Field Trip

Permission forms have gone home for the art field trip.  As part of our theatre arts study the classes will be attending Springfield Little Theatre's production of "The Little Mermaid, Jr.". We will eat lunch at school and head to the theatre at 10:30.  The show will run 11:15-12:15. We should be back at school by 12:45.  We will study set design, costume design, lighting, make-up, music, and dance. This is always a favorite unit for the students. Please sign the permission form and send back to school with the payment.  The $6.00 will cover the bus, gas, driver, and ticket. Students will be working on designs to send to the theatre for display.

First projects

All classes have finished Pre-Instruction Drawings: hand, portrait, figure, building with landscape. These grades have been posted in the eschool system. 

Grade 6-Students have completed practice drawings of house, enlarged a house drawing to paint, and painted a brush stroke technique sheet.  Students are ready to marker the drawing and start painting according to list provided in class.  *** grade 6 needs a Fine tip Sharpie marker.

Grade 7-Students are working on a Henna Hand worksheet and practice hand.  They will start tracing their own hands this next week.  Students will start a tissue collage on the large canvas for the Battlefield Mall.  ***grade 7 needs an Ultra Fine tip Sharpie marker

New Projects

Grade 6- working on a large drawing list while painting clean up is completed.  Ceramic clay fish will be completed next.  Students need to bring a towel to cover clay.  Demos will start this week...pinch bowls, forming egg, cutting mouth open...

Grade 7- working on ceramic bowls.  Drawings and templates have been made.  Demo on process has been completed.  Students will start cutting bases and forming slab coils on Thursday.  This process will take up to two weeks to complete

Finished Major Projects

Grade 6-Tempera paintings have been collected.  The project will be graded against a tally of 208 points.  This grade will go on 1st quarter grades.  A few students have had to check out paint in order to complete the project due to absences or not using their time wisely while in class.

Grade 7-Henna hand projects have been collected. The project will be graded against a tally of 150 points.  This grade will go on 1st quarter grades. 

First Major Projects

Grade 7- The students are working on individual Henna Hand projects using the Elements of Art: line, shape, value, texture, and space.  Students should include each of the following parts to the design: radial, paisley, band, scalloping, floral, and their initals. Neatness and craftsmanship will be emphasized. We will complete a student assessment of our progress.  A few students each art class are working on a tissue paper background for the hands.  Students will near completion of the project this week.

Students should start bringing in a small washcloth or towel to use with our next project which is ceramic clay.  Bonus points will be given. 

Grade 6- The classes are continuing to work on practice painting sheets for the porch, steps, window, details, and plants.  Students will use the skills learned on the worksheets to continue the painting process on their individual house painting.  All students will use a project check list to stay on pace as they work through the painting.  As each step is completed students will move onto the next step.  Most students have completed the base coats on the sky, house, sidewalk, and sun/moon.

Green Projects...

Our "GREEN" projects have been completed in each class. Our displays look really nice. Stop by and enjoy the work in the library case as well as the hall displays.

Grade 7 took a break from printmaking to work on magazine bowls. A grade was posted for the 3" diameter, 6 1/2" total, and the craftsmanship. A final grade will be posted later. This grade will include the layer of glue to hold the bowl in place. Our printmaking was further delayed by band and orchestra being out for 3 days this week as well as an assembly on Thursday. Students missing this studio time will need to make arrangements to make up work. I will collect the project next week.

Grade 6 has completed the ceramic clay project and the stained glass bottles. Both grades have been posted. They are now working on printmaking.

Before and After Break

Grade 6 are completing houses and turning in sketches and paintings. Most have started the recycled bottle project. If we don't finish by Friday with the marker detail we will complete on Monday after break. I will introduce the printmaking sketches as well as the ceramic clay fish. While we are setting up ceramic clay the students will work on printmaking sketches. The fish will be partially graded as we build them. Any down time will be filled with the printmaking unit. Students will need to bring in a wash cloth to cover clay with to keep it moist.

Grade 7 are well into printmaking with a few already test printing. We will continue with the printmaking after break. A tally sheet has been made for the Chinese brushwork and I have started grading the final paintings.

