Strange Schedule Week 2

This week, I did not get to see several of my classes in the Art Room. We, of course, had music program practice this week for the 2nd graders (Congrats on a wonderful performance kiddos!!!). We also had testing on Wednesday and an awesome assembly on Tuesday.

Very much like last week, the students that did receive an opportunity to come to Art and work did a wonderful job! Here's what happened this week...

Kindergarten:
Many students have now completed putting the basic components of their backgrounds together...the "sand" and the "water". A couple of classes this week moved on to the next step, adding the top and bottom of the "tank" and adding their plants. I cannot wait until we add our fish next class!

1st:
While most first grade classes just started painting this week, some students in the classes that are a little ahead finished their third project! I am only going to share a few of these with you for now. Check back after Christmas Break for everyone's wonderful paintings :)

2nd:
Because of music program practice, I did not see the 2nd graders this week. Again, CONGRATS! on a wonderful musical! I'm a very proud Art teacher :)

3rd:
Many of the third graders started assembling their artworks this week. Much of class was spent organizing all of the different components, transforming our value scales into buildings and deciding how the value scale buildings needed to be arranged on the background. Many students did not get to glue anything yet. Luckily, I will be able to see most of my third grade classes next week, so check back to see some awesome cityscapes!

4th:
Only one of my fourth grade classes came to Art this week. They continued working on their collages, and participated in a progress critique to talk about how things are going. As promised, I took lots of pictures to share with you this week.

Strange Schedule Week 1

First, sorry for anyone who checked last week for an update and did not find one. I did not arrive home until late last Sunday night from a fun filled Thanksgiving break and was unable to get a post created.

As the title of this post implies, this is the first of some odd scheduling affecting the Art Room. From now until this upcoming Thursday, I will not see the 2nd graders. They will be practicing for their music program. I also missed a third grade class this week (Mrs. H) because of a field trip to see the Nutcracker. Where you might think that there would not be a lot to post this week, I actually have a ton!

This is what we have been up to...

Kindergarten:
Students have just recently started their newest project focusing on shape. This week, students learned about my very favorite artist, Charley Harper!!! Harper uses very geometric designs in the creation of his paintings and prints, typically of animals. Students were able to analyze several of his artworks and identify many of the shapes he used, including circles, triangles, and diamonds.
After looking at Harper's art, students colored different shapes that will become fish for a fish tank collage.

Students also practiced creating plants that would typically be seen under water. When students return to Art this week, they will be working on creating their backgrounds (water, sand, plants, and tank features).

1st:
After learning about the primary colors and of the works of Michelle Forsyth, students have now began creating their artworks! Students began by tracing 3, 4, or 5 circles onto a large piece of paper. After drawing designs inside of the circles, students drew lines to create the background. Students then traced all of their marks with a black crayon (a key step to creating a crayon resist). Some classes have even started the painting process! Using only primary colors, the students are painting the inside of their circles with watercolors.

2nd:
I was lucky enough to see two second grade classes this week. They have continued working on creating their self-portraits. They are really coming along! I am really starting to see the resemblances!!!

3rd:
Third grade students are continuing to do a little prep for their cityscapes. After creating a watercolor wash for their background using two different colors, students practiced drawing their cities. Students considered what buildings to include, sidewalks, roads, signs, and other elements. The word for the day was definitely "variety"!

4th:
I cannot even explain how excited I am about the bird collages! This is why I am surprised that I have no pictures to share with you this week. :( Good news is, collage is a slow process. Students have not created any major changes to their artworks, just minor touches. But, these minor changes have been completing amazing! I am so happy with how these are turning out and promise to have LOTS of pictures next week!!!