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"Every child is an artist.
The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up."
-Pablo Picasso
"Every child is an artist.
The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up."
-Pablo Picasso
I'm Mr. Whymark, but most students call me "Mr. Why." I believe that my role is to provide an engaging environment for my students to learn about and explore the world around them through the language of art - while having fun!
"As an art educator, my job is not to create artists.
My job is to create people who are critical thinkers, who can collaborate, who can fail and persist, who can [imagine] something and then try to exhibit that [idea].
And even if they fail they can try to do it again."
- Brooke Morse, teacher and ceramicist
Students are expected to display their best "Art Attitudes" in the studio. These Art Attitudes align with the BCCCC expectations.
I Respect the Art Studio.
I Respect Others.
I Respect Myself.
K-4 will learn a "Studio Greeting" incorporating American Sign Language (ASL).
Hello, my most amazing artists.
(Mr. Why greets students)Hello, my most amazing art teacher.
(Students greet Mr. Why)
In a few weeks, students will learn the new "Studio Mantra" or Motto with ASL, too!
I am creative. I am smart.
I make mistakes but I also make art.
I am an artist!
Dress for a Mess
Dress for a Mess
Messes happen in the art studio.
Although aprons and smocks are available for students, messes and spills inevitably happen... and sometimes they happen to our clothes. I encourage all students to dress in clothes that can get a little messy on the days they have art.
Art Studio Schedule
Art Studio Schedule
Day 1 - 2c, 4c, 6c
Day 2 - Ka, 1a, 3a, 5a, 7a
Day 3 - Kb, 1b, 3b, 5b, 7b
Day 4 - Kc, 1c, 3c, 5c, 7c
Day 5 - 2a, 4a, 6a, 8a
Day 6 - 2b, 4b, 6b, 8b
Needed Materials and Homework
Needed Materials and Homework
Grades 5-8
Return signed Art Studio Contract slip next week.
Bring in school appropriate 2D materials for folder collage. For example...
Magazines and newspaper
Pictures & photos
Decorative or wrapping papers
Bits of fabric, lace, or buttons
Any mostly flat material that can be cut up and glued.
"How do I talk with my Student About Art?"
"How do I talk with my Student About Art?"
Parents may have a hard time communicating with their students about their artwork... especially if the art is unfamiliar to them. To talk about art with a student, use open-ended questions that focus on observation rather than judgment. Here is a practical guide to leading meaningful art discussions with a student.
Ask Open-Ended Questions like "What is going on in this picture?"
Discuss the Building Blocks of Art
Line: Ask about the kinds of lines they made (wiggly, bold, thin) and where they lead the eye.
Color & Value: Talk about the mood colors create and find light and dark spots.
Texture: Discuss how a painted or sculpted surface looks like it would feel.
Space: Look at what objects are close up versus far away in the background
Shift How You Praise Their Work
Instead of saying "I love it!" or "What is it?", ask: "Can you tell me about your artwork?"
Instead of general praise, point to specifics: "I like how you used bold blue lines here; how did you decide on that color?"
Ask about their process: "What was the hardest part of making this piece?"
Kindergarten & 1st Grade
Key Theme: Play & Experimentation
Kindergarten & 1st Grade
Key Theme: Play & Experimentation
Our littlest artists will explore basic art materials and with special emphasis on learning the procedures of the art room, how we use and properly handle tools and supplies, and the Elements of Art. We will usually close classes with a story to reinforce our core art attitudes, procedures, or a recent lesson.
Kindergarten Focus: How can I use materials in the studio to make art?
1st Grade Focus: What are the Elements of Art?
Grading based on Weekly Scoring (Total Points).
What's Going on in the Studio?
What's Going on in the Studio?
Unit 1: Studio basics—Students are learning studio procedures. They will work in rotating stations to practice their construction, pre-writing, clay, sorting, and scissors skills.
K & 1st Grade: Organic vs Geometric Shapes
What Are We Reading in Art?
What Are We Reading in Art?
