Clients and Designers

Clients and Designers

5th Grade

I don't know how I forgot to post about this project!  Students had a blast with this project, and used a lot of creative thinking along the way. 

This project was centered around the design process and human centered design.  Well, in this case, character centered design :).  After discussing the role of designers, and where we can find design in daily life, students paired up and selected a character.  The characters were all drawings from the incredibly imaginative, Shaun Tan.  

Here are some examples:  

Human centered design is a design process that starts with the people you're designing for and ends with new solutions for their specific needs.   Before students were assigned their character's "need"  they engaged in some character research.   They were then given a "need" (for example: a form of transportation or a place to sleep) and thought of solutions for that need. 

The next class, each group found another group and they shared ideas and gave feedback.   The design process is a circle, with continual opportunities to research and improve.  

Students completed a final plan and then created models of their work.  

Character research, design plans, and photographs of models will be on display again at the end of year art show!

*This project was inspired by the Extraordinaires Design Studio.

Abstract Color Challenge

Abstract Color Challenge

4th Grade

Fourth graders recently completed a two day challenge focusing on primary colors, color mixing, abstract art, and value. On the first day, students chose a plain piece of white paper to begin with. They were told to NOT write their names, as they would not be getting these papers back. The rules were to use only primary color paint to create a mostly abstract painting.  

There was a lot of experimentation and curiosity taking place on day 1! You can see man examples of color mixing, pattern making, printing, varying brush strokes, and developing new painting tools.

Day 2- The rules:  

See students at work on day 2!

Claudia LOVES dogs.  Her table said she was turning into a Dalmatian with the spots on her face from splatter painting!

Morgan turned mesh and materials in the recycle center into painting tools.  Nice flexible thinking! 

Dominic experimenting with printing and crumpling.  

Check out the final paintings!  Students partnered up and looked for examples of "thinking like an artist" in their partner's work when the paintings were complete.  Nice work, 4th grade!

3rd Grade Update

Third Grade Update

Third graders have been thinking a lot about their school community and have been creating art about and for that community.  

Students took an empty floor plan of the school and transformed it into a map showing their unique experience and what is special to them about Worthington Hills.

Students participated in a "chalk talk" to share ideas about what we like about school, and ways we can make it a better place and spread positivity.  They showed themselves to be a thoughtful and caring bunch!

Students viewed and discussed imaged os public art, including the happy/silly/joyful/encouraging work by Dallas Clayton.  We think that art has the power to inspire and to make a difference.  Students enjoyed looking at Dallas Clayton's work because it made them feel good, or it was cute, or it inspired them.  Third graders then created their own stencils to pass on the good vibes.  We used chalk paint and chalk to create our own public art and to spread positivity with our school community!  If you saw our creations, we hope they brightened your day!

Some early finishers turned their messages into posters, too!

Be happy and believe in the power of positivity!

Mixed Media Artworks

Mixed Media Artworks

Inspired by Souther Salazar

4th Grade

Before creating their own work, students discussed work by contemporary artist using the thinking routine called ODIP.  In this routine, students share ideas by observing, describing, interpreting and proving.   The process allows them to slow down, look closely, reason, provide evidence and use their imaginations!

As students planned their own ideas for a mixed media artwork (artwork that combines multiple materials) they chose materials I had picked up this summer at  the scrapbox, an awesome reuse center in Ann Arbor.  Sometimes materials inspire artists, like the many plastic materials with cutouts that became windows or buildings.  

Students had 3 criteria to follow:  

- Mixed media with 3 or more materials

-Emotion/facial expressions

-a theme or story

It was amazing to see the variety of thinking and artmaking that students engaged in.  See some snapshots below:

Elizabeth engaged in thoughtful planning before beginning her final work.

Maela was curious about a sponge she found in the recycle center and experimented with it, using it as a stamp.  Lilly was inspired by this idea and used the same technique to make her sand.

Ethan reflecting on his work.

Daniel created art about a major interest of his, prehistoric creatures.  Here he is figuring out how to create moving pieces on his artwork.

Ainsley used tape, paper, and paint to fix a "mistake."  Artists persist through failure.

Some completed works: