The weather around here has just been fantastic over the last month or so and the trees are starting to blossom early! Also, The National Cherry Blossom Festival kicked off on March 20th in Washington, D.C. I wish I could say I am the ultimate planner, but it was just coincidence I needed a quick project for my 6th graders to complete at the end of the grading period AND the trees were starting to blossom. This made for the PERFECT project!
We started this project with a quick discussion on the history and significance of the Cherry Blossom Tree. Next, the students traced a circle for the moon and painted the background a light blue with "homemade" watercolor paint. (At the end of the year last year, I made this with old and dried up markers, water, and a few drops of isopropyl alcohol.) The students then practiced making the branches using black ink and blowing through a straw. Once comfortable with their practice branches, they made branches on the blue painted paper. They then went back to their practice page and practiced a few blossoms using acrylic paint, and then painted the blossoms again on the final painting. Lastly, we discussed Japanese artists using a "chop," or a signature, and the students added their own personal chop.
Thanks to A Faithful Attempt for the inspiration for this project. I can't tell you how many "Ooohs and Aaaahs" I heard while hanging these paintings! :)
No comments:
Post a Comment