Fifth Grade Second Trimester Projects

Fifth grade got to create the long awaited first clay project of the year by making clay gargoyles. We looked at gargoyles found on cathedrals and other public buildings around the world. They learned that a gargoyle serves the purpose of directing rain water away form a building, but a grotesque is simply there to adorn the building. Students created their gargoyle using a pinch pot and slab base and then they added lots of details!
After drying for about one week they were fired and then ready for glazing.

Students also created small paintings that demonstrated their understanding of value in art. They used an implied light source and and drew 3D forms which were painted with a primary or secondary color and then tints and shades were added to them to create an even better 3D effect.

A favorite "Hobbit" inspired project was our Fantasy Tree lesson. Trees were designed that incorporated the elements value, textures, perspective and lots of creativity. The houses all required at least one window and door which were made form acetate and colored with Sharpies to give the look of stained glass. The door led to each student's idea of a fantasy world.

Our TAP (Teacher Apprentice Program) intern Joe Scherer worked with the fifth grade students to create an arts integrated lesson  that combined music and art. Mr. Scherer played original compositions on his guitar and piano while students listened and visualized shapes and colors. The students were reminded that this lesson was very subjective and there was no one right answer. They then created abstract paintings using only black paint. The following week the students chose one of their three black line compositions, mounted it on large black paper and added small amount of color, which added pattern, texture, and emphasis to the final piece. The resulting work is quite varies greatly in style, but all are quite beautiful.