Leaves of Summer

For this project students used a variety of leaf templates. The students were free to decide between three methods: mosaic, finger painting, and painting with water colors. All students used water colors to paint the background. 

(KG) Creating patterns in a mosaic style

For this project we read the book: Pattern Fish written by Trudy Harris and illustrated by Anne Canevari Green. We looked at the different pattern on the fish. "Yellow-black, Yellow- black. A fish swims in the ocean. It has stripes upon its back. Yellow- black. Yellow- black, yellow..." We discussed how an ABC pattern always has three different things in it. An AB pattern has two colors that repeat. Looking at the pictures of the book the students had to identify the ABC and the AB pattern.

We cut colorful paper into different sizes in order to create the patterns in our fish.
We used different templates to draw our favorite  fish.
Some students were more interested than others in creating a pattern. We completed our project by using liquid water colors for the background. 

(G2,G3) Creating in the Style of David Hockney (The Tree Project)

For this part of The Tree Project we looked at the work of the English painter David Hockney.

We discussed the use of color, scale, and texture in his work. 

David Hockney

Creating a mixed media composition, using Paper Mache , crayons, water colors and acrylics.

David Hockney

Using shades of green for the foliage.

Student comment: "I made a willow tree."

David Hockney

The student painted the brunches we collected from our nature trail, and glued them on the paper. 

She used pastels and water colors to complete the composition.

It took a lot of patience to attach the paper leaves on the brunches. 

David Hockney

Play dough and water colors were used for this composition.

David Hockney

(G1) The Whimsical Trees of Toni Demuro (The Tree Project)

In collecting information to design the unit on Trees, I discovered the work of Toni Demuro (view his work), an Italian artist

who uses the image of a tree in such a creative and whimsical way. 

The students looked at pictures of his work and understood the playfulness of his compositions.  

Each student was free to choose his/her favorite work and created their own composition.

Toni Demuro 

Student comment: "I want the person to be a boy and so I don't want the bow."

Using water colors and pastels to complete the composition.

Toni Demuro

Student comment: " My sky has fireflies."  

Toni Demuro

After dividing the composition, the student is using pastels to color the spaces.    

Student comment: "It is not raining but this man is holding an umbrella." 

Toni Demuro

The student wrote her name on the leaves of the tree.

The student worked hard to create the horizon line.

Toni Demuro

Using play dough to create the lines of the tree.

Student comment: " My tree is thicker than Mr.Demuro's tree."