Artist~Teacher... tishalou

A little update of what is going on in my room:
5th grade gargoyles are almost ready to be fired - one more class needs to finish.

4th grade - elongated portraits a la Modigliani. Adapted from Kathy's blog Art Projects for Kids http://www.artprojectsforkids.org/2008/09/modigliana-portraits.html They are adding a textured tissue paper background with mod podge.

3rd grade - not all classes are on the same day of the lesson thanks to these funky snow days but they are all enjoying painting hearts and learning about Jim Dine and Pop Art.

2nd grade is printing their Styrofoam plates to make some great radial symmetry designs. Inspired by the this lesson from Art. Paper. Scissors. Glue! http://art-paper-scissors.blogspot.com/2011/01/radial-symmetry-prints.html They are turning out great but I have found that I need to print with them in small groups or it is a disaster. I have four kids around the back table and ink the plate for them and then they line it up on their paper.


Kindergarten is taking a little break from art and PE while they rehearse for their big music performance next week.

Way back when I wrote about a site where I found some inspiration for a clay project.
I finally taught the lesson to my 3D 4th and 5th grade elective class and had some great results. I enjoyed making a sample and may have to make it my new signature gift item.
Here is my sample:

It is a simple pinch pot with windows. I made three small holes around the top and made a cone out of 36 gauge sheet copper for the roof - the kind I use to teach repousse. The kids LOVED it and the students who took my 3D class 1st quarter were mad they didn't get to make them. Here are some of the student's work:

Wow! how did two weeks go by already! Well now I am on Spring Break and can do a little catching up! Students have been finishing up projects left and right - ready to start some new ones after break - I need to get working on selecting work for our county art show in April.
5th grade finished their contour line plant drawings and have begun to add watercolor.
Here are some students hard at work. Notice the hair of the stduent on the left - it points to his artwork!

These are my demo samples:

4th grade finished coloring their Aztec sysmbols and will be ready to turn them into clay tiles.
3rd grade finished their collage masks based on greek gods.

2nd grade created pinch pots and decorated them with Native American designs.

1st grade started symmetrical butterflies which will be watercolored and sprinkled with magic pixy dust (salt)!
K is working on a lion drawing - they will paint the mane when we get back!
In addition to all of that I have a select few 5th graders coming in during their recess to work on a giant shoe for the art festival - which is Themed Art & Soul (sole)!
AND...

My 2D drawing elective class on Fridays for 4th and 5th graders has just one session left - I have tried to teach them a new technique or concept in each class and they could choose which they wanted to explore further in a final drawing. We did a value scale with Ebony pencil and pen & ink. We used tissue paper and Crayola mixing mediums to create a base spread in our sketchbooks and then did contour on top. This is an amazing 5th graders work (more on her later):

We practiced one point perspective. We reviewed the rules of facial proportions.

I was inspired today by several blogs I was surfing! But especially Daisy Yellow. First I saw this little Faerie House and thought what a great clay project that would be great for my students.

I also enjoyed looking at her mandalas and doodles. I made some notes about what I want to teaching in my next 2D elective class. I don't think the one that just ended was as successful as it could have been. I want to concentrate more on experimental journalling rather than traditional drawing because I think the students will have more personal growth that way.