Tuesday, September 11, 2012

First Grade Family Portraits!

My first graders are finishing up their family portraits...and they are scrumptious!!!! These are large- 12x18 and my main focus is on facial features and drawing from observation.

I did not allow the kids to use pencil first- black crayon only. I do a lot of projects (especially with my younger grades) like this because so much time is spent erasing and I'd much rather have their work honest, real, and fresh.

We also talk about composition (large drawings on large paper) an filing up the paper, even by simply coloring the background one color to fill up the space!!




*I will also add that yes, I DO draw the "heads" for them....I go around the room and ask each student how many people live in their house. This way you avoid heads that are too large or too small...then they do the rest of the work!

21 comments:

  1. These are fabulous!! Love the teeth!!!

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    1. Thanks! My favorite is the last one, the green one...especially since Dad is a Dentist ;)

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  2. I adore these!!! It's so rare that we see the whole family in a portrait. I also like how you use a template for the faces...smart!

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    1. Thanks! I've tried letting them draw their own heads and it's excruciating to watch...so with this being one of the first projects of the year I just do it for them and let them take it from there!

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  3. Do you teach them how to draw eyes, mouths, noses, etc. first? I love this project but since this is my first year teaching art (after teaching 5th grade for 6 years!) I'm not sure how they would know how to do them so well. These look great for first graders!
    ktencza123@gmail.com

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    1. Hi Kim, yes, I do a full demo on how to draw faces first...I will email you my "talking points" and key words :)

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    2. Would it be possible to get a copy of those talking points?

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    3. Hi! Would I be able to get your talking key points too? My first graders are drawing portraits of their grandparents for "Grandpal's Day" at our school and I need all the help I can get!

      meganmwerner@gmail.com

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    4. Hi, I know this post is old, but hoping someone might be able to reply to me about the talking points and key words! This is such a cute art project! Thanks! My email: sonya.yong@gmail.com THANK YOU!

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  4. Joanna, I would love a copy of your talking points. I would love to try these family portraits with my first graders. Knfallon@roadrunner.com.

    Thanks
    Nancy

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  5. AMAZING :)
    I am planning to do this next week for just a self-portrait project. If you wouldn't mind sharing your key talking points!
    It is my first year teaching ever! Grade 1
    Thanks

    finncarleen@gmail.com

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  6. Hi Joanna, I am the Art Teacher at my school and was planning on starting off the school year by having my 1st graders do a family portrait: that way they can express who they are and I can learn more about them. I looked up 1st grade family portraits and this popped up: I love these! Much more "zoomed in" than I was thinking, but I think that works better! Would you mind e-mailing your talking points to me too, please? Now I'm even more excited about this project, the kids will love it! Thanks,
    -Brooks: bearmullen87@gmail.com

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  7. Joanna, I love this project! I was looking for an inspiring project to do with my first graders this week and I think this is it! Can you please send me your talking points?
    Thanks,
    Kate
    katefey@gmail.com

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  8. Joanna, Do you still have the talking points about this lesson? We are focusing on families for November, and would love to have these portraits displayed for conferences at the end of the month. Thank You! Loretta Brenner at LKBrenner@comcast.net

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  9. I'd love your talking points too!!! kterpstra@surreychristian.com Love the idea!

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  10. Hi! Would I be able to get your talking key points too? My first graders are drawing portraits of their grandparents for "Grandpal's Day" at our school and I need all the help I can get!

    meganmwerner@gmail.com

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  11. If you still have those facial features talking points, I'd love those too :-) anna.privette@gmail.com

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  12. Following...these are fantastic! So you draw simply the head. Could I as well have your talking points. Did they bring in photos or just go by their perception?

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  13. Came across this website, love the idea! Can I get a copy of the talking key points? jr.ang2015@gmail.com Thanks!

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  14. Hi!! I too would love to receive your talking "key points"! Thanks so much! These are so adorable!

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