Kindergarteners love building stuff. Even if the stuff is cups, bottle caps, lids, and toilet paper tubes. Let them play and they’ll create cities, airplanes, fish, people, robots, and trees. After reading The Dot, students used these “dot objects” to construct abstract 3D collages. Next, I have to decide if we’re going to paper mache over, smooth aluminum foil over, or gesso and paint?
The second graders will soon be learning about butterflies and life cycles in science class. To get a head start, they are studying symmetry in butterflies in Art. (Plus now they now the differences between butterflies and moths) After drawing symmetrical drawings, students transferred their images onto foam, and carved in the lines. After printing the foam plate, they will create collages using the many versions of prints they experimented with.
While the 5th graders have been working on observational drawings of shells, the spec. needs 4/5 class has also been exploring shells, but in all mediums. Most recently, they created plaster molds of shells. First, the smoothed a layer of clay into a round container. Second, we pressed small shells into the clay’s surface, creating negative imprints. Lastly, we mixed up a batch of plaster and poured it on top of the shell. About an hour later, the plaster pops off, leaving positive casts of the shells!
For the next month, 15 students will have their self portraits on display in Superintendent Young’s office. The 4th, 3rd, 1st, and JK students show a lovely progression of knowledge and skills in regards to self portraits. This timeline of sorts is a small sample of self portraits that every student will create every year.
As an introduction to symmetry, the 2/3 spec. needs class used paint and folded paper to mimic the patterns and shapes of a butterfly. This was their first experience with squishing wet paint between folded paper, and they absolutely loved it. I bet they could have made these paintings for hours if they could!
Ever notice how Google changes their logo a lot? A competition is being held for students to design an upcoming logo! And there are big prizes to go along with it! This year’s theme is “If I could invent one thing to make the world a better place”.
Go to the Doodle 4 Google website for more information, as well as a submission form.
The Junior kindergarteners just finished 2 versions of jellyfish. They used cardboard to stamp lines for tentacles. They practiced making straight, wavy, and zig zag lines using cardboard.
Second, they finished their jellyfish mobiles. Using wire, beads, and tissue paper, students focused on patterns and lines. They created simple patterns with the beads and tissue paper, and experimented with making zig zag, wavy, and spiral lines in pipe cleaner wire.
The prints are being hidden as we speak! 36 prints total will be hidden throughout school, waiting for the lucky student or teacher to find it! Check out Bren Bataclan’s page for more info about the Smile Project.
Here are the 5th graders 3 part reduction prints. They carved linoleum, printed, re-carved, printed again, and then colored a bonus color on. The students loved experimenting with color combinations. Well worth the effort!
After reading a book about sorting and grouping, junior kindergarteners explored my junk collection, or found objects. They collected objects according to color, shape, size, texture, and other characteristics. After sorting through the objects, students then began creating images using the junk as collage objects.
Speaking of my junk collection, if you have anything that you think i might want, please drop it off to the Art Studio!
The CPS district show looks beautiful! The Morse School is represented by 3 4th graders, showing their atmospheric perspective cityscapes:
4 2nd graders are showing their Greek amphoras:
And 3 1st graders are showing their self portraits:
And finally, I was happy to see 6 former Morse students who now attend Putnam Ave Upper School showing their work as middle schoolers:
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The Morse Art Studio's Weblog 