Art in Children's Literature:
This past school year I taught an art class to grades 1-6 at a homeschool enrichment program. Each class was based on a children's book; we either learned about replicating the style or created something based on the story. We studied the techniques used by the artist to explore the Elements of Art and various aspects of art like warm and cool colors. I tried to expose students to a variety of mediums, and to using mediums in interesting ways. Students were encouraged to do the project suggested, but creative exploration was always encouraged. I loosely followed the seasons and some holidays with my choices, but not always. Here is a list of most of the projects we did in our art class. Links on titles take you to Goodreads. More ideas can be found on my Pinterest board.
Let's Paint by Gabriel Alborozo
We painted using liquid watercolor and tools other than brushes: pipettes, cotton balls,
paper towels, etc.
...
...
The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley Spires
Faces by Zoe Miller and David Goodman
Block City by Robert Louis Stevenson and
illustrated by Daniel Kirk
You Be You by Linda Kranz
Using more of that painted paper, we cut ovals and drew fish following Kranz’s style using black sharpie
outline, then colored in with oil pastel for a cool layered effect. We hung them all up on the bulletin board
together. I got the lesson idea from Cassie Stephens, who has a video and printables.
Bringing in the New Year by Grace Lin
Chinese dragons using popsicle sticks, folded paper, ribbons, and egg cartons. Lots of red and gold. Tons more simple crafts on Grace Lin’s website, too.
Thunder Horse by Eve Bunting
Using good drawing materials, we drew horses. I gave a tutorial on the board, discussing anatomy, reference points, scale, etc. I handed out copies of tutorials as well so students who prefer to work in their own space could do so. Here is one horse tutorial.
...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Projects from Art with Literature
Let's Paint by Gabriel Alborozo
We painted using liquid watercolor and tools other than brushes: pipettes, cotton balls,
paper towels, etc.
We created abstract art with Sharpie and oil pastel. I played music, and we discussed drawing what it sounded like.
We did printmaking using foam blocks. I also showed illustrations from The Little Black Fish but the story is long and
sort of depressing. We did printmaking over two days, beginning with only one color and then adding two more. I had
students create their print block with styluses or pencils at their seats, then come apply paint at the printing station,
then bring the inked print on a piece of scrap paper back to their table to actually pull the print. It was a busy two days
so I don't have any photos!
sort of depressing. We did printmaking over two days, beginning with only one color and then adding two more. I had
students create their print block with styluses or pencils at their seats, then come apply paint at the printing station,
then bring the inked print on a piece of scrap paper back to their table to actually pull the print. It was a busy two days
so I don't have any photos!
We created cut paper leaf collages featuring cool color background and warm color leaves.
Can use foam sticky squares to lift leaves off the page. Can use pre-cut leaves
or cut out handprints for littlest students.
Can use foam sticky squares to lift leaves off the page. Can use pre-cut leaves
or cut out handprints for littlest students.
We used scratch-off paper and exacto knives (the styluses just didn't work very well) to explore contour
drawing like in the book. Also did multiple shades of blue colored pencils on white paper with a touch of
warm color, talking about warm and cool again as well as shape, line, value, and shade.
drawing like in the book. Also did multiple shades of blue colored pencils on white paper with a touch of
warm color, talking about warm and cool again as well as shape, line, value, and shade.
...
Inspired by the illustrations, we created our own strange dream images with chalk pastel on black paper,
with the goal of filling the page with color. I would use acrylic on black canvas if I did it again and could get
materials inexpensively.
with the goal of filling the page with color. I would use acrylic on black canvas if I did it again and could get
materials inexpensively.
Mixed media collages starring starting with a step-by-step to draw the bear on brown construction paper,
focusing on ratios, circles, angles, etc. We cut out the bear. We used real leaves and acrylic to make
orange, red, and brown leaf prints on a light blue background. We made the ground by
cutting out more brown paper and adding texture with old pastel. Then we glued our bear on the page.
Last step was to add white snow using a q-tip.
focusing on ratios, circles, angles, etc. We cut out the bear. We used real leaves and acrylic to make
orange, red, and brown leaf prints on a light blue background. We made the ground by
cutting out more brown paper and adding texture with old pastel. Then we glued our bear on the page.
Last step was to add white snow using a q-tip.
...
We drew houses and trees blowing in the wind with black Sharpie, then colored our drawing with oil pastel,
then added purple or blue or pink watercolor washes for the stormy sky.
(I was also dressed as Ms. Frizzle that day!)
then added purple or blue or pink watercolor washes for the stormy sky.
(I was also dressed as Ms. Frizzle that day!)
...
Every student got a 3×3 square of slightly glossy cardstock and drew their own “fabric" pattern using
Sharpie. We then cut them into triangles and stapled them up together to make a quilt on the wall.
Thanks for Thanksgiving by Julie Markes
Just before Thanksgiving we read this book, discussing the color palette
and how the illustrations give us ideas as to where in the U.S. the story
takes place. Then we created gratitude journals using scrap and art papers
I pre-cut templates with lines for where they were to fold them. The kids loved these.
Sharpie. We then cut them into triangles and stapled them up together to make a quilt on the wall.
Thanks for Thanksgiving by Julie Markes
Just before Thanksgiving we read this book, discussing the color palette
and how the illustrations give us ideas as to where in the U.S. the story
takes place. Then we created gratitude journals using scrap and art papers
I pre-cut templates with lines for where they were to fold them. The kids loved these.
