Geometric Shapes and Organic Shapes

2nd grade is busy finishing their Abstract guitars.

Day 1

We studied geometric and organic shapes. Students compared to shapes and shared how they two shapes are different. I drew a square and a flower. I had to pull a little to get them going. I suggested they look at the types of lines used to create the shapes and then they went from there. Each table shared and then we went into create our definition for organic and geometric shapes.

Students then worked as a group to sort shapes into geometric and organic shapes. I have everyone hold up a geometric shape and I ask one person from each table, how do you know it is geometric. I repeat this but this organic.

We then look at Abstract art, mostly Picasso and Matisse. Students find the different shapes in the picture. We then create the guitar.

1. Fold paper in half vertically.
2. Draw half of the guitar on the folded side. Draw a straight line half way down and the #3
3.Cut and glue
4. Make the circle for the bottom of guitar.

Day 2

We review geometric and organic shapes by restating definitions  and giving examples. We then look at art work decide if the artist used mostly geometric or organic shapes. Tables then do the same sorting activity but this time with works of art(I have postcard size pictures of art). Each table shares one geometric and one organic. Ask them how so you know the artist used ____ shape.

Then we revisit Picasso and Matisse. I show students how to cute shapes and lines out of paper(tingles from the corners or rectangles by cutting a straight line). Each table gets a box of different colors of 4.5x6 paper. The students go to town cutting and gluing. You have to remind them to glue down or clean up time will come and nothing will be glued down.



Day 3
We look at patterns and review lines. Students then create patterns around the outside of guitar. You can get a lot of strange things which can be good. Make sure you show them how to create patters and how to draw a line that stops at the guitar and then picks back up on the other side of the guitar.

I then add glitter for the strings, this is the only time I ever use glitter and the students freak out.

My guitar

Shapes, Architecture, and Famalies

One of my favorite projects for Kinder is using Popsicle sticks to create where they live house, apartment, or whatever they dream of. The first day we talk about how lines become shapes and I sewage into architecture. The students become architects and design their home by using the Popsicle sticks. They must first arrange their home and then I show them how to use the glue(I use different colors of construction paper). I also put pre-cut squares and rectangles so students can add windows and doors. This takes about one 45 minute class. Glue will get all over these, even with the best instruction on how to glue, so don't add details until next class.


The next class I start by having students sit on the floor and we discuss main ideas of art works. I show them a painting by Carmen Lopez Garza  and they tell me what they see, what they think its about, and why they think that. Then we look at other paintings by Carmen Lopez Garza and discuss our families and what we do as a family. If a student says "its a party", I will ask how do you know that. This leads into discussion about details and how they help to tell stories. Students will then draw about their family using their homes they made the week before. I let them use markers for this because they show up great on the construction paper.