Second graders just finished a unit on community entiteld “Our Cool School” in their homeroom classes. I decided to use this theme for one of their art projects. Students were asked to choose a school community member and then create a print of them performing their job. Below are some of their wonderful projects.
For this project first graders learned about how artists use symmetry in artwork. They then combined their new knowledge with crayons and watercolors to create beautifully patterned butterflies.
My 5th grade students just completed a lesson on Malaysian batik. Students used a resist made from a mixture of equal parts toothpaste and aloe vera hand lotion (Yes, you read that right!) to create images of nature. After the resist dried, they painted their projects with tempera paint. (Just a little side note, students should not paint on top of previous dried paint. The new layer will eventually wash off.) A day later, they soaked their projects in a tub of water for a few minutes and then used the pressure of the sink facet to remove the resist. I wish all of you could have seen their faces once the resist and extra paint was removed to reveal their gorgeous projects underneath!
If you’re looking for a new creative way to pass the time, Bomomo is the online application for you!
…..There have been so many things that I have wanted to write about on this site. Unfortunately, my postings has taken a back seat to report cards. Luckily, they are almost done! So check back soon for more posts!
Besides art, I am a huge fan of cooking. I think there are many parallels between the creation of art and the preparation of a good meal.
Tonight we had a real treat. We hired the Flying Chef to show us and our friends how to make some chinese dishes. For about 150RMB a person, the chef comes to your house armed with pots, dishes, ingredients and talent. The best part is that he cleans up afterwards! He cooked a total of six dishes: sweet and sour chicken, spicy tofu, fried rice, bamboo with mushrooms, beef with celery and carrots and spicy chicken. Needless to say, I’m stuffed!
My new favorite way to pass time….Street Art Locator
Julie over at Miss Julie’s Art School listed me under her “Wonderful Blogger” list. I am very flattered! As part of accepting this acknowledgment, I am supposed to list my top 15 blogs. I hate to say it, but I’m breaking the rules a bit. (That’s my job. I’m an art teacher!)
Below is my list of 12, not 15, blogs and wikis.
The Carrot Revolution
Drawn
The Art Teacher’s Guide to the Internet
Art Ed 2.0
Asian Regional Art Educators
Art Inspired
Learning IT
Art 21
Boing Boing
Daily Dose of Imagery
Urban Sketchers
AestheTECH
Sometimes teaching gets me down. When the kids have indoor recess for weeks and as a result don’t listen or clean up well in class and accidentally spill $20 bottles of glaze all over the floor, themselves, and me, I have to take time to remember all the reasons why I decided to be a teacher in the first place. Here are some images and memories things that keeps me going:
1. A line of Kindergarten students wait outside my door. One student enters my room with the biggest smile that one little boy could possibly have and tells me with all his heart that he loves art.
2. This same child who has tremendous difficulty focusing in his homeroom is able to sit in his seat for 45 minuts and create beautiful drawings of fish.
I love these moments.
Second graders recently learned about the artist Louise Nevelson. Afterward they used cardboard to create abstract sculptures of their own. This unit was a lesson in balance and patience!
