It has been so long since I have added anything to this blog because we have been so busy with the art fair. Now that the fair is over I have uploaded some of the pictures that go along with projects you saw at the art fair like the Kindergarten pinch pots and the 4th grade rose windows among others.

2nd Grade Weaving

This is a fun hands on art activity for the 2nd grade. Weaving is a great tool for practicing hand eye coordination. We start this unit by dying the yarn ourselves. We use wool yarn and kool aid. The kids love to see the yarn in a new bright color.

In case you want to try this at home here is what you need:

wool yarn or any animal hair yarn

kool aid packets (do not use the big containers that already have sugar mixed in!)

procedure:

1. Separate yarn into smaller loose skeins

2. Wash the yarn gently in a mild soap and then let the yarn soak in water. (Use room temperature water so yarn doesn't felt)

3. Using approximately one envelope of kool aid to 8 oz. of yarn dissolve the kool aid in a pot of water. Add the yarn.

4. Bring the liquid in the pot almost to a boil then put a lid on it and remove from the heat. Allow the pot to sit there for until the water cools. The water should be clear now and the color soaked into the yarn.

5. Rinse the yarn in water that is the same temperature as the yarn, again so it doesn't felt.

6. Hang to Dry.

This yarn is not necessarily color fast so be careful when washing!!!

Andrew Goldsworthy

The 5th grade class spent several weeks before Christmas learning about the artist Andrew Goldsworthy. Goldsworthy is an artist and environmentalist from our time. He creates his artwork from the items he finds available in the outdoors. As the 5th graders are learning about earth science this project fits in well with their classroom curriculum. The kids really enjoyed this project as they got to be outside a lot and really use their imaginations. I had so much fun watching them create and get excited about what they were learning. They had to use materials that they found on the school grounds. The weather changed a lot in the weeks we worked and by the time they installed their artwork there was snow on the ground and it was really, really cold.

Kandinsky

To prepare for "Picture the Music" I had the 1st and 2nd grade look at the artist Kandinsky. We talked about his theory that color can express emotion just like music expresses emotion. We discussed how different colors can stand for different emotions ex. red for anger. They then each made their own color study with concentric circles like Kandinsky's famous work. I was thrilled with how engaged the kids were in this project. They really enjoyed learning about the artist and talking about color.

Finished Canopic Jars

I let the kids use more colors with their paints this year compared to last and I really like the result. They look great.

Canopic Jars

In 3rd grade we have started making a set of canopic jars. They are learning about ancient Egyptian history in their classroom. Part of their curriculum involves mummifying a chicken! They will use these canopic jars to store some of the chicken's mummified organs just like the Egyptians used to do.

Bug Jars Finished

The 4th grade projects are finished and in the halls I am behind posting them here. They turned out very nice. Some of the kids even had time to add a 3D bug to the outside of the jar.

Popsicle Stick Houses

Kindergarten has been working on making shapes with popsicle sticks, turning them into houses. In a multi medium project derived from School Arts magazine they have been learning art concepts of shape, and space as well as fine motor skills with glue and paint. They are all very unique little houses and they look very cute hanging up in the hall. Stop by school and take a look.

Bugs and Seurat

The 6th grade class has been learning about insects in science. In art we mixed together their science curriculum with their art history time line. They learned about Georges Seurat and pointillism. They specifically looked at "A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte" which you can see at this link http://www.artchive.com/artchive/S/seurat/jatte.jpg.html. On square box bottoms that were donated to our art room, the kids first drew out a simple insect line drawing. They then used match sticks to apply the paint in small dots. They are almost finished. The last step is to paint the edges of box, to give it a nice finished look.

Integrating Art and Science

In 4th grade art we are working on making bug jars while the kids are learning about insects in their classroom. It is fun to watch the kids take what they have learned about insects and apply that to their drawings. This is a great way to help the kids retain what they have learned. Kids love bug too so they have fun with this project, being able to create bugs and keep them in their jars. This project isn't finished yet. We will be working on making a one point perspective background this week and then gluing the two parts together.

4th and 5th field trip

We had a great time eating lunch together outside and drawing on art hill. Not to mention the interesting things we learned from our docents in the museum. We couldn't have asked for a nicer day together.

Gumballs!

The 3rd grade gumball machines are just about ready to be hung up. They are wonderful! Each one is unique. The kids worked so hard painting each of their gumballs and adding highlights. They were so careful with their markers. I love the way this project turned out.

1st Grade Clay Owls

The 1st grade class was able to display their clay owls at Grandparents Day last Friday. Here are a couple of pictures in case you missed them. Parents can pick them up in the art room to take home. They are too breakable to send home in back packs.

2nd grade Scarecrow

The garden really needed a scarecrow so the 2nd grade worked to put one together last week. We had a great time. They really stuffed him nice and big. He looks pretty cute out by the garden. If you get a chance, check him out.

Outside for Drawing Class

The kids love it when they get to go outside for drawing class. Last Monday was a beautiful day and we ventured out to the garden. The older kids practiced their contour drawing skills by looking at the leaves. The younger kids looked for different shapes amongst the garden and drew them in their sketchbooks.

Be sure to check your child's class page. I have been working on adding info. on their current projects.

New to the Art Room; KINDERGARTEN!

We are so excited to be adding Kindergarten art classes this year. They will have class once a week for half an hour. The morning and the afternoon class both come on Wednesdays, 9:30 and 2:30. They are working hard at learning all about lines. The first day of class one sweet little girl raised her hand and said "Mrs. Arkema, did you know that I am an artist?" How wonderful, I hope all our little kindergarteners will feel like artists in my class:)

Art to Remember©

The first project we are working on in 1st through 6th grades is Art to Remember© . This year all the kids are making a self portrait. They will be finished in plenty of time for Christmas. They are all turning out so cute. 1st and 2nd are pretty much finished and a photo of their work can be seen on their class pages. Check back to see the older grades added as they finish.

*FYI: If your child wants to make something other than a self portrait for Art to Remember© I am letting them bring home a sheet of paper so they can do this on their own time. They will still complete a self portrait for class.