I don't know what y'all call that time between Thanksgiving and winter break but I have been known to call it a naughty name or two. It's that weird in-between time where we are all comin' down from our vacation high and are so exhausted that we need another one. And just knowing that winter break is on the horizon can sometimes just be more than I (and the kids!) can handle. This week, so far, back to art teacherin' town has been a good one. I'm happy to be back making big messes with little people. One project that seems to have the fourth grade really excited is this Faux Stained Glass Winter Scene.
I used black glue for the very first time in my teaching career last month and I (as well as the third graders) was all WHERE HAS THIS BEEN MY ENTIRE LIFE?! It is so much fun to create with! While they were working with it, I got the idea to introduce my fourth graders to the same media. With my Field Trip! series, I've been introducing the kids to contemporary creatives. Unfortunately, I don't personally know any local stained glass artists to film (any leads would be much appreciated!) so I created this introduction to the art of stained glass with a little iMovie wizardry. The fourth grade watched the first half of the video today and got a good start on their faux stained glass.
The kids were SUPER bummed when I said that we weren't going to work with cut glass (really guys?!) but were excited when I mentioned black glue. I had them move to their seats and silent sketch several ideas for 5-7 minutes.
I really emphasized not creating a Christmas tree knowing that this project just might not be completed until after the holidays. However, I didn't want to limit the kids so I made it optional. Personally, I love that skull tree on the left!
After our sketch time was up, we regrouped on the floor and watched the part of the video where I talk about drawing on large paper and using the puffy paint or black glue.
Puffy paint leaves a better, crisper line but it does take a little extra work to squeeze that bottle. The black glue (made with one part black tempra and two parts Elmer's Glue All) comes out faster but leaves behind a wider, flatter line. I shared with the kids the pros and cons and let them decide which they wanted to use.
All but a handful of kids got to the black glue on the first day. I did change the size of the paper from what was in the video as I thought a 12" X 18" would be easier to manage.
One thing I had to really emphasize was keeping the drawing large. Showing that clip of the stained glass artist really did help them conceptualize the idea of large and enclosed shapes.
Of course, it wouldn't be black glue painting if we didn't have the occasional smearing. We learned to just let it go. The chalk can hide any imperfections.
Gotta love a tree of Hershey Kisses! I'll keep you posted on the progress of this project. I see so many variations: landscapes, abstract designs, etc. I'd love to know if you have used this method. If you do, please drop me a line and share.
The last time I did this I struggled with finding flat surfaces to dry....my drying racks angle down slightly and the glue runs. How did you manage this?
Cassie, Any suggestions as to how to organize oil or dry pastels? Do you always keep them in the bowls shown in your videos? If so, are they always offered in cool andwarm colour bowls? I have yet to find a way to keep them organized; organized in the sense that I can quickly offer a variety of colours to the students without having them spend time on searching for the right colour, ending up with dirty pastels or ending up with a box with missing colours. Like you I have over 300 students and short classes. Any tips or suggestions? Thank you for continuing to make your videos! You truly are an inspiration!
For my chalk pastels, I do keep them in these bowls and offer a bowl of cold and warm colors per every two students. Oil pastels is a little different as they are tougher to organize. I offer a box of 24 of those per every two kids as well...but they just stay in the box. Organization is a struggle for me...I'm working on it :)
With my grade six students, I've used hot glue on black foam core which works well with paint or pastels and with my grade twos, I've used Elmer's GlueAll on black card stalk coloured with pastels.
Love this option! I don't have a ton of space in my room but I already have both glue and black card stock so that would work perfectly (without ordering anything new!) Thanks for the idea :)
Cassie, I use black glue to teach my 2nd graders about symmetry, butterflies, moths, and dragonflies. I try to not do the same lesson each year, but this one is a must because they LOVE it so much! And they all turn out beautiful. They also love having the option of splattering colors for the background, or using a straw to blow paint around the edge of their insect. -Starla Field
I have used black glue to create still life drawings of plants. We used oil pastels for color. I love the effect and the kids loved the textural feeling. Also, love reading your blog!!! I get so many great ideas, its hard when you are the only Art Teacher in the building. As I like to say, I work on a island!!!
Thank you so much for this lesson. I combined two of your lessons and also used starch. We created these on vellum and hung in the window. They cast an array of beautiful colors of light in the afternoon sun. Thank you for the inspiration! I'll post on IG for sure (and credit you LOL)
Labels: elementary art, vintage clothing
cassie stephens,
chalk,
christmas projects,
faux stained glass,
fourth grade,
stained glass,
what the art teacher wore,
winter ideas,
winter projects
The last time I did this I struggled with finding flat surfaces to dry....my drying racks angle down slightly and the glue runs. How did you manage this?
ReplyDeleteOh yes, the dreaded black glue DRIP! I have a large room...we laid them out on the floor to dry over night. :)
DeleteOnce again, you never fail to impress! Thank you, Cassie for your creative, generous, sharing spirit! LOVE this!!!
ReplyDeleteAw, thank you for your sweet words, friend! My pleasure to share :)
DeleteCassie, Any suggestions as to how to organize oil or dry pastels? Do you always keep them in the bowls shown in your videos? If so, are they always offered in cool andwarm colour bowls? I have yet to find a way to keep them organized; organized in the sense that I can quickly offer a variety of colours to the students without having them spend time on searching for the right colour, ending up with dirty pastels or ending up with a box with missing colours. Like you I have over 300 students and short classes. Any tips or suggestions?
ReplyDeleteThank you for continuing to make your videos! You truly are an inspiration!
For my chalk pastels, I do keep them in these bowls and offer a bowl of cold and warm colors per every two students. Oil pastels is a little different as they are tougher to organize. I offer a box of 24 of those per every two kids as well...but they just stay in the box. Organization is a struggle for me...I'm working on it :)
DeleteWith my grade six students, I've used hot glue on black foam core which works well with paint or pastels and with my grade twos, I've used Elmer's GlueAll on black card stalk coloured with pastels.
ReplyDeleteLove this option! I don't have a ton of space in my room but I already have both glue and black card stock so that would work perfectly (without ordering anything new!) Thanks for the idea :)
DeleteGreat idea! Thank you so much for sharing :)
DeleteCassie, I use black glue to teach my 2nd graders about symmetry, butterflies, moths, and dragonflies. I try to not do the same lesson each year, but this one is a must because they LOVE it so much! And they all turn out beautiful. They also love having the option of splattering colors for the background, or using a straw to blow paint around the edge of their insect. -Starla Field
ReplyDeleteI have used black glue to create still life drawings of plants. We used oil pastels for color. I love the effect and the kids loved the textural feeling. Also, love reading your blog!!! I get so many great ideas, its hard when you are the only Art Teacher in the building. As I like to say, I work on a island!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat kind of paper did you use? Is it poster board?
ReplyDeleteJust regular ole 60 lbs paper!
DeleteI absolutely love this lesson! I'm doing it for the second time now and get so excited to see the final product! Thank you for sharing your ideas!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for this lesson. I combined two of your lessons and also used starch. We created these on vellum and hung in the window. They cast an array of beautiful colors of light in the afternoon sun. Thank you for the inspiration! I'll post on IG for sure (and credit you LOL)
ReplyDelete