“We Ain’t Gunna Paint NO MORE!”

!st graders read the book “I Ain’t Gunna Paint No More” by Karen Beaumont.  They then traced their arm and decorated it with patterns and designs using neon tempera paint.

Lascaux Cave Drawing

First graders discussed what a symbol is and how they can be used as a universal language.  We then took a virtual tour of the Lascaux caves located in France.  Students discussed the images they saw, what they thought the artists used, how long ago this art occurred, etc.  In pairs they got the opportunity to visit the “cave” in the back of the room and make their mark.  Students created their own cave drawings that told a story using symbols.

Inside the classroom cave!

In action

The first grade cave

Visit the Lascuax Cave here!

Textured Fantasy Animals

First graders read the book “The Mixed Up Chameleon” by Eric Carle.  We learned the vocabulary word texture and experimented with texture rubbings.  They had to use their texture rubbings to create different animal features and glue them together to make a fantasy animal.

Pastel Peacocks

First graders read the book “Bees, Snails and Peacock Tails” which discussed different patterns in nature.  Then we looked at the San Diego Zoo website and learned different facts about Peafowl, specifically, Peacocks.  We even watched a video of a Peacock preening.  First graders experimented with oil pastels and blending colors.