Strange Schedule on the Way

This week, I spent the beginning of most of my classes reviewing the calendar for the next month. I wanted to show students that, for some grades, they may only have two more Art classes before Christmas Break begins on December 20th. Yes, two classes! It's hard to believe. We have a ton of events coming up, starting with Thanksgiving Break next week.

So, with this full week before Thanksgiving behind us...what did we do?

Kindergarten:
After finishing our "Line Carpets" last week, students have moved on to a new Element of Art...shape! Students began class by looking at several examples of how shapes are used in famous and well-known artworks, including several by Piet Mondrian and Paul Klee. Before we moved onto our discussion of shapes, I wanted to see what students knew. Students followed step-by-step directions, coloring different shapes to see if they could identify them. These shapes included hearts, rectangles, squares, stars, triangles, and circles. They did a great job and breezed through our discussion! I know they are ready to start creating our project next week :)

Additionally, kindergarten students started new centers this week based on shapes. For our first center, students are using stencils to create a number of shapes and images.

In the second center, students will be exploring cube blocks. Students are using these blocks to create shapes (like the triangle below), as well as arranging them into different architectural designs.

Lastly, students are using connectable foam shapes to explore engineering. Many students are building objects like flowers, bridges, towers, and roads.

1st:
First grade students are also beginning a new project this week by learning about the primary colors. Students began by exploring the term "family" and comparing their own family to color families in the Art world. After learning about the primary colors (red, yellow, and blue) and understanding that these colors are used to create all of the other colors in the world, students acted as scientists hypothesizing the outcomes of mixing primary colors together. It was a really fun week! Students will be using this knowledge next week as we begin creating our abstract circle designs.

2nd:
After creating their backgrounds last week, students were ready to begin creating their portraits. To start our portraits, students and I worked together to create the head and hair. Students began by drawing and cutting out a large oval for their head. Afterwards, students drew and cut out their hair. We concluded class by gluing these two elements to our backgrounds.

3rd:
Third grade students continued to work on painting their value scales for our cityscapes. We will be sketching elements for our cities next week and will be putting everything together soon.

4th:
As promised last week, I have taken several photos of students creating both their backgrounds and their birds. I love how these are turning out so far! Students have developed some awesome ideas!!! We will be continuing to work on these for the next several weeks.

Ms. J's 1st Grade Finished Portraits

Ms. J's class recently finished their Self-Portraits! Congrats!!!

Taking Care of Business

We are getting a lot taken care of in the Art Room! It is amazing to see how much we can accomplish in one week. Here's what we have been up to...

Kindergarten:
We are putting the last touches on our faux "Line Carpets". Last week, students practiced using scissors to cut fringe for their artworks. This week and into next, kindergarten students will be attaching the fringe to their paintings. Mrs. B's class was able to assemble their carpets on Friday. It was great seeing their excitement as their paintings transformed into what they dubbed "magic flying carpets"!

1st:
First graders just finished their Mixed Media Chickens!!! I cannot wait to share them with you! They are wonderful!!!

2nd:
This week, the second grade students practiced creating their self-portraits. Students carefully study their facial features and then tried to draw exactly what they saw in the mirror. Next week, I will be sharing some tips and tricks with students on drawing self-portraits before we create our collages.

3rd:
Third grade students began creating value scales this week using tempera paint. Students began with one color and created tints and shades by adding either white or black. Students will be continuing to make at least three more value scales next week.

4th:
Fourth grade students spent this past week researching the bird they decided to use as the subject of their bird collage. I was very happy with how this went! Students had to study the physical characteristics of their bird (color, types of feathers, beak, legs...), but also researched habitat and diet. On the back of their research paper, students were asked to sketch ideas for their collage. I am really excited about what students have shown me so far.

The Excitement is Building

As I discussed last week, a majority of students are now starting their second art project of the year. Students have been spending much of their last two art classes gathering inspiration for their artwork and their excitement cannot be contained! They cannot wait to get our materials out and start! Despite how badly I am ready to start creating these projects as well, I have stressed to students the importance of planning and preparation.

So what exactly have we been up to? Well, see below to find out...

