tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-41389066826668506602024-03-13T14:21:05.356-05:00Briargrove Elementary Art PageWelcome students, parents, teachers and friends! Here's a space to see what's new in the art room! Read about the concepts and skills we have learned, and look at sample artwork! Check back often for new and updated posts! And leave us a comment so we know you were here! Enjoy!!! -Mrs. Gonzalez (the art teacher formerly known as Ms. Weymouth!)Katie Gonzalezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16007073454015257260noreply@blogger.comBlogger96125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4138906682666850660.post-40976325128232494242012-03-09T15:35:00.014-06:002012-03-10T14:17:14.948-06:00A New Home on the Internet<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;">Dear Readers,<br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;">Please join me on my new blog - </span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:180%;"><br /><b><a href="http://mrsgonzalezart.blogspot.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#ff0000;">Art with Mrs. Gonzalez</span></a></b></span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:180%;">! </span><br /></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:78%;"><i>*the link is working now ;)</i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:78%;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;">The <span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Briargrove</span> Elementary Art Page</span> has been such a wonderful place to showcase beautiful student artwork, connect with parents and educators, and share unit ideas and classroom practices. After having spent 5 years working on this blog, I began to think about ways to expand and improve what I do here on the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Internet</span>. What better way to make a change than to start fresh?! I hope you enjoy my new features and a more organized format for finding what you're looking for. And of course, expect large amounts of <span style="font-style: italic;">fantastic</span> student artwork!<br /><br /></span><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v4nQ83_lrSo/T1qBGmIpSII/AAAAAAAAGc8/Zpj9T39M_IQ/s1600/IMG_2126.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 174px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v4nQ83_lrSo/T1qBGmIpSII/AAAAAAAAGc8/Zpj9T39M_IQ/s320/IMG_2126.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5718024627216271490" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;">Please head on over and check it out! If you are a follower here, I would love it if you would follow us on the new blog! I'm glad to be back on a regular posting schedule, and eager to share more of the wonderful things that we are doing here at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Briargrove</span> Elementary. Thank you for reading, supporting, commenting, and celebrating here on the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Briargrove</span> Art Page. So excited for you to come on over and continue on this journey together!<br /><br />Sincerely,<br /><br />Mrs. Gonzalez</span></div>Katie Gonzalezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16007073454015257260noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4138906682666850660.post-35606326443368601422012-01-02T11:38:00.005-06:002012-01-02T12:33:15.377-06:00Primary Color Mixed-Media ExplorationBack in September, the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">kinders</span> and first graders were getting accustomed to their new "studio" space in the kinder pod area. I took advantage of the interesting new arrangement (3 tables, twelve stools and a large floor area for 30 kids) by doing some art activities that allow for the students to move around, experiment and create in an intuitive, student-lead, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">kinesthetic</span> way.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tMzHqUwjvUI/TwHZoSmaTlI/AAAAAAAAFmU/AMltySzLXWg/s1600/IMG_0710.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 307px; height: 228px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tMzHqUwjvUI/TwHZoSmaTlI/AAAAAAAAFmU/AMltySzLXWg/s320/IMG_0710.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693070690183958098" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8GXPsByX7IA/TwHZoJBGmFI/AAAAAAAAFmI/O-InMGMYLzE/s1600/IMG_0703.JPG"> <img style="cursor: pointer; width: 306px; height: 229px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8GXPsByX7IA/TwHZoJBGmFI/AAAAAAAAFmI/O-InMGMYLzE/s320/IMG_0703.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693070687611557970" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4DlGFiITgDo/TwHbwP1B-eI/AAAAAAAAFno/RELM1QXfAZY/s1600/IMG_0715.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 308px; height: 237px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4DlGFiITgDo/TwHbwP1B-eI/AAAAAAAAFno/RELM1QXfAZY/s320/IMG_0715.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693073025902180834" border="0" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6kKmt99JaFM/TwHbwQpZOYI/AAAAAAAAFn4/eXIyravuEgg/s1600/IMG_0726.JPG"> <img style="cursor: pointer; width: 308px; height: 237px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6kKmt99JaFM/TwHbwQpZOYI/AAAAAAAAFn4/eXIyravuEgg/s320/IMG_0726.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693073026121808258" border="0" /></a><br />Last semester, I spent a lot of time on color theory with first and kinder. We spent the first few weeks in our new studio learning about the primary colors. For this first unit, I just wanted the students to become familiar with (or review) the three colors that make up the primary color group, while experimenting with different materials and processes as well as choosing subject matter that interests them most. I purposefully chose materials whose properties generally do not allow (or do not work well) for color-mixing. I wanted the main focus to be on learning the primary colors, and exploring familiar or new materials in an open-ended way.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f3_QpuolIcI/TwHWH3D5d2I/AAAAAAAAFlA/AYNt4Ku27Po/s1600/IMG_0702.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 211px; height: 277px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f3_QpuolIcI/TwHWH3D5d2I/AAAAAAAAFlA/AYNt4Ku27Po/s400/IMG_0702.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693066834500745058" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vnIZd_ycDbE/TwHVxldrC1I/AAAAAAAAFkc/CJBefDn8-Ks/s1600/IMG_0720.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 215px; height: 277px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vnIZd_ycDbE/TwHVxldrC1I/AAAAAAAAFkc/CJBefDn8-Ks/s400/IMG_0720.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693066451819891538" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c5CDcV9AnUQ/TwHVx1Qi6FI/AAAAAAAAFko/jQCjSp7OCq0/s1600/IMG_0708.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 210px; height: 277px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c5CDcV9AnUQ/TwHVx1Qi6FI/AAAAAAAAFko/jQCjSp7OCq0/s400/IMG_0708.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693066456059799634" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WQCqFgTPvHI/TwHWuYFF0FI/AAAAAAAAFlY/dMDeYZix4oY/s1600/IMG_0696.JPG"> </a>With my experience working in early childhood education, I know the importance of open-ended, process-based art exploration. I always keep this in mind when designing a new unit, and I have been especially pushing that goal this year with my younger grade levels. For this unit, that meant allowing my students to decide on their own subject matter, to explore variations of the colors within the primary color family, to chose abstract or realistic imagery, and to experiment with and combine materials as they see fit.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WQCqFgTPvHI/TwHWuYFF0FI/AAAAAAAAFlY/dMDeYZix4oY/s1600/IMG_0696.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 302px; height: 230px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WQCqFgTPvHI/TwHWuYFF0FI/AAAAAAAAFlY/dMDeYZix4oY/s320/IMG_0696.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693067496199147602" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KQ5WIdzykfk/TwHWuIdgEkI/AAAAAAAAFlM/GMEj4Z6JKMo/s1600/IMG_0706.JPG"> <img style="cursor: pointer; width: 309px; height: 230px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KQ5WIdzykfk/TwHWuIdgEkI/AAAAAAAAFlM/GMEj4Z6JKMo/s320/IMG_0706.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693067492006564418" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h7RNGvPjt-Y/TwHgW3xKhGI/AAAAAAAAFow/YBnmwOqpoQo/s1600/IMG_0736.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 306px; height: 224px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h7RNGvPjt-Y/TwHgW3xKhGI/AAAAAAAAFow/YBnmwOqpoQo/s320/IMG_0736.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693078087504921698" border="0" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-APL7GSrVxrQ/TwHgWkelXoI/AAAAAAAAFok/tehDDbbcct8/s1600/IMG_0725.JPG"> <img style="cursor: pointer; width: 304px; height: 224px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-APL7GSrVxrQ/TwHgWkelXoI/AAAAAAAAFok/tehDDbbcct8/s320/IMG_0725.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693078082326716034" border="0" /></a><br />As they made these choices, I demonstrated and gave gentle guidance as to how to get the most use out of each material (marker caps need to be on whenever a marker is not in use so they stay fresh, push hard with your crayons to get the most color, use the "just a dot, not a lot" technique to get your paper to glue down securely, etc.) along with giving some encouragement for them to use their whole page.<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T0IBUFEfwxU/TwHafC8N7VI/AAAAAAAAFm4/F5g2a3_2Fpo/s1600/IMG_0714.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 193px; height: 290px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T0IBUFEfwxU/TwHafC8N7VI/AAAAAAAAFm4/F5g2a3_2Fpo/s320/IMG_0714.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693071630873259346" border="0" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_sxSaazsQ60/TwHaek-LcLI/AAAAAAAAFmg/J0AegIgXGlg/s1600/IMG_0734.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 225px; height: 290px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_sxSaazsQ60/TwHaek-LcLI/AAAAAAAAFmg/J0AegIgXGlg/s320/IMG_0734.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693071622828421298" border="0" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GHVOTFeiYlQ/TwHae3AIXCI/AAAAAAAAFms/efrzvzslsN0/s1600/IMG_0707.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 215px; height: 291px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GHVOTFeiYlQ/TwHae3AIXCI/AAAAAAAAFms/efrzvzslsN0/s320/IMG_0707.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693071627668446242" border="0" /></a><br />I set up different materials at each table, as well as a station on the floor. One station had red, yellow and blue colored crayons; another had markers in the same colors. There was a table with a stack of construction paper scraps in the primary colors for ripping and gluing. The last station had two bins of 2-sided colored paper tiles. Some colors on the tiles were primary, some were not. Students had to sort out the primary colors before using the tiles since they were supposed to limit themselves to that color family. I also circled the work area with rolls of masking and duct tape, giving students small strips of any desired color, which they could then tape whole or rip to many pieces before adding to their artwork. That, especially, was a hit (and a behavior incentive, too!)<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NcrhZqJtPYM/TwHdYQA7aEI/AAAAAAAAFoQ/kGvoKqv94rk/s1600/IMG_0717.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 308px; height: 233px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NcrhZqJtPYM/TwHdYQA7aEI/AAAAAAAAFoQ/kGvoKqv94rk/s320/IMG_0717.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693074812658477122" border="0" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UL3R6Fm8mV4/TwHbZDbO72I/AAAAAAAAFnc/AbxgDlZC9S8/s1600/IMG_0721.JPG"> </a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ncr1Yg3tRhg/TwHdY-LVhOI/AAAAAAAAFoY/66GOAsM2auM/s1600/IMG_0704.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 304px; height: 232px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ncr1Yg3tRhg/TwHdY-LVhOI/AAAAAAAAFoY/66GOAsM2auM/s320/IMG_0704.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693074825050162402" border="0" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UL3R6Fm8mV4/TwHbZDbO72I/AAAAAAAAFnc/AbxgDlZC9S8/s1600/IMG_0721.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 309px; height: 232px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UL3R6Fm8mV4/TwHbZDbO72I/AAAAAAAAFnc/AbxgDlZC9S8/s320/IMG_0721.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693072627435761506" border="0" /> </a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4dcmVesNzTQ/TwHdYJQzlQI/AAAAAAAAFoA/hjqUQmliTZQ/s1600/IMG_0722.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 311px; height: 232px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4dcmVesNzTQ/TwHdYJQzlQI/AAAAAAAAFoA/hjqUQmliTZQ/s320/IMG_0722.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693074810846024962" border="0" /></a><br />When I teach about primary colors, I like to include many variations of red, yellow and blue - darker and lighter shades, warmer and cooler tones - so that the students start to grasp the concept of how colors are related to one another. Later on, we will discover how a blue might become a shade lighter or why a red might look a little bit orange. I think exploring the primary colors in a broader spectrum like this now allows for more connections about color theory to be made later on.<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2i-NxT-Enss/TwHY8IOyCUI/AAAAAAAAFlk/xXUkNPzIRvM/s1600/IMG_0732.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 212px; height: 281px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2i-NxT-Enss/TwHY8IOyCUI/AAAAAAAAFlk/xXUkNPzIRvM/s320/IMG_0732.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693069931486251330" border="0" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ExFxXW1X_xY/TwHY8MYJbMI/AAAAAAAAFlw/-FSDCOCJYkU/s1600/IMG_0730.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 282px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ExFxXW1X_xY/TwHY8MYJbMI/AAAAAAAAFlw/-FSDCOCJYkU/s320/IMG_0730.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693069932599274690" border="0" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1_bUadkVCTM/TwHY8qVjNhI/AAAAAAAAFl8/65UWFAoqp-0/s1600/IMG_0723.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 212px; height: 281px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1_bUadkVCTM/TwHY8qVjNhI/AAAAAAAAFl8/65UWFAoqp-0/s320/IMG_0723.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693069940641445394" border="0" /></a><br />It's such a joy to watch how students chose to use each material and see what they decided to create. Some students were so focused and methodical, following a grand blueprint in their head, while others were feverishly ripping, coloring and taping with free-spirited excitement, watching their art transform before their eyes. During different points in the process, we discussed the different properties of the materials - the students learned a lot! Everyone had fun, felt successful and made great art, while learning about one of the most important color families!Katie Gonzalezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16007073454015257260noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4138906682666850660.post-22500523218623271212011-11-09T09:04:00.006-06:002011-11-09T09:37:45.883-06:00Hand Creatures - Individual Drawings<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8eO7gCLjbhY/TrqW1WPiCWI/AAAAAAAAFhA/RQg7EYc5U10/s1600/print%2B001.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 312px; height: 231px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8eO7gCLjbhY/TrqW1WPiCWI/AAAAAAAAFhA/RQg7EYc5U10/s400/print%2B001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673012523874519394" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BXI3njA3XFo/TrqZ4wzzfSI/AAAAAAAAFjU/307p6BzKFAw/s1600/print%2B009.jpg"> <img style="cursor: pointer; width: 319px; height: 230px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BXI3njA3XFo/TrqZ4wzzfSI/AAAAAAAAFjU/307p6BzKFAw/s400/print%2B009.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673015881080470818" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q9R_IyzvTVM/Trqcc5omG3I/AAAAAAAAFjc/docxIT-1YAA/s1600/print%2B003.jpg"> <img style="cursor: pointer; width: 315px; height: 235px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q9R_IyzvTVM/Trqcc5omG3I/AAAAAAAAFjc/docxIT-1YAA/s400/print%2B003.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673018700947921778" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NAg7_B03pKM/TrqcdFKdLgI/AAAAAAAAFjs/h4fl3AMT7RU/s1600/print%2B004.jpg"> <img style="cursor: pointer; width: 315px; height: 236px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NAg7_B03pKM/TrqcdFKdLgI/AAAAAAAAFjs/h4fl3AMT7RU/s400/print%2B004.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673018704042733058" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q9R_IyzvTVM/Trqcc5omG3I/AAAAAAAAFjc/docxIT-1YAA/s1600/print%2B003.jpg"> </a>I wanted to share some more examples of our monster drawings. These were done individually with with my students the second week of school. The kids liked the activity so much, I decided to repeat it, but let them work on their own monster the whole time. It was just as much fun, and the students were eager for the opportunity to design one all on their own.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eEplTOHDnTI/TrqZ3UraXGI/AAAAAAAAFjI/8M0uS4fIjcc/s1600/print%2B012.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 287px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eEplTOHDnTI/TrqZ3UraXGI/AAAAAAAAFjI/8M0uS4fIjcc/s400/print%2B012.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673015856349207650" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ysdPqoFsDrI/TrqZ1x5w1dI/AAAAAAAAFi8/pcoVFG8Y29U/s1600/print%2B013.jpg"> <img style="cursor: pointer; width: 285px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ysdPqoFsDrI/TrqZ1x5w1dI/AAAAAAAAFi8/pcoVFG8Y29U/s400/print%2B013.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673015829834290642" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4vkKkVi49xA/TrqZz1aGwiI/AAAAAAAAFig/r_S18A00ejE/s1600/print%2B011.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 301px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4vkKkVi49xA/TrqZz1aGwiI/AAAAAAAAFig/r_S18A00ejE/s400/print%2B011.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673015796415513122" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JfXynSN9m0Y/TrqXsJxsZzI/AAAAAAAAFiQ/h-FfMYUI_4I/s1600/print%2B007.jpg"> <img style="cursor: pointer; width: 297px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JfXynSN9m0Y/TrqXsJxsZzI/AAAAAAAAFiQ/h-FfMYUI_4I/s400/print%2B007.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673013465420949298" border="0" /></a><br />This was a great activity for the week of the move. Easy set-up and clean-up, and directions they were already familiar with. The last day in my room, I was teaching this lesson with kids on the floor while furniture was being moved out! Pretty chaotic. But, ARTISTS make it work!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mjcoPmnrKio/TrqXVXVHQbI/AAAAAAAAFh8/sz0BwwYn25U/s1600/print%2B006.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 290px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mjcoPmnrKio/TrqXVXVHQbI/AAAAAAAAFh8/sz0BwwYn25U/s400/print%2B006.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673013073922179506" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZkEni30ycC0/TrqXVKkQLqI/AAAAAAAAFhw/r0fguTPYk1Q/s1600/print%2B005.jpg"> <img style="cursor: pointer; width: 288px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZkEni30ycC0/TrqXVKkQLqI/AAAAAAAAFhw/r0fguTPYk1Q/s400/print%2B005.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673013070496018082" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EK6GUMrnBfU/TrqXryOi8zI/AAAAAAAAFiI/Z3bvJDMjWa8/s1600/print%2B010.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 296px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EK6GUMrnBfU/TrqXryOi8zI/AAAAAAAAFiI/Z3bvJDMjWa8/s400/print%2B010.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673013459099513650" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tjFLAccgw7Y/TrqZ0HG446I/AAAAAAAAFiw/06xE0Zdq5Ds/s1600/print%2B014.jpg"> <img style="cursor: pointer; width: 296px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tjFLAccgw7Y/TrqZ0HG446I/AAAAAAAAFiw/06xE0Zdq5Ds/s400/print%2B014.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673015801166750626" border="0" /></a><br />A few students and parents shared with me that many of them went home and drew more hand monsters! Fun stuff! That always makes an art teacher feel like it was a job well done...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7Ny6mryecvU/TrqW1hZ-KQI/AAAAAAAAFhM/emrs2uPKqwA/s1600/print%2B002.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 301px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7Ny6mryecvU/TrqW1hZ-KQI/AAAAAAAAFhM/emrs2uPKqwA/s400/print%2B002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673012526871095554" border="0" /></a><br />All the enthusiasm for hand creatures led me to an idea for the big unit to follow for 2nd-5th grade. Working on that post... Stay posted for more hand-monster-madness!<br /></div>Katie Gonzalezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16007073454015257260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4138906682666850660.post-84435142867009916892011-11-03T11:49:00.003-05:002011-11-03T12:05:52.760-05:00First Lesson of the Year - Collaborative CreaturesWe began the year with a one day group activity that had everyone engaged in creative problem-solving, reviewing past concepts and skills, and working respectfully and successfully as a group. By the end of the class period, every student had contributed something to a whole class set of art! Everyone had a blast!<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gSnmxc146Zs/TpRryWyDACI/AAAAAAAAFT0/vIN9gMD4Mx8/s1600/IMG_1799.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 305px; height: 221px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gSnmxc146Zs/TpRryWyDACI/AAAAAAAAFT0/vIN9gMD4Mx8/s320/IMG_1799.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662269144364679202" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b7-SjbCrsLo/TpRxcjkVraI/AAAAAAAAFYE/haRJHm5Tnhc/s1600/IMG_1843.jpg"> </a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h4KEJG1pxsc/TpRxdi80kpI/AAAAAAAAFYc/RAqYrxIfVkc/s1600/IMG_1844.