Welcome To The 2018 School Year

It's been a crazy start to the beginning of the school year for me. I got a new art room, but moving everything was quite tedious. Luckily my Mom (who just retired from teaching for almost 30 years) as been helping me settle in. I am still in the process of organizing all of my materials since I have so much storage space! I got new stools, art tables, and technology. I'm really excited to learn how to use the wireless microphone I was provided with as well. In August I read an article about how over-decorated classrooms can be bad for students since it can be overstimulating. I am trying to not put so many posters up to see if helps at with student learning. (Learning self-control, haha) I also have a kiln, I am still waiting on for the person to come and install it. I can't wait to try it out and use "real clay" with my students. It certainly will be an experience since I have never used one before, but I know I can do it. It wasn't until today that I really felt comfortable and remembered how much I love working with the kids. (2nd week of school). I will update more on my lessons next week. I can't wait to share with everyone.

Classroom Bulletin Boards

Here is my current "theme" this year for my Elements and Principles of Art Word Wall. I updated it to the Lego Movie characters. The kids love it!

3rd Grade Symmetrical Bug Prints

One of my favorite mediums in art is printmaking. I loved my printmaking professor at Towson University during my undergraduate work. This unit incorporates math, and science.

Materials Needed
Tempera Paint
Foam Dabbers
Dull Colored Pencils
Foam ( 6x9")
pre-printed 12x18" construction paper
12 x18" construction paper
Glue
Scissors
Oil Pastels

I start this project by having my third graders look at the bodies of insects. We talk about symmetry, and how if we were to fold their bodies in half, they would be the same on both sides. We talk about the characteristics of bugs (wings, body, legs, and antennas). I give my students a sheet of bugs (ex, below)

This shows students half of the beetle's body. I give students a sheet of paper and have them fold it in half. I tell them to draw half of the bug's body on along the folded sheet of paper. When they are done drawing half of the body on the right side of the paper, and then fold over and shade on top of it. When they open their back up, the other side of their bug should appear. The next step is to have students tape their bug drawing onto a piece of foam. Using a dull colored pencils, they are to trace their drawing onto the piece of foam. I tell students to trace their drawings two times. When done, they give me their work so I can out the shape of their bug.

The next step is apply ink (paint) to the foam. I have my students use tempera paint and foam dabbers.  They like how they have to "daub" it. I tell them to dip their "dabber" into the paint once and apply the paint all over. I talk about color as well because they are printing on colored paper. I give them various 12 x18' paper to choose from. This gives the chance to print their stamp at least 4-5 times.

The final step is the next lesson, where I have students look over their printed stamps from the previous week. I encourage them to pick their best "two to three" prints for their final piece. They cut them out using scissors, and then choose from pre-printed 12x 18" bright colored paper. Once again I talk about color choice with the students. Before students glue on their insects into the background paper, using oil pastels they are to draw an environment for their chosen insect. 

Potential Art Lesson Idea

Last year at the National Museum of Women in the Arts, I was inspired by this artist Sonia Gomes. She does these fabric sculptures. I thought that my kids could do something like this. Perhaps use pipe cleaners and wrap them in different types of yarn? Could I have them use straws and then tape, paper mache, and add fabric? Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. 

4th Grade Pop Art Onomatopoeias

 just finished this unit with my 4th graders, where we learned about Pop Art and the purpose of Onomatopoeias. I showed them the work of Roy Litchenstein, and discussed how He was one of the most prominent artists of that time. I also talked about the purpose of comics during that time. Students had to choose an onomatopoeia and enlarge it into a 12x18” piece of paper. I encouraged them to surround their word with word bubbles and think about using “bright” and “bold” colors when painting. They used tempera paint, and sharpies for this