What Not To Do- Sticky Notes Again

We all want (or should have) our objectives and exemplars posted for the kids to readily see. It's is a good strategy. It helps the kids to know and see what it is they're trying to achieve. But sometimes, is good for the kids to have an example of what not to do. It will help kids to avoid the pitfalls of a lesson. And we know every lesson has at least one pitfall. This is another time  to rely (again) on sticky notes. 

I always try to have an example on display of a student's work (who's moved on, so not to embarrass anyone) that looks pretty good and almost fulfills all the objectives. Where ever there is something that has not fulfilled an objective, I put a blue sticky note next to it. On the sticky note, write what could have been done differently to fulfill the objective.

The kids can go up and look at the art work to see what could have been done differently. Then they can look at their own work and adjust.

Do you have any strategies to help students to avoid a pitfall when teaching a lesson?

Mandalas- Analogous Colors, Symbol Circles

What is a Mandala?

Mandala is a Sanskrit word meaning circle and completion. It is also a symbol of wholeness. Mandala symbols are created in many cultures- from Tibet to the Navajo Nation. Mandalas do have a spiritual meaning for some cultures. I explain that to the kids, but I really don't go into the spirituality aspect in any great detail when I introduce the lesson. We just touch upon it.

                          

There's a lot going on with this lesson. I use the Mandalas to help the kids think about symbols and symbolism that  reflects or connects to them. We also work with blending analogous colors.  Also, the kids have to use a compass and then a protractor to create angles. ( Yea, a math connection, no less!)

What We Do

The kids, first draw a circle with the compass. Next, we use a protractor to divide the circle into six  even 'pizza slices.'

Working with a compass and protractor

The kids then have to think of three symbols that mean something to them. Two of the symbols alternate three times each, inside the circle. The third symbol is drawn three times outside the circle.

I then review all the analogous colors using a color wheel. And, I demonstrate how to blend their color choices- three cool analogous colors, three warm analogous colors.

Practicing blending colors

The kids have to make a rough draft, using their symbols and practicing the blending  colors before they go onto the final draft. 

*Teacher Alert-You have to keep emphasizing that you have to overlap colors to achieve the blending of colors.  A lot of the kids try to do color blocking, (skipping the overlapping and as a result,) not blending.

Once they get their symbols and blending practice down and can work well with the compass and protractor, they're ready to go. It's time to start the final.

Here are some  example of finished Mandalas. 

What do you think of these Mandalas? You can let me know in the comments below.

Also, if you want another art lesson that involves symbolism, take a look at this lesson.

More Collages! How to Make Collage Books

This is a student favorite- collage books. 

I do a couple of different versions of these books. But this is a sample of  a collage book that is about your favorite artist- musical or visual.

For this example, the student chose singer Bob Marley as the artist. It was required to have visual images and text related to the artist on each page. If you look closely, there are different pictures of Bob Marley and his homeland Jamaica in the book. There are also lines from some of his most famous songs.

We  do research on background information about the artists. Then find the images and text by doing a computer search in the computer lab. The images and text must be overlapped and juxtaposed. My school doesn't have a color printer, so the images can be colored in with marker or colored pencil.

The front cover is made from left over corrugated cardboard. The other pages are made of poster board cardboard. Different style scrap papers are provided to chose from to decorate each page. The books are only four pages long and are held together by binding rings from Staples.

Cover of book

Page 1

Page 2

Page 3

What do you think of the collage books? I'd love to hear about any books you make in art class. Or any favorite collages that you do.