My classroom computer has been acting up a bit and my home computer will not let me get into the gradebook program (eventhough I have been able to previously?). I am working with SPS tech to get this resolved.

Springfield Litttle Theatre

All classes worked on a cityscape mural. Each student produced at least one building to include in the mural. We used recycled newspaper, shades of blue and violet constuction paper, and water down acrylic paint. Overlap and texture were key concepts. The mural is hanging in the lobby of the historic Landers Theatre for all patrons to see as the attend the production of "Thoroughly Modern Millie, Jr." It is a great show and the students will view it on their field trip.

This week in art class...

Permission forms were due today. I may still have a few tickets so.....check with me on Monday. Our field trip is Tuesday, March 8. students will be called to the cafeteria at 10:00 to eat lunch. Attendance and loading the buses at 10:30. We hope to leave by 10:40. The musical starts at 11:15-12:15. We should be back at Hickory by 12:45. I am looking forward to it!

The missed snow days, Martin Luther King Jr., Presidents Day, and half days have hit our project schedule hard. We seem to be behind on everything.....
Grade 6- Still working on Richard Lewis houses. We will finish details and marker on Wednesday. Due Thursday.

We will start our recycle project a week from Monday. Please bring plastic bottles or a glass jar.
After spring break we will start ceramic clay fish. Please bring an old towel to use to keep clay moist.

Grade 7- Chinese brushwork projects were turned in today. We spent today discussing theatre arts.
Students will start printmaking on Monday. We will start ceramic clay after springbreak. Please bring an old towel to keep clay moist.

Second Semester

Grade 7-Chinese brushwork practice sheets were collected. Points will also be given on practice layouts for floral paintings. This week students will complete final paintings including florals (bamboo, cherry blossom, fish), stamping, signing, and a chop. Paintings will be due on Monday. Students will also work on a cityscape mural for Springfield Little Theatre.

Grade 6-Students will continue on tempera house paintings....through early next week. Brush technique sheets will be collected. Points will be given on sketch work. Students will also work on the mural for Springfield Little Theatre.

Field trip permission forms will go out on Monday. ....due Thursday, March 3. The field trip will take place on Tuesday, March 8. Students will view Springfield Little Theatre's production of "Thoroughly Modern Millie, Jr.".

Second Quarter

Quarter grades have been posted. I am still trying to figure out the new gradebook program. I am not sure if my comments will be printed on the cards or just through viewing on the computer.

We had a good trip to Springfield Little Theatre. I think all the students enjoyed the show. We had one issue with a late bus, but all got there in time to see the show. We received so many nice compliments on the murals. All classes worked on each of the pirate murals. We had a landscape/seascape with pirate ships, a treasure chest, a treasure map, and a skull and cross bones. We will display them in the hall soon for all to enjoy. Students may get extra credit by filling out the students booklet from SLT.

Grade level news:
Grade 7-
All students have completed a pastel and paint banyan tree. We focused on blending colors and negative space. This project turned out beautiful!! I will have them on display for conferences. The grades for this project were posted on 1st quarter. The students are already working on their next major project...ceramic clay coil/slab bowls. Each student has completed a detailed drawing with sizes and 3D decoration ideas. A template was made off of the drawing. Most students have 3-4 coils on their pots by now. Attaching clay by scoring and slipping is vital as well as smoothing each coil as it is attached to the bowl. After the drying and firing process students will paint using Greek vessels as a culture base.

Grade 6-
All students are trying to complete the Richard Lewis based tempera house paintings. Students sketched ideas and transfered the drawings to large paper. Layers of paint have been applied to build up the details. The paintings should be finished at the end of the week and grades posted by next week. This project will be worth over 100 points so it will really change 1st quarter grades.
We got a new seating chart at the change to 2nd quarter. I hope this will control the extra talking.
I plan to start ceramic clay objects next. Students may bring in an old small towel or wash cloth for extra credit. This will be used to keep clay moist while working on it. The towels will be brought home after the project.

