Lots of Dots!

Continuing with our geometric shapes unit, kindergarten and first grade students cut circles from square pieces of paper. To introduce this lesson, we read the books "Lots of Dots" by Craig Frazier and "The Dot" by Peter H. Reynolds.

After reading these two books, we were inspired to create our own dots. Students first cut their dots from square pieces of paper. It was difficult for my kindergarteners to draw their own curved lines in the corners of the square paper, so a circle template was created so students could trace. This was even difficult for some students, because they have never traced before, so it was important to make sure students understood that when tracing a shape, we draw beside the shape we are tracing and not on top of it.

After cutting out our circles, we then discussed ABAB patterns and how to create a radial design on our circles using an ABAB pattern. This sounds incredibly challenging for kindergarten, but this group of students has already been introduced to ABAB patterns in their general classroom. We first made a small dot in the middle of our circle and added rings of circles around the center dot. Students could then decide what kind of pattern they wanted to use and draw with oil pastels. Some even wanted to try more challenging patterns like ABC or ABCD!

  

Each child will create two circles and glue back to back with a string sandwiched in the middle to create a mobile of hanging circles for our hallway.

SD Visual Art Standards:

Anchor Standard 1: Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work. 1.VA.Cr.1.1 Engage in creative art making using observation and investigation. 2.VA.Cr.1.1. Brainstorm and implement multiple approaches, materials, and tools to solve an art design problem driven by personal interests and curiosity or to re-purpose objects to make something new.

Anchor Standard 2 (K-2): Organize and develop artistic ideas and work. 1.VA.Cr.2.1. Explore safe uses of materials, tools, and procedures to create works of art or design.  2.VA.Cr.2.1 Experiment with various materials and tools while demonstrating safe use of materials, tools, and procedures to create works of art or design.