Project #13:
This project was another really fun one. We first had to have a pattern for the checkered box in the middle of the fish. For the pattern we had to use shapes. I chose star, square, and heat. We were to complete the patter all they way down the checkered boxes. Once we were done with that, we colored the paper plate with marker. We then cut out a mouth on the fish and made it a side fin. The teachers gave us a piece of paper plate already cut out. We had to color that piece as well. Then, we glued the two pieces on the fish. The teachers then handed out eyes. We choose either a big eye or a little eye and stuck it on the fish. Teachers then put fishing wire in the fishes mouth like we caught it from the sea. We were then to present it to the class describing what the fish was, where we caught it, how much it weighed, and the name of the fish.

Extension Activity:
This would be good for a math lesson of Geometry. There are patterns and shapes throughout geometry and this fish would help students see that. It's a great way to work shapes and patterns. The students will love the coloring and will really see patterns when they are done with their project.

Project #12:
Memory Quilts are a really fun way for students to keep memories forever with them. Although we just made paper quilts, it was a fun project that brought back many good memories from the past. We first had to pick out eight different designs of scrap-booking paper. Of those eight, we had to pick four and cut out a big square of each. Then, we had to use a circle and cut out the other four remaining scrap-paper. Then, we glued the circles on the squares. Once all that was glued together, we had to cut those into four smaller squares. Then, we put the pieces how we wanted on a nice square piece of white paper. Once we figured out where we wanted to place them, we glued them down. Lastly, we could draw a design around the outside to make a border. After we were all done gluing and designing, we had to write a short paragraph stating why we choose the colors and designs we did. Orange, green, and blue are my favorite colors. The brown one with the flowers and the other flowery one, reminds me of my ranch and that spring is here and foals will start to be born. The crazy orange design reminds me of a saddle blanket, which I'm horse crazy so it fits right in.

Extension Activity
This can be part of a history lesson. When we are learning about the Native Americans, we learn about the star quilts. This could be a really fun way to get students involved and thinking about what is important in their lives. After they have made this piece of the quilt (on paper), they can present it to the class explaining why they choose the colors and designs they did.

Project #11
Loved this project. I have gotten to work with clay when I was elementary. This brought back all kinds of memories. For this project we were to first knead the clay. Then, roll into a ball. From this ball we can start to form a hole with our thumbs. Once we have a pot or bowl formed, we were to use water to help wipe away our fingerprints on the outside of the pot or bowl. Then we had the choice to paint them while they were still wet or wait for them to dry and then paint them. I choose to do mine dry. Then I choose to paint it with my favorite colors: blue and green. The red ring symbolizes a circle of love. The cross symbolizes my faith. The blue circle symbolizes my family. The heart symbolizes the love of my life. Lastly, the cloud symbolizes my ranch which means that rain is coming to replenish our pastures.  

 Extension Activity:
This would be a good project for a history lesson. Children can really get into history if they can experience what some of the people of the past have experienced. Making pots and bowls can really teach students the hard work behind something that seems so simple. They can create their own symbols and explain them to the class once their final project is finished.

Project #10
My name is one of the most important things of my life and this project really hit home with me. This project was all about different patterns. I choose the pattern of my my initials, the colors in diagonals, the color vertically, and the letters vertically. We were to include at least to secondary color, intermediate color, or shade. Also, we to make sure our names were on them.

Extension Activity:
This can be a great extension to show patterns that you could see in math. There are different patterns seen in math like odds and evens or adding my twos or threes. You can use those numbers instead of your initials.

Project #9:
This was a really fun project, very creative. First we took a bunch of crayons and filed them down into shavings. We shaved the crayons on wax paper. Once we had a desired amount of shavings on the wax paper, we folded it over. Then, the teachers took the wax paper and put a hot iron on it. This melted the crayon all into one and created a really cool pattern. We then took the crayon wax paper and got to cut out different forms of bugs. I choose a butterfly. After we cut out the figure, we glued it to construction paper and got to take a sharpie to it and draw in the details.

Extension Activity:
This can be part of a science project. When learning about bugs you can take a break and create your own bugs. They can be any color you want and any bug you want. After you create your bug and finish making them, you can present them to the class. You can have a made up bug or a real bug. With the bug you will tell what kind of environment they are in and how they survive.

Project #8:
First, we are to draw a spring themed item and cut it out. Then, using paint, we are to create 3 or more different prints on our drawing. We used toy cars, sponges, spoons, and whatever you can can rummage up. Next, place them on the drying rack and let them dry. We now have our master pieces finished. Lastly, put your name on the back. I choose to draw a bluebird and nest because that is a sign of spring.

Extension Activity:
This project can be part of a creative writing assignment. Once a student has created a story, they will be asked to draw a picture of something that happened in their story. They will first draw it and then use what ever is available to paint their picture in.