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 303px; height: 220px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h4KEJG1pxsc/TpRxdi80kpI/AAAAAAAAFYc/RAqYrxIfVkc/s320/IMG_1844.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662275383923610258" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b7-SjbCrsLo/TpRxcjkVraI/AAAAAAAAFYE/haRJHm5Tnhc/s1600/IMG_1843.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 295px; height: 221px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b7-SjbCrsLo/TpRxcjkVraI/AAAAAAAAFYE/haRJHm5Tnhc/s320/IMG_1843.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662275366909488546" border="0" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gSnmxc146Zs/TpRryWyDACI/AAAAAAAAFT0/vIN9gMD4Mx8/s1600/IMG_1799.jpg"> </a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gSytDjn-jXI/TpRrySL4tQI/AAAAAAAAFUA/Uwb_UX6Gv90/s1600/IMG_1800.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 312px; height: 222px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gSytDjn-jXI/TpRrySL4tQI/AAAAAAAAFUA/Uwb_UX6Gv90/s320/IMG_1800.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662269143130879234" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Here's what we did:</span><br />The Set-up:<br />Since we were moving out of the art room soon, I took advantage of that and arranged the tables specifically for this activity, creating what we like to call "MEGA table," which consisted of 7 of our large tables pushed together in the middle of the room, surrounded by 30 stools. Every individual table in the arrangement had a basket of twist-able crayons to share, and each individual seat had a post-it with a number on it.<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F1DT9pUvYaI/TpRrz_X1EMI/AAAAAAAAFUo/Xgph8sTaCnk/s1600/IMG_1804.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 210px; height: 286px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F1DT9pUvYaI/TpRrz_X1EMI/AAAAAAAAFUo/Xgph8sTaCnk/s320/IMG_1804.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662269172440436930" border="0" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qCgOkTT2MlY/TpRtom094cI/AAAAAAAAFWc/2Iv2MvSQsvA/s1600/IMG_1836.jpg"> <img style="cursor: pointer; width: 205px; height: 284px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qCgOkTT2MlY/TpRtom094cI/AAAAAAAAFWc/2Iv2MvSQsvA/s320/IMG_1836.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662271175896457666" border="0" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Bgg74eALR6U/TpRtn4Gqb_I/AAAAAAAAFWE/tr0w0bQU-PA/s1600/IMG_1810.jpg"> <img style="cursor: pointer; width: 210px; height: 283px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Bgg74eALR6U/TpRtn4Gqb_I/AAAAAAAAFWE/tr0w0bQU-PA/s320/IMG_1810.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662271163354214386" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Kox1pnzdJDg/TpRsfQXVbAI/AAAAAAAAFVY/RACm_0g4H9A/s1600/IMG_1807.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 307px; height: 228px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Kox1pnzdJDg/TpRsfQXVbAI/AAAAAAAAFVY/RACm_0g4H9A/s320/IMG_1807.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662269915736140802" border="0" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mFBk3lGqiL0/TpRsfDZAA4I/AAAAAAAAFVI/YLTN-9BPxk0/s1600/IMG_1806.jpg"> <img style="cursor: pointer; width: 307px; height: 228px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mFBk3lGqiL0/TpRsfDZAA4I/AAAAAAAAFVI/YLTN-9BPxk0/s320/IMG_1806.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662269912253465474" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"></span>Getting Started:<br />Students chose their seat and wrote their number on the back of their paper with a crayon. At the end of the activity, all artwork was returned to it's original creator, but putting a number instead of a name on the back kept it anonymous during the activity. I used two auditory signals for this activity - the first meant for the students to pass their paper to the person on their right, and the second meant for the student to put their hands up and their eyes on me. The signals were both played on the same instrument, so students really had to listen to determine which signal I was playing.<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mclr0JgEsgs/TpRryzqv9GI/AAAAAAAAFUM/o2glQqQ3KA8/s1600/IMG_1798.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 218px; height: 287px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mclr0JgEsgs/TpRryzqv9GI/AAAAAAAAFUM/o2glQqQ3KA8/s320/IMG_1798.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662269152118699106" border="0" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qIh2KlCh_MY/TpRsgDIURgI/AAAAAAAAFVg/p27MUDLBunc/s1600/IMG_1805.jpg"> <img style="cursor: pointer; width: 212px; height: 287px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qIh2KlCh_MY/TpRsgDIURgI/AAAAAAAAFVg/p27MUDLBunc/s320/IMG_1805.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662269929363359234" border="0" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6-hd15GRffk/TpRtoIWDhOI/AAAAAAAAFWQ/yPeeCeU9QD0/s1600/IMG_1834.jpg"> <img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 281px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6-hd15GRffk/TpRtoIWDhOI/AAAAAAAAFWQ/yPeeCeU9QD0/s320/IMG_1834.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662271167713740002" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gSnmxc146Zs/TpRryWyDACI/AAAAAAAAFT0/vIN9gMD4Mx8/s1600/IMG_1799.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 305px; height: 221px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gSnmxc146Zs/TpRryWyDACI/AAAAAAAAFT0/vIN9gMD4Mx8/s320/IMG_1799.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662269144364679202" border="0" /> </a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gSytDjn-jXI/TpRrySL4tQI/AAAAAAAAFUA/Uwb_UX6Gv90/s1600/IMG_1800.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 312px; height: 222px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gSytDjn-jXI/TpRrySL4tQI/AAAAAAAAFUA/Uwb_UX6Gv90/s320/IMG_1800.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662269143130879234" border="0" /></a><br />Students were instructed that they were going to collaboratively create a creature, but could only add to the creature something from the art vocabulary card that I held up during each turn. We decided we were going to assume that anything anyone added to the artwork was intended to make it more interesting or beautiful. Each student started their monster by tracing their hand and wrist in an interesting position to start the creature's body or head.<br />Then, the passing began!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cGkCoFQCdio/TpRvamXZBFI/AAAAAAAAFW8/aukziA2b4hc/s1600/IMG_1839.jpg"> </a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LfKmQtJyaKY/TpRseZxXDBI/AAAAAAAAFVA/lmWIrCpUPLA/s1600/IMG_1803.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 309px; height: 229px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LfKmQtJyaKY/TpRseZxXDBI/AAAAAAAAFVA/lmWIrCpUPLA/s320/IMG_1803.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662269901081349138" border="0" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qY8T_cXB7zc/TpRseExsUeI/AAAAAAAAFUw/QsWARU1gb7k/s1600/IMG_1802.jpg"> <img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 229px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qY8T_cXB7zc/TpRseExsUeI/AAAAAAAAFUw/QsWARU1gb7k/s320/IMG_1802.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662269895445598690" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iN5AQfbxHr8/TpRvZ_VAXUI/AAAAAAAAFWo/bBlnk_eNw5I/s1600/IMG_1811.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 310px; height: 230px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iN5AQfbxHr8/TpRvZ_VAXUI/AAAAAAAAFWo/bBlnk_eNw5I/s320/IMG_1811.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662273123798506818" border="0" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zdGLu8DLYhA/TpRvaDNqaQI/AAAAAAAAFW0/gMPx_VJQyFg/s1600/IMG_1835.jpg"> <img style="cursor: pointer; width: 310px; height: 230px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zdGLu8DLYhA/TpRvaDNqaQI/AAAAAAAAFW0/gMPx_VJQyFg/s320/IMG_1835.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662273124841449730" border="0" /></a><br />Collaborating:<br />For every turn, I held up a card; cards included types of shapes, lines, compositional techniques (such as overlapping, cropping and repetition,) shading techniques, and color families. For some turns, students had to listen to directives about how to add the element on the card (such as "<span style="font-style: italic;">attach</span> this element to the <span style="font-style: italic;">inside</span> of the creature", or "choose a section of the creature and color it in using this shading technique with colors from the family on this card.") Towards the end, we began passing the art in a more rapid-fire succession; each student was supposed to quickly look at the creature and decide something they could add as a final detail to make the artwork stronger. This could be any element or technique that we had discussed before.<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0kPse33_L-s/TpRrzVCCPhI/AAAAAAAAFUY/wNKQ7obj4qs/s1600/IMG_1801.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 206px; height: 282px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0kPse33_L-s/TpRrzVCCPhI/AAAAAAAAFUY/wNKQ7obj4qs/s320/IMG_1801.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662269161074736658" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8nYLVkolJ2w/TpRtndRSeTI/AAAAAAAAFVs/QP7TKmaEtDs/s1600/IMG_1808.jpg"> <img style="cursor: pointer; width: 207px; height: 282px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8nYLVkolJ2w/TpRtndRSeTI/AAAAAAAAFVs/QP7TKmaEtDs/s320/IMG_1808.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662271156151023922" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Fwr0c-yKfHc/TpRtnkZ7yqI/AAAAAAAAFV4/a9rdU2-s-u0/s1600/IMG_1809.jpg"> </a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lQeX3imjDcQ/TpRxcG7eUbI/AAAAAAAAFXs/cakrmmM7_ak/s1600/IMG_2113.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 211px; height: 282px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lQeX3imjDcQ/TpRxcG7eUbI/AAAAAAAAFXs/cakrmmM7_ak/s320/IMG_2113.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662275359221895602" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cGkCoFQCdio/TpRvamXZBFI/AAAAAAAAFW8/aukziA2b4hc/s1600/IMG_1839.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 295px; height: 216px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cGkCoFQCdio/TpRvamXZBFI/AAAAAAAAFW8/aukziA2b4hc/s320/IMG_1839.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662273134277493842" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WjB8SRIUsXg/TpRva8u9M2I/AAAAAAAAFXM/wrH3WnNJrQQ/s1600/IMG_1840.jpg"> <img style="cursor: pointer; width: 304px; height: 215px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WjB8SRIUsXg/TpRva8u9M2I/AAAAAAAAFXM/wrH3WnNJrQQ/s320/IMG_1840.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662273140281914210" border="0" /></a><br />When the art had rotated around the entire circle, and each drawing was in the hands of the person sitting to the left of the original owner, the paper was flipped over so that only the number showed. Before the final pass, I gave students their final instructions. "When you get your number back, write your name on your paper, then flip it over. Remember to be respectful, since this art was worked on by everyone in the class. Take a look at your amazing creature! Finish your creature by adding some final distinctive details (including facial features) with a black Sharpie."<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RlcaImyqHdw/TpRxdL4I2pI/AAAAAAAAFYQ/lJ8Dby53Yrk/s1600/IMG_1841.jpg"> </a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Fwr0c-yKfHc/TpRtnkZ7yqI/AAAAAAAAFV4/a9rdU2-s-u0/s1600/IMG_1809.jpg"></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RlcaImyqHdw/TpRxdL4I2pI/AAAAAAAAFYQ/lJ8Dby53Yrk/s1600/IMG_1841.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 202px; height: 278px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RlcaImyqHdw/TpRxdL4I2pI/AAAAAAAAFYQ/lJ8Dby53Yrk/s320/IMG_1841.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662275377729952402" border="0" /> </a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Fwr0c-yKfHc/TpRtnkZ7yqI/AAAAAAAAFV4/a9rdU2-s-u0/s1600/IMG_1809.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 204px; height: 277px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Fwr0c-yKfHc/TpRtnkZ7yqI/AAAAAAAAFV4/a9rdU2-s-u0/s320/IMG_1809.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662271158066334370" border="0" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fRXc-VU7-Xc/TpRxcaXiakI/AAAAAAAAFX4/NGWSuZVgizE/s1600/IMG_1845.jpg"> <img style="cursor: pointer; width: 204px; height: 278px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fRXc-VU7-Xc/TpRxcaXiakI/AAAAAAAAFX4/NGWSuZVgizE/s320/IMG_1845.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662275364439878210" border="0" /></a><br />Closing:<br />We finished class with a gallery walk (walking to our right around mega-table, looking at every work of art.) Students delighted in the final results - even when the final work was completely the opposite of what they had expected. This was a truly fun and effective activity. I even participated!<br />*For first and kinder, we did this activity without the collaborative element, and with more simplified directives on the cards. This works great too!<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">P.S. Hopefully there will be a post coming soon updating everyone about my current teaching set-up. I don't have a "classroom" exactly, but I'm not a-la-cart either. This year has been a big challenge so far, but my students are making great art as always. I have had my hands pretty full since the move, and blogging is pretty hard to find time for these days. Hope to post again sometime soon... There are some great works of art I would really love to share here!</span></span>Katie Gonzalezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16007073454015257260noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4138906682666850660.post-48763242813878641962011-09-10T12:11:00.017-05:002011-09-10T16:53:02.281-05:00New School Year<div style="text-align: center;">A couple weeks before school began, I got some news that greatly changed the planning and expectations I had for this school year. Due to a large enrollment number at our school, the art room was likely going to have to be given up to make room for another Kinder classroom. Heartbreak. But after the initial shock and disappointment, I reminded myself that my students and I are lucky to have an art program at all, and that great artists can make art anywhere! So while I was waiting to find out where and how this new arrangement was going to work, I focused my energy on thinking of a couple fun things to get my students' attention the first week of school... especially since I couldn't set up my classroom!</div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kaxb-8lkwAY/Tmu2_vq1WmI/AAAAAAAAFPU/kmY-OY5wwHw/s400/IMG_1680.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5650811363710556770" /></div><div style="text-align: center;">First, I made some artwork on the bulletin board in the main hallway - with scraps and recycled materials saved from last year! I highly recommend this activity. I used construction paper cuttings, notebook and graph paper, cereal boxes, bottle caps, egg cartons, paper rolls, post-its, phone book pages, and LOTS of staples (for functional <i>and </i>aesthetic reasons.)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0gBWN6FimV0/TmvXQPgavNI/AAAAAAAAFQ8/rWkk1vO6UuI/s1600/IMG_1687.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0gBWN6FimV0/TmvXQPgavNI/AAAAAAAAFQ8/rWkk1vO6UuI/s320/IMG_1687.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5650846831506799826" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px; " /></a><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kE2dPWi7rr8/TmvXPzj9zeI/AAAAAAAAFQ0/x1gV8ALN9FM/s320/IMG_1689.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5650846824005488098" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px; " /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It was incredibly fun to arrange everything into something energetic and colorful - yet abstract and ephemeral - to encourage my students (and myself) to start thinking about all the possibilities ahead of us this year! The board reads "Hey ARTISTS - What will we CREATE this year? <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">BG</span> GREEN ART 2012-2012." This year will be no exception: we <i>will</i> continue on our quest to incorporate GREEN materials and practices into every art unit this year.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zc8Wg4kvsfM/TmvWiPO_TwI/AAAAAAAAFQk/8TuqQtJvWL4/s320/IMG_1691.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5650846041159716610" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px; " /><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Bvg1fiH-UVA/TmvWiWaLxYI/AAAAAAAAFQs/FMX34xk9U2A/s320/IMG_1692.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5650846043085718914" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px; " /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I am considering a way to arrange for small groups of students who have earned extra special privileges this year the opportunity to do something similar at certain points in the semesterI'm really excited about the idea of seeing what <i>they</i> would create on a giant bulletin board with a bunch of leftovers from the art closet! A lesson in installation art! (I wish I could do this with every student - all 915 or so of them!)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And second, the day before school started, I went to the nail salon with a special mission:</div><div style="text-align: center;">RAINBOW NAILS! Warm tones on one side, cool on the other. It was so fun to watch my students discover the spectrum on my hands. I had a great time the first week saying "Oh, you like them? I did them for YOU!!!" AND our first week lessons involved some color theory, so it served as a fun little added visual representation!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o3EzhLWX5a4/Tmu5euopeuI/AAAAAAAAFPk/dCZqStFjSgE/s400/IMG_1706.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5650814095032154850" style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px; " /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Art is a wonderful, healthy, healing and joyful thing. In the nail salon that weekend, I sat next to a friendly woman getting her nails painted with a simple clear coat of polish. She was excited by my choice of colors, and commented that at her place of work, painting her nails like that would probably get her fired. I am so thankful to be an art teacher. No matter the obstacles, this is a really fun job. And an important one too.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">More coming soon on THE MOVE and our first week activities. Change, challenge, creativity AND opportunity ahead...</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Wishing you a spectacular school year,</div><div style="text-align: center;">Mrs. Gonzalez</div>Katie Gonzalezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16007073454015257260noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4138906682666850660.post-46471173929503152672011-09-01T15:09:00.007-05:002011-09-07T21:38:52.483-05:00Dreams, DreamsHello BG art fans!<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EBq8zxQdWa8/Tl_Wdae-n4I/AAAAAAAAFME/MPQSnan-9d4/s1600/IMG_9754.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EBq8zxQdWa8/Tl_Wdae-n4I/AAAAAAAAFME/MPQSnan-9d4/s320/IMG_9754.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5647468258559696770" border="0" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-let3X_QGieo/Tl_Wdhl5T8I/AAAAAAAAFMM/2iKXfa64MPY/s1600/IMG_9756.JPG"> <img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-let3X_QGieo/Tl_Wdhl5T8I/AAAAAAAAFMM/2iKXfa64MPY/s320/IMG_9756.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5647468260467756994" border="0" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EBq8zxQdWa8/Tl_Wdae-n4I/AAAAAAAAFME/MPQSnan-9d4/s1600/IMG_9754.JPG"> </a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LBI_dnTa5i8/Tl_rSFYkhDI/AAAAAAAAFNM/nkMdBtQTYgU/s1600/IMG_9746.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 216px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LBI_dnTa5i8/Tl_rSFYkhDI/AAAAAAAAFNM/nkMdBtQTYgU/s320/IMG_9746.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5647491153661297714" border="0" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v5WZvHxfcKM/Tl_rR3JOE7I/AAAAAAAAFNE/UFzhFk_ADb4/s1600/IMG_9744.JPG"> <img style="cursor: pointer; width: 322px; height: 216px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v5WZvHxfcKM/Tl_rR3JOE7I/AAAAAAAAFNE/UFzhFk_ADb4/s320/IMG_9744.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5647491149838816178" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Well, it has been a great summer, and I'm looking forward to a new school year! Between a newborn baby and an exceptionally challenging enrichment schedule last year, I didn't get a chance to post many of our units from last school year, so I'll start sharing a few now!<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IRv2YximYeo/TkmAlUx3GBI/AAAAAAAAFKw/O9xHBAitMnA/s1600/IMG_9552.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IRv2YximYeo/TkmAlUx3GBI/AAAAAAAAFKw/O9xHBAitMnA/s320/IMG_9552.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641181386979612690" border="0" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EfL0C3WCIB8/Tl_tBgVLGYI/AAAAAAAAFN0/OzNdU1FQn6w/s1600/IMG_9517.JPG"> <img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EfL0C3WCIB8/Tl_tBgVLGYI/AAAAAAAAFN0/OzNdU1FQn6w/s320/IMG_9517.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5647493067860285826" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-J4bQvohcrho/Tl_u1Y7tBrI/AAAAAAAAFN8/SZoZWxjUCUY/s1600/IMG_9507.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-J4bQvohcrho/Tl_u1Y7tBrI/AAAAAAAAFN8/SZoZWxjUCUY/s320/IMG_9507.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5647495058739234482" border="0" /> </a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5EguEwWTT80/Tl_u1mXnwrI/AAAAAAAAFOE/dURrpFH9umk/s1600/IMG_9509.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5EguEwWTT80/Tl_u1mXnwrI/AAAAAAAAFOE/dURrpFH9umk/s320/IMG_9509.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5647495062345990834" border="0" /></a><br /><br />This unit was rather involved and very engaging for my third and fifth grade students. Sometimes I like to try out a new unit with two different grade levels to see which one it ends up fitting better with. With this unit, both grade levels really did great. In general, 5th grade was a bit more meticulous and it took them a class period or two longer to finish. (I encourage you to click on individual images so you can see the details and materials more closely!)