Leaf Rubbing Project with Color Chalk Pastels

Chalk Pastels are AWESOME! They are messy and dusty but the colors are so rich and beautiful. This Kindergarten class began rubbing leaves and then we allowed our imaginations run free. I read Fall Leaves Fall, and discussed the many different trees and leaves. For example, maple, oak and my favorite, sassafras. We did not use real leaves for rubbing. I created poster board leaves with veins.
Their abstractions remind me of Kandinsky and I love how you can see a hint of leaf rubbing on some of the pictures.

Group CityScape Collages with TMA Lower Academy

I am so proud of our collaboration. Mrs. Duke's Class, has done a marvelous job on their Cityscapes!

I added and help incorporate the pieces with the students. It was truly a group effort.

Group CityScape Collages with TMA Lower Academy

I usually have the students work on individual collages but this time I thought I would try to have them work in groups and they did well despite the newness of their sharing skills.
We had some arguments about supplies and things but they really got into a groove as we built our Cityscape Collages.
We began with a large blue rectangle of construction paper and we added more colored paper, paint, magazine pieces, their own drawn characters, buildings and everything they could think of that can be seen in the city. We also observed cityscapes made by Romare Bearden and discussed what we saw.
Below are photos taken of the participants working on their collages. Ms. Mary was our photographer of the day.
I will post the final collages separately.
The steps of any process is an important part of learning. As important as the product that is made, so it deserves its own display.

Above is J's independent collage before it was added to the groups collage. I think he incorporated the heads very nicely with his drawings. I wish I could have been focused on him as he developed his collage. I do believe he began with the line drawings then added the heads and car.

Above: She is cutting out and gluing clouds to the sky.

Above: He is drawing his own people to add to his groups collage.

Above: They used black paint to represent the sidewalk. We talked about the colors we see in the cement.

Above: They are designing their buildings. Each student had their own building to design. We discussed the things that go on buildings such as windows and doors, etc.

Photos by Ms. Mary.

Large Romare Bearden Inpired People with Harlem Gems

One of the lovely teachers at Harlem Gems assisted me with taking pictures. Thank you, Chloe.
Here are photos of my students creating large collage people, inspired by artist Romare Bearden.
I read to them I Love Collage, by me, Elan Ferguson. I Love Collage is about why I love collage and why it is so great.
After reading, I introduced Romare Bearden to the class. According to The Bearden Foundation
Romare Howard Bearden was born on September 2, 1911, to (Richard) Howard and Bassye Bearden in Charlotte, North Carolina, and died in New York City on March 12, 1988, at the age of 76. His life and art are marked by exceptional talent, encompassing a broad range of intellectual and scholary interests, including music, performing arts, history, literature and world art. Bearden was also a celebrated humanist, as demonstrated by his lifelong support of young, emerging artist. We looked at The Block, discussed what they saw and talked a little about community.  We concluded with people in their community. Immediately after we began with a collage lesson.