Wampum Belt/Bookmark...Storytelling with Beads

Wampum Belt/Bookmark...Storytelling with Beads

Wampum Belts are traditional strings of shell beads of the Native American Indians.  Strings and belts of wampums were used for storytelling, asking for marriage, used as a gift, used to declare war or peace between two groups, used as money, and also used, instead of writing, to record treaties or historical events.  With our 4th graders learning about the Native American Indians, this creative project gives a brief example of how this Indian art is made.  Following is the step by step process for making a small Wampum Belt...but in this case only big enough to be a bookmark.

In preparation for the class, beads were divided into separate bags...and in this case, each student received 5 colors, 20 beads of each color, with 100 beads total for the project.  Prior to weaving the project, each student laid out their design on a design sheet first.

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Then prepare the loom.  Use ridge 2" by 12" cardboard, make slits on both sides to help hold the weaved yarn.  I also put a "start" marker on the loom so that the student would start the bead string in a spot for easy tie-off when complete.

Tape off tail in the back...

Wind yarn through slits and wrap around loom...

Secure with tape on backside...

Tie on loom string, the working string at start position...

Secure tail of this string with masking tape on back.  String should be plenty long to be able to tie off when beading is complete...

Start stringing beads.  Start with the bottom bead at row one...

Push beads down needle of thread and place under loom strings, EXCEPT for the bottom string...the needle should be over the bottom string like shown below.

Pull though.  Each bead should be separated by a string...

Then, pull needle though beads to secure.  Notice how the exposed needle is over the red thread.

Continue through the entire pattern of bead.  Again, starting for the bottom bead on the next row...

After stringing the beads, bottom rows will appear like this...

Top rows like this...

After rows are complete, wrap working string under loom strings and tie through loop as shown...

Tie off 2 or 3 times to ensure secured string.

When complete, will look like this...

Remember when you tied off the tail of the working string?  Unfasten the working strings tail and tie-off the other end.

Pull working string under loom as shown...

Pull the end of the string through loop and pull tight...

Will look like this when complete.  Repeat 2 or 3 times to ensure tight secure.

Lastly, cut off yarn at both ends of the loom, like shown...

When project is complete, Wampum Belt will look like the design student prepped on design sheet

These turned out really colorful and fun!

Shapely Polar Bear for the Winter Extravaganza Party

Shapely Polar Bear for the Winter Extravaganza Party

Materials:  

• 9x11 Black construction paper (body of the bear)
• 9x11 Dark blue construction paper (background)
• 9x11 White construction paper halved (snow)
• White and Black chalk/soft pastels
• Black oil pastels
• Scissors
• Glue

Prep Time:  20 minutes

Preparation prior to class:  9x11 white paper needs to be cut in half.  Gather additional supplies for the classroom.  Students can use their own scissors and glue.

Class Time:  1 hour

Reason for Lesson:  This lesson was chosen to show the kids that through the use of basic shapes (Element of Art) an artist can create a more complex object, in this case, a polar bear.   The finished product will be displayed during the Winter Extravaganza.

Instructions: 

STEP 1:  Preparing the background

                    Each student should have one dark blue paper and 1/2 of a white paper.  Carefully tearing along one of the longer ends of the white paper will create the snow effect for our background.  Next, glue the white paper to the bottom of the dark blue construction paper.  Matching up the clean edges on both.

STEP 2: Polar Bear

                     Using the white chalk on the black construction paper the student is ready to make their bear!  Starting with the head of the bear, use the side of the chalk to make a large round shape in the middle of the paper, filling in with the chalk.  Next, the body will extend down from the head to the bottom of the paper.  The neck of the polar bear should be more tapered than the body.  Again, fill in the body with the side of the chalk.  To create the ears, the student will make small circles on either side of the head, fill them in.  Students will then use their fingers to gently blend the chalk to remove any harsh lines, adding more chalk if necessary.

STEP 3:  Creating the Face

                       Using the black oil pastel, the students will make the facial features of the polar bear.  First is the nose.  In the lower half of the round head, start by drawing an upside down triangle and fill it in with the oil pastel.  From the bottom tip create the mouth by making a "J" and a backwards "J".  ***Optional:  from the top corners of the nose the students can draw short inward angled lines***  Next, come the eyes.  The student can choose to draw round or almond shaped eyes and then add a black circle for the pupil.  Now, fill in the inner ear with the black pastel.  Finally, by using the black chalk the student will rub a little under the chin to create a shadow.