<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gNIc4BlnYok/Tl-1kpgTtDI/AAAAAAAAFLc/d6coBT_2pN8/s1600/IMG_9561.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 215px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gNIc4BlnYok/Tl-1kpgTtDI/AAAAAAAAFLc/d6coBT_2pN8/s320/IMG_9561.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5647432098967172146" border="0" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zGr9nwQgdZs/Tl-1k1FyD7I/AAAAAAAAFLk/C_PvDUj15E8/s1600/IMG_9743.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zGr9nwQgdZs/Tl-1k1FyD7I/AAAAAAAAFLk/C_PvDUj15E8/s320/IMG_9743.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5647432102077140914" border="0" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1xISUln_H0g/Tl-1lAo0yeI/AAAAAAAAFLs/crULlxsGqIc/s1600/IMG_9748.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 211px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1xISUln_H0g/Tl-1lAo0yeI/AAAAAAAAFLs/crULlxsGqIc/s320/IMG_9748.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5647432105176910306" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gveic13w6wg/Tl_w6U7OkkI/AAAAAAAAFPE/vRJP00pnxGs/s1600/IMG_9557.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 216px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gveic13w6wg/Tl_w6U7OkkI/AAAAAAAAFPE/vRJP00pnxGs/s320/IMG_9557.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5647497342586098242" border="0" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-quzVa1L0-Qc/Tl_wrUq7RRI/AAAAAAAAFO0/pbHSKRSRsBc/s1600/IMG_9555.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-quzVa1L0-Qc/Tl_wrUq7RRI/AAAAAAAAFO0/pbHSKRSRsBc/s320/IMG_9555.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5647497084819686674" border="0" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EjXIefV2yu0/Tl_wrBCOviI/AAAAAAAAFOs/TTpWClvZwko/s1600/IMG_9527.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 212px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EjXIefV2yu0/Tl_wrBCOviI/AAAAAAAAFOs/TTpWClvZwko/s320/IMG_9527.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5647497079548722722" border="0" /></a><br /><br />First, students brainstormed different dream scenarios based on their interests, daily lives, hopes, fears, and other items of personal relevance. Then, we combined various elements together to create different story ideas, which had to include a person, setting, action and interesting detail. The student had to be in their dream, but could be represented by someone or something else if they wanted. (Most of this part of the process was done through writing and thumbnail sketches.)<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E0FVwAUkvAI/Tl_rDfpu_0I/AAAAAAAAFM0/Dp7dbdMouqY/s1600/IMG_9584.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 212px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E0FVwAUkvAI/Tl_rDfpu_0I/AAAAAAAAFM0/Dp7dbdMouqY/s320/IMG_9584.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5647490903014571842" border="0" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3t0P4aPAkw8/TkmAmHzy_GI/AAAAAAAAFLA/DMvOaRui5dQ/s1600/IMG_9556.JPG"> <img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3t0P4aPAkw8/TkmAmHzy_GI/AAAAAAAAFLA/DMvOaRui5dQ/s320/IMG_9556.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641181400677940322" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CTlzl66CyIY/Tl_rDUVg-HI/AAAAAAAAFM8/uKU5-3ep0pU/s1600/IMG_9740.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CTlzl66CyIY/Tl_rDUVg-HI/AAAAAAAAFM8/uKU5-3ep0pU/s320/IMG_9740.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5647490899976976498" border="0" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZbchQ_VLMrY/Tl_Wc4lGtaI/AAAAAAAAFL8/UoF7400ruR0/s1600/IMG_9757.JPG"> <img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZbchQ_VLMrY/Tl_Wc4lGtaI/AAAAAAAAFL8/UoF7400ruR0/s320/IMG_9757.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5647468249458587042" border="0" /></a><br /><br />First, students worked on creating their setting. We talked a lot about including enough details, texture, etc. that would really visually describe the setting. There was a lot of language integration during this unit. To practice describing a setting, I had the students help me brainstorm all the parts of the art room - right down to the tiny scraps of paper in piles along the walls (we were very messy that time of year, ha!) If a student was still having trouble thinking of things to include for their setting, then I had them work with a partner to brainstorm details of the setting on the back of their paper.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OnomNFAYUCw/Tl_qBG9VJZI/AAAAAAAAFMc/8yYMk-TCpJw/s1600/IMG_9572.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 216px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OnomNFAYUCw/Tl_qBG9VJZI/AAAAAAAAFMc/8yYMk-TCpJw/s320/IMG_9572.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5647489762514511250" border="0" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sEk__HM153c/Tl_qA0xdlgI/AAAAAAAAFMU/DgrWVY72lrI/s1600/IMG_9563.JPG"> <img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 216px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sEk__HM153c/Tl_qA0xdlgI/AAAAAAAAFMU/DgrWVY72lrI/s320/IMG_9563.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5647489757632894466" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lHmZhNrJPh0/TkmAlIvWUBI/AAAAAAAAFKo/Hwnkb8YVlQ0/s1600/IMG_9550.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 315px; height: 216px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lHmZhNrJPh0/TkmAlIvWUBI/AAAAAAAAFKo/Hwnkb8YVlQ0/s320/IMG_9550.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641181383747850258" border="0" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Tlx6hW9UKRQ/TkmAk8-m2zI/AAAAAAAAFKg/nshChKWPKek/s1600/IMG_9547.JPG"> <img style="cursor: pointer; width: 321px; height: 215px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Tlx6hW9UKRQ/TkmAk8-m2zI/AAAAAAAAFKg/nshChKWPKek/s320/IMG_9547.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641181380590623538" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Then, students worked on adding the characters, action and an unexpected detail to their setting. We looked at the work of various surrealist artists such as Salvador Dali, Marc Chagall, and Rene Magritte and talked about ways that the images seem more like a dream than a reality. Some students, just like some of the artists we looked at, only included subtle hints that would clue in the viewer that the image was not meant to be reality. Others constructed totally imaginary places, and stories within them.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IBBqpQB5jGI/Tl_u18mprxI/AAAAAAAAFOM/pdqzwBagbvc/s1600/IMG_9516.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IBBqpQB5jGI/Tl_u18mprxI/AAAAAAAAFOM/pdqzwBagbvc/s320/IMG_9516.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5647495068314611474" border="0" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4B5O4xk5P3U/Tl_u2DJJlXI/AAAAAAAAFOU/e04yZszQQoM/s1600/IMG_9520.JPG"> <img style="cursor: pointer; width: 316px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4B5O4xk5P3U/Tl_u2DJJlXI/AAAAAAAAFOU/e04yZszQQoM/s320/IMG_9520.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5647495070069921138" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AmDBhnzicHQ/Tl_tBc937dI/AAAAAAAAFNs/qRmKi1gD2J0/s1600/IMG_9510.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 313px; height: 210px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AmDBhnzicHQ/Tl_tBc937dI/AAAAAAAAFNs/qRmKi1gD2J0/s320/IMG_9510.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5647493066957254098" border="0" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1Y5I4qQVlpY/Tl_tBDzUHnI/AAAAAAAAFNk/QNWJBUrFWgk/s1600/IMG_9508.JPG"> <img style="cursor: pointer; width: 316px; height: 210px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1Y5I4qQVlpY/Tl_tBDzUHnI/AAAAAAAAFNk/QNWJBUrFWgk/s320/IMG_9508.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5647493060202077810" border="0" /></a><br /><br />For materials, we started out with 11"x17" construction paper as a base, and then built a complex mixed-media collage on top using fabric scraps, leftover paper, magazines and drawing materials such as oil pastel and pencil. We used Elmer's glue to get everything stuck down nice and secure. The students really enjoyed working with fabric; our only challenge was the use of super dull scissors to cut tough fabrics. We managed, though!<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Rfs-fxS9Kxg/Tl_qTtSRVMI/AAAAAAAAFMs/_rTei0i3-Bk/s1600/IMG_9579.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 316px; height: 213px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Rfs-fxS9Kxg/Tl_qTtSRVMI/AAAAAAAAFMs/_rTei0i3-Bk/s320/IMG_9579.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5647490082040534210" border="0" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WeWlMJAjdtY/Tl_qTdzjjBI/AAAAAAAAFMk/I1wHaFkKJSE/s1600/IMG_9575.JPG"> <img style="cursor: pointer; width: 324px; height: 213px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WeWlMJAjdtY/Tl_qTdzjjBI/AAAAAAAAFMk/I1wHaFkKJSE/s320/IMG_9575.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5647490077885172754" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TTvWAfStgH0/Tl_r-UetS1I/AAAAAAAAFNc/pnyV30N7mWY/s1600/IMG_9504.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 212px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TTvWAfStgH0/Tl_r-UetS1I/AAAAAAAAFNc/pnyV30N7mWY/s320/IMG_9504.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5647491913627814738" border="0" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eW9q8qOR7Sg/Tl_r-RmQACI/AAAAAAAAFNU/DLOUr2oetj4/s1600/IMG_9967.JPG"> <img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eW9q8qOR7Sg/Tl_r-RmQACI/AAAAAAAAFNU/DLOUr2oetj4/s320/IMG_9967.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5647491912854143010" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I love the story-telling and creative ideas that the students invented based on their own personal tastes and experiences. All of these dream stories were very unique. Some were wishful, some were adventurous, some were peaceful and serene. Others were surreal interpretations of real life - with elements that were just ever so slightly "off." Some students created dreams that were really rather more like nightmares. I am fascinated by the imagination of children.<br /><div><br /></div><div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JJCtSYHXIeM/Tl_vyQNbPDI/AAAAAAAAFOk/51w7ERtaDDE/s1600/IMG_9532.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 216px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JJCtSYHXIeM/Tl_vyQNbPDI/AAAAAAAAFOk/51w7ERtaDDE/s320/IMG_9532.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5647496104369667122" border="0" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ahCnt2I-s1s/Tl_vyBJWTGI/AAAAAAAAFOc/1BvlVPbtXNc/s1600/IMG_9519.JPG"> <img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ahCnt2I-s1s/Tl_vyBJWTGI/AAAAAAAAFOc/1BvlVPbtXNc/s320/IMG_9519.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5647496100326034530" border="0" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>This unit was a lot of work, and a big success!</div></div>Katie Gonzalezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16007073454015257260noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4138906682666850660.post-89994008376245247392011-05-31T15:17:00.002-05:002011-06-21T22:21:02.939-05:00Coral Reef<div style="text-align: center;">2nd - 4th grade created the most beautiful mixed-media paintings of the coral reef during our last few weeks of school. This two-lesson unit followed a day of observation drawing from a Planet Earth video about the coral reef. We looked at and discussed various life forms in the coral reef, and the students drew what they saw as if they were scientists on a field study.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-flh8YIjQyT0/Td-3Pn2TgPI/AAAAAAAAFIw/mL0UE0PhCK8/s1600/IMG_9600.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611405139749601522" style="WIDTH: 316px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 243px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-flh8YIjQyT0/Td-3Pn2TgPI/AAAAAAAAFIw/mL0UE0PhCK8/s320/IMG_9600.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LwF3sm82YV0/Td-3P2oEHXI/AAAAAAAAFI4/NVlyBYkQS1Y/s1600/IMG_9759.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611405143716404594" style="WIDTH: 307px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 243px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LwF3sm82YV0/Td-3P2oEHXI/AAAAAAAAFI4/NVlyBYkQS1Y/s320/IMG_9759.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QAbheijLc78/Td63tx1kYtI/AAAAAAAAFHw/9ZgSnyR0epY/s1600/IMG_9597.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611124182850233042" style="WIDTH: 313px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 236px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QAbheijLc78/Td63tx1kYtI/AAAAAAAAFHw/9ZgSnyR0epY/s320/IMG_9597.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F_48OzbmF9Y/Td63tRmth3I/AAAAAAAAFHg/Gj6WfWS4Hz8/s1600/IMG_9587.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611124174197983090" style="WIDTH: 311px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 238px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F_48OzbmF9Y/Td63tRmth3I/AAAAAAAAFHg/Gj6WfWS4Hz8/s320/IMG_9587.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The next class, students covered a plain sheet of copier paper with textures that reminded them of the coral using warm colored crayons. Then, they painted over their textures and patterns using liquid watercolors in orange, green, purple and magenta as well as gold, bronze and copper. I showed the students how they could sprinkle a bit of salt over a freshly painted area to create a star-burst texture which would develop over time.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-crZdiAS9tvU/Td61vxTzDmI/AAAAAAAAFGg/p6EnAwEA6ac/s1600/IMG_9586.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611122018045070946" style="WIDTH: 246px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-crZdiAS9tvU/Td61vxTzDmI/AAAAAAAAFGg/p6EnAwEA6ac/s320/IMG_9586.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IFpfAP3B8-4/Td62T3_f0QI/AAAAAAAAFHY/Vwv49-HP4xw/s1600/IMG_9599.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611122638314262786" style="WIDTH: 244px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IFpfAP3B8-4/Td62T3_f0QI/AAAAAAAAFHY/Vwv49-HP4xw/s320/IMG_9599.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8PVmlGm2W_Q/Td62TYsvX3I/AAAAAAAAFHQ/JhL0KkugQp8/s1600/IMG_9598.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611122629914091378" style="WIDTH: 244px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8PVmlGm2W_Q/Td62TYsvX3I/AAAAAAAAFHQ/JhL0KkugQp8/s320/IMG_9598.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6Ik8BFIi5cg/Td62THq4ypI/AAAAAAAAFHI/heTrZ0RacCc/s1600/IMG_9593.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611122625342917266" style="WIDTH: 244px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6Ik8BFIi5cg/Td62THq4ypI/AAAAAAAAFHI/heTrZ0RacCc/s320/IMG_9593.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Students used fine and coarse salt, and were thrilled to see the effects when they came back next class period. We dusted off the salt, and then students worked on top of their paintings to define areas of coral, add a variety of sea life including plants, and even add wavy lines, algae or bubbles to the water. The results were just incredibly beautiful.</div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-il5ih2kC5A0/TeUGmN-A2nI/AAAAAAAAFKI/LgfYvBueBgY/s1600/coral.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612899764241750642" style="WIDTH: 311px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 229px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-il5ih2kC5A0/TeUGmN-A2nI/AAAAAAAAFKI/LgfYvBueBgY/s320/coral.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Mqtg2id5sKI/Td-3Qt_0AlI/AAAAAAAAFJI/qAg07L5utGo/s1600/IMG_9766.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611405158579962450" style="WIDTH: 303px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 229px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Mqtg2id5sKI/Td-3Qt_0AlI/AAAAAAAAFJI/qAg07L5utGo/s320/IMG_9766.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div><div><div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hUGbvev1LjE/Td-3QMCAtRI/AAAAAAAAFJA/C5Hvk4DV0OQ/s1600/IMG_9762.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611405149462377746" style="WIDTH: 310px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 235px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hUGbvev1LjE/Td-3QMCAtRI/AAAAAAAAFJA/C5Hvk4DV0OQ/s320/IMG_9762.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nGAsmuZd3Ec/Td63ubvpd7I/AAAAAAAAFIA/oxpr_IZ6qiw/s1600/IMG_9603.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611124194099689394" style="WIDTH: 307px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 234px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nGAsmuZd3Ec/Td63ubvpd7I/AAAAAAAAFIA/oxpr_IZ6qiw/s320/IMG_9603.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We used pencil and oil pastel to draw on top of the paintings. I loved the effect. We talked about the illusion of space, and how thin, light pencil lines would make something look like it was farther away, while thick, dark lines would make something pop forward.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9xj0Sm06DZY/Td610_aUzhI/AAAAAAAAFHA/xEom7VwxPTk/s1600/IMG_9592.JPG"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; "></span></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9xj0Sm06DZY/Td610_aUzhI/AAAAAAAAFHA/xEom7VwxPTk/s1600/IMG_9592.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611122107729890834" style="WIDTH: 245px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9xj0Sm06DZY/Td610_aUzhI/AAAAAAAAFHA/xEom7VwxPTk/s320/IMG_9592.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tt6yk9YtF40/Td61zEo4UfI/AAAAAAAAFG4/dQQZTWovqw0/s1600/IMG_9591.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611122074773377522" style="WIDTH: 246px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tt6yk9YtF40/Td61zEo4UfI/AAAAAAAAFG4/dQQZTWovqw0/s320/IMG_9591.JPG" border="0" /></a></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ec8S_d4k9wo/Td61xtdClnI/AAAAAAAAFGw/eTRSsN5n6K4/s1600/IMG_9589.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611122051369834098" style="WIDTH: 243px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ec8S_d4k9wo/Td61xtdClnI/AAAAAAAAFGw/eTRSsN5n6K4/s320/IMG_9589.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n5hirZR7_as/Td61wgTXD7I/AAAAAAAAFGo/V_MTddfLGNA/s1600/IMG_9588.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611122030659702706" style="WIDTH: 247px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n5hirZR7_as/Td61wgTXD7I/AAAAAAAAFGo/V_MTddfLGNA/s320/IMG_9588.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tt6yk9YtF40/Td61zEo4UfI/AAAAAAAAFG4/dQQZTWovqw0/s1600/IMG_9591.JPG"></a><div><div><div style="text-align: center;">I did not give the students blue watercolor because I really wanted them to push their thoughts on color. The coral reef is full of warm colors, and often water can have a green or purple tint to it. When we worked on top of the drawings, students had the option to then add blue - which looked really great too!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QyQwgSaFOXw/Td63ts37V-I/AAAAAAAAFHo/ijurVmA5PAM/s1600/IMG_9590.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611124181517948898" style="WIDTH: 312px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 239px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QyQwgSaFOXw/Td63ts37V-I/AAAAAAAAFHo/ijurVmA5PAM/s320/IMG_9590.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oHwVBeZOCCQ/Td64YCV9H0I/AAAAAAAAFIY/3DA9JVTtpm0/s1600/IMG_9758.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611124908835544898" style="WIDTH: 312px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 241px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oHwVBeZOCCQ/Td64YCV9H0I/AAAAAAAAFIY/3DA9JVTtpm0/s320/IMG_9758.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Tbx-xKjjZLM/Td64X3hrrGI/AAAAAAAAFIQ/BehzNRcRUEI/s1600/IMG_9606.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611124905931943010" style="WIDTH: 313px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 235px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Tbx-xKjjZLM/Td64X3hrrGI/AAAAAAAAFIQ/BehzNRcRUEI/s320/IMG_9606.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-660skAAbOHE/Td64YxMThRI/AAAAAAAAFIo/uCfVaajmX8k/s1600/IMG_9760.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611124921411536146" style="WIDTH: 312px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 236px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-660skAAbOHE/Td64YxMThRI/AAAAAAAAFIo/uCfVaajmX8k/s320/IMG_9760.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">All in all, a super fun and satisfying unit with lots of room for variation, personal vision, and experimentation!</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Katie Gonzalezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16007073454015257260noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4138906682666850660.post-19044623046061277832011-05-18T15:23:00.003-05:002011-06-21T22:19:01.501-05:00The Hand of the ArtistThe end of the school year is approaching rapidly! This week many classes are having their second to last trip to the art room for the year. This project has been a PERFECT fit for a one day lesson to finish up the school year before we assemble and take home portfolios.<div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w3ri3d7OZrE/TdEv0z0TTiI/AAAAAAAAFGY/gYSokPifNp4/s1600/IMG_9537.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607315595362258466" style="width: 320px; height: 317px;" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w3ri3d7OZrE/TdEv0z0TTiI/AAAAAAAAFGY/gYSokPifNp4/s320/IMG_9537.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6sOjueF3Ttg/TdEvUj8jzmI/AAAAAAAAFGA/wNKfe0V1_Ec/s1600/IMG_9540.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607315041346113122" style="width: 320px; height: 317px;" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6sOjueF3Ttg/TdEvUj8jzmI/AAAAAAAAFGA/wNKfe0V1_Ec/s320/IMG_9540.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yyzxyguLp3U/TdEvT2rVYqI/AAAAAAAAFFo/X3oOE5VcQtw/s1600/IMG_9544.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607315029194269346" style="width: 320px; height: 318px;" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yyzxyguLp3U/TdEvT2rVYqI/AAAAAAAAFFo/X3oOE5VcQtw/s320/IMG_9544.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L5l9RkNFgM0/TdEv0mV9yOI/AAAAAAAAFGQ/zd5ZMjj6vlA/s1600/IMG_9538.