Taking a Dot for a Walk : Artwork Inspired by Paul Klee's "Groom'sArrival"

First and second grade artists looked at Paul Klee's painting "Groom's Arrival."  Students pointed out how the shapes made a figure and shared what this figure made them think of.     Paul Klee was a Swiss-German artist who was most influenced by the Expressionist, Cubist and Surrealist art movements. 

We discussed Klee's quote "A drawing is simply a line going for a walk" and that "A line is a dot going for a walk."  

Here's a video of more of Paul Klee's paintings.  What words come to mind as you observe his work?



Students created their own pieces by taking a line for a walk across red construction paper, then looking for closed shapes to fill in with construction paper crayons.  Some students found faces, figures or animals in their shapes.  This lesson provided us with an opportunity to discuss what high quality work looks like when coloring with crayons. 

Check out our work inspired by Paul Klee's "Groom's Arrival!"

More Zentangles!

Third and fourth graders use Zentangles to work toward "Mindfulness" in art class.  The concentration and focus that these detailed designs take help artists feel calm and centered. 

Zentangles!

Zentangle Landscapes

Third and fourth graders learned about the art of Zentangles. We talked about how we can be in a calm, focused, peaceful state while creating our artwork. Artists drew simple landscapes, then used different patterns to fill the sections.

"I'm finished early. What should I do?"

This week I introduced several new independent activities that students can choose to do if they have finished their artwork early, including magnetic pattern blocks.  

Other "anchor activities" include free draw, how-to-draw books, coloring pattern pages, Fractiles, magnetic tanagrams, and drawing on white boards.  My art teacher victory of the day was to recondition all of my old mini whiteboards with dry erase paper.  They are as good as new!  My goal is to keep students focused and creative even after the main lesson of the day is completed.  Some days all anchor activities may be available and sometimes I will limit students' options.

I am wondering what independent activities are offered for early finishers or for students with special needs in other art classrooms?

Get Doodling!

Check out
The Doodle Lab
for some cool ideas to get your creativity flowing.  This site also cites a lot of evidence that doodling can help students focus and do better in school.  With ideas from the Doodle Lab, you will never stare at a blank piece of paper again!