Elements and Principles Pictures

 

What We Did

We learned about the elements and principles through student friendly definitions. We also got to fill out a sheet where we would practice using these elements and principles. There were boxes where you could do shading, different lines, color, patterns, etc. We were then required to find each of the elements and principles in everyday life. We had to photograph these elements and then create a presentation where we could share these with our classmates. These 5 images were my favorite from my presentation:

Asymmetrical Balance: The road is symmetrical but both sides are different.

Value: The top is dark and it gradually gets lighter as you get close to the trees.

Line: Vertical lines on a fence.

Color: The yellow flower pops against the green grass.

Geometric Shape: The balloons are shaped like perfect circles.

Extension Activity

Grade: 2nd

Subject: Langauge Arts

Read the book "This Book is Full of Monsters" by Guido Van Genechten to the class. Throughout the story pause on images and have students discuss what elements or principles they see. 

Ask questions like "Can you tell me one element or principle you see on this page? Let's look at their fur. What do you notice about it?" Do this for multiple illustrations so that students can get more practice with identifying the elements and principles they see. After you have read and discussed the book introduce the extension activity. Have students create their own monster using the elements and principles. Require them to have at least 5 different elements or principles in their artwork. Give them examples such as; rubbing by coloring over an object to create texture, using different line types, using complimentary colors, making the monster symmetrical or asymmetrical, using different shapes to create the monster, etc.