1st graders are currently working on their self portraits inspired by the author and illustrator, Todd Parr. First we read "The Feelings Book" by Todd Parr. As a class we spoke about different emotions and how the facial features would change according to those feelings. The students were then prompted to write down the emotion they were feeling at that moment in the sentence.."Sometimes I feel (like).." The students were then guided in a self portrait drawing, creating a face with an emotion compatible with the sentence they wrote. (i.e. sad face for upset, happy face for sad, straight mouth for angry etc.) We also discussed what the words style and abstract meant since we were creating a self portrait in the style of an artist. Todd Parr creates very distinguishable portraits with heavy black outlines and colors that do not represent real life. He also does not draw noses and his mouths and eyes are simplified into black dots as eyes and lines for mouths. 


Learning objectives: How to create an abstract self-portrait in the style of an artist. The students are also learning how to use line and color to create a simplified portrait according to a certain mood or emotion. And lastly listening to guided instruction. 


ART WORDS:
Abstract: doesn't look like anything in real life. 
Self-portrait: a drawing or painting of oneself.
Style: a manner of creating art or design in a particular, distinguishable form. 

1st Grade is currently creating the cover of their very own, hand made sketchbook! Sketchbooks are like an artists journal or notebook. 1st graders will be utilizing these sketchbooks for taking notes, creating preliminary sketches or drawings and during "free-draw" time. On the cover of these sketchbooks, students have written their names across the front in sharpie and are given the freedom to paint (yes, paint in the first class!) in watercolor what they choose. Some students have created a beautiful abstract painting by experimenting with color mixing and others have created a representational painting of something of their choice. Sketchbooks are a great way to store ideas, drawings and notes about artists and artworks that they are learning about to later refer to after leaving 1st grade. 

Learning objectives: Techniques in using watercolors, listening to guided instruction. 

ART WORDS: 
Sketchbook: a journal or book used for ideas and drawings by artists. 
Watercolors: paints that are activated by using water.

CLICK ON THE GALLERY IMAGES TO SEE SOME OF THESE WORKS IN PROGRESS!