Hello friends! I hope you are all having a great winter. If it’s December, January or February, you can’t go wrong with a snowflake lesson.
Here is my Snowflake Bentley lesson. It’s based on the work of photographer and tinkerer Willson Bentley. Bentley was the first person to photograph individual snowflakes on a microscopic level. Thanks to Bentley, we know that each snowflake is unique and six-sided.
I’m using my new favorite tool, the Smore (www.smore.com) to share it with you. Enjoy!!!
What child doesn’t want to have super powers? Our second graders just completed a two-part super hero self portrait project. First, they drew themselves as a superhero. Next, they created a super hero mask and photographed each other in super poses.
Students added boots, gloves, belts, masks, capes, tights, and more to their self portraits.
I used a paper folding technique to encourage students to fill the entire page. We first folded the papers the long way (‘hot dog’) to create a line of symmetry. Then we folded them the short way (‘hamburger’) to create a waist line. We opened the papers, the made another fold from the short edge to the waist line. We used copy paper for initial sketches and drawing paper for the final.
Students drew themselves in a strong stance. They added boots, gloves, masks, capes, and belts. Each student added a special logo on the chest. Some added special tools. They colored with color sticks and colored pencils, then outlined in Sharpie.
Andy created three drafts of his super hero.
Paper masks
We used the free downloadable mask templates from partysimplicity.com. Students colored them with marker. We cut them out and backed them with black construction paper so they would be strong enough to wear. Kids had the option of punching the masks and attaching yarn ties, or just taping on a bamboo skewer as a holder.
Students photograph each other as super heroes.
Photo booth
Students worked collaboratively to create photo booths. Each had a sign-up list and a waiting area. One student was the photographer, another dressed kids in the cape, others made sure everything ran smoothly. We used an iPod and an iPhone, but you could use any digital camera.
Second grade results (by student photographers)
Click here and here to see more examples from prior years.
We did this project in conjunction with the second grade classroom teachers as part of a unit on being courageous and taking risks.
Our 6th grade did some quick blended self portraits using their iPads and two free apps: Pic Collage and Sketchbook X. The goal of the lesson was to learn the layers, free transform and opacity tools in Sketchbook X.
Obi-wan’s favorite pet, vacation, activity and food are combined into a blended self portrait. Allow one 40-minute class.
Step 1: Pic Collage App: create a photo collage of your favorite things
Students had to find four images representing
a pet (or dream pet)
favorite vacation (or dream vacation)
favorite food and
favorite activity or sport
The Pic Collage app allows students to add photos directly from the web without a Google image search. The students arranged them in a grid template, then saved to the iPad camera roll.
Step 2: Sketchbook X App: working with layers and free transform
In Sketchbook X, students created two layers. Layer one was used to shoot a selfie, and layer two was used to import the photo collage from the camera roll. For many students it was necessary to use the free transform tool to resize the photos to fill the screen. .
Step 3: Sketchbook X app: Adjust the opacity to reveal the blended self portrait
Students used the opacity slider in the first layer to reduce opacity and reveal the photo collage layer underneath.
I create a 10 minute video tutorial of the process.
Instead of finding photos on Google image, use students’ personal pet and vacation photos. Students could bring them to class as printed photos, or digitally via Google drive.
Want to skip Sketchbook X? Combine your photos with free photo blending apps, such as iBlendy2 or Photoblend.
Video tutorial recorded with the AirServer app for Mac.
Our sixth graders just finished a quick, highly engaging photography/drawing project.
This project was inspired by the work of Ecuadorian artist/art director Javier Perez , also known by the nickname ‘Cinta Scotch’. He uses found objects plus ink to create simple, witty illustrations which he shares with his followers on social media.
I gave each table copy paper, sharpies, and a bin containing a bunch of random objects (office supplies, pasta, some kitchen tools, corks and other odds and ends). They created these artworks, and photographed them with iPads. Each kid was able to create at least two during a single 40-minute class.
The Museum of Photographic Arts in Balboa Park has a Call for Entries for their 8th Annual juried Youth Exhibition. This year’s theme deals with community in My City, Your City. They are now accepting submissions from San Diego students K-12 who have used photography or video to document their community, neighborhood, or home from a personal or cultural point of view.
What does it mean to call a place home?
What story would you tell about your community?
Where do you come from and what do you call home?
My City, Your City will showcase the creative and artistic voices of San Diego’s youth while offering visitors the opportunity to view the world through their eyes. Encourage your students to submit their artwork today! Open to all of San Diego County K-12 students!
The deadline is June 15, 2013.
Visit http://www.mopa.org/yx13 for more information or to download a submission packet. You can also watch their call for entries video here.
