What's ART like in 1st grade?
The focus objective for early elementary is independent creativity! In first grade students begin each class with a short group learning experience. During these first five to ten minutes of class we will typically view a work of art, explore an object, OR view a demonstration. Following this time students will then create based on what they just learned. Upon completing their first creation students move to an art center of their choice. These centers include painting, drawing, oil pastel, sculpture and collage. Your child may choose to visit different centers or may be most interested in visiting the same center on a regular basis. Students often collaborate with one another and help each other learn new techniques. I work with students in both small group and one-on-one conferences to help children think about their creations and build their art making skills. You may notice that your child brings artwork home on a regular basis if they enjoy drawing and 2D art, but if your child enjoys the sculpture center and or painting their, art may remain in the art room until it is complete. Some students choose to store their art in their "art pocket" and bring it home at the end of the school year.
First grade is an important time for exploration and exposure to a variety of art making techniques as well as experiencing the process of interpreting art. Encourage your child to look closely at book illustrations and talk to them about what they notice. These simple observations will help them think more deeply about their own art making.
First grade is an important time for exploration and exposure to a variety of art making techniques as well as experiencing the process of interpreting art. Encourage your child to look closely at book illustrations and talk to them about what they notice. These simple observations will help them think more deeply about their own art making.
ART Party Blank Paper Challenge
When a class earns an art party the ART room is a buzz with excitement! This environment sparks lots of collaboration. Many students choose to work together to weave, construct sculptures of paint. Check out some of the many creative results!
Collaboration and Eagle Wings
Kinder, 1st and 2nd grade students talked about collaboration. After singing a jingle they each worked in partner pairs to create eagle feathers for our Eagle Wings. These will be displayed at an upcoming musical performance.
How can you be a curious artist?
1st and 2nd graders worked with partners and used their curiosity to made color mixing discoveries. Each artist then documented their discovery in their own way by drawing their observations or creating a unique work of art.
Observation
Today we observed animal photographs and worked together to draw from observation using light sketching! The results were awesome.
Experimenting with Depth
Creating the illusion of depth on a flat piece of paper can be done in many different ways. Today students discussed this and determined that size and overlap can help create depth. I was so happy to see what they did with this discussion. I showed them the sample on the left and not one student created art that looked like it. Although they can identify depth in works of art, most students took a creative approach to their art collages today.
Paper Art
Kinder students explored paper mache and paper pulp today in the art room. This experience supported their current paper unit in science.
Teaching Artistic Behavior
I am so happy to share some photos of artists in action. Students have been learning many different art techniques at the beginning of class including: observation, overlap, foreground middle ground and background, cardboard sculpture techniques. I continue to meet with students one on one as they explore art making at the different centers encouraging to grow their skills and try new techniques.
Random Acts of Kindness
Did you know this week is Random Act of Kindness week? Being kind not only helps other people feel good, it also helps the kind person feel confident and happy. In other words it gives you "Warm Fuzzies"! In art today kinder students worked on some very important cutting and tracing skills wile producing a work of art for Ms. Lombardo, our music substitute while Mrs. Schaefer is home with her new baby Evan.
Wow Art
Students looked through their overflowing portfolios in search of their favorite work of art so far this Trimester. They then shared their art with a classmate and explained why they chose it.
Centers are Open!
These proud artists are working completely independently! They are in charge of set-up, creation, and clean-up. I could not be more proud of them. Now it's time to dig into some skill based mini lessons, art viewing, and art critique. I will strive to meet their needs, bouncing around the art room providing them with feedback to drive them to the next level in their own art making choices.
What is "TAB" Teaching Artistic Behavior?
Visual ART is all about creativity. Many of us adults (including myself) grew up making identical works of art that our art teacher walked up through step-by-step. These projects simply test a child's ability to follow directions, and art is actually the opposite of following directions. The world of ART education is changing in an exciting way. I look forward to watching your children evolve as artist in this new ART room environment.
ART is taking chances and exploring the vast possibilities!
ART is solving problems in a variety of ways!
ART is playful!
Students will begin choosing their own art materials in art this trimester. Parents might be wondering, why is this happening in the art room and what will this look like for my child? Students will experience a short lesson at the beginning of art during which they will look closely at works art art or talk about art skills and techniques. Next, each child will decide which art center to visit (painting, drawing, oil pastel, sculpture, or collage). I will document student growth and hold small group and one-on-one meetings with little artists. Stay tuned for pictures and information.
ART is taking chances and exploring the vast possibilities!
ART is solving problems in a variety of ways!
ART is playful!
Students will begin choosing their own art materials in art this trimester. Parents might be wondering, why is this happening in the art room and what will this look like for my child? Students will experience a short lesson at the beginning of art during which they will look closely at works art art or talk about art skills and techniques. Next, each child will decide which art center to visit (painting, drawing, oil pastel, sculpture, or collage). I will document student growth and hold small group and one-on-one meetings with little artists. Stay tuned for pictures and information.
Weaving
Under, Over, Under, Over, The spider weaves it's web!
Today students had some first experiences with weaving. After looking at spiders weave their webs we discussed the process and purposes for weaving. Kinder students created spider webs and 1st grade students practiced paper weaving. Learn more about weaving and read the book The Spider Weaver. The book tells the tale of how Kente Cloth weaving was discovered in Ghana after two weavers spied on a spider in the forest.
Weaving is a wonderful activity that students can work on independently with practice! It's fascinating to talk about how it has evolved over the course of history!
Today students had some first experiences with weaving. After looking at spiders weave their webs we discussed the process and purposes for weaving. Kinder students created spider webs and 1st grade students practiced paper weaving. Learn more about weaving and read the book The Spider Weaver. The book tells the tale of how Kente Cloth weaving was discovered in Ghana after two weavers spied on a spider in the forest.
Weaving is a wonderful activity that students can work on independently with practice! It's fascinating to talk about how it has evolved over the course of history!
Peace Day
Today during special rotation students discussed the meaning of PEACE. We looked at several images that symbolize peace and then student created a flower for a collaborative artwork inspired by the work of Picasso. The title of our piece is "Peace Bouquet". You will see evidence of our art making on display around the school for all to enjoy!
Little Blue and Little Yellow
On our first 25 minute Specials Wednesday Kinder and First grade students read the book Little Blue and Little Yellow. There were then invited to explore color mixing finger paint style. The ART room is a fun experimental place. Luckily I always use washable paint with the young Clearmont Artists.