Final Projects

Grade 7 had a surprise guest speaker from the Gem of India. Girls modeled a few fashions from India. I was excited to model a beautiful purple sari on loan from Mrs. Kahol. Mrs. Kahol has supported our study of India with various artifacts and fashions. Students have created wonderful Henna designs on cut outs of their hands in marker. These designs were attached to invented sari fabric. These will be placed on display in the hall on Wednesday.

Ceramic clay objects have been fired. Grade 7 will begin painting their vessels on Wednesday. Grade 6 will paint objects when they have completed the Richard Lewis house paintings. The tempera paintings are looking quite nice. I hope we will have a few days to put them on display before the end of school.

The New Semester

Students are finishing up on "Green Projects". Grade 6 have reused items by giving cans or plastics a coat of papier mache' newspaper and then a layer of reused roll printing paper from CPO. Students are completing the new functional objects with mosaics created from magazines.

Grade 7 had a choice of the above project as well as gum wrapper bracelets, magazine bowls or boxes. I hope to have a nice variety to display at the "Green Fair".

We are preparing to start the ceramic clay projects on Thursday. Students may bring in a small wash cloth for extra credit. This will be used to store and keep clay moist. Grade 7 will be constructing slab/coil Greek based vessels. Grade 6 will be constructing two pinch bowls and adding 3D elements in order to create either a fish, frog, or an owl. This finished object may function as a paper weight or a change/sponge holder. The clay project is always a highlight of the year. This is the first time to try ceramics in the new Hickory. I moved in a ceramic area table to the back of the room over break. We will learn the best routine as we go, so students need to be patient. I know we could use more wedging boards...canvas covered boards (18'x24')...I am providing 5 of my personal boards for the students to use. These are a student favorite and they fight to get to the boards as soon as they come into the room. If anyone is willing to help me get some more put together that would be great. I do have some personal plywood and pressed board we could cut and cover. My plan is to store student projects on moving shelves in the storage room. I want to thank the Elementary PTA for letting me bring the shelves from old Hickory. We have been using the large rolling shelves for nearly every project since we have been in the new building!

End of the Quarter

Final points for the third quarter:
Printmaking points have been posted. I will display the 6th grade Ancient Mexican collages and the 7th grade Illuminated Letters in the art hall. I was hoping to have display boards in the hall to appropriately display the student work, but will have the students help me apply masking tape to the backs of the work in order to put in the hallway.

Participation points have also been posted. I always add in bonus points for any unused passes, yet I take off points for pencils having to be checked out. ***Always be prepared with supplies!!

Students were given a list of extra credit activities....such as.....attending the All School Art Exhibition, submit drawings for the SPS Board Budget book, explaining the 2010 Olympic metal designs..... Students may also bring in magazines, gum wrappers, Starburst wrappers, or ziplock bags for bonus points. We are always needing something in the art room.

First Major Projects

Grade 7-Students are working on Illuminated Letters with a three color reduction print. All students have completed designs, and made the first cut into their printing blocks. Most have completed the first color print edition of 6. Students will continue onto the second cutting and printing. We will continue the printing process through the rest of this week.

Grade 6-Students are working on Ancient Mexican print collages. All students have completed designs, and transfered designs into their printing blocks. Most have finished the 6 print edition and are ready to start collages. After the collages are completed students will mount onto brown kraft paper and use a dot print design to complete a border. We will continue the printing and collage process through the rest of this week.

Please prepare for our field trip to Springfield Little Theatre to view the production of "Pinocchio". The cost will be $7-$8. Forms will be coming home by the end of the week. We will use a few days in class to explore theatre arts before the trip.

Ceramic Clay Projects

All classes have started the ceramic clay unit. We have covered care of tools, storage of clay projects, wedging clay processes, combining clay, and clean up. Students were given bonus points for bringing in a small towel to cover clay projects while in the modeling process. The firing process is up in the air at this point. It is important to me that each of my students get the opportunity to work with ceramic clay....so I will make the firing happen ---options include possibly firing at Central High School or waiting until the move takes place. The kiln has already been removed from our current building. I may need help transporting the projects to the firing location. I will let you know when the time comes.

