February 12, 2018
I've been experimenting with the idea of giving myself a word to focus on each week during art class. The past week, I thought a good start would be the word "Creativity," so if you notice that word appearing many times in this blog, you'll know why! Creativity is such an important skill for young artists, and it comes so naturally to them when they are given choices and opportunities.
I've been experimenting with the idea of giving myself a word to focus on each week during art class. The past week, I thought a good start would be the word "Creativity," so if you notice that word appearing many times in this blog, you'll know why! Creativity is such an important skill for young artists, and it comes so naturally to them when they are given choices and opportunities.
Kindergarten artists had a wonderful Friday morning experimenting with tempera paints. They used the three primary colors--red, blue, and yellow--and white to mix as many different colors as they could. I could hear children calling out "I made sky blue!" "I made light orange!" "I made gray!" in excited voices as I walked around the room, and it was music to my ears! They were so excited about the magic of colors, and just how many combinations you can use when you are a "color scientist." This was the kind of developmental, process-based exploration that works so well in kindergarten, and their enthusiasm is contagious!
Kindergarten artists had a wonderful Friday morning experimenting with tempera paints. They used the three primary colors--red, blue, and yellow--and white to mix as many different colors as they could. I could hear children calling out "I made sky blue!" "I made light orange!" "I made gray!" in excited voices as I walked around the room, and it was music to my ears! They were so excited about the magic of colors, and just how many combinations you can use when you are a "color scientist." This was the kind of developmental, process-based exploration that works so well in kindergarten, and their enthusiasm is contagious!
“Imagination is everything. It is the preview of life's coming attractions.”
“Imagination is everything. It is the preview of life's coming attractions.”
In first grade art, we started learning about Chinese New Year to prepare for the annual first grade dragon parade coming up soon! We watched some videos of Chinese New Year celebrations and noticed the bright colors, lively music, fancy costumes, special food, and giant dragon puppets. To make their own dancing dragon puppets, the first step is to paint the paper that will become the dragon's body. After a quick review of watercolor painting, the children used bright colors and patterns to create this special paper. While we painted, we listened to the story of "Nian the Beast," which explains the origins of Chinese New Year. In the story, the families in a village learned to scare away a powerful beast using loud sounds, fire, and the color red, all of which are used in today's Chinese New Year Celebrations to ensure good fortune in the year ahead. This week, we will continue building our puppets by creating the dragon's head and tail.
In first grade art, we started learning about Chinese New Year to prepare for the annual first grade dragon parade coming up soon! We watched some videos of Chinese New Year celebrations and noticed the bright colors, lively music, fancy costumes, special food, and giant dragon puppets. To make their own dancing dragon puppets, the first step is to paint the paper that will become the dragon's body. After a quick review of watercolor painting, the children used bright colors and patterns to create this special paper. While we painted, we listened to the story of "Nian the Beast," which explains the origins of Chinese New Year. In the story, the families in a village learned to scare away a powerful beast using loud sounds, fire, and the color red, all of which are used in today's Chinese New Year Celebrations to ensure good fortune in the year ahead. This week, we will continue building our puppets by creating the dragon's head and tail.
Second-graders have enjoyed having some time to draw, use the Spirograph set, explore Tangrams, and choose their own projects in the past few weeks. I like to incorporate some choice time into art classes because it's so important for young artists to have the freedom to explore materials on their own.
Second-graders have enjoyed having some time to draw, use the Spirograph set, explore Tangrams, and choose their own projects in the past few weeks. I like to incorporate some choice time into art classes because it's so important for young artists to have the freedom to explore materials on their own.
Last week, I read the second-graders one of my favorite books about an artist, "The Fantastic Jungles of Henri Rousseau." Henri had enjoyed drawing when he was a child, but he was a humble toll collector in Paris when he began painting pictures. For many years he was scorned and laughed at because he was a self-taught artist, and his paintings weren't considered sophisticated enough for the Paris crowd. Nevertheless, he persisted, and kept making art for the joy of it. Eventually he was befriended by an artist named Pablo Picasso, who saw the beauty in Henri's work, and introduced him to the creative community of Paris. It's such a great book to teach about the purposes of art and art-making, and the importance of being true to yourself even in the face of obstacles. Plus, the illustrations are gorgeous, and these Caldecott kids love a good picture book!
Last week, I read the second-graders one of my favorite books about an artist, "The Fantastic Jungles of Henri Rousseau." Henri had enjoyed drawing when he was a child, but he was a humble toll collector in Paris when he began painting pictures. For many years he was scorned and laughed at because he was a self-taught artist, and his paintings weren't considered sophisticated enough for the Paris crowd. Nevertheless, he persisted, and kept making art for the joy of it. Eventually he was befriended by an artist named Pablo Picasso, who saw the beauty in Henri's work, and introduced him to the creative community of Paris. It's such a great book to teach about the purposes of art and art-making, and the importance of being true to yourself even in the face of obstacles. Plus, the illustrations are gorgeous, and these Caldecott kids love a good picture book!
After reading the book, the second-graders began working on a mixed media animal art project. First, they are using oil pastels to draw an animal or animals on a white paper, using photographs of animals for reference or inspiration. Next they will add watercolor paint to the background, then use paper collage to add foliage to the edges of their composition. This is always a fun project, and I am excited to see how it turns out!
After reading the book, the second-graders began working on a mixed media animal art project. First, they are using oil pastels to draw an animal or animals on a white paper, using photographs of animals for reference or inspiration. Next they will add watercolor paint to the background, then use paper collage to add foliage to the edges of their composition. This is always a fun project, and I am excited to see how it turns out!
