What's New
It was chilly this morning!
This summer was brutally hot, which I didn't mind at all. However, chilly mornings mean that it is almost time to start a new school year! See you all soon! |
Lines and Movement
Landscapes with Background, Middle ground, and Foreground
Third graders at BES have been learning strategies for creating space in their artwork. One way to create space is by showing background, middle ground, and foreground. We discussed that objects in the background are small, with few details, and closer to the top of the paper. Objects in the foreground are large, very detailed, and closer to the bottom of the paper.  Students also learned the techniques of watercolor wash and dry brush to help them create their paintings.  |
Finishing the Artwork for the Square1 Art Fundraiser
This week we've finished up the artwork for the Square1 Art Fundraiser. I'll be sending the artwork away and expect to receive the students' individualized catalogues in early November.  Students have worked so hard on the artwork and are excited that they will each receive 20 free stickers featuring their artwork. I've gotten many questions about what particular items are going to be available and what the prices are. My information is from past years, so I'm excited to get the new catalogues and share them with everyone. Keep your eyes peeled!  |
"Why is art important?"
A first grader started our first art class of the year by asking me why art is important. I've spent the last few weeks asking myself why, in 2016, that question is still being asked. There are so many reasons that art is important! It helps us to communicate. It helps us to learn constructive risk-taking and problem solving. It enriches our lives. One of our new goals for the school year is to reflect on why art is important, not just in first grade, but in life.  |
Square1 Art Fundraiser... Art to help Bloomfield Elementary School!
 Bloomfield Elementary School will be doing a Square1 Art Fundraiser to support the Arts in our school. Students started creating their artwork this week. The artwork that  they create will be available to be ordered on coffee mugs, sketchbooks, greeting cards, keychains, and much more! These items will be ordered in November and will arrive in early December (just in time for Christmas presents). In the upstairs display case are some samples of the products that can be ordered featuring your student's artwork. There are also posters around the school with some other examples of available products. Students started their design in pencil, making sure to draw lightly so that they could erase any mistakes or change their mind. Sharpie marker is being used to trace the pencil designs, since pencil might not show up well on the reproductions.  Next week we will be adding color to the designs, which will help them stand out when they are put on the fundraiser products. Many students are excited about getting the free 20 stickers that Square1 Art gives them just for helping out their school. This also ensures that every student will get something with their artwork on it. If you have any questions about the fundraiser, please contact the office or Mrs. Kiger at kkiger@msad54.org. |
Art in the SCLC classroom
The Self Contained Learning Center is a classroom for students who need a learning space separate from the general classrooms. These students worked hard this week on creating colorful tissue paper collages. They were able to choose glue sticks or Elmer's white glue to adhere the tissue paper squares to their construction paper.  Some of the students glued their squares flat while other scrunched them up to add more texture. The jewel tone papers made the collages rich and graphic. These students were able to make choices about what kind of glue to use and how to adhere the squares, which gives them control over their artwork.  It is important for all student artists to have ownership over their own work and to have choices about their artwork. The choices made by the students in the SCLC resulted in beautiful collages that they enjoyed. I think we'll do collage again soon! |
A Rainbow of Selfies Coming Your Way
This week at Bloomfield Elementary School, students are starting work on some monochromatic self-portraits. They learned that... monochromatic = one color and self-portrait = a picture representing the artist  We looked at self-portraits created by famous artists, such as Van Gogh and Frida Kahlo. Then we discussed the importance of contrast in monochromatic artwork. contrast = using opposites, such as light and dark The contrast helps things stand out in a monochromatic artwork. Otherwise everything would blend together because it is too much of the same.  Once every student creates a self-portrait. We will hang them all together so that the create a rainbow! Check back in a few weeks to see the completed, collaborative artwork.  |
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