Well I know everyone wants to know what is going on since it has been long time since my last update. I am going to try to get some quick up dates up today and post pictures tomorrow. Thanks for your patience!!
Kinder-
We have been quite busy!! As I am sure your little ones have told you they have created two projects out of clay. One was adding textures to a small (tile size) slab of clay while the other was a 3-D pinch pot. Although it has been crazy scheduling kiln firings and glazing time all classes are officially finished with painting/glazing their pottery. I am really excited to see the final outcome when they get out of the kiln- cross your fingers that I can have all of them fired before the holiday break!
1st-
Students have been finishing up a unit on "change" where they created season pictures, day/ night wax resist drawings, and a growing collage accordion book. I am so pleased with how well the children did especially with the challenge of collage.
They have also started their new unit on "storytelling". We started by creating a short (5 page) storybook. Everyone came up with a character, told what that character liked to do, a problem, solution and of course how the character ended up. These books have turned out so great!! I am really impressed with the creativity of the children. Currently we are working on puppets. WOW! Did these kids love the idea of creating puppets. I didn't expect for the kids to get so immersed into the project. This will project will definitely be repeated in future years! I don't want to give too much away with these so please wait to see some of the pictures tomorrow.
2nd-
Second graders have started a unit on collections. They started off with learning how to create a tessellation (a repetitive pattern that fits together almost like a puzzle). They created a whole page full of their tessellation shape and were in charge of creating a different pattern in each tessellation using markers. These came out so well, I would encourage the children to continue doing these and transforming their art into wrapping paper, possibly for the holidays coming up. Currently they are working on an Andy Warhol pop art project. They will be creating a "stamp" out of styrofoam of an object that is popular in their life. Then, they take their "stamp" and will refine their printing skills by creating a repetitive "collection" of their object, just like Andy did in his famous paintings (like the Campbell's soup cans or the Coca-Cola bottles). I am really eager to see how the printing comes out.
4th-
Fourth graders have been busily working on a research project. I know, I know research in art? I sound like a mean teacher, huh? I have to say the kids had the same reaction at first but now that they are fully immersed into their projects they are having lots of fun. Each partnership was assigned a famous artist and was in charge of coming up with their a project (our of the ordinary) to present to the class telling the main "claim to fame" about the artist. They will be taking a short quiz (I know even more mean :) No fear guys, it should be pretty short and easy. I just want to make sure the kids are aware and know these artist.
Well, that is the big update thus far. I hope you guys come back tomorrow to see pictures.
Take care and don't forget to do a little snow dance tonight. Everyone could use at least a two hour delay :)