The busy second-graders were also able to set up their Native American villages in the library. Here are a few photos of their displays. Hopefully they will share their hard work at an upcoming All School Sharing.
The busy second-graders were also able to set up their Native American villages in the library. Here are a few photos of their displays. Hopefully they will share their hard work at an upcoming All School Sharing.
Third graders have been working on building hanging sculptures or chandeliers. We looked again at Dale Chihuly's chandelier sculptures for inspiration, then they began creating. They could choose from a variety of materials, including wire, cardboard, bottle caps, transparency film, yarn, ribbon, beads, and fabric strips. Many of the children chose to work with a partner or group of three, and they were very successful at collaborating. I loved to see their creativity blossom in this project, as they discovered how different materials could work together to form a cohesive artwork.
Third graders have been working on building hanging sculptures or chandeliers. We looked again at Dale Chihuly's chandelier sculptures for inspiration, then they began creating. They could choose from a variety of materials, including wire, cardboard, bottle caps, transparency film, yarn, ribbon, beads, and fabric strips. Many of the children chose to work with a partner or group of three, and they were very successful at collaborating. I loved to see their creativity blossom in this project, as they discovered how different materials could work together to form a cohesive artwork.
“You can't use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have.”
“You can't use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have.”
-Maya Angelou
-Maya Angelou
Fourth graders are working on their ocean habitat installation by creating seaweed, coral, and other creatures to live alongside their larger animal sculptures. These artists also enjoy working together to build and design, and they are eager to choose their own materials. We are starting to think of where to install their plastic ocean exhibit, but set-up will probably have to wait until after Projects Period...
Fourth graders are working on their ocean habitat installation by creating seaweed, coral, and other creatures to live alongside their larger animal sculptures. These artists also enjoy working together to build and design, and they are eager to choose their own materials. We are starting to think of where to install their plastic ocean exhibit, but set-up will probably have to wait until after Projects Period...
In fifth grade, we had some fun taking silly photographs using an app called MSQRD, which can add all kinds of hats, helmets, glasses, hair, animal ears, and other accessories to your portrait. I printed out the photos, and the fifth-grade artists were challenged to transform the background of their silly photo. They could paint, draw, collage, or do a combination of media, as long as they were stretching their creative muscles.
In fifth grade, we had some fun taking silly photographs using an app called MSQRD, which can add all kinds of hats, helmets, glasses, hair, animal ears, and other accessories to your portrait. I printed out the photos, and the fifth-grade artists were challenged to transform the background of their silly photo. They could paint, draw, collage, or do a combination of media, as long as they were stretching their creative muscles.
Sixth graders were working on their abstract name projects, and those who had finished painting were given the challenge to deconstruct their paintings by cutting them into shapes and pieces, then reconstruct them abstractly on black paper. They could choose any amount of cuts or shapes, and determine how to assemble them into a composition. I love how each student chose a different way to cut, arrange, and glue!
Sixth graders were working on their abstract name projects, and those who had finished painting were given the challenge to deconstruct their paintings by cutting them into shapes and pieces, then reconstruct them abstractly on black paper. They could choose any amount of cuts or shapes, and determine how to assemble them into a composition. I love how each student chose a different way to cut, arrange, and glue!
Seventh-graders have been working hard on their Civilization projects. They are creating artifacts, maps, languages, banners, laws, legends, and other items to establish their own cultures. Each group has put a lot of thought into how their civilization will work. It will be fun to see it all come together!
Seventh-graders have been working hard on their Civilization projects. They are creating artifacts, maps, languages, banners, laws, legends, and other items to establish their own cultures. Each group has put a lot of thought into how their civilization will work. It will be fun to see it all come together!
We got an incredible donation of dental alginate from the Jones family, and some students have enjoyed using it to make molds of their hands, which can then be filled with plaster to create sculpture. Some eighth-graders did it first, but their project will be part of the middle school art show, so I'm not showing their work here. The seventh-graders saw their work and were intrigued, so they tried it themselves.
We got an incredible donation of dental alginate from the Jones family, and some students have enjoyed using it to make molds of their hands, which can then be filled with plaster to create sculpture. Some eighth-graders did it first, but their project will be part of the middle school art show, so I'm not showing their work here. The seventh-graders saw their work and were intrigued, so they tried it themselves.
Don't worry...it's non-toxic. These students just don't like the smell so they used some masks. And the goggles are just there to complete the look...I think...
Don't worry...it's non-toxic. These students just don't like the smell so they used some masks. And the goggles are just there to complete the look...I think...
Here they are holding their hands in the alginate, then excavating the hands after the cement hardened. The final product is below.
Here they are holding their hands in the alginate, then excavating the hands after the cement hardened. The final product is below.
Service Day on February 2 was lovely! Nicole, Zac, and I were joined in our group by Tina, a longtime SBS art teacher who retired just a few years ago and is an awesome artist and teacher. We had lots and lots of kiddos helping to make colorful placemats for the residents at Pyareo Home, and we also decorated Peace Flags using markers and paint. It was a messy, fun, cheerful day spent giving to others.
Service Day on February 2 was lovely! Nicole, Zac, and I were joined in our group by Tina, a longtime SBS art teacher who retired just a few years ago and is an awesome artist and teacher. We had lots and lots of kiddos helping to make colorful placemats for the residents at Pyareo Home, and we also decorated Peace Flags using markers and paint. It was a messy, fun, cheerful day spent giving to others.
“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”
“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”
-Mahatma Gandhi
-Mahatma Gandhi
Have an inspiring, creative week!
Have an inspiring, creative week!