Project #7:
For this project, we took a balloon and blue it up to a medium size. After we have blown up the balloon, we then will take pre-cut yarn strips and glue then to the balloon with watered down glue. You will want to create a pattern so once the balloon is popped, the yarn will still all be one as a whole. This was a really fun activity that was very relaxing.

Extension Activity:
This can move off of a math lesson dealing with circumference.You can measure the circumference of your balloon before you glue on the yarn. Every balloon will have a different circumference because no one balloon will be the same. This would also be a fun activity for an Easter project. 

Project #6: Blooming Into Spring

This was our project that we choose to present to the class for our lesson. Our topic was drawing. Students will first see Georgia O'Keeffe's flower drawings within the PowerPoint given. The teachers will then explain how her drawing are in focus, enlarged, fill the whole page, and even some run off. Teachers will then pass out pictures of different types of flowers. They will then choose a flower to to draw. Then, the teachers will show their examples. The students will use crayons or oil pastels to create their focused flower. 
Once their flowers are made, they will use watered down tempra paint to cover over their flowers. This will create a cool effect of how the flowers will look. The black will seep into whatever the crayon or pastel did not cover. 

                                                   Our bulletin board

                                                              My rose
Extension Activity:
This can be part of a science lesson. When the students are learning about the parts of a flower, they can draw their favorite flower. After they have drawn their favorite flower they can explain to the class why they choose that flower.

Project #5: Hidden Safari
For this project, first we had to choose an animal that we would see on a safari in Africa. Once we choose which animal we wanted, we draw it on a piece of paper. Draw the animal in blue colored pencil. After you have drawn the animal, you are to use red, yellow, orange and other colors like that. With these colors you are to make designs the cover the remaining white on the page as well as over your animal. By the time you are done making shapes and designs all over the paper, you should not be able to see your animal that you drew in blue colored pencil.
Once all of that is complete, cut out red foil in the shape of glasses and glue it to a piece of construction paper that is of the same shape. These will be your magic glasses that you will be able to see your animal again.
Create a note card with three clues as to what your animal is.

Extension Activity:
You can incorporate this activity with math. For the designs and shapes you can use geometric shapes to cover your animal. After the students are done with their project, they can describe and list the geometric shapes shown in their art project. 

Project #4: Eric Karl Story Collage
This was one of my favorite projects. We were to create a scene of a story of our choice. I choose a running horse across the prairie because horses are my life. I live on a ranch and raise registered quarter horses, so horses will always be a part of my life. For this project, we first grabbed two pieces of drawing paper and use what ever we could to create designs on the paper. Then, we were to think about a scene from a book or even a scene in your head that you made up, and put it on paper. We were to have the scene of motion that will tell a story. Starting the story off with, "And so the Journey Begins..." 

 Extension Activity:
After a history lesson, you could have students create a scene from history. They can use their imaginations to create any scene in history. After they have created a scene, they will have the beginning or ending saying written on the scene. Once, the project is finished, they will present the artwork to the class.

Project #3: Van Gogh Tissue Art
For this project, we took tissue paper and placed in on construction paper. Once we had the tissue paper in the place we wanted it we glue and painted it down on the construction paper. Then, when the tissue paper is dry after the gluing, we were to choose a setting. I choose a tree for a setting because I am from the country and it reminds me of home. I also used to love climbing trees. The movement in this tissue art is that it is raining. The wind is also blowing the rain around within the art piece.

Extension Activity:
With students working in small groups, have them share their art work within the group. After every student has presented their artwork, they will choose 1 to reflect on in their journals. This can be part of their creative writing assignment. They can write about their own artwork if they so choose to.

Project #2

Scavenger Hunt:

For this project, I went out around town and took pictures of the different elements and principles of art. I have pictures from in town and out of town. This project allowed students to get out of the classroom and explore the world for real life examples of elements and principles. It was a fun and effective way to see how art is everywhere in our world. We got to connect on a personal level with the elements and principles. Here are five examples of elements and/or principles from the pictures I've taken:

Value - Refers to light and dark

The houses go from dark to light. Houses on Lincoln St., Aberdeen, SD. 

Color - Three properties: hue, value, intensity; made of white light; depends on light

Sunset at the Goetz Ranch. 

Emphasis - Creates dominance or focus

East tree patch at the Goetz Ranch. 

 

Space - has one and two point perspectives; you can feel the depth

Feeding time at the Goetz Ranch.

 

Lines - Suggests movement; length and width are present

LB’s dorsal stripe indicates a line. Taken at the Goetz Ranch.

Extension Activity: Students can choose one concept or principle and create a PowerPoint of different pictures around their community of that once concept or principle. They are to define the concept or principle and then add the pictures with descriptions of where the pictures were taken and why they fit into that concept or principle.