Update and Photos

Wow there's so much to update!

Kindergarten - After working on textures (leaf rubbings) and patterns (AB pattern focusing on shapes and colors), we finally completed our color mixing sequence.  Each week for the past three weeks we've been focusing on two primary colors and mixing them to create a secondary color.  The students bring in their prior knowledge of objects of a particular color in the lesson, that way they become more invested in the learning.  I never tell the students what color they are going to create in the beginning of the lesson; the discovery is part of the learning (and children will retain that knowledge better when the experience is more meaningful, as opposed to me just telling them).  Next we are going to work on a fundraiser project that I would have done with the students regardless.  Since we explored shapes, patterns, and a bit of watercolor already we are going to create fish using all three experiences.  I need to search the library for a few books on tropical fish photography for inspiration.

First Grade - We completed our Wild Things!  I'm happy with how they turned out and I learned a lot about working with students with a wide range of abilities.  In the future I must make it a note to keep their creatures simple by focusing on geometric shapes (and less crazy appendages).  Some students' drawings were quite involved and had an abundance of arms and tails which made it harder for their little hands to cut around.  This just reinforced my belief that we could all use more and more cutting practice!  For our next lesson I would like to introduce Henri Matisse as the next Artist of the Month.  We will be talking about geometric versus positive shapes, creating painted paper, and drawing with scissors!  Ideally this lesson with take place over the course of three days.

Second Grade - We completed our Autumn Leaves drawing/painting lesson and many of them are on display in the hallway.  Next we are going to focus on a fundraiser project based on cat and dog portraits using oil pastels and watercolor.

Finished Autumn Leaves Bulletin Board

I love the contrast between the blue and red wall.  Really makes the artwork stand out!

A small display of Picasso Portraits at the end of the 3rd floor hallway.