Submitted by: Melissa
Speelman, Sycamore Junior High
Unit: Modern Art - Styles of Art
Lesson Pinwheels "Isms"and Modern art - Mixed Media
Grade Level: Upper Elementary (Middle School)
Melissa's Pinwheels seventh grade
project was a huge success! Her first project for 7th grade always
includes using a variety of media and artists to help students get used
to how things run in her room. The front of the pinwheels are
based on the work of Van Gogh Oil Pastels
), Georgia O'Keeffe
(Watercolor
), Mondrian (Markers - or try Tempera Paint) and Op Art
(marker). The back was Jackson Pollack (tempera or acrylic).
She also had the students paint their sticks and add ribbon if they
wanted. They really turned out great AND they spin! You could do
this all in Acrylic Paint
on some kind of plastic so they could stay on
display for a few days. Substitute any other artists or have the
kids choose their own "isms"/styles/works of art. Do a little
writing and comparison for each "ism".
These "in the style
of" projects, expose students to variety of styles and techniques
in a short amount of time. They learn a little bit of art history in the
process and are become familiar with modern art styles. Select
"isms" and artists that interest you. She likes to have
students use a variety of media for their first project to help them
learn about the materials and how she runs her classroom (care of
materials, clean up, etc.). She finds that students don't realize that
oil pastels blend (they are always so amazed!). Most students use
watercolors like they were made only for paint by number paintings - ad
this project gives them a chance to experiment without fear.
Procedure:
Step 1: Cut stiff Paper into 6" (15 cm) squares. Each student will get a square.
Step 2: Using Rulers
, draw a light "X" from corner to corner with a Pencil. (See image below)
Step 3: Make a dot in the center of the "x" with a Sharpie Fine Point Marker and then using a ruler, draw over the pencil lines you just made from each corner toward the center. Only go 2/3 of the way to the center. (See image below)
Step 4: Color, paint, or sketch your design on both sides of the paper. It is the student's choice if they put different designs on each side of the paper.
Step 5: When the design is completed and dried (if applicable), use scissors to cut along the marker lines you made 2/3 of the way in from the corners.
Step 6: Stick a straight pin through a bead. Using the beaded pin, poke every other tip of the designed square and then through the dot in the center. (See image below)
Step 7: Once every other tip is stuck in the middle of the square, stick the pin and pinwheel into a straw or dowel rods
.
See
this easy Pinwheel Watercolor Lesson Plan from Margaret Crowley-Kiggins
Variation: Pinwheels
for Peace
Do lesson as above learning about four "isms". Write messages for PEACE on the back side (or print messages on the paper first before doing the four "isms" most printers will take tag board. Pinwheels for Peace - Installation project conceived by Ann Ayers and Ellen McMillan. Make pinwheels any size - or use template - decorate and plant throughout your community on September 21 (Arbor Day and World Peace Day).
Cut
out Pinwheel - assemble with small Peace symbol in center and plant
around your school grounds.
Lesson Plan: Visualize Whirled Peace http://pinwheelsforpeace.com/
Stephanie M. Corder
Grade Level: ALL
Objectives:
This project demonstrates the big ideas of world peace and making an
international connection at the same time.
Materials:
Procedure:
- Students will be given a pinwheel template, and asked to write a
message/wish that relates to world peace.
- On the other side of their paper, students will create a drawing that
illustrates their message.
On September 21 (International World Peace Day) students will gather in
the ruins to "plant" their pinwheels, with the knowledge that
children all over the world are simultaneously thinking/visualizing
world peace, thus creating an international connection.
Vollis
Simpson Wind Drive Art Works - From
Sarah Stone:
I enjoy the work of an
outsider artist named Vollis Simpson. I first saw his motion machines in
the film "Twister". I use examples of his work in a lesson
plan that ties Newton's laws of motion to creating motion art. The
Science Museum of Minnesota has a wonderful site that explores Mr.
Simpson's wind driven art works, and gives many links to lessons and
ideas for other kinetic student art projects, including pinwheels.
Vollis link: http://www.sci.mus.mn.us/sln/vollis/index/frontvollis.html
Projects link: http://www.smm.org/sln/vollis/trythese/trythese.html
Pinwheels for Peace Gallery
