Two for One: Printmaking and Symmetry!

There is hope that this week will be a full week! Although I heard we're supposed to get lots of snow tomorrow... we shall see. At least it's not as bitter cold as it has been.

For this post, I wanted to share two concepts that are being learned in art class. The first graders are learning about symmetry and the second graders have learned all about printmaking.
We talked a lot about symmetry in first grade, they did several small projects leading up to our final symmetry project which dealt with insects. I can tell you right now, there were mixed reactions to doing a drawing of an insect but in the end, everyone was into it. We talked about insects and the different parts of it. We looked a diagram similar to this one.

Then we talked about how an insect has symmetry. We folded a large paper in half and drew our own insects. Students were told to draw large and fill the page. They were also told that whatever they drew on one side of the paper had to be drawn on the other side of the paper so that the insect would be symmetrical. Then we painted them using tempera cakes, which I have to say are not my favorite.

 

 

Then the second graders learned about printmaking. We spent a whole class talking about what we thought printmaking was and then we watched a video to support our thoughts.(Printmaking Video)

I also did a demo of how to ink a plexi-glass plate and lay down scraps of soft fabric and such to make the print. Technically these were Monoprints, but we did end up pulling two images; a negative and a positive.

The next class we set up stations at tables. Those who were waiting for their turn helped by putting names on prints and running them to the drying rack. I'm gonna warn you right now, the ink dries fast and we definitely had some issues with that. Some of the prints turned out great and some not so much, but the experience was fun for all involved!