Plaster shells March 19, 2014

While the 5th graders have been working on observational drawings of shells, the spec. needs 4/5 class has also been exploring shells, but in all mediums.  Most recently, they created plaster molds of shells.  First, the smoothed a layer of clay into a round container.  Second, we pressed small shells into the clay’s surface, creating negative imprints.  Lastly, we mixed up a batch of plaster and poured it on top of the shell.  About an hour later, the plaster pops off, leaving positive casts of the shells!

Symmetrical Paint Butterflies March 10, 2014

As an introduction to symmetry, the 2/3 spec. needs class used paint and folded paper to mimic the patterns and shapes of a butterfly.  This was their first experience with squishing wet paint between folded paper, and they absolutely loved it.  I bet they could have made these paintings for hours if they could!

  

  

Scratch paper, from scratch February 5, 2014

My 2/3 spec. needs class made their own home-made scratch paper.  First, they colored oak tag with oil pastels, being sure to cover the entire board with a thick, heavy layer.  Second, the students painted a thin even layer of black acrylic paint on top (we used foam brushes so no streaks).  After letting the paint dry, they drew their designs with wood styluses, scratching away the black to reveal the color underneath.

While the lines of the homemade paper are more rough and a tad smudgier than store bought paper, the students declared the homemade kind much better!!

  

Messy hands February 3, 2014

The 4/5 spec. needs class is hard at work with their Smile Project.   They are currently creating large, 3D sculptures of smile characters.  Here, you can see some hands in paper mache,  a definite class favorite! I think they’d happily use paper mache every day for the rest of the year if I let them!

Be on the look-out for these sculptures at the Morse School Art Show in May!

  

Squishy and Scratchy Textures January 14, 2014

The spec. needs K/1 class has begun a unit on the 5 senses.  Up first is the sense of touch.

After describing various objects and what they feel like, the students created sandpaper prints.  They colored a sheet of sandpaper, using a lot of elbow grease.  The sandpaper was ironed onto fabric, which melts the crayon onto the fabric.

The second day, students reached into bags and guessed the mystery objects using their sense of touch only.  Turns out guessing cups, keys, coins, paintbrushes, etc.  is easy!  The students created shaving cream prints using shaving cream and liquid watercolors.

The squishy wet texture of the shaving cream was much preferred over the rough sandpaper!!

 

  

  

Silly Surrealist Stories December 10, 2013

The 5th graders are busy with a watercolor surrealism unit, and the 4/5 spec. needs class just finished their own version.  We began the unit by playing madlibs, and creating impossible, silly stories.  Inspired by the madlibs, the students created their own stories.  Using pre-cut magazine images, the students collaged together unlikely people, places, and objects.  They wrote the sentences for each others collages to describe what was created.

    

 

 

Hidden Names December 9, 2013

The 2nd graders are currently working on Greek amphora designs.  Both scratch paper and sgrafitto clay techniques are coming up, but the 2/3 spec. needs class began the unit hiding their names in the designs.  Working in horizontal rows, the students wrote their names over and over, followed by coloring the letters with patterns.  After cutting out the amphora shape, the names are almost unrecognizable, and just beautiful texture!

  

Colorful windows October 17, 2013

The 4/5 class wrapped up their symmetry unit with a rose window.  After folding large black paper, students cut through the layers to create a design that has radial symmetry.  After the holes were covered with plastic, tissue paper was glued on for a stained glass effect.

Radial symmetry October 2, 2013

The 4/5 class followed up their bilateral symmetrical lessons with the first in a series of lessons focused on radial symmetry.  Using stamping and paintbrushes, students first created a circular design, being careful to keep each “slice of pizza” identical.

After painting, the students colored the designs using oil pastels.

Remind you of rose windows?  That’s next!

    

Play Dough Dots September 25, 2013

The K/1 class came this week and we read Little Blue, Little Yellow.  (Another option is Mouse Paint– also great!)  Such a great little book about mixing colors!  Using play dough in only primary colors, the students explored what happens when they mixed the different balls together.

Need a good recipe for homemade play dough?

1 cup flour
1/2 cup salt
1 cup water
1 Tablespoon cream of tartar
food coloring

Mix all ingredients in a saucepan over medium heat.  Stir nonstop until the dough gets very thick and sticky.  Pull dough out and knead on the counter (careful, it’s hot!) until the play dough is soft and play dough-y.