Kindergarten Project: Line, Pattern, and Color

Students begin by tracing a circle ant then use our 6 basic lines to divide up the page. Next we add patterns of the students' own choosing. Using pattern sheets, students are asked to use different patterns to fill the sections on the outside of their circle.

Once the drawing is complete, students will outline their pencil work in black crayon to protect the lines from paint. The crayons will provide a wax-resist against the water activated tempera paint.

For the last step students will divide the space inside their large circle and divide the space with their favorite of the 6 basic lines. This area will be outlined with black crayon also but then students will be given pastels to color this inner portion.

Grading details for MS Art

In the Middle School Art program is using a point system that employs both daily points and project points. Below are descriptions of these point categories and of project comments.

1. Daily Points: Students receive a point each day for how they conduct themselves in class. This makes up roughly 20% of their final grade.

a. Daily points can be lost by: being off-task, talking excessively, misusing materials, etc.

2. Project Points: There are 4 points available for every day of in class work on a project, which is about 80% of their final grade. For example: A project that is 3 days of in-class work will be worth 12 points. Project points are separate from Daily points.

a. Project points are divided into three categories: Followed Directions, Material Use, and Time Use. Each of these categories will be worth approximately one third of the project's grade. 

3. Comments: Comments are given on projects so that students are able to reflect on their work by looking at the specific feedback on their project. An example of a comment below.

I hope this explanation is helpful. As always if you have any questions about grading or projects, feel welcome to contact me at: droberts@dalat.org 

K / 1st Grade Project: Collaborative Circle Painting

In this project the students move from table to table with only one instruction: make circles. Using only their hands to spread the paint you can see in the pictures above the the wide variety of circles that are created. Students rotate through each of the tables in the room so that they can work at 4 different stations.

The table sized papers are then cut into small pages that are given to students, each student receives two of these smaller sheets. With the smaller sheet students are given crayons, colored pencils, and markers to add more details. Using outlines, drawing patterns, or coloring shapes in adds a finishing touch to these circle paintings.

Above is the circle painting with no outlines, below is the same painting with outlines.