Olympic Athletes

I LOVE using the Olympics as a theme in the art room. There are so many connections, the most logical for me being the action- the kids love sports, and it's a great chance to work on those people.  The 3rd graders explored the Olympic Website with me, chose a sport, and filled out a think sheet about their choices.  Then, I taught them to make "pipe cleaner people".  These served as our armature.  We covered them in old tape, and put paper mache' on top of that.  It was a sticky mess, and some of our athletes needed to be propped up with wooden blocks.  But, despite the awkward phase, the paint day today really made them come alive.  I had the students attach their athlete sculptures to a wooden  block (I have an old bunch of wood building blocks in the art room that I've been itching to recycle) and this allowed all athletes to stand proud. We will transition to printmaking after this- using the students' chosen sport as the subject.

Love/Hate relationship

I am in a love hate relationship with 2 pt perspective- I LOVE that with a certain few rules, any student can find success- that it isn't about the talent, but the willingness to follow a set of directions.  I HATE the ongoing fussing at my students over the use/misuse of their rulers/partner-pokers.  It's a skill that we are required to teach in 4th grade as part of our MNPS standards, and, over the years, I've learned a few tricks.  First, on the opening lesson day, I hand papers and rulers, and we just make cubes-no worrying about it having to look like anything- just practicing.  I send the paper home with them that day- no grading/not a test/no pressure.  I also send them a xerox copy of one of my drawings so they have all the answers, and I send home a cartoon tutoring sheet.  When they come back, we worry about making a city.  And, I start off with them, gradually making them do more on their own.  I find that there is usually one person at every table who "gets" it quick (usually the math/science student).  And, I have learned to relax- not worry as much about perfect and approach this with a sense of humor.  Soooo- this year, I required 3 buildings, a few doors/windows, and the sidewalk and street.  After that, they could add whatever- some added signs and words, others made ghosts and aliens. 

More Singers

I am in love with this project- it was a great chance to review some concepts, and the little singers are so sweet looking.  A definite keeper.

If you only knew the boy who made this-  it is sooooo him.

Winter Singers

I was reviewing the concept of near and far (placement and size) with my 1st graders as we did some winter landscapes.  It occurred to me that as pretty as the trees were, the pictures were a little... "Blah".  So, we created carolers to be in the foreground.  It was a cute way to finish up this project, and the kids were really pleased with the results.  It allowed us to work in a little direction following and paper sculpture skills- the arms bend out and give a 3-D effect.

Magazine Turkeys and a little Mask

My Kindergarteners are proving a bit needy of some cutting and gluing practice (as well as some basic listening/direction following skills), so I channeled the Turkey Day energy that's been buzzin' for this project.  It started with just basic cutting/gluing to create the body, wings, feet and beaks.  I had the brown and orange paper pre-cut, and they followed along with me.  For the feathers, I pre-sized some magazine pages into manageable pieces.  They used those to create feathers.  I encouraged ovals, but some got a bit rectangular.  The kiddos seemed to really enjoy this project- especially the ones who got cartoon scraps. 

 Also, my 3rd Graders have been working on clay masks and I just had to share.  Below, one student begins the painting process.  (I use acrylic- it's messy danger, but it looks great on clay!)  The other is by a boy who clearly loves making masks.  It's so rewarding when you finally find the thing that excites a hesitant student!  When we paint, I set up paint stations.  The kids move their mask to the station, rather than me pouring paint for every table that may or may not be used.  I have a student with Autism, and traveling is not in her best interest- I allowed her to stay at her seat with color choices.

Sculptural Faces

The 3rd Graders and I are in the midst of mask making!  Admittedly, one of my favorite units to teach.  We have made clay masks (which are going to be painted soon) and are currently working on Echo Masks.  While working through the clay days (sick kiddos=more make up days than I like.  It seems like the clay dust is never ending), I gave each student a piece of card stock and some scrap paper.  They were to use their paper sculpting skills to create an outrageous face- the sillier the better.  I demonstrated/reviewed the techniques I know they should be capable of (having had the majority of them since Kindergarten) and then I turned them loose.  After they finished, I took them outside and spray painted them.  Here are the results!

If you haven't heard from me in awhile...

it is the end of the 9 weeks.  (Insert sigh of relief here).  It is also the week before Fall Break.  I (a usually organized person) may very well be found buried under a pile of Frankensteins and Seascapes (and owls, and paperwork).  Did I forget to mention that my order of art supplies arrived today?  Not that I don't love a big box O' supplies (or 7) but in the midst of the grading/evaluating frenzy, I feel as if the boxes just walled in my prison. 

In all seriousness, Artsonia has helped me to stay more caught up, so that I am evaluating through the 9 weeks, and not at the end.  It also allows me to look at the overall progress of a student portfolio style.  For the next few days, my goal is not to just hand back artwork, but to have a small chat with each student about what they did, and what our goal is moving forward.  It went well today, and I think the students were surprised and pleased to not only see their progress on my grade sheet, but to know that yes, I look at what they do, and I remember what they've done before. I even got to congratulate one student who is usually a problem on his improved attitude and artwork this 9 weeks.  How do you tackle the end of a grading season?  Frenzied grading?  Honest conversations?  Denial?