Art Prompts for Home

New ways to share ideas and links to fun content!

Google Classroom

I have created a Google Classroom with links to more great online resources for our students to visit. Use this code to access the classroom: t6h75pn

Facebook

We have a new Art@Polo Ridge Elementary Facebook page to help share our work and increase our art community communication.

Tiny sketchbook lessons

March 26, 2020

These ideas are deceptively simple. On the surface they seem easy, but here are some concepts that can improve your work and deepen your understanding of art while practicing your art-making techniques. You can take your original drawing and hold it up to a window to trace that idea and have multiple versions of the same concept.

Remember to vary your line weight. Would your work look different with rough or bumpy lines?
Choose your colors wisely. How does your piece look with cool colors? What happens if you trace your original drawing again and color it with warm colors? What about complementary colors?
Does size matter? I drew all of these samples on a 3.5" x 5.5" page. If you work larger, how does that change the impact of your work?
Consider the positive and negative space of your drawing. Try the work small and centered first. Then try it so the drawing reaches all four sides of you page.
You have the freedom to use any materials you can find at home. Highlighters, sharpies, collage magazines, fabric and glue, junk mail, colored pencils, crayons, markers, paints, and anything else you ask permission to use can be used to make your art.
Try ideas from other grade levels. Art ideas are not limited to grades or ages. What changes is the depth and experience of the student. A Fifth Grader who tries a Kindergarten art concept might add more value and texture to the drawing. A First Grader that tries the Third Grade idea might use brighter colors or simpler shapes, but still make a beautiful piece of work. There are no limits to what you can create!

Kindergarten Idea

You can do as many items as you like. Be creative with the use of color...but try to be neat!

First Grade Idea

Try to start in the middle and add at least 5 "rings". Choose your colors so they are peaceful colors.

Second Grade Idea

You could create a whole family of "spoon people".

Third Grade Idea

Use a viewfinder to focus on a pleasing composition.

Fourth Grade Idea

Keep your cut out simple for your first try. When you transpose your shape, consider flipping it horizontally or vertically. This is definitely one you will want to try a few times and experiment with different colors and shapes!

Fifth Grade Idea

This idea starts off simple, but can get tricky fast! Try just using the letters A, R, T for a first attempt. The sample I made was my first name using primary colors and a little variety of line weight. See how far you can push yourself to add complexity.

March 25, 2020

Parents and Students,

Please let me know if you have accessed this page. I plan on updating the lessons every Wednesday, but it is helpful to hear from you if you are using the information. Send me photos of the work you are doing and I can make an online gallery of your work. Email me at jason.sword@cms.k12.nc.us

Thanks for visiting and stay safe,

Jason Sword

Previous lessons below

K Art Lesson

Overall concept: Teacher/Video will read aloud popular book and students will create artwork based on that book. Encourage your child to use "outline and color method" with crayons, colored pencils or markers. Have your child check for neatnes...no gaps! They will know what I mean. : )

First Grade Art Lesson

Overall concept: We have been introducing Origami to our first graders and encouraging using recycled paper (magazines, wrapping paper or other thin, colorful paper, to use for these projects.

Second Grade Art Lesson

Overall concept: We have been redesigning book covers for "A Bad Case of Stripes" by David Shannon

Encourage your child to choose a favorite book and design a new cover for it.

Design Checklist

- Make sure the title is easy to read
- Make sure the illustration has something to do with the characters and story
- Make sure the design uses the entire space (no blank spots or "tiny drawings")
- Try to make the cover appealing to you to encourage others to want to pick up the book and read it!

Here are some resources online to help your child continue book designs

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/47147127335756314/

https://www.everystarisdifferent.com/2016/09/2nd-grade-reading-list.html

Third Grade Art Lesson

Overall concept: We have been creating art with yarn so far in March. These skills can be used with anything that is flexible. Check around your house for things that could be considered "fibers"

Possible "Fibers"

Yarn, string, thread, embroidery floss
Wires, fishing line, old cables
Used clothing or sheets cut into strips
Magazines, newpapers, junk mail cut into strips

I have listed a few resources below to continue learning about using "fibers" to make art.

Fourth Grade Art Lesson

Each year with have participated in this contest sponsored by the North Carolina Sons of the American Revolution. It is a fantastic opportunity for students to explore local history and design a poster to share what they learned with artistic flair.

Poster Guidelines:

Use a standard size poster board 24" x 36"
Entries must be 2 dimensional. Nothing should protrude from the surface of the board
Do not print text or images from the internet and attach to the poster
All images and text must be the original work of the students. Students may use references, but rewrite using their own words.
Make sure the title is clear and all text is neatly written. Neatness counts!
Due Date to school (provided we are open) is April 24th

Here is the link with more information.

https://www.ncssar.org/youth-programs/americanism-poster/

http://www.ncssar.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/SAR-2016-Americanism-Poster-Contest-Entry-Form.pdf

This years' theme is "Battles In and Around Mecklenburg County"

Here is a good resource to start your research

https://www.ncpedia.org/category/subjects/battles/see-all

https://www.carolana.com/NC/Revolution/revolution_charlotte.html

https://www.wbtv.com/story/38577831/wbtv-speak-out-editorial-a-hornets-nest-of-rebellion/

Fifth Grade Art Lesson