Home Means Nevada Art Lesson

 On October 31st, Nevada became a state in 1864 and each year we Nevadans celebrate its inclusion to the union the last Friday of October. The upper grades had been studying Paleolithic Cave art at the time and Nevada is rich with beautiful rock art throughout the state. The kindergarten classes learned about the ancient peoples of Nevada by studying their art and creating their own inspired by authentic ancient designs. The designs were provided by the Nevada Rock Art Foundation, "a non-profit, volunteer-driven organization dedicated to documenting and preserving the rock art of Nevada through education and public outreach."

As a separate Nevada Day celebration, I took a class at the Nevada Museum of Art on pine needle basket weaving. There is a long history of native american basket weavers in our culture. I thought I would give it a try. This is my 1" x 1" basket that took me FOUR. Yes, FOUR! hours to complete. I have a much deeper appreciation for the amazing baskets on display at our state museum. 

Our Harvest Corn Field

Welcome to our Harvest Corn Field. The kinders and first graders celebrated Thanksgiving in art by creating a sculptural wall piece.

Close-up of harvest corn field - a study in shape, warm and cool colors, and mixed media

First, we studied the shape and colors of real miniature indian corn and decided which side of the color wheel they were going to use for their art pieces. Once they decided on warm or cool colors (Color Theory), they drew the corn shape, cut it out, and began to tear or cut kernels out of colored construction paper and glue onto their corn shape (Fine Motor Skills). To increase the challenge, some students were asked to place their kernels in a clear pattern (Math Connection).

To complete the corn, the students learned how to curl thin strips of paper around a pencil (Fine Motor Skills) and glued that or yarn as the corn husks.

Finally, the students found a partner and twisted up brown paper grocery bags to make the stalks for our hallway "corn field".
To add some literacy fun, here are some great corn themed picture books:


The Popcorn Book by Tomie de Paola



Corn is Maize- The Gift of the Indians by Aliki