Second Grade: Monoprint

All 4 sections of 2nd Grade have started a mono printing project. We discussed the four Elements of Survival as a theme found in art (Air, Water, Earth, Fire). The students were given an opportunity to examine 3 works of art, discuss with each other how the artists portrayed these elements and then shared their discoveries with the class. Students found that the artists used a variety of lines, colors and shapes to illustrate these elements and using prior knowledge & experiences, the students could identify the elements. Students sketched their own ideas for illustrating these 4 elements. After a demonstration of how to use printing ink to create mono prints, students have begun printing. As of today, two of the classes have printed. All are very excited about learning this process. The oohs and ahhhs fill the classroom! 

Using the sketches as a reminder of their ideas, students paint abstract images of Earth, Air, Water & Fire onto plastic trays using printing ink. Students were asked to focus on using line, color or shapes.

Another example of sketches.

Printing the image from the plastic tray.

Each table had a tray of warm and cool colors.