Nutcrackers

Our school has a tradition of putting on the Nutcracker performance every year! Here are some Nutcrackers and a VERY simple draw a long that can be used by any grade!

Collage animals

Our first project this year has been a very progressive, multi step, multi media project that has really evolved as we created! Our first project when we got back from hurricane Harvery was to release some stress with scribbling to music....

Students spread out on the floor and scribbled to the sound of fast and slow music by “The Piano Guys” they love these songs because they recognize them from the radio but it’s all instrumental.
The students were instructed to use large arm motions that cross over the body. Any motion that crosses from the right side of the body to the left or vise versa uses both hemispheres of the brain since each side controls one side of the body. It is very relaxing and the kids LOVED it!!!!!!
The next class kids painted over thier scribbles with water colors, tempera paint, and India ink. They explored the way different paint resists or does not resist the crayon.

You can follow me on instagram for more photos "Natty241"
And my facebook page "Mrs. Waggenspack's Art Room"
They were allowed to use their hands at the end. We try to use all 5 senses for a while brain experience. We talked about abstract art,
Kinetic art,
And the experience of art. It is a process and not just a product that we create in art.

After each experience we gathered on the floor and talked about how they felt in one word. Students said, “Free, alive, happy, exhilarating, dancing, creative, like a real artist, quiet, excited, open,angry, peaceful,etc”
When the paintings were finished the students tore them up into strips! They were so upset at first. When they saw the next step they were so excited. 
The students glued the strips on a late paper for the collage. This took three 50 minute classes. Then students traced the eyes and nose of the animal they wanted and outlines the eyes, nose, and beaks with India ink. ( pictures at the bottom of blog)

this is the resin I use. I paint it on with a brush. This resin must be mixed one to one ratio and it is toxic so you must wear a mask. Do NOT let the children use it. You have to do it for them if you want the ultra shiney eyes effect! Wear a mask and use gloves! You can sprinkle glitter in it too for extra FUN!!!

Then they glued the eyes and nose on the collage. 
The next step was to embellish the face and add details. We used India ink and fan brushes to make fur and feathers. 
When the entire face was finished I added resin to the eyes to make them shine 
These are how the eyes and noses look before they cut them out. We used the fan brush for making fur. 
These are the travers they could use for eyes, noses and beaks