Hanging Nature Bubbles

These papier-mache bubbles have been an addictive art project in our house lately. We start with a balloon. Next, paint watered down glue on the balloon and place a white coffee filter on top of the glue, then paint more watered down glue on top of that. Continue layering coffee filters with glue and leaves, colorful scrap paper, wrapping paper, sprinkles of glitter or whatever else you can think of. I have been drying them by attaching a string to the balloon and hanging it over the shower curtain rod in the bathroom. When you are certain they are dry carefully pop the balloon. It will release from the coffee filters and leave you an awesome little bubble! They make fun luminaries. However, they won't really work outside because the glue is water soluble. Of course you would not put a real flame in these but they are fun to hang in the house with the battery operated tea lights that look like real candles!

The cityscapes are finished! Students added windows by cutting newspaper and magazines and added the background colors of blue and green with tempera cakes. They did an amazing job carefully painting and taking their time with each step! Look for them in the hall!


The upper level completed their store fronts which are displayed in their room and they worked on turkeys today that had a wood block inspiration.

Cities and Store Fronts

The upper level has been working on personal store fronts. They started with pencil carefully detailing, outlined in black marker and finally will finish with colored pencil. When they are all displayed together it will be quite the shopping locale!



The lower levels are working on cityscapes. We have been discussing shape and looking at illustrations of architecture for inspiration. Students have been defining their own shapes such as, the taco (semi-circle)! They are all turning out so different! Part two of the project is next week where they will add windows and some background color! I can hardly wait!!

Monsters!

Today I read the book Monster Munchies. It's a great counting and rhyming book with very friendly and fun monster illustrations. After the story we had a wonderful discussion about shape, texture and line. The lower levels used water color and oil pastel and the upper level worked on monsters using cut paper.

X-Ray Vision!

Today I read the book "Boo to You" by Lois Ehlert. There are fabulous collage illustrations in this book and it seemed timely with Halloween around the corner!
We took a look at a human skeleton and discussed backbones, and rib cages as well as many other bones and they differ from a cat.
Some students included a full moon, pumpkin or a haunted house in the distance to add an extra spooky touch!

Spiders and Self Portraits!

Today we read the book Aaaargghh, Spider! by Lydia Monks. The book has some wonderful illustrations that demonstrate great facial expressions.
Students used oil pastel and watercolor to create their own self portraits with an expression they might have if a spider were about to land on them! The results were marvelous!

Stages of a Butterfly

Today we continued looking at Van Gogh's work. This time we looked at three of his butterfly paintings for inspiration. Students watch the stages and released real butterflies last month. Since this was fresh in their minds I thought it was a nice opportunity to talk about it and create a beautiful series.