The Art Teacher is Weird, Geoff Schmidt
All are Welcome, Alexandra Penfold & Suzanne Kaufman
The Color Monster Goes to School, Anna Llenas
The Color Monster, Anna Llenas
Pencils on Strike, Jennifer Jones
Crayons on Strike, Jennifer Jones
Scissors on Strike, Jennifer Jones
A Color of His Own, Leo Lionni
2nd, 3rd, & 4th Grades
Key Theme: How do I develop Independence in the Art Studio?
2nd, 3rd, & 4th Grades
Key Theme: How do I develop Independence in the Art Studio?
Older bruin artists will continue to explore art materials with increasingly more complex techniques and applications. Students will learn how artists utilize the Elements of Art through the Principles of Design to create their intended outcome.
2nd Grade Focus: How can I use my creativity and imagination to make art?
3rd Grade Focus: How does nature inspire artists?
4th Grade Focus: How do people and man-made objects inspire artists?
Grading based on Weekly Scoring (Total Points).
What's Going on in the Studio?
What's Going on in the Studio?
2nd Grade: Students are getting reacquainted with the art studio and our procedures.
3rd Grade: -Students are getting reacquainted with the art studio and our procedures.
4th Grade: -Students are getting reacquainted with the art studio and our procedures.
5th & 6th Grades
Key Theme: What does artwork tell us about the culture that made it?
5th & 6th Grades
Key Theme: What does artwork tell us about the culture that made it?
Intermediate students assignments and challenges will be heavily influenced by art around the globe while reinforcing art elements, principles, techniques, and increasing level or responsibility and 'ownership' of their work in the art room.
5th Grade Focus: Art of Global Cultures - Africa, Asia, Australia, and Indigenous Americas
6th Grade Focus: Art of Western Hemisphere - Ancient Egypt, Greece, Rome, Middle Ages, Renaissance
Grading based on Weekly and Assignment Scoring (Total Points).
What's Going on in the Studio?
What's Going on in the Studio?
5th Grade: Students are getting reacquainted with the art studio and our procedures with a Jeopardy game.
6th Grade: Students are getting reacquainted with the art studio and our procedures with a Jeopardy game.
7th & 8th Grades
Key Theme: How does art communicate ideas?
7th & 8th Grades
Key Theme: How does art communicate ideas?
Middle school students will take a more self-directed approach to art this year. Teaching for Artistic Behavior (TAB) is an art education philosophy that allows students to independently explore art media. The program will allow students to start with basic art and drawing materials. As they gain mastery over those supplies, the students can opt to try out more complex materials - proving their ability to care for and utilize those supplies. Students will be free to research and pursue their unique interests, turning in 'proposals' that will illustrate how they anticipate utilizing class time and resources.
This is a win-win. The students are self-motivated and focus on topics that interest them, while the teacher takes on a role as a mentor and guide, encouraging them to practice the skills that they are intent on mastering. Each class period will begin with the presentation of a technique or new material and end with students presenting their progress and plans for their current artwork.
7th Grade Focus: Modern and Contemporary Art
8th Grade Focus: How do I find my artistic voice?
Grading based on Weekly and Assignment Scoring (Total Points).
What's Going on in the Studio?
What's Going on in the Studio?
7th Grade: Students are getting reacquainted with the art studio and our procedures with a Jeopardy game..
8th Grade: Students are getting reacquainted with the art studio and our procedures with a Jeopardy game..
Weekly Scoring
Weekly Scoring
Weekly class participation is scored each time students meet out of a total of 10 points.
Assignment Scoring
Assignment Scoring
Projects and Design Challenges are scored when submitted out of a total of 25 points using a rubric and reflection questions. Students have the option to resubmit a project OR submit a new project to replace a grade. I will record the higher of the two grades.
Young Dragonslayers Club
Young Dragonslayers Club
AKA Dungeons & Dragons Club (1st Semester)
Meets alternate Thursdays in the Art Room with Mr. Whymark from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Membership is reserved for the first fifteen eligible 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students who turn in signed permission slips.
September 10, 24
October 8, 22
November 5, 19
December 3, 17
January 7, 21
Ursa Minor Rocketry Club
Ursa Minor Rocketry Club
AKA Rocketry Club (2nd Semester)
Meets Alternate Thursdays in the Art Room with Mr. Whymark from
3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. for eligible Middle School students with signed permission slips. Students must have the recommendation of a science teacher.
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