Self Portraits in Kindergarten

Self portraits are perfect projects for anytime of the year. I love how they reflect the personality of the child but also teaches different types of art mediums.

Here are three different ways to create self portraits in your classroom. 

SELF PORTRAITS MADE EASY
For the past several years, I have been using this method for drawing self portraits.  Giving students a bit of a guide helps to create large portraits rather than small pieces of artwork. Once students learn this method, you can use them for other projects like this social studies lesson or this one.

We make Self Portraits Made Easy during the first week of school. Then, again at the end of the year.  Students are always astonished how different they look!

A photo posted by Mrs.Parker (@learningwithmrsparker) on Sep 23, 2014 at 3:49pm PDT

RECYCLED NEWSPAPER
For this self portrait project, you will need newspaper and markers. First, I prep the newspaper for my students.  Each student will need an 8x11 sheet of newspaper. I suggest that you use "fun" print like the comic section rather than the headline page. Students will draw their self portrait in pencil. Then, they will use a black marker to trace their drawing. Lastly, they will color leaving their face in print. Mount on a bright colored paper like AstroBrights to add a pop of color.

TODD PARR INSPIRED

For these Todd Parr Inspired Self Portraits, we read many of Todd Parr's books. We became familiar with his style of art. We noted that Parr used lots of bright colors. We also noticed that the faces were not the usually peach, tan and brown. Rather, people had faces of all different colors; even blue and pink! This got many students excited! Using AstroBright neon paper and construction paper from our scrap box, we made our Todd Parr Inspired Self Portraits. Adding them to a black construction paper gave them just the "pop" needed to stand out in the crowd.

These self portrait ideas are easy to prep and create any time of the year. 

0

Guided Drawing of Ruby Bridges Plus a Technology Twist

If you read my last blog post, you know how I feel about the gift of education.    Ruby Bridges was one of many brave children who paved the way to end segregation in schools. I believe that my students can identify with Ruby Bridges due in part to her age when her parents responded to a request from the NAACP and volunteered to her integrate within the New Orleans school system.   This year, I plan to try something new when teaching about Ruby Bridges. My students do so well with guided drawing that I have decided to create a guided drawing of Ruby Bridges.

Usually guided drawing lessons take about 30-45 minutes.  I give step by step directions and monitor students as we go along.  I like my students to draw in pencil (no erasers).  Afterwards, they use a black marker to go over their pencil markers.  Finally, they color. For this lesson, students will make her bow out of construction paper and glue on after they have completed coloring the entire project. Here is a video giving you step by step directions of how to draw Ruby Bridges.   (My videographer was my 8 year old son so please excuse some of the shaking.) 

You could do the exact same lesson with your students using their iPads if you are 1-1.  Students would open a drawing app; I used Sketchbook and follow along as you gave them directions.  Once completed, they would save it to their camera roll.  Then, they could upload it to Seesaw and either add text or record their learning.  


 Please share with me if you use this in your classroom. I would love to see what your students create.

0

How to Draw an Elf Directed Drawing

As a mom, I began the tradition of having an Elf on our shelf during the holiday season. It brought my own child so much joy to see his elf appear magically each year. 

I was inspired by our family tradition to create this. While I do not believe that an elf should be used as a behavior management strategy, I can see how some children might want to know how to draw an elf based on their own experiences. 

  

I created a movie that you can use for yourself or use with your students.  

Elf on a Shelf Directed Drawing

Lastly, here are a few other Elf inspired books and resources that you might like to add to your collection. In my classroom, I like the read The Littlest Elf before our directed drawings.  I also love Harry Connick Jr.'s The Happy Elf; the music alone brings a smile.  

If you use this in your classroom, I would be so honored if you shared them with me.  You can connect with me on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter.  

Happy Teaching!

8

Self Portraits Made Easy

I love how children draw themselves.  Each is as unique as they are.  I like to have my students draw self portraits several times during the year.  It is amazing to see their growth and development.

Recently, I shared my students' self portraits on Instagram.  Several teachers wanted to know more about them.

A photo posted by Mrs.Parker (@learningwithmrsparker) on Apr 15, 2015 at 6:47pm PDT

I have a little secret that helps keep these self portraits large rather than small.  I give them a starting point by drawing a u-like shape on their paper. This makes a huge different in getting a good sized portrait.

We complete all our drawings in pencil first; no erasing.  Depending on the time of year,  I may model and coach them on how to draw different features.  For the one displayed above, I gave them the paper and they completed them independently.