Using popsicle sticks, we made little sleds. Once the tacky glue was dry we painted them with acrylic.
Many students chose red but not everyone. We attached rope pulls (yarn or twine) for hanging as an
ornament (or for tiny stuffed animals!).
Many students chose red but not everyone. We attached rope pulls (yarn or twine) for hanging as an
ornament (or for tiny stuffed animals!).
We made salt dough, though for future I would use air-dry clay or model magic, and cookie cutters to make ornaments.
Note: I set up a paint station as well to paint previous week’s sleds. The book is illustrated with both clay and paint.
Seeing a theme here? It took us two weeks each for the last two projects, so we did lots of snow-themed art.
Our last week of December we painted our ornaments from the previous week. Students also painted sheets of
11×18 paper for use in collages in future classes. I gave out Draw-a-Snowman game with dice for students who were finished.
Our last week of December we painted our ornaments from the previous week. Students also painted sheets of
11×18 paper for use in collages in future classes. I gave out Draw-a-Snowman game with dice for students who were finished.
Using the painted paper from December, we collaged a scene with a dragon and a pet based on the illustrations.
Some chose to cut pets out of magazine pages, and add other images from magazines to their scene. We focused
on using different textures for the backgrounds. I gave a step-by-step for drawing dragon for students who wanted
Pilkey’s character in their scene. He was then cut out and glued on the page.
Some chose to cut pets out of magazine pages, and add other images from magazines to their scene. We focused
on using different textures for the backgrounds. I gave a step-by-step for drawing dragon for students who wanted
Pilkey’s character in their scene. He was then cut out and glued on the page.
The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley Spires
Faces by Zoe Miller and David Goodman
Block City by Robert Louis Stevenson and
illustrated by Daniel Kirk
We took 3 weeks to create assemblages
(Louise Nevelson is known best for these)
using recycling like tp tubes, plastic containers,
and other found objects. We painted
each piece in one color using acrylic.
This was the students’ favorite project of the year.
(Louise Nevelson is known best for these)
using recycling like tp tubes, plastic containers,
and other found objects. We painted
each piece in one color using acrylic.
This was the students’ favorite project of the year.
You Be You by Linda Kranz
Using more of that painted paper, we cut ovals and drew fish following Kranz’s style using black sharpie
outline, then colored in with oil pastel for a cool layered effect. We hung them all up on the bulletin board
together. I got the lesson idea from Cassie Stephens, who has a video and printables.
Bringing in the New Year by Grace Lin
Chinese dragons using popsicle sticks, folded paper, ribbons, and egg cartons. Lots of red and gold. Tons more simple crafts on Grace Lin’s website, too.
Thunder Horse by Eve Bunting
Using good drawing materials, we drew horses. I gave a tutorial on the board, discussing anatomy, reference points, scale, etc. I handed out copies of tutorials as well so students who prefer to work in their own space could do so. Here is one horse tutorial.
...
I love this book on so many levels. The art, the message, and the inspiration for more art! With brown paper bags
as the base and loads of beads, magazines, ribbons, etc., we made crazy hats.
as the base and loads of beads, magazines, ribbons, etc., we made crazy hats.
We used a template to make a pop-up daffodil. Some students made more pop-up art as well. Other books
I had available was How to Make Pop Ups by Joan Irvine and Playing with Pop-ups
by Helen Hiebert. This offered different skill and interest levels.
I had available was How to Make Pop Ups by Joan Irvine and Playing with Pop-ups
by Helen Hiebert. This offered different skill and interest levels.
Students drew on graph paper with fine-tip sharpies and mechanical pencils using metal rulers and compasses to make cities.
They enjoyed playing with the tools.
They enjoyed playing with the tools.
We drew tree trunks with brown marker, then used red and white paint to daub variegated pink blossoms on our trees.
We made little signature blocks from print foam squares and used red stamp ink to sign our pieces. If I did this again I would
use cotton balls instead of brushes. The trunk can also be blown with straws and India ink, but the sessions have to be separated
so the ink dries fully.
We made little signature blocks from print foam squares and used red stamp ink to sign our pieces. If I did this again I would
use cotton balls instead of brushes. The trunk can also be blown with straws and India ink, but the sessions have to be separated
so the ink dries fully.
We made bird collages. I made templates based on the birds on the cover, but students were not
required to use them. They used brightly colored paper for the background.
required to use them. They used brightly colored paper for the background.
We made bubble wrap prints with orange paint on yellow paper, then collaged a bee out of fleece
and black pipe cleaners with iridescent fabric for wings onto this background. I pre-cut these shapes,
but with enough fabric scissors, students could cut their own.Last, the students splattered turquoise
paint onto their piece with a toothbrush (this was a separate station!).
and black pipe cleaners with iridescent fabric for wings onto this background. I pre-cut these shapes,
but with enough fabric scissors, students could cut their own.Last, the students splattered turquoise
paint onto their piece with a toothbrush (this was a separate station!).
Come with Me by Holly M. McGhee
At the end of this book the girl shares positive messages and art with chalk drawings. We went outside
and had a chalk art festival. We used regular cheap sidewalk chalk,
chalk pastels, and thick chalk that chalk artists use.
At the end of this book the girl shares positive messages and art with chalk drawings. We went outside
and had a chalk art festival. We used regular cheap sidewalk chalk,
chalk pastels, and thick chalk that chalk artists use.
 |
| In chalk she writes, "You can be ANYTHING!" |
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
For more ideas on natural parenting,
check out my book!
Comments
Post a Comment