STEP 4:  Cutting the Bear Out

                    The students will cut their bear out, following along the edge of the chalk line.  The students can now glue their bear onto the prepared background paper.

          

STEP 5:  Finishing Touches

                     The students will add snowflakes and wind to their pieces using the white chalk.

                 

Credit:  www.artventurous.blogspot.com

Mixed Up Names: Line Drawing

Mixed Up Names: Line Drawing 

Medium:  Markers

Reason for Lesson:  Lesson was designed to create an understanding of lines and negative space.

Label:  Line drawing

Prep Time: 5 mins, get a piece of paper and sharpie for each student.  

Preparation prior to lesson:  Collect one 8x11 piece of white contruction paper for each student. 

Class Time: 1 hour.

Materials:  

• 1 8x11 piece of white watercolor paper for each student
• Pencil
• Sharpie

Instructions to Lead Lesson: Discuss line drawings, talk about negative space.  Discuss how different lines can add texture to an art piece. Demonstrate how to write block letters.  I learned the easiest way was to have the children lightly write their letter then trace around it.

Step 1:  Draw the first letter of your first name in block form at the bottom of the page.

Continue filling the page up with all the letters of your name.  Mix them up, but always have them touching. Color in the letters with marker.

Step 2: Talk about the different textures different lines can have.  Discuss again negative space. Make areas of negative space by drawing lines between each letter.

Step 3:  Fill in the negative space with different line patters.  

Credit: http://www.deepspacesparkle.com/2009/07/02/line-drawing-part-iii-name-designs/
Docent:  Kristin Wallace

Pumpkin in Contrast ...a Positive and a Negative Side

Pumpkin in Balance...a Positive and a Negative Side 

Medium:  Oil Pastels

Reason for Lesson: This is a lesson on Balance, and negative and positive space

Prep Time:  15 minutes

Class Time:  1-hour

Materials:  

• 12x18, or 9x12 Base Construction Paper, 
• 9 x 12, or 9 x 6 Orange Construction Paper, 
• Scissors, 
• Glue/Glue Stick
• Pencil
• Black Oil Pastel, or Black Crayon, or Black Pencil
• White Oil Pastel, or White Crayon, or White Pencil
• Raffia

Instructions to Lead Lesson: 

Step 1:   Cut out half side of Pumpkin.  Cut out two blocks in bulk of pumpkin.  NOTHING is garbage!! ... save it as it's the Reverse Side of picture (Negative Side)

Step 2:  Aligned and glue down positive side of pumpkin, then do exactly the same on negative side of pumpkin

Step 3:  Using Black and White Oil Crayons, color in base paper in shapes and lines using white crayon and use the black crayon on the orange paper.  Be sure each side reflects the other.

Step 4:  Optional...add raffia to finish off top.

Credit:  From Art-A-Baloo Past Resources

Colorful Apples

Colorful Apples

Medium:  Tempera Paint and oil pastels

Reason for Lesson:  Lesson was designed to create an understanding of mixing colors and warm and cool color.  Also negative space

Prep Time:  20 mins, need to make a paint tray for each child on a paper plate.  A quarter size drop of paint of each of 2 primary colors: red and yellow.  And dime size drop of blue.

Preparation prior to lesson:  Make a template for each child in the shape of an apple, cut it out of cardstock so it is strong.  

Class Time: 1 hour.

Materials: 

• 1-12x18 piece of white construction paper for each student, 
• 1-12x18 piece of blue, purple or green construction paper for the background, 
• a paint tray plate for each student, 
• a water cup for each student, 
• two paper towels for wiping the students brushes, 
• paint brush for each student, 
• tempera paint, red, yellow, and blue, 
• Pencil, 
• Apple template, 
• Brown and black oil pastels, 
• Scissors 

Instructions to Lead Lesson: Have a discussion on how we mix colors and how every color comes from our 3 primary colors. Discuss how we make the color orange.  Next discuss what a warm color is a what a cool color is.  Warm: red, yellow, orange.  Cool, blue, green, purple.  Finally discuss how negative space is the background color.  

Step One: Trace The Apple


Using a pencil trace three apples.  Draw a stem and a couple of leaves.  Next go over all your lines will and oil pastel.  This will help keep the paint in the right spot.

