto our sunset background. 

Extension Activity: 

To incorporate social studies into this project students could learn about different groups of Native Americans and create a "skyline" project depicting different villages or settlements of Native Americans and what their houses or other structures looked like. They could also present these to the class and include a PowerPoint presentation talking about the Native American group that they researched. 

Paper Earth Project

 Description: 

For this project, we talked about Earth Day and how to use recycled materials in art. The materials we used were cardboard circles, green tissue paper, glue, cotton balls, blue construction paper, and continent stencils. First, we took our cardboard circles and traced the continents onto them using a pencil. Then, we used blue construction paper that was cut into small squares and glued them all around the circle, but left the space with the continent tracings that we had done blank. Next, we took green tissue paper and rolled it into little balls and glued it onto the cardboard in the continent outlines. After we had finished making the oceans and the continents, we stretched out white cotton balls and glued them on to make them look like clouds over the earth. 

Extension Activity: 

To incorporate math and science, students could go outside and collect as much litter as they can find. Then, they can bring it inside and sort it into piles like plastic, paper, tin, etc. Then, they could create a graph or chart comparing all of the litter that they collected. 

Watercolor Painting

Description: 

For this project we created an underwater sea scene using watercolor paints, saran wrap, salt, and crayons. We started by practicing on a piece of paper with a variety of different techniques. We used wet-on-wet, watercolor with salt, watercolor with saran wrap, and crayons with watercolor. We also practiced drawing different sea animals. Then, we moved on to a project that combined all of these different techniques. We used the different techniques that we had learned to create an ocean scene. We first drew our animals and other things with crayon and then used watercolor. I even used the salt and saran wrap technique in my painting. 

Extension Activity: 

To incorporate science, students could learn about a variety of different animals in the sea and how they all interact with each other as part of a science lesson. Students might create a diorama of an ocean or be asked to write a report on a specific animal of their choice. 

To incorporate social studies, students could learn about different oceans and the animals that live in them around the world. They could also learn about how people interact with the oceans and use the oceans and the animals in it for survival. 

Pumpkin Drawing

 Description: 

For this drawing activity, we made a pumpkin using oil pastel, black marker, and glue. We started by practicing on another piece of paper for how to create the pumpkin. Then, once we had an idea of how to create it, we drew the pumpkin on a piece of black construction paper. We drew the pumpkin first in pencil and then outlined it in black marker. Then we drew a moon and added a grassy patch around the pumpkin. Next we started with our light colors for the moon and pumpkin and shaded the bottom left of the pumpkin to create the illusion of a shadow. We then colored our sky, added stars to the background, and colored our grass. Lastly, we added glue over the black marker lines to give our drawing a sort of 3-D effect. 

Extension Activity: 

I could bring in a real pumpkin for my class to base their drawings off of. Then, once we have completed our drawings, we could cut the pumpkin open and scoop out all of the seeds. After the seeds have been cleaned, I could bake them, and students could use them as manipulatives for a Halloween themed math project. 

I could also have students pretend their pumpkin that they drew has come to life and they need to create a story about their pumpkin and an adventure that it goes on.

Hidden Safari

 Description: 

For this activity, we started out by creating glasses with red film that were kind of like the 3-D glasses you get at the movie theater. We created these together as a class. Then, we practiced in our binders drawing different images upside down because it helps you look at the lines of the image instead of the image as a whole. Next, we choose an animal to draw for our project. We used a blue colored pencil and drew the animal upside down on a piece of white construction paper. Then, we used a variety of different warm color crayons like red, yellow, and orange and drew different patterns over the animal. When I had finished drawing different patterns in warm colored crayons over my animal, I glued the paper onto a larger piece of construction paper and used a notecard to write three clues about the animal hidden on my paper. At the end, I used my 3-D glasses that I had created and looked through them at my project to see through all of the warm colored patterns I had drawn. I was able to see the animal underneath much better through my glasses than I could without them. 

Extension: 

After students have finished the project, they could do some research on the animal they drew and create a PowerPoint presentation talking about their animal. They could even present the PowerPoint to the class in order to practice their public speaking skills.

Van Gogh Collage

 Description: 

For this project, we listened to a PowerPoint presentation about Vincent Van Gogh. The PowerPoint covered his life, how he became an artist, and the different kinds of art he worked with. The main piece that we discussed was his famous painting "Starry Night." We learned about different ways the aspects of his work and wrote down three things that we learned about him. When we started the project, I took a piece of black construction paper and different colors of tissue paper, mostly black, blue, and some white, and began gluing it down with clear acrylic glue. Once all of the tissue paper had been glued to the background and it had dried, I took some more black construction paper and cut out some skyscrapers in different heights. I glued these skyscrapers to the background and used a white crayon to make the outline of some windows on the skyscraper. I also used a white oil pastel to make some stars in the background of my project. 

Extension Activity: 

Because we were each allowed to make different projects with different backgrounds and other things added to it, I could have students do a science project discussing the different ecosystems that they created in their projects and the plants and animals that could be found in that ecosystem.