K/1s and 2/3s Paint Self-Portraits

Annually all Parker students in grades K-8 draw or paint a head and shoulders self-portrait. It is wonderful to see them all displayed in the hall and to notice the developmental differences through the grades. The portraits are then turned into the next year's school calendar. The K/1s and 2/3s begin this lesson by looking in the mirror and noticing the shapes they see and where their features are in relation to one another. They first do a sketch, then draw their image and finally add tempera paint.

First sketch

Careful observing in the mirror

Checking with the mirror

Beginning to add paint

Painting the skin tones

Deciding what's next

Moving to final paper

Trying to make sure the mirror and drawing images match up

Matching skin tones

Concentrating on small details

K/1 Tooth Fairies

A unit on fairy tales is unfolding in the K/1 classroom as the students learn about tooth traditions from around the world in art class. They listened to Throw Your Tooth on the Roof by Selby Beeler and remarked on the different traditions from all over the globe observed when children from other countries lose their teeth. A discussion of the tooth fairy followed and the students began sketching out ideas for paintings of their visions of the tooth fairy.

collaborative color choice

Painting the fairy's wings

Outlining with Sharpie

Beginning to paint

One finished painting

And another!

4/5 "If" Paintings

Based on a reading of the book If by Sarah Perry, and a look at some of the work of Belgian Surrealist painter Rene Magritte, the 4/5 students drew their own versions of surrealistic possibilities. They sketched out several ideas and committed one to final paper drawn carefully in colored pencil.

Checking out the book

What if there was a river of candy?

Mine craft related

A chocolate keyboard!