Kindergarten
Students in kindergarten are continuing to work on their faux "Line Carpets". After painting them last week, students spent this week practicing their scissor skills to create fringe for both sides of their artwork. Students were given two pieces of paper, both of which had a bold horizontal line drawn toward the top edge. Students were asked to start at the bottom of their paper and then cut all the way to the black line...then stop! By cutting to the black line and not past, it created two perfect sets of fringe ready for their carpet!

1st
Students have spent the last two class periods preparing for the assembly of their chicken artworks and after much waiting, the class finally arrived where they put their chicken artworks together! Students began by placing the felt chicken body on their background. This was followed by the paper comb, beak, wattle, and legs. As finishing touches, students added an eye and feathers. I love how these have turned out!!! Can't wait to share all of them when they are finished!!!

2nd
After last week's discussion on portraiture, students spent this week exploring the work of artist Burton Morris. Known for his Pop Art pieces, his work displays everyday objects and events, as well as things from popular culture in his very distinctive and bold style.

For our projects, students will use characteristics of Morris' style to create a self-portrait or a picture of themselves. Here is the example I created to show students...

3rd
After discussing value last week, students explored the art of Shawn Huckins during Art this week. Last summer I stumbled upon numerous examples of paint chips (like the ones found at hardware stores) used to create art, in particular used as buildings for cityscapes. After I came across the work of Shawn Huckins, who is most know for his "Paint Chip Series", I knew this would be a perfect way to explore value! However, instead of using actual paint chips, like many projects I came across, I am asking students to create their own paint chip value scales, which we will begin next week! Below is an awesome pic of Huckins and his work, as well as the example of our project that I showed students...

4th
Much like the 2nd and 3rd grade, 4th grade spent last week in discussion. We focused on collage and texture. This week, students explored how birds have been used as a common subject matter in Art throughout Art History. After looking at a variety of examples, we looked at several sculptures created by Swedish artist Nathalie Djurberg.

Inspired by the numerous artworks we analyzed, students began planning for their own bird collages. The goal for this past class was to decide on which bird students will use as the subject matter for their artwork. Next week, we will be researching our birds, in order to create an accurate image through the physical traits of their bird, its behavior and its habitat. Again, here is the example I showed students to get their ideas flowing...

Finished 1st Self-Portraits

Congrats 1st grade!!! Also, wanted to note that Ms. J's students are a few weeks behind the other 1st graders. As soon as they finish, their artworks will be posted.

Artworks are posted by these classes...A, Bo, and Bl.

'Twas the Week Before Thanksgiving

The halls lately have been filled with the sound of gobble-gobbles. Much of the conversation in the art room has turned from its usual television or music to where students will be traveling and what they will be eating. I cannot wait! Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays, not only because it is a chance I get to spend with family, but also because it is the week of my birthday!

Before we all get out for the break, I do have an update to share...

K4: Most students finished their Pete the Cat collages this week. When we return from Thanksgiving break, we will begin to explore oil pastels.

K5: This week, students completed their very first critique. I was proud how thoroughly students reflected on their artwork, especially at such a young age! Great job K5! With the completion of this project, we are now ready to start an artwork exploring the world of still life.

1st: After practicing for the last few weeks on self-portraits, students this week were ready to begin their final self-portraits. As I explained several weeks ago, students will be creating four portraits in all, each displaying a different emotion.

2nd: This week, the 2nd grade began working on their Rococo inspired still life paintings. After a short demonstration, students worked on creating their vase using tints and shades to make areas with highlights and shadows.

3rd: Most students finished the decoupage process this week. Students are now on to the detail phase of their project. It was extremely interesting to watch students create their details. Their ideas were marvelous, but this phase also presented quiet a challenge. Students had to draw their images much smaller than what they are accustomed to. Although the challenge was there, students exceed their own expectations! I am so excited about what they will do during their next art class!

4th: This week, students are creating the base of their project. After creating a symmetrical vase using card stock, students colored the entire surface using blue and white oil pastels.

 5th: After creating some fantastic sketches last week, students enlarged and finalized their drawing on 12x18" construction paper this week.

6th: Like the K5, the 6th grade, too, completed their critiques. I appreciate all of the wonderful answers that students shared with me. I really learned a lot by reading their responses!

Art Club: In addition to working on our photos, students also worked on their mixed media cities. Here are some samples of what we have created so far...

As you can probably imagine, I will not be posting next week due to Thanksgiving break. However, as soon as we return in December, I will be sure to update you on all the pre-Christmas happenings!