Mosaics, City Block Collages, and Artwork for the Winter Concert

4th Grade Mosaics

4th graders learned about mosaic art, observing and discussing images of different types and uses of mosaic art. Students realized that they see mosaic art all over the city, especially in the subway. Students learned that mosaic art can be created with traditional mosaic tiles as well as an array of found objects - broken ceramics, mirrors, bottle caps, shells, etc.

Students first created collages using small pieces of different types of paper to practice creating a visual composition from arranging small pieces together. Then they created mosaics with tiles and different found materials, gluing each piece in place. Students were asked to make their mosaic represent peace, either through imagery or mood. Once they had finished this process, I grouted the mosaics to ensure the pieces stayed in place.

Grade 4 National Core Arts Standards Addressed in this Unit:

Grade 4

VA:Cr2.1.4

Explore and invent art-making techniques and approaches.

VA:Re7.2.4

Analyze components in visual imagery that convey messages.

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2nd Grade Collages of a City Block

These collages are inspired by artist Romare Bearden’s 1971 collage “The Block” (below),

as well as the illustrations of Ezra Jack Keats. Students observed and discussed large images of Bearden’s “The Block” on the smartboard. They also observed Ezra Jack Keats’ use of collage in his representations of urban environments in his books such as Whistle for Willie (shown below) and The Snowy Day.

Students also viewed and discussed a video of archival footage of Romare Bearden working on his collages of New York City street scenes and explaining and showing his artistic inspirations and process. https://www.sfmoma.org/watch/trains-snakes-and-guitars-the-collages-of-romare-bearden/

Students first created pencil sketches of a city block after brainstorming as a group what different things you might see on a city block - different types of buildings, parks, people, trees, cars, animals, etc. Then they created small collages of one building that might be on a city block - a store, a barber shop, a school, an apartment or office building, a church, etc. Finally they created long collages of an entire city block.

While their drawings strive for realism, the students’ collages are more in the style of Bearden’s collages, mixing various different materials and playing with scale and abstraction. Some students were inspired to portray things other than a city block; for example, one student created a large ship while another student portrayed the Manhattan bridge with cars on it. Veering off on a different creative path found during the process is more than okay; it is an essential part of art, creative investigation and innovative thinking. Habits of mind such as this, developed through art-making and art education, are absolutely crucial to being innovative and effective at any intellectual or creative pursuit.

In this unit, students learned about an important figure in art history, that artists speak about their inspirations, process, and the meaning in their artwork, how to create a sketch in preparation for a project, and how to think outside of the box by arranging and putting together various materials in unusual ways to create a unique work of art.

Grade 2 National Core Arts Standards Addressed in this Unit:

VA:Cr1.1.2

Brainstorm collaboratively multiple approaches to an art or design problem.

VA:Cr2.1.2

Experiment with various materials and tools to explore personal interests in a work of art or design.

VA:Cr2.3.2

Repurpose objects to make something new.

VA:Re7.1.2

Perceive and describe aesthetic characteristics of one’s natural world and constructed environments.

VA:Cn10.1.2

Create works of art about events in home, school, or community life.

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Creating Artwork for the Winter Concert

PreK created these snowpeople - snow princesses, snow rock stars, snow cowboys, snow daddies, etc. to decorate the auditorium and get everyone in a wintery mood. 1st graders created the music sheet paper snowflakes below the snow people.

Class K-100 collaboratively knocked out a gorgeous banner for the concert with tempera paint and glitter in one class period. The painted craft stick snowflakes and other painted craft sticks creations hanging on either side of the banner were made by K-100, PK 132 and PK 136.