3rd Grade: Model Magic Polar Bears

These might just be the cutest little creatures I've seen my kids create!  We used model magic to create the polar bears after discussing different poses and the parts of the bear.  We rolled a sphere for the head, then pinched the snout and ears, we rolled a potato-like shape for the body, 4 "logs" for the legs, and a tiny sphere for the tail.  Then we smushed it all together, and used scissors to cut claws, and black markers to make eyes, nose, and mouth.  Next week we will add scarves and a background for them to be placed in.

3rd Grade: Thai Elephants

3rd Graders have been learning about the culture of Thailand, and so I decided we would create a project based on one of Thailand's most beloved animals, the elephant.  The first day we drew our elephants into foil (silver, copper, or gold) with a pencil, added a blanket with a simple pattern or design and cut them out.  Next day students colored their elephants with Sharpies and painted paper for their background.  Last day, we added the string and bead tail and taped our elephants onto the background with masking tape. Students had fun with this one!

3rd Grade: Australian Dot Painting

Pretty simple project, and students get really into it!  First we talk a little about the history of Australian dreamtime painting and Aboriginal art.  Next we talk about how we could make it our own.  Students trace their hand with pencil onto black 8x8 paper.  They begin by choosing 3 colors of paint and use those for the hand.  We dot paint with the back of a paintbrush.  Next day when the hands are dry, students draw a simple background design with pencil and use white tempera for the designs dots.  Finally they choose a background color, that is different from their other colors, and fill in the rest of the space.  This was a nice end of the year project- the students were very quiet and determined while concentrating on their dotting! And the phrase I always love hearing...as other grade levels spotted these on my drying rack, "When do WE get to do that?!?!" :)

3rd Grade: Recycled Daisies & Dragonflies

For this project, we talked about being resourceful artists by using things that would normally be thrown out or recycled to make art.  I have boxes of painted paper (from past projects and the entire year's placemats we use) and stacks of magazines from my school's library.  We began by tracing the shapes for either a daisy or dragonfly.  I tell them that about half of their shapes should be painted paper, and the other half magazine paper.  Then students glue these shapes onto a bright springy colored construction paper and cut them out, leaving  a border.  Finally, they glue those shapes onto large black construction paper (18x24") and cut around the whole object.  There is something really interesting about the mix of the magazine graphics and the random painted paper.  These are very large pieces and look really cool scattered around our school walls. 

3rd Grade: Snowman Sculpture

This was a fun one day project that the kids absolutely LOVE.  I think they are just so excited to make sculptures after all the 2D projects we've been doing lately.  They will be wrapping them up in their regular classroom and giving them as a gift this holiday.  We used model magic for everthing except for the arms. (Those were from my back yard)  I trimmed them down to size and we just stuck them into the sides.  I always show lots of options for the snowmen head wear and scarves.  One student insisted on making a "French" looking snowman.  :)