Bikes- three ways!

Third graders explored different styles and genres of art through a subject matter they are very familiar with - BIKES!

 

The first thing we tried were realistically drawn observational drawings (it was 100 degrees out, thank goodness for shade!).

Nice, Huh?

Next, students used a viewfinder to pick out an interesting piece of their drawing....

and created an abstract work.

We talked a little about what genre meant, connecting back to literacy (these kids were tossing out stuff like expository nonfiction and realistic fiction - they are smart cookies!), and connected those back to what we were doing in art (still-life, portrait, realistic, abstract...)

We finished up the bike art with Fantasy drawings, and these kids had some really interesting ideas!

I'm hoping we can get to my favorite collaborative bike project, I just haven't figured out the logistics in my new space yet....

Oil Pastel Landscapes

Fourth Graders have been working with someone I call "Bossy Art Teacher." She appears kind of a lot at the beginning of the year - even more this year, since the kids and I are still getting to know each other, and there are some things I REALLY want them to try before they get into some serious art making of their own. Working with oil pastels is challenging, messy, and FUN!  

So, all of the fourth graders made landscapes!  The sky is blended simply by rubbing rows of color together with our fingers. 

Next, we practiced some perspective by drawing a river and then mixing different blues 

using white as a blender.

The final step was to get all scratch-arty for the foreground.  Students layered colors and used a stylus to scratch away the top layer to create some landscapey textures.

They look GREAT!

International Dot Day

Students at Monroe Elementary make their mark after listening to The Dot, by Peter Reynolds

Fifth Graders use Word Foto

The Fifth Graders have started their WordFoto selfies!  It may take us a few classes to get around to everyone (we are sharing 2 iPads), but they are off to a pretty good start!

First Kindergarten Project at ME!

When I saw this 'first day' lesson on The Art of Ed, I knew I wanted to try it.  It really gave me some good insight into different students' fine motor skills and thought processes. 

That's my own daughter in front, hamming it up during class. 

 She said that her person was a "clown robot."

This little artist created his man upside-down.

She decided to give her person feet!

Where do ideas come from?

We had a great discussion about how we come up with our best ideas- the kids did a great job sharing their ideas about ideas....

They created an 'idea bank' for their portfolio.  They can refer to it when they are stuck, or jot down new ideas if they can't get to them right away.

Ready or not.......

This room is ready to ROCK! 

It has tables ready for some amazing kids...

A desk that already has piles starting... 

Evidence of my dorkiness... 

Materials ready for some art-making...

 

More materials ready for more artmaking...

Even the glue sponges seem to like it here!

Ready for a Brand New School Year!!!!