Oldenburgers!

Kindergarteners discussed how food can be an inspiration for their art.  Claes Oldenburg is known for his large scale sculptures of food.   We looked at many examples of his work describing how important color was in communicating what type of food we were looking at.  Each students cut shapes to describe different ingredients and then applied textures to further describe them.  Finally, all the ingredients were collaged together to create their own Oldenburgers!!

Swatch Watch Desogn

For centuries Swiss firms manufactured and sold precision watches and were considered the leaders in time keeping.  However, when the digital watch was invented at a fraction of the cost of a swiss watch, the swiss knew they needed to make some changes.  In 1983 the Swatch was born! - a stylish inexpensive watch that was available in a wide variety of colors and patterns.  The poularity of the Swatch expanded to pop culture and mainstream artists were asked to create designs for the company.  Fifth graders looked at the work of a few of these artists- like Keith Haring, and then viewede examples of their designs for swatch.  Each student was then assigned to research a different artist and design their own swatch as if they were that person!

Matisse bowls

Third grade students examined the work of artist Henri Matisse.  The class noticed how many of the shapes he used resembled things found in nature. We also read the story Matisse's scissors. Students then used these works and ideas as inspiration for the creation of their art. 

Each student was encouraged to create their own organic shapes that remind us of nature.  After cutting out a variety of shapes students collaged them together onto a balloon to create their own Matisses bowl

Frank Stella Racetracks

Second graders explored the work of artist Frank Stella.  Using the smartboard, we examined a website devoted to the artist and his piece Jarama II.  Following the clues offered on the site, the class was able to determine that the artwork was not just a random pile of scraps and colors.  In fact, the artist had put his work together in such a way that it would remind viewers of a race track.

Breaking down the artwork piece by piece and examining it closely allowed students to understand how the artist communicated his ideas in an abstract way.  The class learned that certain techniques could be used to create a sense of motion in an artwork.  To achieve these effects, artists often repeat shapes or colors- creating patterns, overlap shapes, and use a variety of colors. 

Finally, the class was ready to create their own Stella-inspired piece.  Stella’s artwork was usually so large that he would need assistance in creating it.  Keeping this idea in mind students worked in teams to create their own abstract racetracks.  Each group used patterns, many colors, overlapping and teamwork to create their end results!

Yarn Paintings

The Huichol Indians are among the last of the world indigenious cultures that have been able to maintain their way of life and spiritual traditions.  Third graders were introduced to this special group of people through the modern version of a traditional story titled The Journey of Tunuri's and the Blue Deer.  Nature is very imortant to the Huichol and through the story we learned about their belief which included sacred spirits that nourish the world- like the sun, earth, water, air and fire.  After reading the story student also watched a video about the Huichol, their lives and their art.  All the illustrations in the book are actually yarn paintings .  Yarn paintings are created by covering wooden boards with wax.  Designs are scratched into the boards and then the yarn is pressed into the wax covering the entire surface.  The Huichol create yarn paintings that include symbols of the things that are most important to them )like the sun)
After learning about this native group students set out to design their own yarn paintings.  Each child thought about the things that are most important to them and created symbols to describe those ideas. Students created their yarn painting on boards of recycled cardboard covered with contact paper to help them attach their yarn.

Rock the PARCC!!

1st graders colored some guitars to encourage our older students to Rock the PARCC!!

Giraffes Can't Dance

Second Graders were inspired by the story Giraffes Can’t Dance.  After reading the book students learned how to use shapes to help them create the image of their own dancing giraffe!