Grade 6
Students have formed two pinch pots followed by combining these pots into an egg shape with a coil around the middle. Students will smooth the surface completely. Points have been recorded for the pinch pots and the egg. Each student will decide on a frog or a fish as their subject. Demonstrations for each option were shown today. Students will procede with independent work on Thursday, Friday, and Monday. Students will follow the step by step process with points given along the way.

Grade 7
Students have designed a vessel sketch (with measurements) and created a template from that sketch. Points were given for both. I demonstrated the slab/coil building process as well as the importance of smoothing as you build. Students will continue independent work on Thursday, Friday, and Monday. Students will be evaluated on following their template as well as the construction process.

Second Quarter

Students created Chinese brushwork paintings this past week and finished them off with calligraphy stamps and red chops. A few of these will go to Kickapoo High School to be on display in their new lobby for the French Club special display in recognition of the importance of learning a second language.

Field Trip....
Permisson forms will be sent home soon for the field trip to Springfield Little Theatre to view the production of "Babes in Toyland". We will do a quick theatre arts study before we view the show and record various responses to the production after the viewing. Cost will be $7-$8 per student to cover the cost of the ticket and transportation.

Extra Credit Opportunities:
PTSA Reflections contest, CASA card contest, SPS budget book....information on the classroom door.
Viewing/response sheets to any area fall high school musical. Options include:
Central-Once on this Island
Glendale-Putnam County Spelling Bee
Parkview-Grease
Kickapoo-Into the Woods
Willard-Children of Eden

New Projects this coming week
All classes will be starting ceramics. Please bring a small towel to cover clay for storage. We will limit our projects to single items and keep them compact. It is up in the air as to the firing situation for our projects. I may have to wait until moving into the new school or fire at Central High. We will wait it out and see. Thanks for your patience.
Grade seven will start with sketches on Monday. Grade six will start with demos and organizing equipment and storage.

End of Quarter

Recent assignments collected for the Quarter grade are:
Art Starts
Pastel Still life ...graded and posted on STI
Chinese Brushwork practice sheet

Pastel Still Life work on display
Please stop by and enjoy the wonderful hall displays. Across from the classroom you will find the grade 7 Pear Still life work. Students could chose regular or oil pastel as well as how they would organize the finished product. We have some wonderful fruit still lifes with fabric, one grouping of 9 different pears mounted together(Andy Warhol influence), and most students chose two to three drawings mounted as a whole art piece. I was very pleased with the student work. I have had many wonderful comments on the student work. I hope families will treasure the art created by each student. Grade 6 has fabulous fall pumpkin and gourd still lifes by the door. These are so nice and will be great for families to show in their homes each year at this time. It will be very hard for me to decide what to display at the Springfield Art Museum at the end of the year.

Chinese Brush Painting
All classes have completed a brush stroke practice sheet with the bamboo brushes donated by the Schmittling family. Students have really enjoyed learning to use the brushes. Thursday and Friday were spent learning to paint fish, bamboo, and a monkey. Students will be putting skills to use next week to complete a Chinese brush work painting...with poem and chop.

Major Projects Continue

All classes have been working with still life drawings. These pastel drawings will be a major project grade. We have moved slower than I would like, but the students have some strong art pieces. Both grades are having some talking issues which takes away from their working time. Part of the problem stems from students needing one on one instruction as well as lack of focus from other students. To avoid team referrals I have developed Extra time/wait time lessons. With one teacher and over twenty students it is easy for students to get distracted waiting for me to make my rounds within the room. If students are waiting for my help grade 6 has two options. I introduced "Mad Labs" a few weeks ago and this week they can work on Aboriginal seed pod designs. Grade 7 will get an "Expanding your Gray Matter" drawing on Friday. I hope that this will solve some of the current problems.

Projects and due dates
Grade 6...Fall still lifes will be due next week. Friday we will have a class critique to check progress. Monday-students will get a tally sheet of the points for each part of the project. Students will be able to self evaluate their projects and complete areas that are lacking.

Grade 7...Friday may be the last class working day for the pear still lifes. The projects will be due Wednesday. This group will also get a tally sheet to self evaluate their projects and complete areas that are lacking.