Papermache Oaxacans

This is a new 5th grade papermache lesson. The fifth graders learned about the history and craftsmanship involved in carving wooden Oaxacans. Oaxacans are carved animals painted bright colors and decorated with many designs. Oaxacans are made in Mexico. The first step in this project was sketching out the animal they were going to build from recycled material and papermache. Because some Oaxacans are imaginary animals, students could draw a real or imaginary animal. After going over some basic building techniques, the students built their animal form. We added 2 layers of papermache and then painted them. The last step was decorating our animals with designs and patterns. The results were quite amazing.

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Name Transformations

For the first mini drawing project, students were asked to write their first names in bubble or block letters and transform them into objects that reflect their unique personalities. Here are some amazing examples!!

Texture and Animal Emphasis Project

This lesson was inspired by two separate ideas, the first involving the use of pattern and texture, and the second, applying color theory to create a focal point. The discussion started with the concept of texture and visual texture and how one can create different textures. I held a contest where each table was challenged to write down as many examples of textures they could think of. The winning group had over sixty different textures!!! We then talked about how to draw these textures and practiced by repeating lines and/or shapes. The next part of the lesson was selecting an animal to be the focal point of the piece. The students were asked to create emphasis through their use of a color scheme demonstrating their understanding of color relationships from the color theory unit. A critique was held to view and talk about the finished product. Check them out below...

Pattern Names

The pattern name project was the initial piece for a larger unit of study. Student's were challenged with writing their names in block or bubble capital letters. All letters had to overlap the previous one. After sketching out their names, they had to fill each letter with a different pattern. The spaces where the letters overlapped also had to be different patterns. Students were challenged to create interesting and varied patterns. After creating their patterns, students erased the lettered outlines and colored their patterns with sharpie. Once they were finished, the patterns created the forms of their letters in unique and bold ways.

Ms. Edwards' Art Room

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