Welcome to Dream, Draw Create!
This blog features art projects for children. These projects have been used in my classes. My lessons allow children to learn about all the elements and principles of art while striving to introduce them to many genres of art.


"It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge." - Albert Einstein

Saturday, February 4, 2012

Dancing with Degas







This was such a fun lesson!  I have seen it on many art blogs and have wanted to try it for a while now.  I'm so glad I got around to it.  I saw over at www.msjuliesartschool.blogspot.com that she used the Usborne What Shall I draw book to assist with the drawing portion of the lesson.  I had recently purchased this book and it is straight forward and easy to follow along.  My fourth and fifth grade students had no problem and no one seem frustrated.  Even the boys dove right in without hesitation to the dismay of some of their teachers.  I also had a beautiful book on Degas to share with the students as well as a poster.  There were even a few students in the class who had seen the Degas exhibit at the Clark Museum in near by Massachusetts.  
After the drawing portion of the lesson was complete I demonstrated how to use chalk for highlighting and blending.
 Coffee filters were cut in half, then folded in half to create dimension for the ballerinas skirt.  We drew designs with sharpie then applied the chalk before they were glued on to the ballerina.  
We were able to complete this lesson in one class period which is pretty rare for this age level and nice for a change.

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7 comments:

  1. Prairie MotherFebruary 4, 2012 at 8:57 PM

    I LOVE this! I might try a simplified version for my preschoolers. so cute!

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    Replies
    1. JanisFebruary 4, 2012 at 9:08 PM

      Maybe try templates with the preschoolers to get them started. Have fun!

      Delete
  2. UnknownFebruary 5, 2012 at 5:28 PM

    Janis,

    I really like this project and I have a couple of questions. First, why did you say the teachers were dismayed when the boys liked this project and second, how did you CONVINCE a fifth grade boy to do this?LOL I would not be able to get my 5th grade boys anywhere near this!

    :)Pat

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  3. JanisFebruary 5, 2012 at 5:37 PM

    Thank goodness I'm hearing all these comments about the boys doing this project after the fact, LOL. I have no idea how to answer that question. The third ballerina down was done by one of my boys. I'm glad you like the project Pat.

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    Replies
    1. PhylFebruary 6, 2012 at 5:48 PM

      These are adorable, Janis! You never know about the boys... I have a group of boys that ALWAYS choose pink when offered a selection of paper, or yarn, or whatever. Go figure!

      Delete
  4. JanisFebruary 6, 2012 at 8:39 PM

    Hi Phyl. So true you never know what or how a lesson will turn out! Hope you're having a good year! Good to hear from you.

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  5. EstherApril 2, 2014 at 2:03 PM

    Thanks a million for this wonderful idea, I've done it this month with my 6 years old kids and they loved it. You can see their works at my blog
    http://artecontusmanitas.wordpress.com/2014/03/28/las-bailarinas-de-degas-para-ninos/

    ReplyDelete

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