Archived Elementary Visual Arts

Cycle Two

Cycle Two: We break down both early elementary and upper elementary grade level art experiences. Early elementary continues to focus on a balance of fine motor skills development and documenting the world around us, while upper elementary employs more observational drawing and working in a series to critique and grow ideas.

Big Ideas: PreK-2/The Physical World Around Me II

In this Cylce we visit fine motor skill development with sewing and weaving.

This skill set of over/under, allows children to practice manuevering with smaller objects over time.

Check out our #1 sewing hack, that will increase your child's ability to work independently.

Instructional Handout Google Doc

Early Elementary Sewing and Weaving Skills Exploration

Finding materials around the home to interact with, this kindergarten student practices fine motor skills by sewing independently.

Upper Elementary Resources

Upper Elementary Grades 3-5 Cycle Two: Working in a Series

Part I: We explore how artists innovate and generate ideas using a variety of strategies. In this cycle we encourage children to brainstorm by creating a series that incorporates something they love. This could be something they love doing, like a developing passion, or a special item of meaning.

Essential Questions

What habits support design thinking?
How do some artists work so prolifically?
How can journaling contribute to the development of ideas?

Inspiration: Read 100 Dresses by Eleanor Estes

This classic is reviewed by NPR's Backseat Book Club:https://www.npr.org/2012/02/29/147601262/two-books-for-kids-about-how-hard-it-is-to-fit-in

Listen to the book read aloud from Living Books for World Changers

Now, think about yourself as Wanda Petronski. For Wanda, having an outlet of drawing fashion designs helped her to escape her own reality of wearing the same dress every day and being the subject of ridicule. Is there something that you wish to make as much as Wanda? Try your hand at designing a series of one type of thing. Review your changes as you create and share the results with your class.

Part II: Using Sketchbooks to Further the Design Process

Explore the concept of Design Thinking

Designing is a creative process that requires creative problem solving. Try this MoMA challenge of recording and evaluating the designs you see around you for one week in a sketchbook.

What changes might you make to the original design, from the look of an item to the usability.

Exploring Design: Everyday Objects | MoMA

https://www.baamboozle.com/

Type in code 226455 To Play

Try a Bamboozle Quiz

Choose your own drawing adventure in this warm up

Type Game Code 226455 or make your own bamboozle and share

Watch and try drawing cartoons from simple shapes just like cartoonist Chris Hart

Draw a Baby Elephant

Learn how to draw more animals and people

Design & Textiles

Virtual Field Trip Baltimore Museum of Art Textiles Connection

Kimono Furisode 1912-1940, Taisho (1912-1926) or Showa (1926-1989). Japan. Gift of Mrs. D.M. Cheston, Baltimore 1990.113 The BMA's textiles collection of more than 5,000 works spans nearly 2,000 years and features examples of needlework, quilts, laces, furnishings, tapestries, costumes, accessories, wallpaper, and needlework tools from America, Europe, India, Japan, China, the Middle East, Northern Africa, and Central Asia.

Find inspiration in the past and present

Explore the collections of fabric arts from the BMA and discover a wealth of visual information to influence your sketchbook series challenge.

Can you design a series of kimono based on the four seasons of Baltimore?

Maybe you are designing the next generation of electric cars and you need to add a detail to your car?

This kimono features a string design that mimics the wind. The elements are not forgotten in traditional Japanese design. How can you incorporate the senses into your own work?

Art Teacher Showcase

The VPA is proud to announce the launch of its first web platform supporting a teacher-driven curriculum for Visual Arts. Each cycle, we'll review skills and process foci, interactive games, instructional resources, student work, and more!

Help us grow an archive! Students and teachers --submit your favorite lesson project to our gallery.