Art started on a rock, in a cave.

 

 

I took every student at Westside back in time to the beginning of Art.  Art was originally created as a way of communication and story telling.  Since there was not any language back then the artists (caveman) drew pictures on rock.  Their hand prints were their identity. 

Assessment time.

 

 

Here is a little reminder to the students of how I assess their Art.  This was as simple and less wordy as I could think of.  I often times have students tell me which number they think they earned.  This is posted where all can see. 

Tessellations.

 

 

Fifth graders have been working on Tessellations for a while, this took way longer than I thought it would.  We studied M.C. Escher.  With a few cuts you can turn a square into a more interesting shape.  Good stuff Wildcats!

Sunshine Supper 5th Anniversary.

 

Some of our students designed Zentangled placemats for the Fifth anniversary of the Sunshine Supper.  Nothing like being involved in your own community. 

Mâché snow peeps.

 

 

Third grade learned about "form".  They used nothing but paper to create a 3D snow person.  Since they were already working with paper mache for their piñatas I figured why not throw in this project as well.  Simple, messy, simply messy.  Kids loved it though.  

Piñatas for Piñataville!

 

 

Third and fourth grade collaborated with each other and Music to create some serious piñatas for their upcoming musical.  Paper Mache was all over the place.....it was awesome.  The students also learned about culture and the art element of form.

Gustav Klimt.

 

 

Fifth grade learned about Gustav Klimt and how he used gold to paint the "Tree of Life".  One of the best parts of being a visual arts educator is that I get to teach Art History.  Anyway, the students used fake gold to paint these beauties, I couldn't afford real gold. 

Turkey paint.

 

 

Kindergarten and first grade went through a lesson about what Art is.  We came to a conclusion that Art is creative and imaginative.....kind of like these turkeys.  Happy Thanksgiving.

Veteran's Day.

 

My classes for the last two days have learned about the artist Jasper Johns and created a collage of the American Flag in his inspiration.  A little cross over lesson with Veteran's Day.  you will see these up when you first come into the building.

Warm colors.

 

Third Grade has been studying color theory pretty hard.  On this one we discussed the warm colors and when to use them.  One of my goals this year is to get third graders to understand color really well and how to use it.

The warmth of Fall.

3rd Grade knows all about warm colors!  Sorry the vid is so blurry, I am working on that??!

Dia de Muertos.

 



Grades 1-5 learned about the "Day of the Dead" and a little bit about the culture of Mexico.  I like teaching about this because it brings out the idea that when you lose somebody you love you can always and forever celebrate their life.  It is a very positive lesson.  This is the sugar skulls that the Fourth and Fifth Graders did.