Elementary Art

Elementary Art

Kindergarten - 5th grade

Welcome to Rodriguez Elementary! I have been teaching Art for 11 years, during this time I have met several talented artist. Students will have the opportunity to learn about art from different cultures and study work of Master Artist. Students will use several types of media to produce art. Art projects are connected to math and science, technology and language arts. Below are examples of projects your child will have the opportunity to create.

Drawing

Students love to explore various materials when it comes to drawing. I enjoy teaching students to use new materials. Oil pastel is my favorite media to use with Elementary age students because it is a mixture of drawing and painting. My favorite drawing exercise is blind contour drawing. I enjoy teaching how to draw with this exercise because it teaches the student to draw what they see and not what they know.


Painting

I enjoy teaching painting because it involves so many variables. Mixing color requires students to think about proportions, tints, shades and tones. I think it is an empowering activity because you are constantly making decisions. Art has so many types of paint to offer. In elementary art students work with watercolor, tempera, India ink, paint sticks, oil pastel, paint daubers. Applying paint can be traditional with a paintbrush . It can also be experimental using objects that are not normally used for painting like sticks, bubble wrap, sponges, marbles and so much more.

Collage

Collage is a great media for elementary because the use of scissors, the activity incorporates visual motor skills and fine motor skills. Students can prepare paper in a variety of ways or use ready made paper like magazines or recycled items. I encourage students to use collage with mixed media, for example I have them paint or add texture to the background for a unified look.

Printmaking

Printmaking is another media that has a variety of techniques. Elementary art involves: stamping, styrofoam plates, rubber molds, collagraph, house hold items. Students enjoy printmaking because they can make copies of their art in an effortless way.

Sculpture

I enjoy teaching students about form through sculpture. Students experiment with materials like paper, paper mache, found objects and clay. Sculpture is popular with students because it involves objects that can be manipulated into a 3D form. I love all forms of sculpture but I tell my students to work extra hard on the clay because their parents will keep it forever.

Collaborative Work

I view collaborative work as a tool in the art room. It is great visual example of teamwork. Sometimes it is individual artwork that is posted together to make a larger work and other times it is a small group of students assigned to a specific part of a large project. I enjoy leading collaborative work because not only does it make a good display but it teaches students how to work together. Working together is a life skill that everyone will need when they enter the workforce regardless of the profession they choose.