Third Grade Medallions

These Byzantine medallions were a hit! 3rd graders learned about the Byzantine Empire (where, what, when) and the beautiful medallions that were created in this empire*. We first created a sketch of our medallions, creating symmetry and/or radial symmetry (same on all sides). Students then rolled out a slab of clay, cut the shape of their medallion, and then created their design, starting from the center and working outward. I reminded the students to keep in mind shape, line, and design when creating these medallions. The medallions were put into the kiln once, then painted with some awesome metallic paints. For a final touch, we added gems and jewels, just like the real Byzantine medallions!  Most of the third grade classes are still working on these.

* The Byzantine Empire is what is now modern-day Turkey (We used Google Earth to find this area). This empire was rich in gold, silver, and many jewels, that were mined by the people who lived in the empire. This was very convenient because this area was a center for trade between the west and the east. These medallions were worn around the neck and often were a symbol of faith and/or who each person was in their society. Everyone could wear gold, silver, and many different kinds of jewels, but only the Emperor and noblemen could wear Sapphires, Emeralds, and Pearls (because they were so rare).

3rd grade Eric Carle Inspired Collages

Eric Carle is a great source of inspiration in the Art room. Second grade created mixed-up chameleons and now third grade is finishing up their Eric Carle collages. We spent an art class dedicated to creating texture on paper with paint and some very neat paint-scraping tools. There are so many color combinations and ways to use the tools, the possibilities are nearly endless.

After this, we looked at some Eric Carle books, like "Animals, Animals" for inspiration. Students drew a sketch on newsprint paper (not pictured) to get a better understanding of the shapes of the objects and/or animals and then drew those objects and/or animals on the back of the textured paper and cut them out. Since everyone needed many colors, we created a "community" texture paper bin so we could all share.

(Eric Carle's work pictured above)

Finally, we chose a color for a background, arranged our pieces before gluing them down, and added small details with oil pastels. Their ideas blew me away... I am one proud art teacher!

3rd Grade Basket Weavings

Third grade has spent some time learning about what a weaving is and all the different kinds of weaving, looking at different examples. We also discussed how weavings are often functional art, or they serve a purpose. To create these basket weavings, we cut an ODD number of cuts on a plastic cup, taped one end of a roll of yarn on the inside of the basket, and in an "over and under" pattern, we weaved the yarn until the plastic container was covered. Beads were added for extra decoration and the inside bottom was painted with acrylic paints. They did an awesome job!

3rd Grade Winter Mural

Before we went on winter break, Mrs. McNally's class created a mural based on the theme of winter. Each student contributed to the mural, constructing their own piece to add to the whole. They were so creative and came up with some really unique ideas. Check it out! It's also hanging up in the East stairwell.

3rd Grade Snowflake Collages

Winter is coming! Winter is coming! Where are those snowflakes? Well, if they don't come soon, it's okay because we are going to be creating them in the Art room. Third grade is learning how to identify all those color groups, like warm, cool, primary, secondary, and neutral. They are using liquid watercolors and a color group to create a painting and even adding salt to add "frost". The salt absorbs the liquid color and leaves frost-like shapes. Next, students will learn to fold and cut snowflakes, which helps us understand symmetry and radial design.The last step will be to arrange and glue the snowflakes, but we aren't quite that far yet!

3rd Grade and 2nd/3rd Grade Mulit-Age Ceramic Leaf Forms

We are very excited about these Ceramic Leaves in 3rd grade! These leaves are not geometric, but organic forms made from clay. Clay is an excellent material to use because it challenges us to think about the spatial quality in art and requires a specific process to follow. We wedged our clay, rolled a slab, and traced the shape of a leaf using a real, "up-north" leaf. Next we added lines and texture and worked the clay into the form we wanted. They were put into the kiln, we glazed them (making sure to organize our colors and design), and now we are just waiting in anticipation for them to come back out of the kiln! More pictures to follow...

3rd Grade Geometric/Organic Shape Designs

3rd Grade has been working on these Geometric/Organic shape designs. We used geometric shape stencils to create an interesting composition or arrangement on our paper with pencils. Some of us built a specific animal, person, or object, and some of us created an overlapping design. We traced the shapes in Sharpies, added color using markers, and then painted with water and paintbrushes. Since the colored markers are water-based, the ink dissolves in the water and you can paint your paper. Our last step was to look for changes of lightness and darkness, as well as changes of color, and to trace these interesting lines and organic shapes with a detail Sharpie.