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607315591745358050" style="width: 320px; height: 320px;" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L5l9RkNFgM0/TdEv0mV9yOI/AAAAAAAAFGQ/zd5ZMjj6vlA/s320/IMG_9538.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-veM1eRSbqbM/Tcr2OabxAxI/AAAAAAAAFEw/0kC08su1Fl0/s1600/IMG_9497.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605563413690385170" style="width: 320px; height: 315px;" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-veM1eRSbqbM/Tcr2OabxAxI/AAAAAAAAFEw/0kC08su1Fl0/s320/IMG_9497.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WY8xynrdiro/TcrzDz_neUI/AAAAAAAAFCI/rlF88jayDEQ/s1600/IMG_9468.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605559933038197058" style="width: 320px; height: 316px;" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WY8xynrdiro/TcrzDz_neUI/AAAAAAAAFCI/rlF88jayDEQ/s320/IMG_9468.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g0VHPTxlM4o/TdEv0aN_SvI/AAAAAAAAFGI/GEh0LeB27fs/s1600/IMG_9539.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607315588490676978" style="width: 320px; height: 314px;" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g0VHPTxlM4o/TdEv0aN_SvI/AAAAAAAAFGI/GEh0LeB27fs/s320/IMG_9539.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z5P6Ntwro_w/TdEvUe6sS8I/AAAAAAAAFF4/TEECeYM9P8s/s1600/IMG_9542.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607315039996103618" style="width: 320px; height: 312px;" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z5P6Ntwro_w/TdEvUe6sS8I/AAAAAAAAFF4/TEECeYM9P8s/s320/IMG_9542.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />We approached this as an expressive self portrait of the artist, using one of our most important art-making tools for inspiration - our hands. Students were asked to create a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">composition</span> by tracing their hands, and building the design from there. I told them they could not add other elements like stars, hearts, people, etc. The students and I reviewed various color families that we learned about this year - primary, secondary, complementary, <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">analogous</span>, warm, cool, <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">neutral</span>, etc. Students could choose any colors they wanted, but I encouraged them to think about the different color groups to help them limit their color <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">palette</span> a bit. It can be tempting to just use all the colors in a project like this (not that there's anything wrong with that - that, of course, was a choice too!) I wanted to make sure that students were being really <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">conscious</span> of their color choices.<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CumXe83nClQ/TdEvTe-JLuI/AAAAAAAAFFg/PJg2thnBPMo/s1600/IMG_9545.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607315022830710498" style="width: 320px; height: 312px;" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CumXe83nClQ/TdEvTe-JLuI/AAAAAAAAFFg/PJg2thnBPMo/s320/IMG_9545.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cWqZp9-NGbs/TdEvUGCIq9I/AAAAAAAAFFw/Kr5Tz6cyD3o/s1600/IMG_9543.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607315033316436946" style="width: 320px; height: 312px;" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cWqZp9-NGbs/TdEvUGCIq9I/AAAAAAAAFFw/Kr5Tz6cyD3o/s320/IMG_9543.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j-NkldHZXow/Tcr3B3sggMI/AAAAAAAAFFY/0AqEw0AELwg/s1600/IMG_9503.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605564297718563010" style="width: 320px; height: 312px;" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j-NkldHZXow/Tcr3B3sggMI/AAAAAAAAFFY/0AqEw0AELwg/s320/IMG_9503.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rJHuVLy8PL8/Tcr3BC7ErII/AAAAAAAAFFA/AVZ3YyZIv3w/s1600/IMG_9502.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605564283552574594" style="width: 314px; height: 311px;" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rJHuVLy8PL8/Tcr3BC7ErII/AAAAAAAAFFA/AVZ3YyZIv3w/s320/IMG_9502.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kQSXIKHGa54/Tcr3BTUWc8I/AAAAAAAAFFI/w__qZG3XjOA/s1600/IMG_9500.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605564287953564610" style="width: 320px; height: 304px;" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kQSXIKHGa54/Tcr3BTUWc8I/AAAAAAAAFFI/w__qZG3XjOA/s320/IMG_9500.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jG7KAElwLDs/Tcr3BiFOlfI/AAAAAAAAFFQ/21nAAq4CweU/s1600/IMG_9499.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605564291916666354" style="width: 320px; height: 305px;" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jG7KAElwLDs/Tcr3BiFOlfI/AAAAAAAAFFQ/21nAAq4CweU/s320/IMG_9499.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xFMjwa-QxRk/TcryAc_pjHI/AAAAAAAAFBo/q9III2_nJxs/s1600/IMG_9464.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605558775813082226" style="width: 322px; height: 318px;" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xFMjwa-QxRk/TcryAc_pjHI/AAAAAAAAFBo/q9III2_nJxs/s320/IMG_9464.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gmD5J01Pxmo/TcryAz-uQYI/AAAAAAAAFBw/vcWlnEOhfOA/s1600/IMG_9465.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605558781983211906" style="width: 320px; height: 317px;" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gmD5J01Pxmo/TcryAz-uQYI/AAAAAAAAFBw/vcWlnEOhfOA/s320/IMG_9465.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />This project is really easy and simple and incredibly effective. It can be done in 30 minutes if necessary - though a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">slightly</span> longer class period is preferable for more detailed designs. I have three trays set up in the middle of the room: one for <strong>washable markers</strong>, one for <strong>permanent markers</strong>, and one for <strong>crayons</strong>. For this project I got <strong><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">twistable</span> crayons</strong>, and they have been AWESOME. They come in a great variety of colors, have lasted <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">through</span> many, many classes and allow the students more control when drawing.<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MT9eZbnVkGQ/Tcrzk4Z4zyI/AAAAAAAAFCo/JpAaoo5KO2c/s1600/IMG_9473.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605560501157809954" style="width: 320px; height: 302px;" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MT9eZbnVkGQ/Tcrzk4Z4zyI/AAAAAAAAFCo/JpAaoo5KO2c/s320/IMG_9473.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-a57GTaecRnM/TcrzlBJdJCI/AAAAAAAAFCw/jNABpglXHfM/s1600/IMG_9474.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605560503504806946" style="width: 320px; height: 302px;" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-a57GTaecRnM/TcrzlBJdJCI/AAAAAAAAFCw/jNABpglXHfM/s320/IMG_9474.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nlaJq9NM3jQ/TcrxZV14PuI/AAAAAAAAFAo/W6tEc4iK_Us/s1600/IMG_9458.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605558103878156002" style="width: 312px; height: 312px;" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nlaJq9NM3jQ/TcrxZV14PuI/AAAAAAAAFAo/W6tEc4iK_Us/s320/IMG_9458.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E1EKn19b2RY/TcrxZjTIA-I/AAAAAAAAFAw/lwTlPbuVKdk/s1600/IMG_9459.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605558107490485218" style="width: 320px; height: 312px;" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E1EKn19b2RY/TcrxZjTIA-I/AAAAAAAAFAw/lwTlPbuVKdk/s320/IMG_9459.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qlt45BL7BlM/Tcrw3epnpqI/AAAAAAAAFAg/gj0IfbAs5x0/s1600/IMG_9457.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605557522127103650" style="width: 316px; height: 313px;" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qlt45BL7BlM/Tcrw3epnpqI/AAAAAAAAFAg/gj0IfbAs5x0/s320/IMG_9457.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EpcXHy3El0A/Tcrw2TDj0wI/AAAAAAAAFAI/gcp1sW8hU0E/s1600/IMG_9453.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605557501834810114" style="width: 316px; height: 314px;" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EpcXHy3El0A/Tcrw2TDj0wI/AAAAAAAAFAI/gcp1sW8hU0E/s320/IMG_9453.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6cB1HLVTuA0/Tcr1sg1qQOI/AAAAAAAAFEQ/0cDYjBAr9aU/s1600/IMG_9488.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605562831294054626" style="width: 320px; height: 302px;" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6cB1HLVTuA0/Tcr1sg1qQOI/AAAAAAAAFEQ/0cDYjBAr9aU/s320/IMG_9488.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OC1UY06PFr0/Tcr1MUC81bI/AAAAAAAAFDY/FSqLTEST4H4/s1600/IMG_9481.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605562278104323506" style="width: 314px; height: 302px;" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OC1UY06PFr0/Tcr1MUC81bI/AAAAAAAAFDY/FSqLTEST4H4/s320/IMG_9481.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>I gave each student one coffee filter - this was their ticket to choose one material from each tray to start their design with. (Before drawing, students wrote their name and class info on the outer edge of their filter in pencil.) Students could trade out colors anytime, but could only have one item from each tray in their hand at any given time. With one package of <strong>Crayola Washable Super Tip</strong> M<strong><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">arkers</span></strong> (50 pack) combined with one package of assorted Crayola wide-tip washable markers (12 pack) in one tray, one set of <strong>BIC Mark It Permanent Markers</strong> (36 pack) in another tray, and two packages of <strong>Crayola Mini <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Twistables</span></strong> <strong>Crayons</strong> (24 packs) in the third tray, the students could easily share and have their choice of many, many different shades of colors. I think the variety of color choice and materials really made the final products very rich. These materials in large <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">quantities</span> could be quite expensive, but I found that for this project, if I encouraged the students to use the materials responsibly, one set of each material could be shared between the whole class and last through many, many different uses. (24 classes, with 24-28 students each, have done this project so far, and only the very most popular marker colors are starting to dry out a bit.)<br /><div><div><div><div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H9wKKrBdNmE/TcrxaQiz7qI/AAAAAAAAFA4/jKS7DGEomvk/s1600/IMG_9460.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605558119635873442" style="width: 320px; height: 318px;" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H9wKKrBdNmE/TcrxaQiz7qI/AAAAAAAAFA4/jKS7DGEomvk/s320/IMG_9460.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QB-T_TVYM6o/TcrxbFxRY4I/AAAAAAAAFBI/lR9XicMENjM/s1600/IMG_9462.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605558133923603330" style="width: 320px; height: 318px;" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QB-T_TVYM6o/TcrxbFxRY4I/AAAAAAAAFBI/lR9XicMENjM/s320/IMG_9462.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NqFZFeIHhzk/TcrwKv-u5NI/AAAAAAAAE_o/43wHUSBf1Zo/s1600/IMG_9445.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605556753684948178" style="width: 320px; height: 314px;" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NqFZFeIHhzk/TcrwKv-u5NI/AAAAAAAAE_o/43wHUSBf1Zo/s320/IMG_9445.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tIZjcGcCXiA/Tcr1rn1iCTI/AAAAAAAAFDw/qeoArWVn4PY/s1600/IMG_9484.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605562815992695090" style="width: 321px; height: 313px;" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tIZjcGcCXiA/Tcr1rn1iCTI/AAAAAAAAFDw/qeoArWVn4PY/s320/IMG_9484.JPG" border="0" /></a><div> </div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-o9KTdG2Qp-k/Tcr1sMu3NBI/AAAAAAAAFEA/i7P141E4sus/s1600/IMG_9487.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605562825896834066" style="width: 326px; height: 313px;" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-o9KTdG2Qp-k/Tcr1sMu3NBI/AAAAAAAAFEA/i7P141E4sus/s320/IMG_9487.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PpMIkElWvvs/TcrwLDAglOI/AAAAAAAAE_w/j2GeF22Z59g/s1600/IMG_9448.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605556758792672482" style="width: 314px; height: 312px;" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PpMIkElWvvs/TcrwLDAglOI/AAAAAAAAE_w/j2GeF22Z59g/s320/IMG_9448.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6U4-1M6i3Do/Tcr1LoxdBvI/AAAAAAAAFDI/NQARXKoAHY8/s1600/IMG_9477.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605562266488211186" style="width: 320px; height: 306px;" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6U4-1M6i3Do/Tcr1LoxdBvI/AAAAAAAAFDI/NQARXKoAHY8/s320/IMG_9477.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7uABHVhwR6w/TcrzDqJhuII/AAAAAAAAFCA/U1hvBZ_OqG8/s1600/IMG_9467.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605559930395408514" style="width: 312px; height: 307px;" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7uABHVhwR6w/TcrzDqJhuII/AAAAAAAAFCA/U1hvBZ_OqG8/s320/IMG_9467.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div>Before beginning, students and I discussed the properties of the three materials and predicted what would happen when each gets wet. I instructed students to put the washable materials near the non-washable materials. When sprayed, the washable marker will bleed, the crayon will resist the running ink, and the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">permanent</span> marker will stay the same. The effect is <em>really</em> cool.<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IggHoLb4BQM/TcrzkqVoyDI/AAAAAAAAFCg/Ex559toPgi4/s1600/IMG_9472.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605560497381886002" style="width: 322px; height: 304px;" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IggHoLb4BQM/TcrzkqVoyDI/AAAAAAAAFCg/Ex559toPgi4/s320/IMG_9472.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-coBMy8uqsqc/Tcr2N5injXI/AAAAAAAAFEo/ekTX1FtP3G8/s1600/IMG_9493.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605563404860755314" style="width: 313px; height: 305px;" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-coBMy8uqsqc/Tcr2N5injXI/AAAAAAAAFEo/ekTX1FtP3G8/s320/IMG_9493.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1voEq-vaBts/Tcr2NnbxRNI/AAAAAAAAFEg/2dAVXeMe2Sc/s1600/IMG_9491.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605563400000193746" style="width: 315px; height: 300px;" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1voEq-vaBts/Tcr2NnbxRNI/AAAAAAAAFEg/2dAVXeMe2Sc/s320/IMG_9491.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7_fsKk781cs/Tcr1MNQbRMI/AAAAAAAAFDQ/dGg3aXBLHQM/s1600/IMG_9480.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605562276281795778" style="width: 316px; height: 301px;" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7_fsKk781cs/Tcr1MNQbRMI/AAAAAAAAFDQ/dGg3aXBLHQM/s320/IMG_9480.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5m1atp5eHJE/TcrzDeOaWoI/AAAAAAAAFB4/_HPxGo9ZTPA/s1600/IMG_9466.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605559927194671746" style="width: 311px; height: 306px;" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5m1atp5eHJE/TcrzDeOaWoI/AAAAAAAAFB4/_HPxGo9ZTPA/s320/IMG_9466.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gzRggv-kAZE/Tcr1sRelqhI/AAAAAAAAFEI/Q9PIKcp8Nqo/s1600/IMG_9486.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605562827170753042" style="width: 320px; height: 305px;" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gzRggv-kAZE/Tcr1sRelqhI/AAAAAAAAFEI/Q9PIKcp8Nqo/s320/IMG_9486.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k1H9-dfMidk/TcrzEnbRRuI/AAAAAAAAFCY/gS1FnmZcjCw/s1600/IMG_9471.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605559946844391138" style="width: 320px; height: 309px;" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k1H9-dfMidk/TcrzEnbRRuI/AAAAAAAAFCY/gS1FnmZcjCw/s320/IMG_9471.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oDnmpD0mqio/TcrwJm0Ss3I/AAAAAAAAE_Y/B4nJhP2Oe0s/s1600/IMG_9443.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605556734045369202" style="width: 316px; height: 308px;" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oDnmpD0mqio/TcrwJm0Ss3I/AAAAAAAAE_Y/B4nJhP2Oe0s/s320/IMG_9443.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />At the end of class, each filter was placed on a couple sheets torn out of the phone book and sprayed lightly with a spray bottle. Less is more here - too much water will wash away too much of the washable marker. A light spritzing is plenty. The phone book pages help absorb the extra water and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">keep</span> the filters flat while on the drying rack.<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ezsP8xnYu3Q/Tcr1ryyRGTI/AAAAAAAAFD4/V6nL9HHIi1Q/s1600/IMG_9485.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605562818931792178" style="width: 315px; height: 295px;" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ezsP8xnYu3Q/Tcr1ryyRGTI/AAAAAAAAFD4/V6nL9HHIi1Q/s320/IMG_9485.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q5bAqX397rg/Tcr1NJ8eKkI/AAAAAAAAFDo/u7ubvSZ8SCs/s1600/IMG_9483.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605562292572662338" style="width: 313px; height: 294px;" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q5bAqX397rg/Tcr1NJ8eKkI/AAAAAAAAFDo/u7ubvSZ8SCs/s320/IMG_9483.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wLfh_ien7Dc/TcrwI7p0cTI/AAAAAAAAE_Q/yqT4tGUp8Vs/s1600/IMG_9441.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605556722458718514" style="width: 311px; height: 314px;" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wLfh_ien7Dc/TcrwI7p0cTI/AAAAAAAAE_Q/yqT4tGUp8Vs/s320/IMG_9441.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hP5DgFUebhg/TcrwKOoQDDI/AAAAAAAAE_g/_VGekEklz30/s1600/IMG_9444.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605556744732281906" style="width: 315px; height: 313px;" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hP5DgFUebhg/TcrwKOoQDDI/AAAAAAAAE_g/_VGekEklz30/s320/IMG_9444.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eXb9fVFCqoA/Tcr1MvJ1jGI/AAAAAAAAFDg/CAJKIx-Xyj4/s1600/IMG_9482.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605562285380963426" style="width: 320px; height: 312px;" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eXb9fVFCqoA/Tcr1MvJ1jGI/AAAAAAAAFDg/CAJKIx-Xyj4/s320/IMG_9482.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lmAXAh74f04/Tcrzl1aXuOI/AAAAAAAAFC4/FIjt5BthqMM/s1600/IMG_9475.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605560517534398690" style="width: 313px; height: 312px;" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lmAXAh74f04/Tcrzl1aXuOI/AAAAAAAAFC4/FIjt5BthqMM/s320/IMG_9475.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TBIgtRHyoTw/TcrzmEBcQEI/AAAAAAAAFDA/mLFQKP2xuqo/s1600/IMG_9476.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605560521456369730" style="width: 317px; height: 300px;" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TBIgtRHyoTw/TcrzmEBcQEI/AAAAAAAAFDA/mLFQKP2xuqo/s320/IMG_9476.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xLWMgcY5BpQ/Tcr2NYSnF4I/AAAAAAAAFEY/4p5cOT0yxS0/s1600/IMG_9489.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605563395935246210" style="width: 311px; height: 299px;" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xLWMgcY5BpQ/Tcr2NYSnF4I/AAAAAAAAFEY/4p5cOT0yxS0/s320/IMG_9489.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div>I am seriously so in love with this simple lesson. I wish I could have put every single one on my blog. </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Katie Gonzalezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16007073454015257260noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4138906682666850660.post-40143328769671916382011-05-09T15:01:00.003-05:002011-05-09T17:23:22.187-05:00Art Around the School<div align="center">We have been SO busy around these parts! End of the year programs, testing, and busy schedules rule our days. I am working hard to document and edit our incredible art units to show you (including the fourth grade dream collages!) This week, however, is TAKS week, and I have been administering tests. Testing in different parts of the building has really given me an opportunity to look around the walls of our school and see what my students have been up to in their classrooms. And I am proud to say, Briargrove teachers and students are integrating lots of art skills into their core subjects! I was so impressed by what I saw that I decided to walk around the entire school with my camera and share with you some of what I found:<br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UXZVI-XPUSU/TbsUT0eV8DI/AAAAAAAAE1Q/d_sSrZGek0I/s1600/IMG_9221.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601092892301324338" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UXZVI-XPUSU/TbsUT0eV8DI/AAAAAAAAE1Q/d_sSrZGek0I/s320/IMG_9221.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q8RYJCU7p5g/TbsUTlURwOI/AAAAAAAAE1I/Kk6UmpUiwFM/s1600/IMG_9214.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601092888232575202" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q8RYJCU7p5g/TbsUTlURwOI/AAAAAAAAE1I/Kk6UmpUiwFM/s320/IMG_9214.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q8RYJCU7p5g/TbsUTlURwOI/AAAAAAAAE1I/Kk6UmpUiwFM/s1600/IMG_9214.JPG"><br /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eFaJ5prvkuk/TbsTeIEAWvI/AAAAAAAAE0w/-KEAnY0FS-M/s1600/IMG_9209.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601091969846631154" style="WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eFaJ5prvkuk/TbsTeIEAWvI/AAAAAAAAE0w/-KEAnY0FS-M/s320/IMG_9209.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nyUo_TB8DqI/TbsTede7WDI/AAAAAAAAE04/E26rvBxiwyU/s1600/IMG_9215.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601091975596693554" style="WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nyUo_TB8DqI/TbsTede7WDI/AAAAAAAAE04/E26rvBxiwyU/s320/IMG_9215.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OYcEjO7amas/TbsTexaG3ZI/AAAAAAAAE1A/wQ_6G6ApeA4/s1600/IMG_9219.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601091980945186194" style="WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OYcEjO7amas/TbsTexaG3ZI/AAAAAAAAE1A/wQ_6G6ApeA4/s320/IMG_9219.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q8RYJCU7p5g/TbsUTlURwOI/AAAAAAAAE1I/Kk6UmpUiwFM/s1600/IMG_9214.JPG"><br /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HTBvDuXb5QM/TbsUUb7tG2I/AAAAAAAAE1Y/uzikuZnoaqI/s1600/IMG_9213.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601092902893460322" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HTBvDuXb5QM/TbsUUb7tG2I/AAAAAAAAE1Y/uzikuZnoaqI/s320/IMG_9213.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GYmASxeU_1g/TbsUUhdt1OI/AAAAAAAAE1g/U4JhaJ0F5Nc/s1600/IMG_9216.