POP Art POPsicles!

My Kindergartners are learning about different genres and styles of art and they recently made these absolutely ADORABLE Pop Art POPsicles! We used a 12x18 sheet of white paper, folded into fourths for the background. Tempera paints were used to paint each section a different color.

Students then used painted papers* to create their POPsicles. For some classes we used real popsicle sticks for the sticks and for some classes we just made them out of strips of paper. Each looked great.

*Sometimes I have students create painted papers for future use when they have "free draw time" when a project is finished. At this time of the year I usually have a TON of unclaimed (no name) artwork waiting to be claimed. If it is not claimed I cut it up for use as painted paper. Sometimes I have students that move away before a project is finished--- and their work gets cut up, too. Rogue, I know...but it works for us!

A refreshing summer treat, and an adorable way to teach students about Andy Warhol!

African Dancers

I have had to get "creative" with some supplies this year...stretching budgets and resources quite thin. Scrimping and scrapping and now I just found out THAT budget is going to be cut in half for next year. Anyone else in the same boat?

I had some faux African printed papers in my cabinet that I usually use for quilt block patterns, but I thought it would be nice to, you know, use them for an AFRICAN project, maybe?!

I did these with my second graders, and they took two days. On Day 1 we painted a 12x18" paper yellow and orange. We also used the African print papers to cut out the "robes". I had the students use Sharpies to draw a necklace on one robe, a sash on another, and a belt on yet another.

On Day 2 we used a ruler to draw the "frame" around the edges, glued on the robes, and brought our dancers to life! I did have different criteria for the "frames"- designs had to be geometric in nature, and patterned. Dancers had to have different hairstyles and each needed to be standing in a different position (legs and arms). One of my second graders told me they reminded her of a Kokopelli she has at home (different culture, but they look similar! Nice!!!) I am proud of the way they turned out, so striking in real life!

Note: I have seen a few different versions of these floating around on Artsonia and I love everyone's different interpretation...just like the different interpretations our kids have! Happy Friday, let's dance!