Sara Ingraffia

Abbie.

Printmaking seems like a magical art form to elementary students. They watch with fascination as they pull back their stamp to see a design transferred to paper. In this project, fourth-grade students make their own stamp, use it to create a patterned background, and then use the stamp again to create a print with a space invader as the subject. This project requires lots of repetition, pattern, and planning.

Designing the Stamp
We start with the gum eraser that will be turned into a stamp to create our patterned background. I tell students, “The simpler the design, the better. Think lines or shapes—nothing too complex.” Working on a 1" (2.5 cm) square surface challenges students to keep it minimal. Students draw over their design with a pencil until they have created scored lines on their eraser. Remind students, “We are simply putting our design on the eraser. Take your time and enjoy the process.”

Nolan.

Patterned Backgrounds
Once they have transferred the design to the eraser, students use two washable markers to color over it. I place a damp sponge paintbrush in a bowl at each table so they can dampen their paper. Students gently brush from the top of their papers down about 3" (7.5 cm) all the way across before pressing their stamp on the damp paper.

Students can stamp two or three times before they need to reapply their colors. Itʼs a very repetitive process, and they should expect a few of their stamps to be imperfect, which makes it even more fun!

Preview Mode - Subscribe to unlock full content