Quarter 1

Exploration 1:

Self Portraits

First grade artists explored what a self portrait is and what makes it different from a regular picture. Looking at other artists self portraits such as Frida Khalo, Vincent Van Gogh, and Salvador Dali,  our first grade artists learned that  a self portrait typically includes the artists head, neck, and shoulders, along with a background that reflects who the artist is. Artists discovered how to find materials that matched how they look in real life and how to include details so their drawings reflect who they are. 

Exploration 2:

Kandinski Circles

A collaboration between National Dot Day and the artist Wassily Kandinski had first grade artists exploring how we can turn a dot into something more. All artists started with a circle sticker. They then cut around the sticker and glued it onto another colored paper. By repeating this process, they were able to create an artwork inspired by Kandinski. First grade artists then imagined what they could turn their circle into. Ice cream cones, snails, and flowers were a popular choice. 

Exploration 3:

Alma Thomas

Alma Thomas taught art in the public schools of Washington, D.C for 38 years!  Alma is recognized for her major contributions to abstract painting and women artists. First grade artists explored how we can take inspiration from an artist and make an artwork in a similar style. They used tissue paper, a rip and stick technique, and liquid starch for their own creation. 

Exploration 4:

What Does our Imagination Look Like?

First grade artists explored watercolor techniques as they created ways to represent what their imagination looks like. They read the book What to do with an idea by Kobi Yamada and discussed how the  only way others know what you're thinking is by sharing. Watercolor and oil pastel resist was explored. Artists then cut and glued their thinking face onto their projects. 

Quarter 2

Exploration 5:

Surreal Lightbulbs

The surreal artist movement was all about pairing very unlikely things together. First grade artists explored how we can draw silly things that would not happen in real life. A dancing goat under the sea, a chorus of whales singing in the clouds, or even a monkey reading on the moon! Artists used the creative process to plan, create, and share their artwork. They practiced drawing unlikely things, planned their final drawing with a pencil, traced it in marker, and then used colored pencil to color them in. 

Exploration 6:

 Watercolor Penguins

Right before winter break, first grade artists read a book called "Spike: Penguin with the Rainbow Hair" by Carmen Ellis and Sarah Cullen. They discussed how having something about you that is different from everyone else makes you unique. They used the watercolor techniques learned   and used in previous projects to create a wintery background. They learned how messy charcoal can be to draw their penguin. Dry pastels were used to add unique beaks and feet and then yarn was used to create rainbow hair just like Spike from the book. 

Quarter 3

Exploration 7:

Map Making

Our first grade artists put on their sailing hats and pretended to board a boat, after rough seas and a long adventure they discovered an island. It was our artists jobs to create a map for the newly discovered island. They learned how a map includes a title, compass, and key to show where everything is. They planned the locations for their maps, decided the layout for their island and then named- the most fun part of being an adventurer !