Students trace with marker before coloring. I try to emphasize that they should press hard as they color to get a bold look.

Here is what our self portraits looked like at the beginning of the year.

A photo posted by Mrs.Parker (@learningwithmrsparker) on Sep 23, 2014 at 3:47pm PDT

I think these are the perfect anytime of the year.  

Happy Teaching!

3

An "Elf"tastic Freebie

Have you joined the elf craze? For the past three years, Elf has visited our home.  I admit that I am not as creative nor have the time as all the other mommas across the world.  So, our Elf sits on the shelf and watches. He brings us a few trinkets and notes as needed.  Luckily, I have a believer so it doesn't take much to make him happy.

Last night, we spent some quality time learning how to draw an elf. He was so proud of his work and wanted to share it with Elf.  We began with a simple template that I shared here.






I created a video guide for my Facebook Fans.  This Freebie will show you and your students how to draw an elf.

I plan on having the elf visit our classroom soon.   I think this will be a great way to begin our Winter break.


Happy Teaching!
 

1

Guided Drawings of Pilgrims and Native Americans

For the past two years, I have completed these guided drawings with my students.  It usually takes two class sessions to complete them.  On the first day, we make Pilgrims.  Girls will draw a Pilgrim girl and boys will draw a Pilgrim boy.  The following day, girls will draw a Native American boy and boys will draw a Native American girl.  These become keepsakes for their memory box.  

Today, I am sharing my step by step drawings with you.  To complete the lesson, you will need about 45 minutes to 1 hour.  You will also need to copy a U-shaped smile on 12x9 white construction paper.  I have found that giving this starting point helps them tremendously.

I model each step with the students.  As I model, students draw in pencil.  Once completed, they will trace their pencil drawing with marker.   

Along the way, I monitor each student's drawing. Usually, I am giving directions specifically for the boys and then, directions specifically for the girls.  This means, students have to pay close attention.

I model coloring and limit what colors that they can use because these are meant to be realistic drawings.  

As a final touch, we color the background in a color that we did not use in the drawing.  This gives it a pop of color.  I love how they turn out and my students are always so proud of their work.  

I hope you found this helpful.  

Happy Thanksgiving!

Be sure to follow me on Instagram and Facebook for up to date happenings of my classroom.

9

Creation Station

Have you ever wondered how to implement more art into your classroom?  

Today's guest blogger, Mrs. Coe will show you how.  

Hello Friends,

My name is Mrs. Coe from the blogs Little Miss Kindergarten and Little Miss Hypothesis. I was so excited to be asked to guest post for Mrs. Parker. When I first started blogging Mrs. Parker was one of the first blogs that I followed and I now have followed her for over two years. I am delighted to be able to blog here and share a little bit of my world with you.

Last year when I was setting up my classroom for school I made a little corner of my room that I called my Creation Station. It was very small. I wanted to be able to use this area as an extension of my writing center but at the time I was not quite sure exactly how I was going to accomplish that at all. Nonetheless, I set the station up and played with different ideas throughout the year. I also spent a fair amount of time just observing and listening to what went on in that little space in my own room. This is a picture of my Creation Station on the last week of school.





Throughout the year what I learned was that just like any other work space this has to have a proper introduction and time has to be devoted to that so that expectations are met and materials are used properly. Just like every other teacher, I struggled with time to devote to this. At times my wonderful intentions got lost to the pressures of the other subjects... However, I kept trying different things and learning along the way. What I learned was that with each guided project, the children became more comfortable with experimenting with materials independently. And with more experimentation, a lot of excitement grew for art. And this became a pretty hot spot in my classroom. And I have to say we did have some pretty impressive art come from such a little space in the classroom.

This kindergarten picture really inspired me. I remember who did it. I remember the conversation behind it and I remember the lesson that was given in order to achieve this...masterpiece. As I walked away from my classroom and headed towards summer break, I snapped some pictures to help me keep to my goal of creating a Creation Station that was fully integrated into my Kindergarten day. I knew the only way I was going to feel comfortable doing this is that if it were objective based and integrated fully with other subjects. And with all of those thoughts and wishes in my head I created...

This was created to help me answer the questions of "what" is going in the Creation Station and "how" I am going to fully integrate it! As a writing or word work choice it will be open during our literacy block and in the afternoon it will be open for free exploration of art materials! And the best part is that I can now honestly say that the art objectives will be taught through integrated lessons! But I still needed this center to be open even when a big project was not in the works so I came up with a few more options.