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601092904378291426" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GYmASxeU_1g/TbsUUhdt1OI/AAAAAAAAE1g/U4JhaJ0F5Nc/s320/IMG_9216.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div>The first group of work that really struck my eye was hanging in the third grade hallway, outside Ms. Ladd's classroom. These collages are AMAZING - they could have been made in our very own art room! These students recycled cardboard cereal boxes (our favorite thing to make art on in the art room) and created these mixed media collages using magazines, newspapers, oil pastels, and pencils. (By the way, "Uncle Romie" is Romare Bearden! I can't believe I have never seen this book - can't wait to read it myself!) Here's what they did:<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YzaMMWFIhhQ/Tb7G4lwwCcI/AAAAAAAAE1w/JeoMgULMlrs/s1600/me_20and_20uncle_20romie.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602133662007036354" style="WIDTH: 203px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 268px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YzaMMWFIhhQ/Tb7G4lwwCcI/AAAAAAAAE1w/JeoMgULMlrs/s320/me_20and_20uncle_20romie.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VI28G2_VqqQ/Tb7HczckkuI/AAAAAAAAE14/G__Il6P531s/s1600/IMG_9211.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602134284155785954" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 267px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VI28G2_VqqQ/Tb7HczckkuI/AAAAAAAAE14/G__Il6P531s/s400/IMG_9211.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q8RYJCU7p5g/TbsUTlURwOI/AAAAAAAAE1I/Kk6UmpUiwFM/s1600/IMG_9214.JPG"><br /></a>I like the way the students combined different materials and used their whole composition to tell a story. We've been working on a collage story-telling unit in my classroom with similar materials and a different theme. It's SO COOL to see the concepts and skills we are working on in the art room being incorporated into curriculum in the classroom! What a great way to show the students that our subjects really are linked together, and that sophisticated, authentic <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q8RYJCU7p5g/TbsUTlURwOI/AAAAAAAAE1I/Kk6UmpUiwFM/s1600/IMG_9214.JPG"><br /></a>art-making doesn't just happen in art class!<br /><br />Next on my walk, I noticed these awesome posters depicting different types of habitats. I think this was also hanging in the third grade pod. Again, another awesome mixed-media composition that relates to things we have worked on in our art assignments. It looks like the students combined magazine images with crayons or colored pencil. I love the full use of the page, the bright coloring, and especially the fact that there is a horizon line in each composition! This is a BIG visual concept we work on when doing landscapes - showing that the sky touches the ground. So great!<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q8RYJCU7p5g/TbsUTlURwOI/AAAAAAAAE1I/Kk6UmpUiwFM/s1600/IMG_9214.JPG"><br /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QrtoTmt1KEI/TcgqGPbyvoI/AAAAAAAAE-o/F3aOS91SoTM/s1600/IMG_9228.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604776022973267586" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QrtoTmt1KEI/TcgqGPbyvoI/AAAAAAAAE-o/F3aOS91SoTM/s320/IMG_9228.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--DUkkYriXTs/TcgqFmJ7EoI/AAAAAAAAE-g/5CSoGoEDEhg/s1600/IMG_9226.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604776011892462210" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--DUkkYriXTs/TcgqFmJ7EoI/AAAAAAAAE-g/5CSoGoEDEhg/s320/IMG_9226.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yVPkfnBevg8/Tb7Jre-0UdI/AAAAAAAAE2I/5PVE3phRPNo/s1600/IMG_9224.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602136735383572946" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yVPkfnBevg8/Tb7Jre-0UdI/AAAAAAAAE2I/5PVE3phRPNo/s320/IMG_9224.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RWknQmifko0/Tb7JrHyq8RI/AAAAAAAAE2A/MV-y0Obquy0/s1600/IMG_9223.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602136729158611218" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RWknQmifko0/Tb7JrHyq8RI/AAAAAAAAE2A/MV-y0Obquy0/s320/IMG_9223.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q8RYJCU7p5g/TbsUTlURwOI/AAAAAAAAE1I/Kk6UmpUiwFM/s1600/IMG_9214.JPG"><br /></a>Here are some sweet spring-inspired acrostics decorated with beautiful, elaborate drawings. I love the way that these first graders colored their whole page (something I am CONSTANTLY drilling into their heads with every assignment.) I really feel like the students and teachers have paid attention to ways that we can really make something more visually interesting and balanced, and are working to apply those strategies to more than just the art they make in my<br />classroom. Yay!<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-H6FkiV0IFcg/Tb7oJgzYBDI/AAAAAAAAE3o/oYPDIfZGrpg/s1600/IMG_9189.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602170236617360434" style="WIDTH: 206px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 269px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-H6FkiV0IFcg/Tb7oJgzYBDI/AAAAAAAAE3o/oYPDIfZGrpg/s320/IMG_9189.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mAyh9USgrsI/Tb7oJM4Q5aI/AAAAAAAAE3g/K2L5nZHn9Gg/s1600/IMG_9188.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602170231269156258" style="WIDTH: 212px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 270px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mAyh9USgrsI/Tb7oJM4Q5aI/AAAAAAAAE3g/K2L5nZHn9Gg/s320/IMG_9188.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kKcD9TSAUlA/Tb7nwyU-6uI/AAAAAAAAE3A/2jMEa_l-9ss/s1600/IMG_9184.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602169811824995042" style="WIDTH: 216px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 269px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kKcD9TSAUlA/Tb7nwyU-6uI/AAAAAAAAE3A/2jMEa_l-9ss/s320/IMG_9184.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q8RYJCU7p5g/TbsUTlURwOI/AAAAAAAAE1I/Kk6UmpUiwFM/s1600/IMG_9214.JPG"><br /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G-OUqyOipRQ/Tb7nxxhbEMI/AAAAAAAAE3Q/4--GUIbDNcU/s1600/IMG_9186.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602169828788605122" style="WIDTH: 218px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 275px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G-OUqyOipRQ/Tb7nxxhbEMI/AAAAAAAAE3Q/4--GUIbDNcU/s320/IMG_9186.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rTdv6YcNA7s/Tb7oI75oQ6I/AAAAAAAAE3Y/_HGrHT3l8uM/s1600/IMG_9187.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602170226711479202" style="WIDTH: 205px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 275px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rTdv6YcNA7s/Tb7oI75oQ6I/AAAAAAAAE3Y/_HGrHT3l8uM/s320/IMG_9187.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Fuf5boOewRs/Tb7nxeLeiOI/AAAAAAAAE3I/aZGJDsiAmdQ/s1600/IMG_9185.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602169823596284130" style="WIDTH: 209px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 274px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Fuf5boOewRs/Tb7nxeLeiOI/AAAAAAAAE3I/aZGJDsiAmdQ/s320/IMG_9185.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q8RYJCU7p5g/TbsUTlURwOI/AAAAAAAAE1I/Kk6UmpUiwFM/s1600/IMG_9214.JPG"><br /></a>These first grade ice cream sundae recipes are a really fun twist on fractions. This assignment is a fun way to incorporate some simple but pleasing art-making into a math lesson that the kids can really see and understand. I love the colors, and the attention to detail for the different flavors of ice cream. Yum!<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q8RYJCU7p5g/TbsUTlURwOI/AAAAAAAAE1I/Kk6UmpUiwFM/s1600/IMG_9214.JPG"><br /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cqZPlrXHqF8/Tb8mIxyzSII/AAAAAAAAE6A/PmD13657tlw/s1600/IMG_9174.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602238393719408770" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cqZPlrXHqF8/Tb8mIxyzSII/AAAAAAAAE6A/PmD13657tlw/s320/IMG_9174.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0GfL3jkxQ7A/Tb8l8eWMcDI/AAAAAAAAE5o/Ig6KhLwpa8I/s1600/IMG_9179.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602238182340718642" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0GfL3jkxQ7A/Tb8l8eWMcDI/AAAAAAAAE5o/Ig6KhLwpa8I/s320/IMG_9179.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q8RYJCU7p5g/TbsUTlURwOI/AAAAAAAAE1I/Kk6UmpUiwFM/s1600/IMG_9214.JPG"><br /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FvGpMTRFRbs/Tb8l8keokqI/AAAAAAAAE54/S9LaqGKkuUs/s1600/IMG_9181.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602238183986729634" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FvGpMTRFRbs/Tb8l8keokqI/AAAAAAAAE54/S9LaqGKkuUs/s320/IMG_9181.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TQWmXynD-gY/Tb8l74-J7ZI/AAAAAAAAE5Y/FkNbST5fOjM/s1600/IMG_9180.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602238172307778962" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TQWmXynD-gY/Tb8l74-J7ZI/AAAAAAAAE5Y/FkNbST5fOjM/s320/IMG_9180.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q8RYJCU7p5g/TbsUTlURwOI/AAAAAAAAE1I/Kk6UmpUiwFM/s1600/IMG_9214.JPG"><br /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1bmVrBqaPsU/Tb8l8F5YV8I/AAAAAAAAE5g/ani6GrqqCkc/s1600/IMG_9177.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602238175777413058" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1bmVrBqaPsU/Tb8l8F5YV8I/AAAAAAAAE5g/ani6GrqqCkc/s320/IMG_9177.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EWWYGOUDvWs/Tb8mxPytsUI/AAAAAAAAE6I/dU3blLPnMW8/s1600/IMG_9176.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602239088966873410" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EWWYGOUDvWs/Tb8mxPytsUI/AAAAAAAAE6I/dU3blLPnMW8/s320/IMG_9176.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Mrs. Robledo's first grade class applied a similar concept with this drawing assignment using fractions. Students combined different animals to make a new creature and wrote about what fraction of each animal is part of the new creature. We do something similar to this sometimes in the art room, and I love that fractions are involved here! Something to add to my made up creature units in the future!<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q8RYJCU7p5g/TbsUTlURwOI/AAAAAAAAE1I/Kk6UmpUiwFM/s1600/IMG_9214.JPG"> </a></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jn_H_IF0u8U/TcAzhJ4tCsI/AAAAAAAAE6o/8uVJBQ1Yb0k/s1600/IMG_9263.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602534581131348674" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jn_H_IF0u8U/TcAzhJ4tCsI/AAAAAAAAE6o/8uVJBQ1Yb0k/s320/IMG_9263.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6IY2dPbbzow/TcA0HN09E8I/AAAAAAAAE7A/PNtJcsBMAbQ/s1600/IMG_9266.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602535235024393154" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6IY2dPbbzow/TcA0HN09E8I/AAAAAAAAE7A/PNtJcsBMAbQ/s320/IMG_9266.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q8RYJCU7p5g/TbsUTlURwOI/AAAAAAAAE1I/Kk6UmpUiwFM/s1600/IMG_9214.JPG"><br /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dTGtAsUPpFA/TcA0GcfAkkI/AAAAAAAAE64/cHR_PkSOnx0/s1600/IMG_9262.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602535221779010114" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dTGtAsUPpFA/TcA0GcfAkkI/AAAAAAAAE64/cHR_PkSOnx0/s320/IMG_9262.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AG6gH89Ya4s/TcA0F7bWOWI/AAAAAAAAE6w/LBnaaPVLAQ4/s1600/IMG_9261.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602535212905281890" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AG6gH89Ya4s/TcA0F7bWOWI/AAAAAAAAE6w/LBnaaPVLAQ4/s320/IMG_9261.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q8RYJCU7p5g/TbsUTlURwOI/AAAAAAAAE1I/Kk6UmpUiwFM/s1600/IMG_9214.JPG"><br /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2B6EfkRiSVU/TcAzgsTLpvI/AAAAAAAAE6Y/wrU76UpRJsI/s1600/IMG_9258.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602534573189342962" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2B6EfkRiSVU/TcAzgsTLpvI/AAAAAAAAE6Y/wrU76UpRJsI/s320/IMG_9258.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-g85jcQqJhYM/TcAzgwWMsaI/AAAAAAAAE6g/_htdBIojHik/s1600/IMG_9264.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602534574275735970" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-g85jcQqJhYM/TcAzgwWMsaI/AAAAAAAAE6g/_htdBIojHik/s320/IMG_9264.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q8RYJCU7p5g/TbsUTlURwOI/AAAAAAAAE1I/Kk6UmpUiwFM/s1600/IMG_9214.JPG"><br /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iEoGssiGlkY/TcAzeK7MlhI/AAAAAAAAE6Q/0BqELNNxGpM/s1600/IMG_9257.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602534529870632466" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iEoGssiGlkY/TcAzeK7MlhI/AAAAAAAAE6Q/0BqELNNxGpM/s320/IMG_9257.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XZRUpIal11I/TcA0eXR6GPI/AAAAAAAAE7I/q3BwStsYA1s/s1600/IMG_9259.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602535632698743026" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XZRUpIal11I/TcA0eXR6GPI/AAAAAAAAE7I/q3BwStsYA1s/s320/IMG_9259.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q8RYJCU7p5g/TbsUTlURwOI/AAAAAAAAE1I/Kk6UmpUiwFM/s1600/IMG_9214.JPG"><br /></a>Also outside Mrs. Robledo's room is this beautiful shape quilt. I love the different patterns, colors and shapes representing each child in the class.<br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I63Evh_cPdM/TcGMQP_19JI/AAAAAAAAE8Y/Iuil2mJGhNo/s1600/IMG_9183.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602913622225712274" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I63Evh_cPdM/TcGMQP_19JI/AAAAAAAAE8Y/Iuil2mJGhNo/s400/IMG_9183.JPG" border="0" /></a></div>Mrs. Stowe's class also did some cool designs with geometric shapes. Love the tessellations made on the computer! And I love the way they combined art and geometry to use simple shapes to construct a more complex structure - like a lighthouse or a cat!<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s_cCwpXdHjg/Tcf62iK6A4I/AAAAAAAAE8o/aXcaQez6dOA/s1600/IMG_9283.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604724076078302082" style="WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s_cCwpXdHjg/Tcf62iK6A4I/AAAAAAAAE8o/aXcaQez6dOA/s400/IMG_9283.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5H0g9kjHfds/Tcf62T5fdeI/AAAAAAAAE8g/W5HavaVXxU8/s1600/IMG_9279.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604724072247162338" style="WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5H0g9kjHfds/Tcf62T5fdeI/AAAAAAAAE8g/W5HavaVXxU8/s400/IMG_9279.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Down in the library, the windows and walls are lined right now with homemade recycled material robots. These were made by first graders! It's so fun to see how students used different materials that they found at home to make these happy, diverse robots. All the small details and the expressions on the robots' faces are so much fun to look at!<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xVUfjlq0CWY/Tb8WmUh_obI/AAAAAAAAE4I/6EHQgSFiToE/s1600/IMG_9245.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602221309074317746" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xVUfjlq0CWY/Tb8WmUh_obI/AAAAAAAAE4I/6EHQgSFiToE/s320/IMG_9245.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1PLPYwPLFxg/Tb8WmPVbdvI/AAAAAAAAE4A/avQx7O1kG70/s1600/IMG_9247.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602221307679438578" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1PLPYwPLFxg/Tb8WmPVbdvI/AAAAAAAAE4A/avQx7O1kG70/s320/IMG_9247.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MNUgnEYW5aM/Tb8WlUeLPFI/AAAAAAAAE3w/udc7RXCLUHY/s1600/IMG_9156.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602221291878431826" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MNUgnEYW5aM/Tb8WlUeLPFI/AAAAAAAAE3w/udc7RXCLUHY/s320/IMG_9156.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JZlu2JqL-Ys/Tb8WlmEQaWI/AAAAAAAAE34/sxNwDjcasu0/s1600/IMG_9157.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602221296601557346" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JZlu2JqL-Ys/Tb8WlmEQaWI/AAAAAAAAE34/sxNwDjcasu0/s320/IMG_9157.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div>Here are some awesome homemade bugs that I just had to track down in Mrs. Shavlan's kindergarten classroom. I saw a proud student arrive with his grasshopper at morning carpool duty and was very impressed with his use of recycled materials. I am sure that there was some adult assistance with the robots and bugs, and I love the idea of families working with their children to make something so creative and challenging. These types of scultpures would be impossible for me to teach with this age group given my current class sizes and time constraints, so it's very exciting to me to see students being given an opportunity to expore this at home.<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nS_9eEFb6nU/TcgrAT6F5PI/AAAAAAAAE_I/PfVZblNpL9g/s1600/IMG_9287.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604777020606506226" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nS_9eEFb6nU/TcgrAT6F5PI/AAAAAAAAE_I/PfVZblNpL9g/s320/IMG_9287.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H_xsETnXTTE/TcgrAekVfoI/AAAAAAAAE_A/jhi0OCeipGc/s1600/IMG_9286.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604777023468043906" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H_xsETnXTTE/TcgrAekVfoI/AAAAAAAAE_A/jhi0OCeipGc/s320/IMG_9286.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Lt1mVjxeLxI/Tcgq_492OlI/AAAAAAAAE-4/nf7nPjvD9do/s1600/IMG_9285.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604777013374499410" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Lt1mVjxeLxI/Tcgq_492OlI/AAAAAAAAE-4/nf7nPjvD9do/s320/IMG_9285.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-15Jpu5w2qA8/Tcgq_8a-4uI/AAAAAAAAE-w/eGIJIdJsa9Y/s1600/IMG_9284.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604777014302008034" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-15Jpu5w2qA8/Tcgq_8a-4uI/AAAAAAAAE-w/eGIJIdJsa9Y/s320/IMG_9284.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />The next project I saw combines nature and art in a really creative way. Mrs. Plaia, the science teacher, taught a unit on bugs to the second graders, which culminated in a fun art project using their knowledge of bugs to create a new species! The brainstorming worksheet of this project was really cool, and reminded me a lot of what we do for brainstorming in the art room. Mrs. Plaia had students draw different body parts from bugs in each box of the sheet, then comine all the parts in their final drawing to make a new bug! So cool!<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-paK-20-SUNs/Tb8ftaAipbI/AAAAAAAAE4Y/FQlox99Wf-0/s1600/IMG_9166.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602231326408353202" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-paK-20-SUNs/Tb8ftaAipbI/AAAAAAAAE4Y/FQlox99Wf-0/s320/IMG_9166.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tYQUyNSkWxc/Tb8ftDZlKsI/AAAAAAAAE4Q/60QNqKlaOw4/s1600/IMG_9165.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602231320339360450" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tYQUyNSkWxc/Tb8ftDZlKsI/AAAAAAAAE4Q/60QNqKlaOw4/s320/IMG_9165.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />In the fifth grade hallway, I noticed an awesome display of detailed drawings depicting figures from Greek mythology. I love the way that students show what they know about the characters and settings of the myths through detailed drawing and careful compositions. We are working on visual storytelling in the art room right now in fifth grade, but with a different theme and materials. I love it when units complement learning going on in different classrooms.<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sLUIuI-9fms/Tb8igqlyWuI/AAAAAAAAE4g/UH8yw-wot9Y/s1600/IMG_9243.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602234406056123106" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sLUIuI-9fms/Tb8igqlyWuI/AAAAAAAAE4g/UH8yw-wot9Y/s320/IMG_9243.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--EJhoABPFpI/Tb8ihfC_koI/AAAAAAAAE4w/gVuA5itIhkg/s1600/IMG_9233.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602234420137267842" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--EJhoABPFpI/Tb8ihfC_koI/AAAAAAAAE4w/gVuA5itIhkg/s320/IMG_9233.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8LUTFY5o_wE/Tb8jTJA-lqI/AAAAAAAAE5Q/OuufDKOZcjE/s1600/IMG_9244.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602235273216693922" style="WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8LUTFY5o_wE/Tb8jTJA-lqI/AAAAAAAAE5Q/OuufDKOZcjE/s320/IMG_9244.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lo-RjuFjC90/Tb8jS1FliRI/AAAAAAAAE5I/JuptRRA80o8/s1600/IMG_9236.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602235267867314450" style="WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lo-RjuFjC90/Tb8jS1FliRI/AAAAAAAAE5I/JuptRRA80o8/s320/IMG_9236.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K6sKXbYCFio/Tb8jSuLpzqI/AAAAAAAAE5A/bu7pDtLidWE/s1600/IMG_9235.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602235266013712034" style="WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K6sKXbYCFio/Tb8jSuLpzqI/AAAAAAAAE5A/bu7pDtLidWE/s320/IMG_9235.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eLzDKYcB5Yk/Tb8ig0oR_VI/AAAAAAAAE4o/EMBwqwVK8Ig/s1600/IMG_9241.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602234408750939474" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eLzDKYcB5Yk/Tb8ig0oR_VI/AAAAAAAAE4o/EMBwqwVK8Ig/s320/IMG_9241.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NuBUs95BSjU/Tb8ihp645oI/AAAAAAAAE44/xb4AaCNDLeA/s1600/IMG_9242.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602234423056066178" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NuBUs95BSjU/Tb8ihp645oI/AAAAAAAAE44/xb4AaCNDLeA/s320/IMG_9242.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q8RYJCU7p5g/TbsUTlURwOI/AAAAAAAAE1I/Kk6UmpUiwFM/s1600/IMG_9214.JPG"><br /></a>Down in the kinder hallway, I saw another example of students using drawing to share their knowledge of a subject. I love these illustrations depicting different types of transportation made by Ms. Cook's class. There's so much detail. The students used their full page and really used drawing to show what they know. Don't these drawings make travel look like so much fun? Makes me want to go on a trip somewhere - summer break, anyone?!<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XKdquhrcUb8/TcF2eJlMdgI/AAAAAAAAE7w/_WsRIo9O2-s/s1600/IMG_9268.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602889671765685762" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XKdquhrcUb8/TcF2eJlMdgI/AAAAAAAAE7w/_WsRIo9O2-s/s320/IMG_9268.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-orh_EeS4__Y/TcF4hCDqjFI/AAAAAAAAE8I/phQf4IKMaIA/s1600/IMG_9271.