Art Exploration

Trimester 3

"My favorite project was the gel plate with plants, because I like the contrasting colors and the designs the plants made."

"I liked the prints- it was challenging and fun."

"The collage project was challenging. I used a color I didn't like- but I fixed it and made it look cool anyway."

"My favorite project was the zines because they were fun to fold and to use the poems."

In this Arts Pathways class, students explored different types of art through formal techniques and types of practices. For this class students practiced foundational elements of art in their journals, and applies what they learned in making gel prints and zines.

This portfolio documents both UMS and LMS classes for trimester 3, as they learned the same material.

Art Journals

For the first half of the trimester students created art journals using a variety of techniques. They decorated the covers of their journals, and created two different artwork inside that explored color. Finally, these journals were used to experiment with art practices that were used for standalone projects.

Click the images below to see the galleries of student artwork for these projects on Artsonia.

Colorful Language Project from Alphonsus Academy & Center For The ArtsCheck out student artwork posted to Artsonia from the Colorful Language Project project gallery at Alphonsus Academy & Center For The Arts.

Complementary Color Collage from Alphonsus Academy & Center For The ArtsCheck out student artwork posted to Artsonia from the Complementary Color Collage project gallery at Alphonsus Academy & Center For The Arts.

Engage & Persist: I look for creative solutions to problems I encounter. I ask for help when I get stuck.

Envision: I can create an artwork with harmonious, but contrasting colors. I can create an interesting composition of shapes

Reflect: I can identify things I did well and areas I could improve. I can apply these thoughts to make my next work better.

Gel Plate Prints

Students applied what they learned about color while making their gel prints. Students experimented with using botanical materials as well as cut paper and yarn to create their images, and created a final artwork that also used ink and watercolor.

Click the artwork below to see the gallery of student artwork on Artsonia.

T3 Gelli Prints from Alphonsus Academy & Center For The ArtsCheck out student artwork posted to Artsonia from the T3 Gelli Prints project gallery at Alphonsus Academy & Center For The Arts.

Develop Craft: I can follow steps for rolling out paint, and pulling a print. I can make a print using different layers of paint

Engage & Persist: I look for creative solutions to problems I encounter. I ask for help when I get stuck.

Envision: I can create an artwork with harmonious, but contrasting colors. I can create an interesting composition of shapes

Reflect: I can identify things I did well and areas I could improve. I can apply these thoughts to make my next print better.

Mini Zines

For the last unit of the trimester students learned the basics of cartooning, and then applied this to create a 6 page mini zine using one piece of folded paper.

Click the image below to see the gallery of student artwork on Artsonia.

Workshop with Mr. Merten

Mr. Merten, a local mural artist, came into our class for a one day workshop. He taught LMS students how to write their name using graffiti letters, and worked with UMS students to finish painting the mural in the gym hallway.

Click through the images below to see his work in both classes.

Zines from Alphonsus Academy & Center For The ArtsCheck out student artwork posted to Artsonia from the Zines project gallery at Alphonsus Academy & Center For The Arts.

Develop Craft: I can follow steps for creating a zine, I can apply steps for creating a cartoon

Engage & Persist: I look for creative solutions to problems I encounter. I ask for help when I get stuck.

Reflect: I can identify things I did well and areas I could improve. I can apply these thoughts to make my next zine better.

How was were students assessed?

Art Exploration was assessed using a rubric which measured student performance and growth in the areas of art content mastery as well as student learner characteristics. Final determinations of Complete or Incomplete grades are recorded on student report cards.

About Ms. Manuel

Art Exploration was taught by Mr. Merten and Ms. Manuel.

Ms. Manuel is AACA's Director of Arts Integration, and oversees our school's art programs.

About the Studio Habits of Mind

Arts classes at AACA use the Studio Habits of Mind as a framework for guiding student learning. These 8 habits describe the learning and thinking processes that students engage in as they create art, music, drama, and dance with us. Look for these habits throughout the project descriptions in arts classes portfolios to better understand the learning goals we are working on with your children.