4th Grade Paleo-Art

I believe the ideal art program is a perfect balance of structured activity and free activity. In this case the structure was in the analysis of complex objects (dinosaurs), breaking them down into basic shapes and the mastery of watercolor techniques. The freedom is in doing whatever they want! I love it when they write about what's in their drawings to explain them. These kids have such great imaginations.

Third Grade Watercolors

Third grade art classes were inspired by the Dinotopia books of James Gurney. In his books, dinosaurs and people exist peacefully together. My students' visions of such a place were not always quite so peaceful. They wrote fantastic stories describing what was happening in their pictures. In the upcoming week, I hope to post some of them below the pictures.

Students drew with pencil, then went over the lines in pen and ink. They then experimented with the watercolor techniques of wet-on-wet, drybrush, puddle painting, and thirsty brush.

Texture-sauruses

Second graders discussed and experimented with texture. First they drew dinosaurs. They placed texture plates under the drawings and colored with crayons. They then painted over the crayon drawings with watercolor. I think they achieved some interesting effects with this technique that look good on dinosaurs.

1st Grade Paleo-Artists

These marker drawings are by first grade students.

Kindergarten Art

Dino Daze was first and foremost an art show of student work. Over 900 works of art were on display representing the efforts of 600 students. I'll show just a little on this site, starting with the kindergarteners.

More Views of Rexie

Rexie is a five foot tall plaster dinosaur who currently welcomes students and visitors in our school lobby. Mr. Wales and Mr. Haines (MU student teacher) constructed him with some help from students using pariscraft, acrylic paint, with a whole lot of wood, cardboard and newspaper. And, let's not forget masking tape!

The Sculpture Gallery

To prepare for our Family Fun Night and Art Show, fifth graders put the finishing touches on their plastercraft dinosaurs and put them on display in the library.