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602891920308866130" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-orh_EeS4__Y/TcF4hCDqjFI/AAAAAAAAE8I/phQf4IKMaIA/s320/IMG_9271.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ToQ2ZgRBBmA/TcF2JNVZQ0I/AAAAAAAAE7g/kZ7zW-U7LVE/s1600/IMG_9272.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602889311995904834" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ToQ2ZgRBBmA/TcF2JNVZQ0I/AAAAAAAAE7g/kZ7zW-U7LVE/s320/IMG_9272.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kjW5p_E--io/TcF2I9zJxPI/AAAAAAAAE7Y/_9WyD1K6kpk/s1600/IMG_9275.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602889307825751282" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kjW5p_E--io/TcF2I9zJxPI/AAAAAAAAE7Y/_9WyD1K6kpk/s320/IMG_9275.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CZzhFhj2d_0/TcF2JcLfCAI/AAAAAAAAE7o/01GiZIOJqHw/s1600/IMG_9276.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602889315980871682" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CZzhFhj2d_0/TcF2JcLfCAI/AAAAAAAAE7o/01GiZIOJqHw/s320/IMG_9276.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JXWB1cw6r-g/TcF3Ua9xiXI/AAAAAAAAE74/qD0IzFxuLFQ/s1600/IMG_9269.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602890604145117554" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JXWB1cw6r-g/TcF3Ua9xiXI/AAAAAAAAE74/qD0IzFxuLFQ/s320/IMG_9269.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DvKpPnBFmDg/TcF3Uos1UaI/AAAAAAAAE8A/RSvuE2l3z6I/s1600/IMG_9270.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602890607832158626" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DvKpPnBFmDg/TcF3Uos1UaI/AAAAAAAAE8A/RSvuE2l3z6I/s320/IMG_9270.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wCHx5kYIpx4/TcF2IlfCTHI/AAAAAAAAE7Q/mOtj0SLBcdI/s1600/IMG_9274.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602889301298924658" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wCHx5kYIpx4/TcF2IlfCTHI/AAAAAAAAE7Q/mOtj0SLBcdI/s320/IMG_9274.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />I also loved these kinder illustrations, made by Ms. Levy's class, depicting different ways to be more Earth-friendly! Taking care of our environment is something you know I care very deeply about!<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a0XZQZIAFq8/TcgJxaynuvI/AAAAAAAAE9Q/yBIo_wi8hYQ/s1600/IMG_9194.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604740480872463090" style="WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a0XZQZIAFq8/TcgJxaynuvI/AAAAAAAAE9Q/yBIo_wi8hYQ/s320/IMG_9194.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jQmJpLzuWrY/TcgJxpL6YgI/AAAAAAAAE9Y/guaR9OiJtNw/s1600/IMG_9193.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604740484736639490" style="WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jQmJpLzuWrY/TcgJxpL6YgI/AAAAAAAAE9Y/guaR9OiJtNw/s320/IMG_9193.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z2cPS2E5nhs/TcgJx3xWCKI/AAAAAAAAE9g/6J8jQ6jpUO8/s1600/IMG_9192.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604740488651737250" style="WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z2cPS2E5nhs/TcgJx3xWCKI/AAAAAAAAE9g/6J8jQ6jpUO8/s320/IMG_9192.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />There were lots of other writing and research projects around the school that were full of artistic detail, illustration, and decoration. I'm so glad to see my students beautifying and enriching their work with detailed drawing and bright colors that pop! In my opinion, art just makes good work even better!<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dX4R9FOf2ik/TcgIwgS7dNI/AAAAAAAAE9A/SjTemBMLk9g/s1600/IMG_9206.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604739365658653906" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dX4R9FOf2ik/TcgIwgS7dNI/AAAAAAAAE9A/SjTemBMLk9g/s320/IMG_9206.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ozjflOPOZwI/TcgIw1t7KnI/AAAAAAAAE9I/qj1C5Wu5rZs/s1600/IMG_9208.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604739371409025650" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ozjflOPOZwI/TcgIw1t7KnI/AAAAAAAAE9I/qj1C5Wu5rZs/s320/IMG_9208.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Z42m20c8100/TcgFKikuEzI/AAAAAAAAE84/DxDko-bkhEM/s1600/IMG_9229.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604735414900233010" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Z42m20c8100/TcgFKikuEzI/AAAAAAAAE84/DxDko-bkhEM/s320/IMG_9229.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r_zkmAiH1Ew/TcgFKCk-WeI/AAAAAAAAE8w/US_lCFOAiHY/s1600/IMG_9172.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604735406311365090" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r_zkmAiH1Ew/TcgFKCk-WeI/AAAAAAAAE8w/US_lCFOAiHY/s320/IMG_9172.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d9EPjuxt-og/Tcgecin5uvI/AAAAAAAAE94/EGfq97nMheQ/s1600/IMG_9207.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604763211941919474" style="WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d9EPjuxt-og/Tcgecin5uvI/AAAAAAAAE94/EGfq97nMheQ/s320/IMG_9207.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5GkYvhnXl4k/TcgedHmoPUI/AAAAAAAAE-I/fcFt3evg4FM/s1600/IMG_9225.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604763221868690754" style="WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5GkYvhnXl4k/TcgedHmoPUI/AAAAAAAAE-I/fcFt3evg4FM/s320/IMG_9225.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iOgUAd2vkFY/Tcgec6Hu0UI/AAAAAAAAE-A/0zRLCH7JdCI/s1600/IMG_9232.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604763218249437506" style="WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iOgUAd2vkFY/Tcgec6Hu0UI/AAAAAAAAE-A/0zRLCH7JdCI/s320/IMG_9232.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y2qSPDjOebY/TcgQTsQa8fI/AAAAAAAAE9o/8DfHao12gNg/s1600/IMG_9200.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604747666746175986" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y2qSPDjOebY/TcgQTsQa8fI/AAAAAAAAE9o/8DfHao12gNg/s320/IMG_9200.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P5GktI3_jZU/TcgQUHVETaI/AAAAAAAAE9w/E10q8fICyfk/s1600/IMG_9201.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604747674013420962" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P5GktI3_jZU/TcgQUHVETaI/AAAAAAAAE9w/E10q8fICyfk/s320/IMG_9201.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RWWRhBL2kUQ/Tcgga3x_byI/AAAAAAAAE-Y/M9nRwfz0TQA/s1600/IMG_9155.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604765382284898082" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RWWRhBL2kUQ/Tcgga3x_byI/AAAAAAAAE-Y/M9nRwfz0TQA/s320/IMG_9155.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-310cEqnVGrQ/TcggakILksI/AAAAAAAAE-Q/cpqkozSQsHc/s1600/IMG_9154.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604765377009259202" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-310cEqnVGrQ/TcggakILksI/AAAAAAAAE-Q/cpqkozSQsHc/s320/IMG_9154.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />One last thing I noticed on my walk: this awesome colored door! Window markers! This gives me a fun idea for next year... ;) I'm thinking some sort of behavior reward for a few star students each month. Could be fun! And pretty!<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MGyh_CE9FUw/TcGKCOMiDMI/AAAAAAAAE8Q/-uzVmOrFfkM/s1600/IMG_9169.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602911182200638658" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MGyh_CE9FUw/TcGKCOMiDMI/AAAAAAAAE8Q/-uzVmOrFfkM/s400/IMG_9169.JPG" border="0" /></a></div></div><div><div>There's even more I could include, but you get the idea. We've got beautiful art-incorporated work hanging all over the place here at Briargrove. I encourage all my art teacher colleages out there to take a walk around <em>your</em> school and really look to see what skills from your classroom are being incorporated into your students' classrooms. If any of you feel compelled to make a similar post about art found around your school, please let me know. I'd love to see it!</div><br /><div>Way to go Briargrove!</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Katie Gonzalezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16007073454015257260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4138906682666850660.post-61570108779097016262011-04-11T16:10:00.000-05:002011-04-11T16:10:20.996-05:004th grade Art Gala 2011<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iA-ZGTBHwU8/TaMO-NGYQzI/AAAAAAAAEzA/dmACjiDdDWY/s1600/gala10.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iA-ZGTBHwU8/TaMO-NGYQzI/AAAAAAAAEzA/dmACjiDdDWY/s320/gala10.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594331623955383090" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hSL5-QG_qW8/TaMOKjh9L4I/AAAAAAAAEyI/LDnosp7pkMg/s1600/gala2.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hSL5-QG_qW8/TaMOKjh9L4I/AAAAAAAAEyI/LDnosp7pkMg/s320/gala2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594330736623431554" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1JOWyVxYScg/TaMOLcEh4oI/AAAAAAAAEyg/Csa0AJ-uXFg/s1600/gala6.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1JOWyVxYScg/TaMOLcEh4oI/AAAAAAAAEyg/Csa0AJ-uXFg/s320/gala6.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594330751800828546" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LmTDJCczKmM/TaMO-LaV1wI/AAAAAAAAEy4/FnThju2AA94/s1600/gala9.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LmTDJCczKmM/TaMO-LaV1wI/AAAAAAAAEy4/FnThju2AA94/s320/gala9.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594331623502239490" border="0" /></a><br />Last Thursday was our annual Fourth Grade Art Gala! Every year, Mr. Nave, the music teacher, and I work hard with fourth grade for months to prepare for this fine arts event. We put up a big art show for fourth grade that includes artwork from every single student in the grade level. The students also preform amazing musical selections with lots of instruments and personal input from students.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NR3b1V21kLQ/TaNjZiyDLsI/AAAAAAAAEzw/zmelsqfb5-Q/s1600/galamusic.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NR3b1V21kLQ/TaNjZiyDLsI/AAAAAAAAEzw/zmelsqfb5-Q/s320/galamusic.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594424452608896706" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iSNF5o7kVJU/TaNjZw41vmI/AAAAAAAAEz4/73keeknHMbk/s1600/gala13.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iSNF5o7kVJU/TaNjZw41vmI/AAAAAAAAEz4/73keeknHMbk/s320/gala13.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594424456395472482" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LuG_CJcTQgY/TaNo0vY-9nI/AAAAAAAAE0Q/jbgG17BBxG8/s1600/galarop.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LuG_CJcTQgY/TaNo0vY-9nI/AAAAAAAAE0Q/jbgG17BBxG8/s320/galarop.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594430417408030322" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8mzTF8G3ScM/TaNoYuCXTfI/AAAAAAAAE0A/wXMkJ8xs3ko/s1600/artgala14.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8mzTF8G3ScM/TaNoYuCXTfI/AAAAAAAAE0A/wXMkJ8xs3ko/s320/artgala14.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594429936008383986" border="0" /></a><br />I usually feature two of the main units from the school year - so that means that there are about 300 mounted, labeled, finished works of art on display for the show! (If you click on the fourth grade unit tab, you can see artwork made for the gala in past years. One year, I even created <a href="http://artgala2009.blogspot.com/">this site</a> to display their work after the gala! Wish I could do that every year!) It's a lot of work, and I definitely could not pull it off without the help of my wonderful enrichment team and PTO helpers!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hpIHL5AeFhE/TaMOK5yZT-I/AAAAAAAAEyQ/lUZD65A2U3E/s1600/gala3.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hpIHL5AeFhE/TaMOK5yZT-I/AAAAAAAAEyQ/lUZD65A2U3E/s320/gala3.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594330742597963746" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fUZVoUNottc/TaMO98TLlzI/AAAAAAAAEyw/nrpoT3ce9yg/s1600/gala8.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fUZVoUNottc/TaMO98TLlzI/AAAAAAAAEyw/nrpoT3ce9yg/s320/gala8.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594331619445675826" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rTugKylPtMQ/TaMO-xLiiiI/AAAAAAAAEzI/Vn8-w5IP33U/s1600/gala11.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rTugKylPtMQ/TaMO-xLiiiI/AAAAAAAAEzI/Vn8-w5IP33U/s320/gala11.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594331633640704546" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MrIUPAkzOQU/TaMOLMn2dOI/AAAAAAAAEyY/9OweBXk9LeQ/s1600/gala4.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MrIUPAkzOQU/TaMOLMn2dOI/AAAAAAAAEyY/9OweBXk9LeQ/s320/gala4.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594330747654010082" border="0" /></a><br />This year, we displayed the fourth grader's complementary nature resist paintings, and their dream collages. You can find out more about the nature paintings <a href="http://katieweymouth.blogspot.com/2011/01/nature-observations-complementary-color.html">here</a>. I CAN'T WAIT to do a separate post about the collage unit. It was OUTSTANDING! Students imagined dream-like scenarios based on their own interests, created a collage entirely made from magazine pages and finished it by adding an action pose of themselves and friends acting out their part in the dream.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-72x8WiDrcjY/TaMOKXVmANI/AAAAAAAAEyA/2_YB_fp9WgE/s1600/gala1.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-72x8WiDrcjY/TaMOKXVmANI/AAAAAAAAEyA/2_YB_fp9WgE/s320/gala1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594330733350355154" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lVKsdsV9AJ4/TaMloaxBfjI/AAAAAAAAEzg/VEMZ_8JaBbw/s1600/IMG_8843.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lVKsdsV9AJ4/TaMloaxBfjI/AAAAAAAAEzg/VEMZ_8JaBbw/s320/IMG_8843.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594356538434223666" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q1ssHoQMlFk/TaMmU_INHDI/AAAAAAAAEzo/q0snQ3cj_f8/s1600/IMG_8846.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q1ssHoQMlFk/TaMmU_INHDI/AAAAAAAAEzo/q0snQ3cj_f8/s320/IMG_8846.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594357304109374514" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rixpH0CeuRw/TaMQe2y1UrI/AAAAAAAAEzQ/dufsYLpt8p4/s1600/gala12.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rixpH0CeuRw/TaMQe2y1UrI/AAAAAAAAEzQ/dufsYLpt8p4/s320/gala12.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594333284415132338" border="0" /></a><br />The night was a great success. We had an incredible turn out. As you can see, the hallways were packed and full of engaged art discussions and sharing. And lots of photo-taking! I am so proud of my fourth grade artists! (I think everyone was!)Katie Gonzalezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16007073454015257260noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4138906682666850660.post-90120743198293654972011-03-04T15:26:00.007-06:002011-03-04T17:52:03.510-06:00Nature Observations: Grades 1 and 2<div style="text-align: left;">Last semester, first and second grade students worked on <span style="font-weight: bold;">observation drawings of objects from nature</span>. (You can find out the main ideas/steps behind this unit <a href="http://katieweymouth.blogspot.com/2011/01/nature-observations-complementary-color.html">here</a>.)</div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LzUuWnwuK9I/TXFOa8JX-tI/AAAAAAAAEwY/xHE6k4e_4To/s1600/howard%2B010.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580327638017768146" style="width: 320px; cursor: pointer; height: 317px;" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LzUuWnwuK9I/TXFOa8JX-tI/AAAAAAAAEwY/xHE6k4e_4To/s320/howard%2B010.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gwIPRuSHy5Y/TXFOanIQWgI/AAAAAAAAEwQ/TO2fc4dQ3Eo/s1600/howard%2B009.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580327632375929346" style="width: 317px; cursor: pointer; height: 320px;" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gwIPRuSHy5Y/TXFOanIQWgI/AAAAAAAAEwQ/TO2fc4dQ3Eo/s320/howard%2B009.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XhpHkQWvL9E/TXFPHFQJh9I/AAAAAAAAEww/EtVWsiFSz3k/s1600/howard%2B013.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580328396376344530" style="width: 314px; cursor: pointer; height: 320px;" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XhpHkQWvL9E/TXFPHFQJh9I/AAAAAAAAEww/EtVWsiFSz3k/s320/howard%2B013.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5QOMKZmRSy0/TXFPGt7hjWI/AAAAAAAAEwo/-ZQd7JDpZFg/s1600/howard%2B012.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580328390115822946" style="width: 318px; cursor: pointer; height: 320px;" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5QOMKZmRSy0/TXFPGt7hjWI/AAAAAAAAEwo/-ZQd7JDpZFg/s320/howard%2B012.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580328382976345378" style="width: 315px; cursor: pointer; height: 320px;" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5zc5F7ydX2c/TXFPGTVVxSI/AAAAAAAAEwg/sUBHqD4i7Jc/s320/howard%2B011.jpg" border="0" /> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PFrg4CgnW0E/TXFPHtuGO-I/AAAAAAAAExA/QMOrChW7reo/s1600/howard%2B015.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580328407239375842" style="width: 320px; cursor: pointer; height: 319px;" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PFrg4CgnW0E/TXFPHtuGO-I/AAAAAAAAExA/QMOrChW7reo/s320/howard%2B015.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">For these two younger grade levels, I modified the unit slightly by limiting the subject matter (shells only) and changing the color theory (grades 3-5 worked with complementary colors.)</div></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oiuK8k5_pIQ/TXFOaEQg7xI/AAAAAAAAEwI/JtDI-WkYsWc/s1600/howard%2B008.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580327623015329554" style="width: 315px; cursor: pointer; height: 314px;" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oiuK8k5_pIQ/TXFOaEQg7xI/AAAAAAAAEwI/JtDI-WkYsWc/s320/howard%2B008.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9S7PjbGbRcI/TXFNluUOuEI/AAAAAAAAEvQ/vXKmxhbopW0/s1600/howard%2B001.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580326723772135490" style="width: 314px; cursor: pointer; height: 314px;" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9S7PjbGbRcI/TXFNluUOuEI/AAAAAAAAEvQ/vXKmxhbopW0/s320/howard%2B001.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9xKTAg0EbvI/TWa2BdLtxXI/AAAAAAAAEug/aQA9ZqFEfFM/s1600/wc7.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577345324674827634" style="width: 312px; cursor: pointer; height: 308px;" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9xKTAg0EbvI/TWa2BdLtxXI/AAAAAAAAEug/aQA9ZqFEfFM/s320/wc7.JPG" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e7lvN2THnNk/TWa2yU1JT1I/AAAAAAAAEvA/ZBPRA2aHbTg/s1600/wc2.JPG"> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577346164246269778" style="width: 312px; cursor: pointer; height: 306px;" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e7lvN2THnNk/TWa2yU1JT1I/AAAAAAAAEvA/ZBPRA2aHbTg/s320/wc2.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6wEOYnKan40/TXFNlwKFeUI/AAAAAAAAEvY/G0AHwJYerMI/s1600/howard%2B002.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580326724266457410" style="width: 312px; cursor: pointer; height: 320px;" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6wEOYnKan40/TXFNlwKFeUI/AAAAAAAAEvY/G0AHwJYerMI/s320/howard%2B002.jpg" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Gnjl5Y7EPQk/TXFNmcDEPOI/AAAAAAAAEvg/YEdREd9orko/s1600/howard%2B003.jpg"> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580326736048176354" style="width: 318px; cursor: pointer; height: 320px;" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Gnjl5Y7EPQk/TXFNmcDEPOI/AAAAAAAAEvg/YEdREd9orko/s320/howard%2B003.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Students followed the same directions and steps, but for color they could either choose <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">warm</span> or <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">cool</span> colors to use for the oil pastel portion of the unit, and then paint with the opposite color group when we got to watercolors. Here are some examples from first and second grade!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yEm3DmER99s/TWa2yAkYJyI/AAAAAAAAEu4/_ukStkrxe-0/s1600/wc4.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577346158807230242" style="width: 312px; cursor: pointer; height: 312px;" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yEm3DmER99s/TWa2yAkYJyI/AAAAAAAAEu4/_ukStkrxe-0/s320/wc4.JPG" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-55eioFm9YcY/TWa2x6ThhQI/AAAAAAAAEuw/cn2wnElGOoY/s1600/wc5.JPG"> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577346157125928194" style="width: 312px; cursor: pointer; height: 313px;" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-55eioFm9YcY/TWa2x6ThhQI/AAAAAAAAEuw/cn2wnElGOoY/s320/wc5.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G-XhLHXbRWY/TXFNm-baTnI/AAAAAAAAEvw/0qLp7hgzpsY/s1600/howard%2B005.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580326745277091442" style="width: 315px; cursor: pointer; height: 315px;" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G-XhLHXbRWY/TXFNm-baTnI/AAAAAAAAEvw/0qLp7hgzpsY/s320/howard%2B005.jpg" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KiDQeHTAE1U/TXFPHcguRFI/AAAAAAAAEw4/eCebtY04IvA/s1600/howard%2B014.jpg"> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580328402619876434" style="width: 310px; cursor: pointer; height: 312px;" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KiDQeHTAE1U/TXFPHcguRFI/AAAAAAAAEw4/eCebtY04IvA/s320/howard%2B014.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HJiblFWsObM/TXFOZa0VZ2I/AAAAAAAAEwA/NXaCKBLvezg/s1600/howard%2B007.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580327611891279714" style="width: 311px; cursor: pointer; height: 315px;" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HJiblFWsObM/TXFOZa0VZ2I/AAAAAAAAEwA/NXaCKBLvezg/s320/howard%2B007.jpg" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1PSe_eMH0zM/TXFOZAO7aFI/AAAAAAAAEv4/LMG_JkQjurY/s1600/howard%2B006.jpg"> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580327604755064914" style="width: 312px; cursor: pointer; height: 314px;" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1PSe_eMH0zM/TXFOZAO7aFI/AAAAAAAAEv4/LMG_JkQjurY/s320/howard%2B006.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">I think that both grade levels did a FANTASTIC job drawing all the unique and challenging shells that I gave them to draw. It was a tough problem to solve, but such a great work out!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Rn_s86HyFUI/TXFPu0zyxGI/AAAAAAAAExI/KkGeXj-L3ho/s1600/howard%2B016.