1st Grade: Jasper Johns Abstract Names

This was a great 2 day art lesson for my 1st graders.  We began by folding a 12x18" white paper 4 times and opening it up to get 16 rectangles.  I demonstrated how to use the letters of my name to fill up the entire space of each rectangle ( some got it!) They used oil pastels to create a bug chunky letter and then kept repeating the letters in their name until the last rectangle.  Then we used watercolors to fill in the rest of the white spaces.  Some of the messier ones are my favorites! :)

3rd Grade: Jasper Johns Flag

This was another Veteran's Day project that I am posting a little late, but it could be done anytime really.  After showing several images of American flags painted various ways by Jasper Johns, we talked about how artists don't always paint on canvases.  I printed out the words to the Pledge of Allegiance, My Country Tis of Thee, America the Beautiful, and The Star Spangled Banner.  They began by drawing a rectangle in the corner of their paper with pencil, using a ruler.  Then they filled the entire background of their paper with warm colors only (except they weren't allowed to go inside the rectangle).  After they had covered the whole background, they sponge painted the rectangle blue, and then used a thin paintbrush to paint white stripes. Finally, they added little white dots, representing the stars.