4th Grade Can Really Surprise Me Sometimes!

Like I said sometimes those chatty, sweet, ornery, silly 4th graders will surprise you. After I took a break from our Native American unit to do some Math folders I finally got back to it last week. We started making our medallions with concentric circles. Yep we used our safe-T compasses and rulers to find the center of the cardboard then designed our medallions.

We practiced on a piece of paper that we traced the shape of the cardboard on to, drawing concentric circles over and over. Regardless of the fact they were only going to draw a couple for the final project.  Yes the classroom teacher had already used the traditional silver pointy compass/pencil combo with them. But I think they found these safe-T compasses a different, almost fun, dare I say, alternative. I say that because when they have had some down time while something dries they ask to use them again and again. :) I love them because I don't have to worry they will be a weapon either.

Anyway my amazing 4th graders worked so hard at making these medallions look so cool. I haven't seen them concentrate and work more carefully on a project yet this year. Here are a couple in progress pictures. They still have to cut out the circle and make a tissue paper trim around it. I just couldn't wait to show off these jewels.

Native American Parfleche

The last few days we have been finishing up our Native American parfleches' in 4th grade. I must say I think they are quite cute!
We used a crumpled lunch sack markers, crayons in "Indian" colors. Which basically meant no pink. :) I found the original idea in a book called More Than Moccasins. I found this book at our local library but click on the link to see it at Amazon. It is apart of the "Kid's Guide series" that you may be familiar with already. I had fun picking out projects to do in class. These were not your basic drawing, painting projects. No more hands on 3D things to mimic what they wore, played, used in everyday life. I like this so we can use some "construction" skills and get a feel for how to make something.
And face it I like the 3D stuff!

Revealed!

Revealed!
Here is the result of the painting lesson I gave you a peek of the other day.

I just love the way my 2nd grade did on this project!  Since this picture we have added drawings of things around the camp and mini canoes. I am having so much fun!

Native American Silhouettes

          As I have said before I started this year with my 2nd-4th grades with a unit about Native American Arts and Crafts. I love to make powerpoints (ppt) with pictures to inspire the kids for every topic. One ppt I showed was on different types of traditional homes that were found around North America. The six I chose were wigwam, tepee, longhouse, plank house, chickee hut and adobe. I had the 4th grade read a short piece about each one then launched into my project.
          I will admit my 4th graders were wondering why we were looking at pictures of Native American homes in art. I had told them our theme and what we were studying, but they still looked confused. At least until I showed them what we were going to do.

     Wow! did 4th grade love doing this technique with the chalk! It is simple, but takes some explaining and demonstration for them to see the effect. But you always get a "Cool!" from them.
The chalk technique is not new, you just tear a 4 x 9 piece of oak tag length wise for an uneven edge. Then apply chalk to the torn edge that is about as wide as a finger. (Note: for neatness sake we did that step on a piece of newsprint to keep our background paper clean)
     Place the torn edge, with the chalk at the top, on  the background paper (blue) and use a piece of paper towel to brush up and away from the edge to the background paper. Each time you change colors just move the edge down a little (3/4 -1.5 inch) to get the layer effect.
          We tried to go from lightest to darkest chalk colors so we could avoid some nasty accidents of mixing blue and orange or something else. We had all kinds of results these are just three.
          As I look at them now I noticed they all have tepee silhouettes. Oops, I actually had them pick one style of home and create the silhouettes for the foreground. Not everyone did teepee's. We actually had a good variety of adobe, wigwam, chickee hut and even a long house. Sorry I didn't get pictures of those!
         Well back to the classroom for more art!