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580329079157212258" style="width: 315px; cursor: pointer; height: 320px;" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Rn_s86HyFUI/TXFPu0zyxGI/AAAAAAAAExI/KkGeXj-L3ho/s320/howard%2B016.jpg" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fZnIed2PTVs/TXFPvjwOKoI/AAAAAAAAExY/Zsxu9Vso33o/s1600/howard%2B018.jpg"> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580329091758697090" style="width: 320px; cursor: pointer; height: 320px;" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fZnIed2PTVs/TXFPvjwOKoI/AAAAAAAAExY/Zsxu9Vso33o/s320/howard%2B018.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EHilqP5ncNo/TWa2ALxgn7I/AAAAAAAAEuI/R-0Lj8Xu_0M/s1600/wc10.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577345302821642162" style="width: 315px; cursor: pointer; height: 320px;" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EHilqP5ncNo/TWa2ALxgn7I/AAAAAAAAEuI/R-0Lj8Xu_0M/s320/wc10.JPG" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G5gqFaj3HEo/TWa2Aaf9NfI/AAAAAAAAEuQ/EA-D22Jq5fc/s1600/wc9.JPG"> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577345306774550002" style="width: 314px; cursor: pointer; height: 320px;" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G5gqFaj3HEo/TWa2Aaf9NfI/AAAAAAAAEuQ/EA-D22Jq5fc/s320/wc9.JPG" border="0" /></a><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577346150956947970" style="width: 315px; cursor: pointer; height: 311px;" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AdY1AcFBYkU/TWa2xjUuWgI/AAAAAAAAEuo/emARnvMGKIg/s320/wc6.JPG" border="0" /> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577345296244946514" style="width: 314px; cursor: pointer; height: 312px;" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1GLcc68w3nI/TWa1_zRgNlI/AAAAAAAAEuA/G9HVq72iTiU/s320/wc11.JPG" border="0" /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GaaMqDBHsl8/TWa2Ak4UkzI/AAAAAAAAEuY/dx_DiwyWYBs/s1600/wc8.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577345309561099058" style="width: 310px; cursor: pointer; height: 316px;" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GaaMqDBHsl8/TWa2Ak4UkzI/AAAAAAAAEuY/dx_DiwyWYBs/s320/wc8.JPG" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GnFLnpdyu6k/TWa2yqX1PBI/AAAAAAAAEvI/FxsD4BERMB0/s1600/wc1.JPG"> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577346170028899346" style="width: 317px; cursor: pointer; height: 316px;" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GnFLnpdyu6k/TWa2yqX1PBI/AAAAAAAAEvI/FxsD4BERMB0/s320/wc1.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Will be back when I can with the last modification of this unit - KINDER!</div></div></div>Katie Gonzalezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16007073454015257260noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4138906682666850660.post-72444497618134219302011-02-22T14:07:00.000-06:002011-02-22T14:13:29.659-06:002011 Design Unit, Part 1For the first class of the New Year, I had students 2nd-5th grade warm up with this <span style="font-weight: bold;">design challenge</span>. In my room, we do not spend a lot of time drawing with<span style="font-weight: bold;"> pencils</span>. I find that there is too much attention on sharpening and erasing, too many teeny tiny drawings on large paper, and, more often than not, the drawings just don't "pop." Pencil is a great drawing tool when used to it's full capacity, but often it becomes a crutch in the art room. I designed this quick unit to help students warm up after the break, to reinforce their drawing challenges from the last semester (but in a different way) AND to help them learn to use their pencils more effectively!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eLaiVlxnOiM/TWQS2umHW5I/AAAAAAAAEtw/04n6SeKMoWo/s1600/numbers%2B046.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 168px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eLaiVlxnOiM/TWQS2umHW5I/AAAAAAAAEtw/04n6SeKMoWo/s320/numbers%2B046.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576602970021649298" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b4gEQSRowkY/TWQS20TyrpI/AAAAAAAAEt4/W9Kq4s_jiyg/s1600/numbers%2B044.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 167px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b4gEQSRowkY/TWQS20TyrpI/AAAAAAAAEt4/W9Kq4s_jiyg/s320/numbers%2B044.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576602971555409554" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Rr5aSRKkyx4/TWQOli6oi2I/AAAAAAAAEtY/pzkiUYHs0Nk/s1600/numbers%2B037.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 168px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Rr5aSRKkyx4/TWQOli6oi2I/AAAAAAAAEtY/pzkiUYHs0Nk/s320/numbers%2B037.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576598276782197602" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Tnp62uu-BCY/TWQS2hFDfNI/AAAAAAAAEto/QzKUa8Yk19A/s1600/numbers%2B048.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 166px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Tnp62uu-BCY/TWQS2hFDfNI/AAAAAAAAEto/QzKUa8Yk19A/s320/numbers%2B048.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576602966393322706" border="0" /></a><br />Students were given a <span style="font-weight: bold;">6"x12" sheet of white paper</span> and a <span style="font-weight: bold;">pencil</span> - with NO eraser. They were challenged to use the numbers from the current (new) year - 2, 0 and 1 - and use them to create an interesting design. They were not supposed to put anything else in their design. We discussed ways that the numbers could be arranged to make the <span style="font-weight: bold;">composition</span> interesting. I asked them to incorporate the past <span style="font-weight: bold;">drawing challenges</span> from <a href="http://katieweymouth.blogspot.com/2011/01/nature-observations-complementary-color.html">this unit</a>, (cropping, repetition, and enlargement) and added another challenge - <span style="font-weight: bold;">overlapping</span>.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5eXZKbG-uak/TWQOlP2AxeI/AAAAAAAAEtI/QCFz_a-Nqbk/s1600/numbers%2B034.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 169px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5eXZKbG-uak/TWQOlP2AxeI/AAAAAAAAEtI/QCFz_a-Nqbk/s320/numbers%2B034.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576598271662540258" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0aXeQFSR0SQ/TWQOlGrm__I/AAAAAAAAEtA/MTSmimoHn58/s1600/numbers%2B033.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 166px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0aXeQFSR0SQ/TWQOlGrm__I/AAAAAAAAEtA/MTSmimoHn58/s320/numbers%2B033.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576598269202989042" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tvzvQP1poS4/TWQOkw__RmI/AAAAAAAAEs4/hi2LNSx9iU4/s1600/numbers%2B032.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 168px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tvzvQP1poS4/TWQOkw__RmI/AAAAAAAAEs4/hi2LNSx9iU4/s320/numbers%2B032.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576598263382885986" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9GCdizMeq5g/TWQOvWsnQhI/AAAAAAAAEtg/F7wCkh34GP0/s1600/numbers%2B040.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 166px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9GCdizMeq5g/TWQOvWsnQhI/AAAAAAAAEtg/F7wCkh34GP0/s320/numbers%2B040.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576598445300859410" border="0" /></a><br />Before beginning the drawing, the students and I also discussed how to create <span style="font-weight: bold;">contrast</span>, <span style="font-weight: bold;">depth</span> and <span style="font-weight: bold;">value </span>in a pencil drawing. I demonstrated the various <span style="font-weight: bold;">shades </span>that could be made using different <span style="font-weight: bold;">pressure </span>with the pencil, and we talked about how to <span style="font-weight: bold;">juxtapose </span>them to create contrast (similarly to when we put complementary colors next to one another for contrast.) We also discussed the way that pencil <span style="font-weight: bold;">lines </span>can have varying thicknesses.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y2kL3f_nYPc/TWQNieXeyHI/AAAAAAAAEso/g3nk9bp8p5k/s1600/numbers%2B030.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 170px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y2kL3f_nYPc/TWQNieXeyHI/AAAAAAAAEso/g3nk9bp8p5k/s320/numbers%2B030.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576597124509780082" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t_2PnZmLedQ/TWQNihrxU-I/AAAAAAAAEsw/tYlpuwovjfM/s1600/numbers%2B031.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 171px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t_2PnZmLedQ/TWQNihrxU-I/AAAAAAAAEsw/tYlpuwovjfM/s320/numbers%2B031.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576597125400187874" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hnxZC44cd6Q/TWQNiblwcqI/AAAAAAAAEsg/2gE5eIJSyCc/s1600/numbers%2B029.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 170px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hnxZC44cd6Q/TWQNiblwcqI/AAAAAAAAEsg/2gE5eIJSyCc/s320/numbers%2B029.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576597123764351650" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7snqaOG02R0/TWQNh2u22sI/AAAAAAAAEsQ/1tHBHr7een0/s1600/numbers%2B027.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 166px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7snqaOG02R0/TWQNh2u22sI/AAAAAAAAEsQ/1tHBHr7een0/s320/numbers%2B027.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576597113870408386" border="0" /></a><br />I gave students one class period (40 minutes) to complete their drawing challenge. The results were AMAZING - such variety. We did a gallery walk at the end of each period so that the students could see each other's work. I think they were pretty proud of themselves.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2v53uwpR5bE/TWLPSzxAdgI/AAAAAAAAEr4/h4il-qPl9yY/s1600/numbers%2B025.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 168px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2v53uwpR5bE/TWLPSzxAdgI/AAAAAAAAEr4/h4il-qPl9yY/s320/numbers%2B025.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576247210678449666" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Gg87pKlITz0/TWQNiCTfHPI/AAAAAAAAEsY/PUH2m2tvz8U/s1600/numbers%2B028.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 170px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Gg87pKlITz0/TWQNiCTfHPI/AAAAAAAAEsY/PUH2m2tvz8U/s320/numbers%2B028.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576597116976831730" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-twk8As0xOww/TWLPTCRfT3I/AAAAAAAAEsA/btfe0_HuF48/s1600/numbers%2B026.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 169px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-twk8As0xOww/TWLPTCRfT3I/AAAAAAAAEsA/btfe0_HuF48/s320/numbers%2B026.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576247214572785522" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2twxZ3dAyOQ/TWLOXX5VrbI/AAAAAAAAErg/eXIFHnk38pk/s1600/numbers%2B021.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 168px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2twxZ3dAyOQ/TWLOXX5VrbI/AAAAAAAAErg/eXIFHnk38pk/s320/numbers%2B021.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576246189584919986" border="0" /></a><br />One last point I want to mention again - we did NOT use erasers to erase mistakes. We DID however use erasers as a<span style="font-weight: bold;"> drawing tool</span>. If a students wanted to<span style="font-style: italic;"> selectively </span>erase from a shaded area, they were allowed to borrow an eraser from me. (There is an example of this in the second work of art on this post.) For mistakes, just as we do with other materials, the students were challenged and encouraged to find a way to incorporate them into their design.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kAQ7Eu4jVac/TWLOWawqxFI/AAAAAAAAErI/uTDzmF4q-es/s1600/numbers%2B017.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 171px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kAQ7Eu4jVac/TWLOWawqxFI/AAAAAAAAErI/uTDzmF4q-es/s320/numbers%2B017.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576246173173990482" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--sJkrReqlgE/TWLOWymEuvI/AAAAAAAAErY/zBmDEWuEOx8/s1600/numbers%2B019.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 174px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--sJkrReqlgE/TWLOWymEuvI/AAAAAAAAErY/zBmDEWuEOx8/s320/numbers%2B019.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576246179572005618" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bfYULaILpQ0/TWLOXWPGNPI/AAAAAAAAEro/ec7582Pv_T0/s1600/numbers%2B023.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 306px; height: 171px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bfYULaILpQ0/TWLOXWPGNPI/AAAAAAAAEro/ec7582Pv_T0/s320/numbers%2B023.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576246189139309810" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fKOeeV0X608/TWLOWmRse9I/AAAAAAAAErQ/X0UKvWU7W2k/s1600/numbers%2B018.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 333px; height: 173px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fKOeeV0X608/TWLOWmRse9I/AAAAAAAAErQ/X0UKvWU7W2k/s320/numbers%2B018.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576246176265305042" border="0" /></a><br />All in all, this was a very successful activity! Stay tuned for Part Two, coming soon!Katie Gonzalezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16007073454015257260noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4138906682666850660.post-11949593623458216432011-02-10T14:46:00.000-06:002011-02-10T15:23:25.085-06:00Nature Observations: Complementary Color Resist PaintingsFor the month and a half that I was back at work last semester, I made it a priority to catch up with my students by combining many concepts and skills into one assignment, while also giving them the opportunity to work with some materials that they would be excited about.<br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TVFfEo6PFuI/AAAAAAAAEjg/LIUoKdivNdg/s1600/copmp42.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571338747339806434" style="WIDTH: 316px; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TVFfEo6PFuI/AAAAAAAAEjg/LIUoKdivNdg/s320/copmp42.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TVFfEaMgMiI/AAAAAAAAEjY/KOaZiDTb9_A/s1600/comp75.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571338743389893154" style="WIDTH: 316px; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TVFfEaMgMiI/AAAAAAAAEjY/KOaZiDTb9_A/s320/comp75.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TVGWk77tzVI/AAAAAAAAEk4/gIDenAB1uq0/s1600/copm20.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571399775341628754" style="WIDTH: 319px; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TVGWk77tzVI/AAAAAAAAEk4/gIDenAB1uq0/s320/copm20.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V8lilCEkq1E/TVRAaesRQcI/AAAAAAAAEnY/TG9BDrhMok4/s1600/comp38.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572149462623666626" style="WIDTH: 318px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V8lilCEkq1E/TVRAaesRQcI/AAAAAAAAEnY/TG9BDrhMok4/s320/comp38.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fA-9KhBu5BA/TVRJk4zMaLI/AAAAAAAAEng/tuI5ZMcWGIo/s1600/comp45.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572159537035372722" style="WIDTH: 314px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fA-9KhBu5BA/TVRJk4zMaLI/AAAAAAAAEng/tuI5ZMcWGIo/s320/comp45.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hfQ4-BA1oA8/TVRML13JxnI/AAAAAAAAEno/tj9SzEJD5i8/s1600/comp68.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572162405284824690" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 317px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hfQ4-BA1oA8/TVRML13JxnI/AAAAAAAAEno/tj9SzEJD5i8/s320/comp68.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>I was thrilled with how well this unit worked for all grade levels!!! Unique artwork, many different challenges and skills, lots of concepts and bright colors! </div><div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TVFfDGy31tI/AAAAAAAAEjA/OGdEjDyeok4/s1600/comp51.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571338721002247890" style="WIDTH: 316px; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TVFfDGy31tI/AAAAAAAAEjA/OGdEjDyeok4/s320/comp51.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TVFws7lAt8I/AAAAAAAAEkg/UQFq1_cUmBA/s1600/comp49.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571358131243497410" style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 317px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TVFws7lAt8I/AAAAAAAAEkg/UQFq1_cUmBA/s320/comp49.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TVGWkP-SbbI/AAAAAAAAEko/xLMWBOX0Rn0/s1600/comp21.JPG"></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TVGb6ylDBsI/AAAAAAAAElI/waUXBj4GRio/s1600/comp24.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571405648345892546" style="WIDTH: 314px; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TVGb6ylDBsI/AAAAAAAAElI/waUXBj4GRio/s320/comp24.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TVGcc0UiDwI/AAAAAAAAElY/Z7uxlm27Poo/s1600/comp53.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571406232929046274" style="WIDTH: 318px; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TVGcc0UiDwI/AAAAAAAAElY/Z7uxlm27Poo/s320/comp53.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TVGb7EMUuRI/AAAAAAAAElQ/TssMyyS97UI/s1600/comp39.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571405653074032914" style="WIDTH: 319px; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TVGb7EMUuRI/AAAAAAAAElQ/TssMyyS97UI/s320/comp39.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8X7eRVz9_v4/TVROMgIiwoI/AAAAAAAAEoA/mmLd6XVEnZA/s1600/comp27.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572164615655309954" style="WIDTH: 315px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8X7eRVz9_v4/TVROMgIiwoI/AAAAAAAAEoA/mmLd6XVEnZA/s320/comp27.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div>First, students were given an assortment of <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; COLOR: rgb(0,153,0)">objects from nature</span> to<span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold"> observe</span> and <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">draw </span>using <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Sharpie</span>. <span style="color:#ff0000;">K-2<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">nd</span> grade</span> were given shells only, while <span style="color:#ff0000;">3rd-5<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">th</span> grade</span> were given shells, cacti, succulents, aloe and airplane plants, gourds and artificial (but realistic) flowers, plus a rather large cactus pinata! With each grade level, we discussed<span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold"> observation drawing</span> and described that drawing process in the following ways:<br /><strong><span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">Observation drawing is...</span><br /></strong>- Drawing what you see (not what you remember or imagine.)<br />- Drawing from life.<br />- Drawing something that's in front of you, and constantly looking at the object as you draw it.<br />- Drawing all parts of the object - shape, form, details, texture, etc.<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TVFcn2TKwpI/AAAAAAAAEi4/pWUcB3HWzM0/s1600/comp22.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571336053694579346" style="WIDTH: 199px; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TVFcn2TKwpI/AAAAAAAAEi4/pWUcB3HWzM0/s200/comp22.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TVFcnmgilbI/AAAAAAAAEiw/x3J76RAfphw/s1600/comp21.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571336049455699378" style="WIDTH: 198px; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TVFcnmgilbI/AAAAAAAAEiw/x3J76RAfphw/s200/comp21.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TVFcncZOeBI/AAAAAAAAEio/4Or3Trdz46U/s1600/comp18.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571336046740666386" style="WIDTH: 200px; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TVFcncZOeBI/AAAAAAAAEio/4Or3Trdz46U/s200/comp18.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TVFb1z2Ps0I/AAAAAAAAEhw/GJnqJzfalHw/s1600/comp3.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571335194042938178" style="WIDTH: 200px; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TVFb1z2Ps0I/AAAAAAAAEhw/GJnqJzfalHw/s200/comp3.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TVFb2g-sejI/AAAAAAAAEiI/4rwshV-SLGY/s1600/comp5.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571335206157974066" style="WIDTH: 200px; HEIGHT: 194px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TVFb2g-sejI/AAAAAAAAEiI/4rwshV-SLGY/s200/comp5.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TVFcmxIx2wI/AAAAAAAAEiY/YzyV-9sOGJo/s1600/comp9.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571336035128957698" style="WIDTH: 200px; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TVFcmxIx2wI/AAAAAAAAEiY/YzyV-9sOGJo/s200/comp9.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TVFZ77a7bxI/AAAAAAAAEhY/OiBF20PcG7o/s1600/comp11.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571333100131806994" style="WIDTH: 200px; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TVFZ77a7bxI/AAAAAAAAEhY/OiBF20PcG7o/s200/comp11.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TVFZ8LxQedI/AAAAAAAAEhg/js2-Xa5nHts/s1600/comp17.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571333104520427986" style="WIDTH: 197px; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TVFZ8LxQedI/AAAAAAAAEhg/js2-Xa5nHts/s200/comp17.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TVLFI5goVUI/AAAAAAAAEl4/F2jBkGjy0iA/s1600/copm30.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571732445678032194" style="WIDTH: 198px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TVLFI5goVUI/AAAAAAAAEl4/F2jBkGjy0iA/s200/copm30.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div>Students drew with <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Sharpie</span> so that they would have to challenge themselves to turn their mistakes into part of their composition. Nature is a particularly good subject for this assignment because of all the imperfections and variations found in nature.