Fourth Grade Art

Ravinia Fourth Grade Art Thus Far...

Now that I have my blog up and running, I am going to show you what we've been up to so far this year.  It's been an exciting year so far!  We've created Darumas and been working diligently on an Art Book that will blow your mind!

Clay Darumas

Fourth grade students created Darumas, a Japanese good luck talisman, out of clay.  Students were instructed to think of a reason either they, or someone they care about, might need a little luck in their lives. They created a theme for their daruma around this need.  Darumas originated as a Japanese talisman of good luck.

Their armless and legless design is inspired by the story of the Bodhidharma, a Zen priest.  The daruma represents determination in achieving your goals, seen also in the non-toppling design (darumas wobble, but they don’t fall down). Daruma dolls are often depicted as wearing red robes, because this is the color worn by the Zen monks who have achieved the highest level of spiritual attainment.  Students exercised their artistic license and created animal, sport, and other unusually themed darumas.

Elements of Art Books

Students spent many weeks learning, processing, and exercising the elements of art: line, color, form, shape, space, texture, & value. They applied their knowledge in observations and discussions of artwork, evaluations of fine art, and through the creation of accordion style art books.

The elements of art are well know as the building block descriptors of western art.  We use these terms to guide students on how to conceptualize the construction of their own art as well as describe and evaluate art they observe.

They learned the constructive process involved in the creation of the books then inserted creative examples of the elements into their pages.  Please feel free to pick up their books and read them.  They are currently located in the library, of course!