learningIT

I have seen variations of this Australian aboriginal art activity in the past, but what I like about my co-workers’ delivery is the crumpled paper effect. Sonya and Gillian did this as an after school activity with grade 1-4 students. They write:

“Students were inspired by an aboriginal painting to create their own ‘rock drawings’ in the style of the Australian aboriginal people. After drawing their animal in permanent marker, they used watercolour dyes in earth tones to colour the paper. When it was dry, the paper was scrunched into a ball to create the rock texture. Further detail was added with cotton buds and paint – the dot painting being very prominent in aboriginal art. A border was created for the work and students helped prepare their work for display.”

Here’s a simple intro tutorial on basic drawing using ‘crates’ (or measuring), that I made with my Grade 9 Art Foundation students. We’re focusing on observational drawing (drawing from sight).

Not everyone is a fan of tutorials. However, it is simply created as a back-up reference for students to use at home as it is embedded on our class website. This is also beneficial for parents to get an insight into what we do in class. It helps both further understand the rubric once assessment rolls around.

It saves me a lot of time in class when students do not remember the steps (or need a refresher). They simply know to go and find it on the net (as we 7 desktops in the classroom), allowing me more time to focus on their strengths or struggles. Some students also prefer to learn independently this way during their own time.

Hopefully in the future, the students can fully take over the creation of these videos (but time is always an issue). To be honest, I always get a little nervous when I post these videos online. What if the quality is poor? What if the information is not accurate? Yes, you are putting yourself out there, but it is worth it. It is indirect studying. I have received more feedback from anyonymous viewers on YouTube than anywhere else. I may also then take these videos with me if I ever transfer schools. Actually, 80% of my resources are now somewhere in “the cloud.” Why take binders or boxes full of paper? Why not share it with a wider audience?

Give it a try, and yeah, try some observational drawing too.

(video link here)

Craig Roland over at The Art Teacher’s Guide to the Internet and creator of the Art Education 2.0 ning, invited bloggers to a challenge through the Green Friday Synchronized Blogging Event.

The theme for our Green Friday event is this broad question: “How might we use art or design to promote a healthy environment and a peaceful, sustainable world?” How you choose to respond to this question is up to you.

I must say, I really struggled to come up with something different, unique and creative. I’m not sure if I have anything innovative here but all activities basically raise awareness. I have thought about this for approximately two weeks and it even kept popping in my head whilst on holiday! (I would like to reconsider a greater way for these projects to reach a wider audience.)

Frustrated, I rethought what my strengths and interests were. Would it be easier to focus on a particular year group? Would it be more effective if there was differentiation? I kept going round and round asking more questions than I was getting answers for. I have therefore decided to post all brainstorm ideas I had. Perhaps collaboration with you could further enhance some of the ideas? The details are rather lengthy so I posted them on my wiki here. I’d love to add the other blogger contributions there as well (if interested, let me know…and for those living behind iron curtains, the PDF, pictured below, is here: environment-art-and-design-lesson-ideasv3).

Activity Summaries:

1. Design an eco-friendly home using Google Sketchup
2. Create word clouds with Wordle
3. Poster Design for Elementary using ComicLife or Glogster
4. Poster Design for Middle/High School using only graphics
5. You are an illustrator, create a children’s book
6. Several video tasks
7. Product Design: Invent an imaginary product that would solve an environmental issue
8. Recycled Art: create a sculpture or work of art using recycled or found materials, or create land art

Have a look at some International Posters for Peace, Social Justice and the Environment 1965-2005 for some good examples (go to their ‘Posters’ drop down menu).

Also have a look at The Miniature Earth to see what it would be like if the planet’s population was reduced to 100.

Other participants in this activity are linked below. Give their ideas a look.

The Art Teacher’s Guide to the Internet
http://www.artjunction.org/blog

Blissful Thoughts
http://blissthink.blogspot.com

The Carrot Revolution
http://carrotrevolution.blogspot.com

Jean Fitz’s Weblog
www.heartjean.blogspot.com

The Teaching Palette
http://theteachingpalette.com