Keystone School's Fifth Grade Projects

Jackson Pollock Inspired Abstract Paintings

As your child enters middle school, there are emotions that start to show more prominently than previous years.  New experiences, a new "school", new teachers, new classmates, more homework, harder homework. not to mention hormones are just a few of the things that they will be dealing with this year. Fear, anxiety, anger, frustration, love, hate, among many others create the general make up of a middle school student. Taking the melting pot of emotions and feelings, I can think of no better artist to start the art year off than Master Abstract artist, Jackson Pollock.  Pollock dealt with his own issues and used art as an outlet to deal with the rigors of life.  Now, don't get me wrong. The students will not be throwing paint on canvas like Pollock did, but the process isn't too far off.  I can assure you that this will be one of their favorites of the year.

Video Clip from "Pollock" as Ed Harris shows how Pollock developed his style

Jackson Pollock at work

Jackson Pollock's Paintings

Grade Level - Fifth Grade
Duration - Two Class Periods
​Media Type - Painting

TCurriculum Integration
​Subject Integration: Art History - Abstract Expressionism
Content Standards:
VA.Cr1.1.1a - Engage collaboratively in exploration and imaginative play with materials.
​VA.Cr1.2.1a - Use observation and investigation in preparation for making a work of art.
​VA.Cr2r.1.1a  Explore uses of materials and tools to create works of art or design
​VA.Cr.2.2.1a - Demonstrate safe and proper procedures for using materials, tools, and equipment while making art.
​VA: Cr2.3.1a - Identify and classify uses of everyday objects through drawings, diagrams, sculptures or other visual means.
VA: Cr3.1.1a - Use art vocabulary to describe choices while creating art.
​VA:Re7.1.1a - Select and describe works of art that illustrate daily life experiences of one's self and others.
VA:Re7.2.1a - Compare images that represent the same subject
​VA:re8.1.1a - Interpret art by categorizing subject matter and identifying the characteristics of form.
​VA:Re9.1.1a - Classify artwork based on different reasons for preferences.
​VA:Pr4.1.1a - Explain why some objects, artifacts and artwork are valued over others.
​VA:Pr5.1.1a - Ask and answer questions such as where, when, why and how artwork should be prepared for presentation.
​VA: Pr6.1.1a - Identify the roles and responsibilities of people who work in and visit museums and other art venues.
​VA:Cn10.1.1a - Identify times, places and reasons by which students make art outside of school.
​VA: Cn11.1.1a Understand that people from different places and times have made art for a variety of reasons.

OBJECTIVE/ASSESSMENT
​OBJECTIVE:
​Students will:
​- expand their knowledge of Art History by studying the work of Jackson Pollock and Abstract Expressionism
- be introduced to art vocabulary: Masking, Abstract Expressionism, primary colors, secondary colors, analogous colors, tertiary colors
​​- choose a color scheme and paint a canvas
​- use liquid soap as a form of media
- use spray paint

​RUBRICS:
​Students will be graded by completion.
​MATERIALS & PROCEDURES
20" x 20" Canvas (class set)
​Assorted colors of Acrylic Paint
​Class set of liquid soap
​Assorted colors of Spray Paint
PROCEDURES:
Teacher led discussion on Jackson Pollock and different examples of his paintings.
​Students are given a 20"x20" canvas.
​They write their name on the wooden stretcher on the back of the canvas.
​They look at the color wheel. They decide on an analogous or tertiary color scheme and paint their canvas using acrylic paint with large paint brushes.
Day two:
​Students take canvas outside.
​Set up their painting station by putting brown butcher paper down on the ground
​Students take bottles of liquid soap and "throw" or "drip" soap on to their painting.
​Students choose a color of spray paint and paint their canvas.
​The soap acts as a masking agent and will protect the painted portion of the canvas under the soap
​Two minutes later, students take their canvas and stand it up against the stone wall. They take the hose and spray the soap off, revealing a Pollock-like piece
​

Click the button below to view Keystone Fifth Grade's Online Gallery

MetKids present Pollock Curated

Full Jackson Pollock Movie on YouTube (PG13)

Technology Piece:

Fifth grade is a time when each student gets their own iPad to use for school.  Kids partner up and take turns videoing each other as they paint. Students put together the video clips to make an iMovie.