Art: Recording Memories with Cyanotypes

Third graders have been exploring cyanotypes (a form of photography) with Mrs. Hiivala. To experiment with the medium, girls recorded a memory of a place using found objects and cyanotype paper. They shared stories as they arranged materials, made predictions while they waited for the paper to be exposed to the light, and analyzed the results of their experiments. Ask your third grader which memory of a place she chose to record, which objects remind her of that place, and why. 

Art: Op Art Pyramids

Third graders have been looking at works of art by Bridget Riley in order to find out more about Op Art. They noticed how her early work used contrast, pattern, and value to create optical illusions. They noticed her later work looks significantly different, and learned that this change happened after a trip to Egypt where she was inspired by the work of the past. Girls practiced being inspired by the work of the past as they recreated patterns they observed in ancient Egpyptian art. 

Next they chose four adjectives that describe aspects of their personalities. They created optical illusions and patterns that match each of these adjectives, being sure to include a pattern inspired by ancient Egyptian art. Third graders added these designs to a pyramid template using pencil, permanent marker, and drawing tools, and then used hand-lettering techniques to add text of their chosen adjectives to the base.  They cut, folded, and assembled the paper pyramid. Girls practiced precision throughout the unit. Ask your third grader which was the hardest/easiest step for her, and why. Also ask her how she created a pattern that somehow depicted an adjective.