Halloween Cards and Leaf Rubbings

Do Now: Draw yourself as a super hero. What would your special power be? Draw a picture and write 1 sentence.

"Lightening with the power of electricity"

"The power of smartness."

"Cat Girl.  Cat Girl can turn into a cat. I shoot snow through my claws"

"My super power will be ice."

Today the 1st and 2nd grade also worked on leaf rubbings, but with a twist. Rather than take the class out we took the leaves in. Because of the proximity to Halloween, we turned our leaf rubbings into beautiful Halloween cards!

Leaf Rubbings 

Today, the 3rd and 4th grade took advantage of the beautiful Fall weather and took art class outside! Because we wanted as much time for our project as possible, we did not have a 'Do Now'.

We grabbed coats, crayons and clipboards and headed to Central Park.

Once at the park, we grabbed a few leaves and made multi-colored leaf rubbings! 

Q-tip Trees

Do Now: What is your favorite thing about Fall? Write 1 sentence and draw a picture. 

"Picking apples for apple pie."

"My favorite thing to do is to have pumpkin pie and jump in the leaves."

"My favorite thing about Fall is that I get to rake up the leaves and best of all Fall tells me that winter is close by."

"My favorite thing about Fall is when it is Halloween!"

"My favorite thing about Fall is that I'm able to jump in leaves and knowing that it is halloween. I can't wait for candy."

Today we continued with our fall crafts and make Q-tip trees. Using paint, paper, brushes and Q-tips, we created beautiful trees with vibrant autumn leaves. 

First, we read "Red Leaf, Yellow Leaf" by Lois Ehlert. 

Then, we used the brush for the trunk, branches, and grass, and the Q-tips to make dotted leaves. 

Holiday Cards (Part 2)

Do Now: If I were at the beach right now, I would...

"I would turn around and go home."

"...be sick because it is pretty cold."

"If I went to the beach I would...first bury myself in the sand, then build a sand castle,  and dominate my brother at volleyball."

"When I go to the beach I will make a sandcastle."

"I will be relaxing on my towel."

Today, the 3rd and 4th grade worked on the same project as the 1st and 2nd grade did yesterday - the top secret holiday card project! 

Here are some 3rd and 4th grade hands, hard at work...

Take a look at some examples below, and keep your eyes peeled for a delivery in the mail in the next few weeks!

Holiday Cards

Do Now: If I were at the beach right now, I would be...

"If I were at the beach right now I would be making a sandcastle."

"I would be on my beach towel chilaxing."

"If I was at the beach now I would be making a sand castle or swimming in the water. Canon Ball!"

"I would be relaxing and talking and playing with my buddies."

"If I were at the beach I would be hot."

"If I were at the beach right now I would be lounging in my hammock and then I would make a sandcastle and after that I would practice swimming in the water."

Today, the 1st and 2nd grade worked on a special, secret project. I can't tell you much, but keep your eyes peeled for the Harlem Academy Holiday card!

Here is a quick preview of what we worked on...

Fall Reflections, Part 2

Do Now: Draw yourself if you were the tallest person on earth.

Today we continued to work on our fall reflections paintings. Students painted in the sky and the water with watercolors, making sure to paint over the symmetrical trees on the bottom. 

While the paintings dried, students worked on fall-inspired Haikus. A haiku is a Japanese poem with a very strict structure. Haikus have 3 lines - the first line has 5 syllables, the 2nd line has 7 syllables, and the 3rd line has 5 syllables.