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!!!

2nd Fancy Fish

A Short yet Busy Week

Although I only taught 4 classes and Art Club this week, this was probably one of the busiest weeks we have had all year. After starting out the week somewhat normally, Wednesday all of my classes were cancelled because of our school-wide music practice for the Spring Music Program. After another all day practice on Thursday, the music program was held at 7 that evening. I am always impressed by the work students do! Not only do students sing, but they play instruments and create rhythm through using movement and their body. Lastly, Friday was probably the busiest day this week...Field Day. Things went wonderfully again this year. Students were able to participate in 10 different events and had a fabulous time despite it being sooooooo HOT!!! I think it was around 95 degrees yesterday :(

Things are slowly starting to wrap up in the Art Room. Many students are starting to finish their final project of the year. In fact, next week is our final studio day and the last chance for students to finish things up before our last class of the year, which we will use to clean things up. I am hoping that I get the chance to take pictures of everything that the students are working on before they take it home! Everything is looking so good and their art really reflects how excited they are about the upcoming summer break :) Anyway, here's what we were up to this week....

K4: No class this week due to music practice

K5: No class this week due to music practice

1st: With our ocean backgrounds completed, students began drawing and coloring their "Best Artist in the Ocean" animal using oil pastel. We will be adding our animals to our backgrounds next week.

2nd: Students began drawing and coloring their "fancy fish" this week. After drawing them lightly with a pencil, students added color using colored pencils. Students were given four goals for this project...
a. To create a fish with fancy details/accessories
b. To use pattern somewhere on their artwork
c. To layer their colors in at least one area
d. To create a neat artwork that clearly reflects planning and good craftsmanship
I think things are looking good so far! Many students had just began coloring last week when it was time to clean up. As I stated above, students will have time next week to finish these artworks up before taking them home.

3rd: No class due to music practice

4th: With only two students needing to finish up their Op Art Cubes, most students spent Tuesday working on their "All About Me" hands. A few students were able to finish, but much like other classes, they will need another class period to complete their creations.

5th: I am happy to report that every student finished their design for their quilt square. They were able to not only draw it, but get it all colored in a class and a half. This took a lot of focus and determination on their part! With them putting in so much hard work, they will have an entire class period next week to work on sewing and embroidering techniques. 

6th: No class due to music practice

Art Club: With our party coming next week, this week was our last opportunity to work. The older students, just coming in from field day, spent their Art Club meeting this week relaxing and drawing summer inspired pictures that will be in the office during our break. The younger students finished up their ice cream sculptures by adding their toppings and "sauces" created from slightly watered-down acrylic paint. I LOVE how these have turned out! They are so cool and even somewhat realistic. I had several students ask me yesterday why I didn't have them in the freezer!

Only two more weeks to go until summer break, but still lots to do!