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Category Archives: fourth grade

Primary Self-Portraits and Machinery Drawings

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A pencil sketch of gears

I started out the year with the Primary students (1st grade) drawing small, quick self portraits. One kid drew himself as a pirate! lol. The 4/5s (4th/5th graders mixed) looked at gears and drew them from observation.  I also had pictures of gears and machinery for them to look at.  I showed them basic steps to add shading and value.  After they had drawn 3+ gears, I told them that we would be turning them into inventions.  We had things … Read more… →

Weaving Wonders Camp Part 5

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A child in a purple dress is holding several straws and some string in their right hand, creating wonders inspired by camp activities like weaving.

Weaving on Straws Here is a really fun and addicting way to weave… on plastic drinking straws!  There’s no reason to re-write all the directions out, so here is a link to how to weave on straws.   If you get stuck, there are plenty of websites with full directions and even videos… simply google “weaving on straws.”  With this project, I set up the straws ahead of time for the kids.  (There were only about 6 or 7 kids … Read more… →

Clay Camp for Kids– Week Two

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Handmade white clay sculpture resembling a wide-mouthed creature with ears and small appendages, crafted during Week Two of Clay Camp for Kids, on a wooden surface.

We are having a great time at the summer Clay Camp for kids that I taught in DeForest, WI.  The second week we made clay monsters.  To make a monster, first, start by making a pinch pot.  See this website for a demo of pinch pots if you are not sure how.  Next, gently squish the pinch pot so it is slightly flattened.  Turn the pinch pot on its side and add teeth, eyes, legs, feet, horns, ears, nose, tongue … Read more… →

Clay Camp for Kids- Week One

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Handmade pottery bowl resembling a large leaf, with intricate veins and edges, created during a Kids Clay Camp, resting on a wooden surface.

This summer I have also been teaching a clay class for kids through the DeForest parks and recreation dept. It is only 6 sessions, one hour each session. I have 2 groups of kids: K-3, then 4-7 (roughly, there are some overlaps). Some of the weeks I am teaching the same projects and other weeks we are doing different projects. The first week we made leaf dishes. They are very simple and a good way to teach about rolling slabs. … Read more… →

Weaving Wonders Camp

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A woven grid of colorful feathers and yarn strings displayed on a flat surface, showcasing the wonders of intricate weaving techniques.

Styrofoam Weaving   At the beginning of this summer, I taught a “Weaving Wonders” camp at my school. Kids entering grades K-4 could sign up. The camp took place from 10-12:30 each day. A different weaving technique was taught each day. Campers could sign up for any of the days or the entire week. Weaving on Styrofoam was one of the projects. A restaurant supply store near our school had a huge package of styrofoam plates for very cheap. Slits … Read more… →

  • Banner with colorful artwork promoting an art shop featuring kindness coloring pages, artist activities, and resources for teachers.