Clipper Ships, Ahoy!

In conjunction with Columbus Day, 5th grader students embarked on a nautical journey working on bringing a clipper ship to life.  I drew inspiration from the fabulous blogger Deep Space Sparkle for this project.  Students began their technical drawing using nothing more than pencil, ruler and eraser.  We paid close attention to the details of a clipper ship and observed each vessel has to have these essentials: a hull,  masts (3 of them) and sails (at least 9 on each boat).

   

Once the clipper ships were complete, students traced over their boats with black marker and used water colored pencils to add color to their ships.  

   

After the ships were complete, students began to work on their seascape.  We used warm colors for the sky and cool colors for the water. Then we added land on the horizon by diluting black paint and making an organic line across the paper.  

   

      

Finally, it's time to put all the pieces together!  I encouraged students to partially glue their clipper ships onto the background thus giving the appearance of wind actually catching its sails.  Some finishing touched included, fluffy clouds and cresting waves. 

I must say the final pictures are quite impressive!

Egyptian Art

Disclaimer: This post was from the 2016-2017 school year.

Vocabulary:
Egyptian
Papyrus
Profile
Hieroglyphics

Making papyrus from ripped up pieces of brown butcher paper and glue.  Oh, so messy but oh, so much fun!

Creating Egyptian profiles of gods, goddesses or pharaohs.  Students began by drawing their Egyptian figure then tracing in Sharpie.  Students were then given watercolor paints to work with and add color.

Adventures in Clay

Disclaimer: These adorable clay critters are from the 2016-2017 school year.  

Pinch pot fish - 4th grade

Owl wall hangings - 2nd grade

New England Landscapes

Having grown up in New England, nothing is as breathtaking as the leaves turning.  This year, the colors are particularly vibrant and make for such beautiful landscapes.  The Vermont artist, Sabra Fields, has captured this changing of the seasons in her works of art.

Light Suite by, Sabra Fields

Day one began with 5th grade students observing Field's art works.   We discussed her use of color, line and perspective.  We then began our landscapes by drawing four land forms and perspective embellishments.

Land form #1

Land for #2

Land form #3

Land form #4

Perspective details: Curved lines for the field, a road traveling off in the distance and some shrubs

On day two, we took out the paint!  Students began by painting in the sky followed by the clusters of green trees or shrubs.

From there, we had a conversation about fall colors and color mixing.  I gave students red, yellow, brown and green to use as they filled in their landscapes.  I asked that they keep each land form one color, but how they painted in their land forms, was their choice.  The results are spectacular!

Radial Symmetry Exploration

Radial symmetry found in nature

Radial symmetry found in architecture

5th grade students were presented with these images of radial symmetry to appreciate how art and nature often mimic each other.  In radial symmetry, a pattern is repeated around a center axis. Students were given an 11x11 square paper to then fold into eight equal triangles.  We used hinge folds - folding the paper forwards and backwards on itself to make the crease more pliable - and then section off the square into eighths.  

Students were then told use their name to fill in an entire triangle.  Once the first triangle was filled in, I demonstrated how to transfer the image to the second triangle using a rubbing technique.  By applying pressure to the paper, the graphite from the pencil will appear as a mirror image in the next triangle.  This pattern of tracing, rubbing, and transferring is then repeated until all eight triangles are filled.

The beginning stages of transferring.

Look at these students go!

More to come as the projects rolls out!

Getting Started

This year I'm excited to be joining the Glover Elementary school as a part-time visual art teacher. I've inherited this amazing art room and plan on documenting the year through this blog.  The pictures below represent the expectations of the room.  

Students are expected to be A.R.T stars while in class.  It is their responsibility to come into class with a great Attitude, be Respectful to peers, materials and the classroom, and to always Try Your Best!

Students are expected to take an active part in the art room.  It is important for students to understand that the key to a successful art room is keeping materials tidy and sharing the responsibility of the distribution and clean-up process. This system has six essential jobs for students to participate in. Tables are assigned a job for the week and each week the jobs will rotate so that all students share in these procedures.  The jobs are as follows:

Supply Distributor

Supply Collector

Table Inspector

Floor Inspector

Artwork Collector

Critique

Students will be able to see what project they are working on by observing the Today's Focus board.  On this yellow and purple grid, classes are divided into grade level and examples of each project will be on display.  Standards and key vocabulary will be posted as well.  In addition, the purple Artistic Word Wall will post a culmination of art vocabulary learned throughout the year.  

Upon exiting the room, classes will have an opportunity to reflect on their A.R.T behaviors and assess whether or not the class earned a sticker for their efforts.  The above check list is a tangible way for students to see if the group followed the room's expectations.  If the class fulfills at least 5 out of the 7 expectations then they earn a sticker.  After the class earns 10 stickers, they can earn an incentive such as free time, music, or even choice of seating.

This is going to be such an exciting year of art making at the Glover School.  Come back often to see all the amazing art that will be created in Room 12!!!