The Augmented Reality Dot

Even though it isn't anywhere close to Dot Day (September 15) this quick and low material lesson was perfect for May.  It was exciting and easily manageable for "school's almost out excited kids." We read the book The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds and students used markers, crayons, or colored pencils to color in their dot.  I didn't tell them about the augmented reality just yet.  I kept it a surprise.  (Actually, I said, "If you do amazing work, I have a special surprise for you!"  Another May technique!)

ColAR Mix

Once the amazing work was finished, students opened the ColAR Mix App. They were delighted to see their artwork come to life in augmented reality.  Laughs and whoooooo's and giggles filled the room.

Once every student saw their art, each student inserted their hand into the frame and with the help of their table buddies, took a picture.  Downloaded through dropbox and then labeled, these pictures are on our artsonia account.  I also printed small 3x5 pictures and had them laminated.

Students put their hand into the frame!

See everyone's snapshot on Artsonia.com

There are many options for the kids (and adults!).

On day two students recapped what The Dot is all about and we opened up my twitter account (@ArtsyMissHatch).  Students sent a message to the author, Mr. Reynolds, about the lesson they learn to be more confident artists.  It was a great way for the students to summarize the lesson. Very shortly, they received a message back! How exciting for the kids and great advice too! 

While students were waiting for to label their jpg in Dropbox on my computer, they experimented with the bird print out and colored more dots.  They wrote their name, drew new birds chasing worms, and found joy in art :) 

To print out more AR coloring pages go to ColAR Mix's website.
It's available on goggle play too!

MoMA Art Lab on the iPad with Kindergarten

MoMA Art Lab

                                                                 
Kindergarten students have started off their art training learning how to use the elements of art line and shape. We used the art app MoMA Art Lab to play with these elements.  Some students stayed abstract and others made representational objects like houses, snowman, and cars.  I believe play is an important part of the art process, and this app allows students to do that with minimal supplies, mess and time.  We didn't explore the activities on the app yet, but I'm hoping after this introduction students will continue to use the app at home and in the future if they have choice time on the iPad.

Since I was more on top of the lesson, today's class finished early, so I had them do the activites.  I choose the Mastisse game where they had to cut out shapes. It turned out to be a really good motor skill practice for them!

Students had to "cut" the shapes out with their finger.

A Project During Our Project: Monsters Invade Our School!

Fifth grade was working on a printmaking project and I only had a small amount of cutters and more importantly, bench hooks.  What to do with the other half of students?  This is why I love having iPads!  Low materials but high on results.  A perfect double project maker!

Every fall I do a small unit on fear.  I found this Eye Paint Monsters app and knew the kids would have a chance to play and experiment!  It's a touch and shoot app.  The monsters are already drawn and the students take pictures to fill in the empty areas.  To enrich the app, I added the concept of textures and the monster had to be in our school.  I like that you can edit your picture after saving it.  If students wanted to use people, (such as the principal being attacked by bats!) they had to take two pictures so one could be published on Artsonia.  No peeps allowed on the site.  To make two photos, it's as simple as taking the first photo, saving it, and repeating the process for the second photo.  I had a box full of fabrics including fur, lace, and netting for the students to photograph.  Some students even used textures they found around the school and the clothes they were wearing.  They like experimenting with the camera and using perspective to place the monster in just the right pose.  The monster could be big or small, depending on the perspective. Eye Paint Monsters was a great one day project that students were enthusiastic about, help us while having wait time on another project, and results were entertaining to the whole school!

Monsters are invading our school!

If a student took a picture with a person, they had to take a second picture.
The picture below is by the same student. 

This monster is tiny and standing in a students hand.
The students enjoyed playing with perspective.

Don't mess with our cook! 

All monsters are on Artsonia

Maybe this guy is blogging?!