The Morse Art Studio's Weblog

Snowflake Experts

alaplante — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 23:01:06 +0000

The kindergarteners are now experts in the field of snowflakes. On day 1 of this unit, they practiced line printing with cardboard. At the end of the class I asked the students to draw what they though snowflakes look like. I was given a lot of blank stares and questions; they had no idea. On the second day, we read through a fantastic book, The Secret Life of a Snowflake, and learned about the 6 arms of a snowflake. They sketched 4 different snowflakes (because they also learned that no two are alike). Then, they used their line printing skills to create small snowflake designs. Yesterday, the kindergarteners used all their knowledge to create large snowflake prints. Here are some of the wonderful results.

Ms. Allison’s class also had a chance to create crystalized snowflakes in their classroom. Did you know the trick with borax? Check this out: Crystal Snowflakes

Gehry houses

alaplante — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 00:31:20 +0000

First, I’d like to introduce Ms. Tracey, my new student teacher for the semester. She is a grad student at Lesley, and will be in the Art Studio all day, everyday, until mid-May.

Second, the fourth graders are continuing with their Frank Gehry-inspired buildings. We had a look through a website, www.unusual-architecture.com, trying to find other buildings/architects with an abstract style similar to Gehry’s.

Today, working in their groups, the students reinforced their sculptures and painted everything with gesso. Next week the details begin!

Granite Street Gallery Walk

alaplante — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 16:55:44 +0000

This Morse arts night is only 2 weeks away! If you are a parent or teacher in the Morse community, and would like to show artwork or perform music, please get in touch with me!

The more the merrier!! Show off your talents; we want to awe and inspire our students to continue artistic ventures in their lives.

Fish, continued…

alaplante — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 03:10:14 +0000

The junior kindergarteners have been involved in a long “fish unit”. Part of their curriculum is to study one subject and to create artwork in many different media. So far, the have created fish from yarn lines, from clay, and with drawing. Soon, they will also make fish through printmaking and collage.

In the drawings below, the paper had 3 lines already drawn on. These lines had to be transformed into fish. The key parts of a fish body that had to be included are: body, tail, fins, gills, eye, and mouth.

New Year, new updates!

alaplante — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 03:05:45 +0000

Well, it’s 2 weeks into the new year, and I’m finally ready to make some updates…life has been busy at work and home lately!

The Special Start preschoolers came to create snowflakes for their seasonal tree in their classroom. Instead of the traditional cut-out snowflakes, they created the snow with tissue paper and glue. Following lines pre-drawn, the students traced glue lines. They then crumpled small pieces of tissue paper and pressed the “snow” into the glue lines.

Easy!

Ceramic Symbols

alaplante — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 01:11:51 +0000

The 4th graders recently created family trees. Each family member was represented by a symbol on the tree. As an extension of this project, the students took the symbols one step further. They sculpted in clay their own, personal symbol. Instead of glazing, the students painted the symbols with watercolors, which allows for mixing and blending of colors…a much different experience than glaze! Many students chose to create a whole in their projects so yarn could be threaded through, for an option of hanging them.

Rose Windows

alaplante — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 19:00:03 +0000

The fifth graders just finished a collage project. They learned the difference between bilateral and radial symmetry; and what objects in everyday life have radial symmetry (snowflakes, pizza, eyes, starfish, flowers, fans, wheels, etc.). The students used their knowledge of symmetry to design a rose window, a circular stained glass window found in many Gothic churches and mosques. They glued tissue paper to plates to create the windows. Many of the rose windows are on the bulletin board in the main lobby- check them out!

Some students at work last week:

Art in Central Square

alaplante — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 21:26:27 +0000

The 3rd graders’ Magazine Beach park drawings are on display throughout Central Square. Visit Toscanini’s, Bank of America, and Cambridge Savings Bank. The drawings will be up through January 1st, so visit soon!

Looking for Parent-Artists!

alaplante — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 19:23:17 +0000

Attention Morse Parents/Teachers:

Are you an artist or musician? You might be a professional or just paint for fun! Either way, we want you!

February 3rd is going to the Granite Street Gallery Walk, featuring art and music by adults in the Morse community, both parents and teachers.

If you are interested in being involved in this arts event, please email me at akerr@cpsd.us

Thanks!!

Art to do this weekend

alaplante — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 21:17:19 +0000

The ICA is turning 75 this year, and it is celebrating it’s 5th year on the Boston Waterfront.

In honor of these milestones, the ICA is hosting an art-making event tomorrow, December 10th.
Visit their website for more information!

There will be dance classes, art classes, musical performances, dance performances, and movies…sounds like fun!