Kinder Hot Air Balloons

After teaching for 9 years, this is the first year I've been at one school.  This is also the first year I've had Kindergartners in art.  Wow!  What an eye-opener!  After the first day, I actually e-mailed my friend, who's had Kinder students for as many years as I haven't, and asked "What do I do?!"  Here are the steps to enjoying art with Kindergarten:

1.  Relax.  They're in kindergarten.  

2. Keep it simple.  The simplest way to complete a project

is often the best way.

3. Plan 2 activities, not just 1.  This fills their time, and keeps them 

focused.  For example, read a book, then do an activity.

Here is our first big Kindergarten project!  We created hot air balloons based on the book, Up, Up, Up by Susan Reed.  We are studying how to be better artists, and our focus is using lines and shapes to make amazing art.  Do you think we accomplished this?  I sure do!

Elements of Art

Last year, I decided to try something new.  I always organize my units by one common theme throughout the year.  For example, 1st grade does Elements of Art, 4th grade focuses on Cultures, 3rd grade artists, etc.  Sometimes, especially the littles, they don't really connect our in-class work to our theme.  Back to last year.  I decided to start my first graders off with a 2-day, formal lesson about each element.  Typically I find formal lessons tedious, but I made a worksheet and a Prezi to go with it, including fun videos about color, shapes, etc.  And it worked!  This is one of the best discoveries I have made as a teacher.  When I FORMALLY taught all the elements at once, I had students raising their hands talking about Paul Klee's Castle and Sun, as art that didn't have deep space.  Or they could tell me they saw the primary colors in the art.  Or that nothing looked like it had form, or was round.  Seriously, first graders! Before trying it this way, our conversation would center around the shapes used in Klee's painting, like triangles and squares.  Vast improvement! So I thought I would share my worksheets.  Below are the blank versions (front and back) and a finished example.  I also start the year off this way with 2nd grade, as a review.  

Repeat Pattern Stacks

I like to start the year off with short, fun, and creative projects.  Something to get our feet wet without diving into the deep end.  Repeat pattern stacks are a great way to do this!  I stumbled across these at www.rainbowelephant.com.  She has a video that shows students the step-by-step process, as well as printable handouts.  I also have a pattern handout I use to inspire more complex patterns.  We discussed unity and variety, and how pattern creates movement in art while making these.  I got some VERY creative designs this year!