And I knew I needed books to go along with different lessons and art topics so I gathered my favorites and put them on my wish list so that I could order them as I needed them.

These are my all time favorites! And I knew I needed to supply my Creation Station with materials to use for the projects that we will do. So I made a list of the things I wanted and I am shopping around to collect what I need or want.

So many of these supplies are always on sale for Back to School.

Markers Bold and Bright and Pastels

Crayons

Glue

Map Pencils

Construction Paper

Watercolors

Play Doh

Oil Pastels are my new favorite. I LOVE them for Kindergarten. These are not messy like you think. They outline everything and make a picture looked polished.  My other new favorite are Watercolor Pencils. What is not to love here?

And I was lucky enough to find these at a trip to Dollar Tree! These are perfect for an author study/art study on Eric Carle!

And I was super excited to find these at Dollar Tree too! These could be cute when used with a display of art!

So, what are your favorite art materials, books and lessons? Stop by my blog and let me know!



Thank you, Mrs. Coe for showing us how to incorporate more art into our classrooms.  This is a wonderful year long unit.

    Luckily, I've had a chance to use some of her creations in my classroom.  I hope you will too.

1

The Very Hungry Caterpillar Craft

Spring is in the air!  I created this Very Hungry Caterpillar craft to go along with our study of insects.  

To make, you'll need:

a precut leaf

3 2"x7" lime green construction paper

1 2"x7" red construction paper

1 small post it for eyes

purple scraps for antennae

First, fold the post it in half and draw an oval.  Cut.  (Cutting the oval eyes was difficult for some.)  Finish the eyes with green marker.   Next, glue eyes onto the red strip.  Make the mouth.  Last, loop the red together.  Do the same with the green strips.  Carefully, glue onto the leaf.  Make antennae and glue behind red loop. Hole punch around the leaf to complete the project.

Happy Teaching!

1

Easter Basket Hat

So, it happened this week.  I looked around and kid watched. What I saw and heard reminded me why I love teaching.

In one corner of my room, I saw two boys looking at an animal magazine.  They were deep in conversation about tigers.  The amazing part was one of the boys at the beginning of the year barely spoke a word of English.  Now, he was leading the conversation.

In another area, I saw a group of girls chatting and giggling while writing.  They were deep in conversation about their work.  Others were busy at Word Work or reading along at the listening center.

I was sitting with a group of students while they completed a spring freebie.  Among the students was a little boy who has had a hard time fitting into our classroom.   Normally, he is a bit withdrawn.  But, not on this day.  He was chatty and I was delighted to see him in a different light.  Then, it happened.  He asked if we could make an Easter basket hat.  Not wanting him to feel as if his thoughts did not matter, I quickly went into action.

Here is what we came up with.  All you need is a sentence strip, construction paper and your imagination.

When I told the class about this little boy's idea.  They applauded and he smiled from ear to ear.  On Friday, when we left for spring break, we all were wearing our hats.  It wouldn't have happened if not for this child.  It helped to reaffirm that listening and letting kids have time to be kids does matter.    Sometimes the best things do come from the unexpected.

Happy Spring!

11

Drawings of Fly Guy

We are spending the last few weeks of school, revisiting some of our favorite books.  As we do, we are making crafts about the books; something we normally do not have time to do. Today, we read Ride, Fly Guy, Ride.  I quickly showed them how to draw Fly Guy.  We also discovered that if we change the placement of his eye lids and eyes, the expression changes.  The kids really liked this trick.  

Here are a few examples in various stages of completion.

I love the expression on his face.
Look at the smirk.

Did you notice Fly Guy's eyes are hearts.
He is in love!

Here is a more completed picture.
We used a black Sharpie to complete it.

It was a great way to spend the afternoon.  Kids learn so much from guided drawing lessons.

Happy Teaching and Learning!

8

Tile Art for Father's Day

or any other occasion.  Recently, I saw this idea on Pinterest and I knew I had to try it.  We are going to make these for our Father's Day gifts as coasters.

Supplies Used:
tiles
Sharpie markers (must be Sharpie)












I had my little one draw a picture and write his name.  The only guidance he needed was a reminder not to place his hand on the tile or it would smear his work.

After baking in the oven, I checked to make sure that it was set it by running my finger gently over it.  It turned out great.  I only had a bit of it smear off in one area but I think it was perhaps because the tile was not clean as well as I had thought.


We had an instant Father's Day gift in minutes which is perfect since I am busy assessing.

Happy Teaching and Learning!

10