Step Two:  Paint The Apples

Now comes the fun part: painting! I placed the tempera primary colors on a paper plate and had the children paint one apple yellow. They used very little water and cleaned their brushes by sweeping the bristles over the paper towel. Next, they dipped their paintbrush into the red paint and painted the second apple red. Now, without cleaning brush, dip paint brush in yellow paint again and paint 3rd apple. The children will notice right away that the yellow and red on their brush creates orange. If they need more paint, they can add more yellow or red directly to the apple.

After cleaning their brush, they painted the leaves yellow, then dipped paint brush into blue paint and painted directly over yellow leaves. Don’t worry about the stems for now.

Step Three: Color the Stems and Cut out the Apples

With an oil pastel, color the stem in brown.

Step Four:  Glue onto a Cool Color Background.

Credit:  http://www.deepspacesparkle.com/2012/10/15/apple-art-project/

Tint and Pattern Circles, a Lesson in Color and Negative Space

Tint and Pattern Circles

Medium:  Tempera Paint

Reason for Lesson:  Lesson was designed to create an understanding of color, tint and negative space.

Prep Time:  20 mins, need to make a paint tray for each child.  A half dollar size drop of paint of each of the 3 primary colors, red, yellow and blue and a drop of white which will be used to tint the colors.

Preparation prior to lesson:  Collect circles for the students to trace.  I’m planning on using some small plastic cups.

Class Time: 1 hour.

Materials: 

• 1 - 8x11 piece of white construction paper for each student, 
• a paint tray plate for each student, 
• a water cup for each student, 
• two paper towels for wiping the students brushes, 
• paint brush for each student, 
• tempera paint - red, yellow, blue and white, 
• Pencil and 
• plastic lids or cups

Instructions to Lead Lesson: Have a brief reminder discussion on how we mix colors and how every color comes from our 3 primary colors.  Introduce white as a tinting color.  Discuss how white is actually and absent of color and it make the colors lighter. Finally talk about negative space, it is the space in the background.  

Step One: Trace Circles on a Paper

Using a plastic lid, trace circles around paper. Encourage overlapping and going “off” the edge of the paper. Of course, you don’t have to use this method of drawing circles, but it’s an efficient way to get to the good stuff.

Step Two:  Paint Negative space

Mix one primary color and white together on the tray. This color will be the background color or negative space. Sticking to one color is pretty hard for this age group but reassure them that the opportunity to mix more colors with the white will be coming up. Paint all areas of background.  Go over proper painting techenique, a little goes a long way, a glob will take a long time to dry.

Step Three: Paint the Circles

Have the students paint each of the circles in a different color.  Making sure they have one circle each of a Primary Color, and then have them mix the colors to fill in the rest.  Encouraging them to use the white to tint the color.

Credit:  http://www.deepspacesparkle.com/2010/10/11/tint-and-pattern-circles/

Walk Like an Egyptian

Egyptian Art

Reason for Lesson:  To provide a lesson that supports the 6th grade curriculum.  Nutcracker. This lesson is about lines, measurement and proportion and uses the same concept used in the Nutcracker lesson.   

Class Time: 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Lesson can be started to with folding and drawing of the lines.  

Prep for Lesson: Create your own sample to show in class.  

Materials:  Large size paper 18 x12 or 8 1/2 x 11, ruler, pencil, eraser, black sharpie, scissors, oil pastels/water color markers or another medium that provides brilliant color option. 

Instructions to Lead Lesson: 

Look at samples of Egyptian art.  Show pictures of head shots of Egyptians. 

Discuss the flatness of the art.  Look at the detail.  Notice how large the eyes are in relation to the nose and mouth.  Point out the heavy makeup used in the artwork.  Look at the detail in the head pieces. 

Start by folding your paper 'hamburger' style in half.  Then fold each end into the center, creating 4 sections with three folds.  Label each section lightly with a pencil (1,2,3,4)  beginning at the top.  Doing this provides for easy instruction and reference to each section. 

Before you begin instruction, notice how the face is broken down into 4 areas.  Area #1 contains the hat/hair. Area #2 contains upper part of the nose, large eyes and half of the ears. Area #3 contains the mouth.  Area #4 is the chin neck and shirt. 

Begin in area #1 and instruct the students to create line for the hat/hair.  Continue on to the forehead and nose in area #2.  Continue on in area #3 with the lips. Note the 'heart' shape of the mouth. Continue on to the chin.  Go back up to the head band and instruct the students to create a headband.  Create the hair and ear to the right side of the paper. Notice the size of the eyes in paintings.  Translate that to the page of each students artwork. 

 Once the art is drawn, have the students use color to finish piece of work.