Drawing Lesson Kick Off Activity

Students draw what they feel

I’m beginning a drawing unit with my mixed 7th and 8th grade 2D Studio II classes.  This activity helped to kick things off and got the students excited about drawing.

Materials:

paper bags (one for each student)

random items to put in the paper bags

paper and pencil (we used our sketchbooks)

 

Preparation: place an item in each paper bag before class starts.

Procedures:

1. Have students divide their paper into fourths
2. Give each student a paper bag.  Tell students they are not allowed to look in the bag.  They must feel the item in order to determine it’s form.
3. Based on what they feel, students draw what they think the item looks like.
4. Have students trade bags and complete 2-3 more drawings
5. Ask questions like: how did you decide what to draw? Did not being able to see the item make it easier or more difficult to draw? What are some things you wish you knew about the object that would have made it easier to draw? How does this activity translate into observational drawing?

We had a blast with this activity.  I had a couple reluctant students and I promised them there was nothing gross in the bags (not quite sure what they were expecting).  Hope you enjoy!

Growth Mindset Posters

Fun Song Lyric Classroom Posters

I used my iPad to create these new posters to hang in the room.  I bought the frames from IKEA for $3.00 a piece.  I love the color they bring to the room!

You can check them out here if you want them for your own room!

Painting the Classroom

Which Paint is Best to Paint Over Bright Walls?

I started this school year in a new school, which meant moving into a new classroom.  When I first visited my room this summer, I was shocked at what I saw.

This room was bright!  Being an art room, I thought about keeping the bright colors.  But, then I thought ahead a couple of months and I just couldn’t see myself working in a room so “in your face”.  I decided to take on the task of paining this giant, double room.

I wanted to do it in the cheapest way possible, since I was spending my own money on materials.  After some research, I decided on the KILZ primer and paint in one from Walmart (Complete Coat).  I bought two gallons of paint, a roller set (with a brush) and a plastic drop cloth.  Everything together was around $60, which wasn’t so bad.

After a full day of painting, I was so happy with the results!  The paint covered well in most areas.  I needed two coats in certain areas like the red and purple, but it covered the yellow and green perfectly.  I am confident that this paint would have painted over a more normal color with no problems whatsoever.

Here is the after!  We’ve been in school for three weeks now, giving me some time to live with the color.  I am so happy I decided to repaint!