Art: Monotypes with Shapes

First grade is practicing finding shapes in their surroundings, using their iPad cameras. They will be using these found shapes to make prints inspired by their environment. 

We practiced making monoprints with pre-inked Mylar shapes. Students discovered that the ink was dry on the plastic, but when placed on top of wet paper the ink came "back to life" and transferred to the paper! They each made two prints. Ask your child how she made a "ghost print." 

First graders used a special tool called a barren for printing by hand.

Art: Material Exploration Abstraction

First graders familiarized themselves with a variety of materials (crayon, colored pencil, and marker) and explored the marks they could make with each tools. Then they used materials of their choice to complete a guided abstraction, following verbal instructions using line and shape vocabulary. For example, they each drew a straight line that touched two edges of the paper. The girls made predictions about how the different materials would interact with watercolor,mans then used watercolor to transform their compositions. Afterward, students compared their artworks, and hypothesized about the source of commonalities and differences. One of the things they discovered is that while their work was guided with verbal instructions, the limited choices they did have resulted in a large variety of expression. Ask your daughter how the materials she used interacted with watercolor, and if it was what she expected.