<br />Everyone was given a 12"x12" sheet of white <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">sulphite</span> construction paper. Though we were drawing the objects as realistically as possible, the composition did not have to be realistic. I gave the students the following <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">drawing challenges</span> and asked that they tried to do all three as part of their <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">composition</span>:<br />- Draw at least 1-2 objects <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">larger than life</span><br />- Draw at least 1 object<span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold"> cropped</span> (going off the page)<br />- Draw at least 1 object<span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold"> repeated</span>*<br /><span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">*For the repetition challenge, students were instructed that they could not simply copy one of their drawings. To repeat the object, it had to be drawn from observation</span><span style="FONT-STYLE: italic"> again.</span><br />To sum it up, the drawing portion of this assignment included drawing from observation, drawing without the ability to erase, cropping, repetition and enlargement. I keep a checklist of all the drawing challenges on the board for the students to check their work as they get close to being finished. We discuss how each challenge helps to exercise different important drawing skills, as well as contributing to an interesting composition. </div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TVFb3EyABFI/AAAAAAAAEiQ/xoGcy2YkmQc/s1600/comp6.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571335215768405074" style="WIDTH: 199px; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TVFb3EyABFI/AAAAAAAAEiQ/xoGcy2YkmQc/s200/comp6.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TVFb2HYTT0I/AAAAAAAAEh4/5ttVOCdKEQA/s1600/comp1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571335199286054722" style="WIDTH: 200px; HEIGHT: 198px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TVFb2HYTT0I/AAAAAAAAEh4/5ttVOCdKEQA/s200/comp1.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TVFb2ZSfMxI/AAAAAAAAEiA/l09dhhFtZOs/s1600/comp4.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571335204093506322" style="WIDTH: 197px; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TVFb2ZSfMxI/AAAAAAAAEiA/l09dhhFtZOs/s200/comp4.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TVFZ8VR_62I/AAAAAAAAEho/MTwnU_f41YI/s1600/comp14%255D.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571333107073674082" style="WIDTH: 200px; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TVFZ8VR_62I/AAAAAAAAEho/MTwnU_f41YI/s200/comp14%255D.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TVLFJWHZnGI/AAAAAAAAEmI/s0ziyeRVQeQ/s1600/comp77.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571732453356837986" style="WIDTH: 199px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TVLFJWHZnGI/AAAAAAAAEmI/s0ziyeRVQeQ/s200/comp77.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TVLFJHZ78MI/AAAAAAAAEmA/Sj9DMvXWTN8/s1600/comp70.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571732449408053442" style="WIDTH: 196px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TVLFJHZ78MI/AAAAAAAAEmA/Sj9DMvXWTN8/s200/comp70.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TVLFIct5xjI/AAAAAAAAElo/iUEKuntVP3w/s1600/comp36.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571732437949072946" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TVLFIct5xjI/AAAAAAAAElo/iUEKuntVP3w/s200/comp36.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TVFcnHFYHBI/AAAAAAAAEig/6tJ2uOqHgFg/s1600/comp16.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571336041020267538" style="WIDTH: 198px; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TVFcnHFYHBI/AAAAAAAAEig/6tJ2uOqHgFg/s200/comp16.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TVLFImwMrzI/AAAAAAAAElw/arvC7fefE04/s1600/comp28.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571732440643055410" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TVLFImwMrzI/AAAAAAAAElw/arvC7fefE04/s200/comp28.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Once the Sharpie drawings were complete, we were ready to add color! To make the drawings more interesting, and to tie in another important concept, I had different grade levels work with different color schemes that were appropriate for their grade. The examples in this whole post are from <strong>3rd-5<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">th</span> grade</strong>, who used the <strong>complementary color</strong> groups:</div><div>-<span style="color:#6600cc;">purple</span> and <span style="color:#ffcc00;">yellow</span></div><div>-<span style="color:#ff0000;">red</span> and <span style="color:#006600;">green</span> </div><div>-<span style="color:#3333ff;">blue</span> and <span style="color:#ff6600;">orange</span></div><div>Students chose a <strong>complementary color</strong> pair, and then used <strong>variations</strong> of one of those colors to add details and texture with <em>oil pastels</em>. For example, if a student chose <span style="color:#ff6600;"><span style="color:#3333ff;">blue</span> </span>and <span style="color:#ff6600;">orange</span>, then they would be able to use <em>all of the shades</em> of blue <em>OR</em> <em>all the shades</em> of orange to color with using oil pastels. When using oil pastels, students were encouraged to shade some areas solid, to shade lightly in some areas, to add patterns, details and textures to some areas, and to add a design to the background area. They had to leave some areas white, though in order for the watercolor to have a place to stick!</div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iCRSmH_EFA0/TVQ9WkSwJzI/AAAAAAAAEmw/0UUJN0MWc_k/s1600/comp42.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572146096872892210" style="WIDTH: 195px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iCRSmH_EFA0/TVQ9WkSwJzI/AAAAAAAAEmw/0UUJN0MWc_k/s200/comp42.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EpVY455g15w/TVQ9WEM0sHI/AAAAAAAAEmg/8vHJs-HmXQE/s1600/comp43.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572146088258089074" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 195px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EpVY455g15w/TVQ9WEM0sHI/AAAAAAAAEmg/8vHJs-HmXQE/s200/comp43.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m1dS7P4ze6s/TVQ_ehBXQ6I/AAAAAAAAEnA/XOvmjr7Kg6Y/s1600/comp61.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572148432456860578" style="WIDTH: 199px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m1dS7P4ze6s/TVQ_ehBXQ6I/AAAAAAAAEnA/XOvmjr7Kg6Y/s200/comp61.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5wX9jBpmujQ/TVQ9WYHKGYI/AAAAAAAAEmo/rn2hQQ0noRg/s1600/comp41.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572146093603035522" style="WIDTH: 194px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5wX9jBpmujQ/TVQ9WYHKGYI/AAAAAAAAEmo/rn2hQQ0noRg/s200/comp41.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cPk-ngK_gwE/TVQ-nBes42I/AAAAAAAAEm4/9S9mxFXewVg/s1600/comp71.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572147479097172834" style="WIDTH: 196px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cPk-ngK_gwE/TVQ-nBes42I/AAAAAAAAEm4/9S9mxFXewVg/s200/comp71.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y2G363-ndQM/TVQ9VdzoOfI/AAAAAAAAEmQ/hHVxzAx7sU8/s1600/comp19.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572146077951867378" style="WIDTH: 199px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y2G363-ndQM/TVQ9VdzoOfI/AAAAAAAAEmQ/hHVxzAx7sU8/s200/comp19.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PdZfipqJJTU/TVQ_fdzOBXI/AAAAAAAAEnQ/YqSpApDxAMM/s1600/copm15.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572148448772097394" style="WIDTH: 198px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PdZfipqJJTU/TVQ_fdzOBXI/AAAAAAAAEnQ/YqSpApDxAMM/s200/copm15.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pVWJ5-wxOvQ/TVQ9V0I6F-I/AAAAAAAAEmY/1hxwyCeTYlk/s1600/comp25.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572146083946698722" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 198px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pVWJ5-wxOvQ/TVQ9V0I6F-I/AAAAAAAAEmY/1hxwyCeTYlk/s200/comp25.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uKf2NiboVyo/TVQ_fMNwcUI/AAAAAAAAEnI/1-Q5YInG-Ak/s1600/comp35.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572148444051566914" style="WIDTH: 198px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uKf2NiboVyo/TVQ_fMNwcUI/AAAAAAAAEnI/1-Q5YInG-Ak/s200/comp35.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Then, once details with oil pastels were complete, students <strong>painted</strong> over their drawings with <strong>watercolor tempera paint</strong> using the <em>complement</em> of the color they used for oil pastels. So, for example, if the student chose <span style="color:#ff6600;">orange</span> for <em>oil pastels</em>, then they would be <em>painting</em> with variations of <span style="color:#3333ff;">blue</span>. I taught the students how to make variations of their color by mixing in small amounts of the colors adjacent to their main color on the color wheel. For example, if a student was painting with <span style="color:#000099;">blue</span>, then they could mix in small amounts of <span style="color:#6600cc;">purple</span>, <span style="color:#009900;">green</span> or white to create new shades of blue. This was such a fun mixing lesson! The process is called a resist - the oil in the pastels resists the watercolor and does not allow it to stick to the paper in those spots. Science and art working together!<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TVFwsEDqRbI/AAAAAAAAEkQ/X2UQzUew3g8/s1600/copm10.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571358116339664306" style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 318px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TVFwsEDqRbI/AAAAAAAAEkQ/X2UQzUew3g8/s320/copm10.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TVFfDeZ_RsI/AAAAAAAAEjI/LAebzQ1uGz0/s1600/comp57.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571338727340328642" style="WIDTH: 316px; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TVFfDeZ_RsI/AAAAAAAAEjI/LAebzQ1uGz0/s320/comp57.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TVFwsdDYBQI/AAAAAAAAEkY/TfXGd8nB7Jc/s1600/copm8.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571358123049354498" style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 319px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TVFwsdDYBQI/AAAAAAAAEkY/TfXGd8nB7Jc/s320/copm8.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--oEQqYbIa0E/TVRNID2i8tI/AAAAAAAAEn4/kNinrEZTdyk/s1600/comp64.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572163439832527570" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 317px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--oEQqYbIa0E/TVRNID2i8tI/AAAAAAAAEn4/kNinrEZTdyk/s320/comp64.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TVFfEHvFFoI/AAAAAAAAEjQ/O1Pj3FOEvG8/s1600/comp66.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571338738434643586" style="WIDTH: 317px; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TVFfEHvFFoI/AAAAAAAAEjQ/O1Pj3FOEvG8/s320/comp66.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JC783fl9Lrk/TVRMo5Yf5BI/AAAAAAAAEnw/3cEUi95a5eg/s1600/comp44.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572162904446198802" style="WIDTH: 317px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JC783fl9Lrk/TVRMo5Yf5BI/AAAAAAAAEnw/3cEUi95a5eg/s320/comp44.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div>Again, these examples are from grades 3-5. I will do a separate post about grades 1-2, and kindergarten, who worked with different color schemes.<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TVGWlYmarrI/AAAAAAAAElA/lPU338PhnFM/s1600/copm34.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571399783036923570" style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 318px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TVGWlYmarrI/AAAAAAAAElA/lPU338PhnFM/s320/copm34.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TVGWkaWNfhI/AAAAAAAAEkw/Kv1xQ9tsnHw/s1600/comp29.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571399766325952018" style="WIDTH: 319px; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TVGWkaWNfhI/AAAAAAAAEkw/Kv1xQ9tsnHw/s320/comp29.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TVFwr1bl29I/AAAAAAAAEkI/P3uSorpJPuU/s1600/comp74.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571358112413506514" style="WIDTH: 317px; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TVFwr1bl29I/AAAAAAAAEkI/P3uSorpJPuU/s320/comp74.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TVGcdAOhysI/AAAAAAAAElg/ONtWXrNssfo/s1600/comp79.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571406236125088450" style="WIDTH: 318px; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TVGcdAOhysI/AAAAAAAAElg/ONtWXrNssfo/s320/comp79.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TVFhIfe15GI/AAAAAAAAEjw/_0ma_xdkVlc/s1600/comp34.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571341012551722082" style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TVFhIfe15GI/AAAAAAAAEjw/_0ma_xdkVlc/s320/comp34.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TVFhIiJ9LHI/AAAAAAAAEj4/y2_rB7oxRfk/s1600/copm40.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571341013269425266" style="WIDTH: 316px; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TVFhIiJ9LHI/AAAAAAAAEj4/y2_rB7oxRfk/s320/copm40.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div>Can't wait to show off more of this incredible unit! </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Katie Gonzalezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16007073454015257260noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4138906682666850660.post-21322228250509036152010-12-17T09:09:00.004-06:002010-12-17T11:00:43.976-06:00Mrs. Gonzalez is BACK!!!Well, I returned to work from maternity leave right before Thanksgiving, and now it's already time for a break! Wow - that was the fastest semester ever! :)<br /><br />When I came back to school, I was determined to do something with my students that not only combined many, many skills and concepts but also would be really fun and hold their interest. I CAN'T WAIT to post the beautiful work that came out of that unit - I tweaked it for every grade level and they all did an amazing job. Will tell you more about the unit soon...<br /><br />While I work on that post, I just wanted to share a couple pictures of some quick but quite lovely little one day lessons I have been doing the past week with the kiddos who finished their big unit early.<br /><br />3rd, 4th and 5th graders made these <span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">recycled magazine</span> ornaments</span>, inspired by <a href="http://sgpart.blogspot.com/2010/12/recycled-magazine-fringe-ornaments.html">Ms. Taylor's Lesson</a> over at the School at St. George Place. They were so fun to make, and very GREEN! Find out more about what we did on the <a href="http://greenartbriargrove.blogspot.com/2010/12/recycled-paper-ornaments.html">Briargrove Green Effort Page</a>.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TQuAtRYlF1I/AAAAAAAAEgI/VsMhtOJnKgY/s1600/Picture%2B004.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TQuAtRYlF1I/AAAAAAAAEgI/VsMhtOJnKgY/s320/Picture%2B004.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551672480913233746" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TQuAtofkhsI/AAAAAAAAEgQ/e408JBmTMwI/s1600/Picture%2B005.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TQuAtofkhsI/AAAAAAAAEgQ/e408JBmTMwI/s320/Picture%2B005.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551672487116572354" border="0" /></a><br />Kinder, 1st and 2nd grade made these lovely <span style="font-weight: bold;">symmetrical snowflakes</span>. I reinforced their color lesson from the big unit by having them use certain color schemes on their snowflakes. 1st and 2nd grade have been studying warm and cool colors, and kinder has been learning about primary colors.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TQuAuMWpXwI/AAAAAAAAEgg/ylC2WkbSW84/s1600/Picture%2B011.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TQuAuMWpXwI/AAAAAAAAEgg/ylC2WkbSW84/s320/Picture%2B011.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551672496742817538" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TQuAt4eth5I/AAAAAAAAEgY/Zl0NaIzhpS4/s1600/Picture%2B009.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TQuAt4eth5I/AAAAAAAAEgY/Zl0NaIzhpS4/s320/Picture%2B009.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551672491407935378" border="0" /></a><br />To make these, the students drew a large<span style="font-weight: bold;"> plus sign</span> with one color, and an <span style="font-weight: bold;">X</span> with another color. Then, they added the same details to each line of the plus and did the same with a different design to each line of the X. It was super simple and effective.<br /><br />Hope to show you what else we have been working on soon! Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!!!Katie Gonzalezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16007073454015257260noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4138906682666850660.post-62341153935112691362010-11-02T13:04:00.000-05:002010-11-02T22:51:31.033-05:003rd Grade Machines - Cardboard Collograph Plates<div style="text-align: center;"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 269px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TNDLw4tomoI/AAAAAAAAEdI/PzmNw-4z6Iw/s320/birds+213.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535147982756289154" /><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 264px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TNDLxLSaY6I/AAAAAAAAEdQ/EFyLnl9bqtw/s320/birds+251.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535147987742385058" /></div><div> </div><div style="text-align: center;">Last year, third great had a fun time brainstorming ideas for machines that would help solve some of the<b> environmental issues</b> currently threatening our planet. The students each chose an issue that they felt passionate about, such as air pollution or animal endangerment, designed a helpful, <b><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">eco</span></span>-friendly machine</b>, and then built that machine using cardboard and other found materials on a sheet of thick, stiff cardboard.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TLipUm9igKI/AAAAAAAAEYI/cMAwF7PSNAw/s1600/birds+228.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528354714118422690" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 173px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TLipUm9igKI/AAAAAAAAEYI/cMAwF7PSNAw/s200/birds+228.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TLipUYa9oLI/AAAAAAAAEYA/qv8mgY0dCq4/s1600/machines+292.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528354710215303346" style="WIDTH: 183px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TLipUYa9oLI/AAAAAAAAEYA/qv8mgY0dCq4/s200/machines+292.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TLipT90C4JI/AAAAAAAAEX4/3UP_2zKleUg/s1600/birds+243.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528354703072747666" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 175px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TLipT90C4JI/AAAAAAAAEX4/3UP_2zKleUg/s200/birds+243.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TLipT90C4JI/AAAAAAAAEX4/3UP_2zKleUg/s1600/birds+243.jpg"></a>A <b><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">collograph</span></span> printing plate</b> is like a collage of found materials that works similarly to a stamp. All materials should be raised to about the same height for the best results. We used <b>cardboard boxes</b> cut into squares as the base of the plate, and more cardboard, scraps of yarn, soda tabs, netting and bubble wrap for our plates. The final plates were coated with a thick layer of <b>gloss medium</b>. Not only does this help keep pesky items stuck down, it also creates a protective seal that allows for the plate to be printed multiple times. (To print again with a different color, simply wipe ink away with a wet sponge and pat dry.)</div><div><div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TLigQPnpbmI/AAAAAAAAEXI/kecNlr7T7DY/s1600/birds+224.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528344743528459874" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TLigQPnpbmI/AAAAAAAAEXI/kecNlr7T7DY/s320/birds+224.jpg" border="0" style="width: 304px; cursor: pointer; height: 320px; " /></a> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TLiahKnB57I/AAAAAAAAEWg/yROTZHOt9eI/s1600/machines+291.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528338437171701682" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TLiahKnB57I/AAAAAAAAEWg/yROTZHOt9eI/s320/machines+291.jpg" border="0" style="width: 278px; cursor: pointer; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TLiahKnB57I/AAAAAAAAEWg/yROTZHOt9eI/s1600/machines+291.jpg"></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">When students were ready to print, I set up tables with different colors of <b>water-based printing inks</b>. Students chose <b>colored construction paper </b>to print on, wrote their names on the back in <b>pencil</b>, and then spritzed their papers with a little water to make them more absorbent and flexible. The students quickly painted the entire surface of the plate with ink, then placed it on their plate. Plate and paper were then flipped together so that the paper is on top (this is crucial.) Then, students used a scrap piece of construction paper as a cover and began to push and <b>rub</b> all over the surface. We also used the handles of the scissors to rub with. This causes the ink to transfer onto the paper. Students were reminded not to spend too much time rubbing, or the paper might rip when pulled off the plate.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TLiahKnB57I/AAAAAAAAEWg/yROTZHOt9eI/s1600/machines+291.jpg"></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TLim1liuKaI/AAAAAAAAEXw/F4zw1UhUuYM/s1600/birds+233.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528351982138304930" style="WIDTH: 182px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TLim1liuKaI/AAAAAAAAEXw/F4zw1UhUuYM/s200/birds+233.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TLim1KhrzEI/AAAAAAAAEXo/r304JwDGevw/s1600/birds+231.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528351974886198338" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 177px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TLim1KhrzEI/AAAAAAAAEXo/r304JwDGevw/s200/birds+231.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TLim0piyxbI/AAAAAAAAEXg/rg7a_q9sVQ8/s1600/birds+239.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528351966032479666" style="WIDTH: 171px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TLim0piyxbI/AAAAAAAAEXg/rg7a_q9sVQ8/s200/birds+239.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TLim0piyxbI/AAAAAAAAEXg/rg7a_q9sVQ8/s1600/birds+239.jpg"></a>Some students used plain construction paper to print on, while others created collages that corresponded with their plates to print on. After printing, many students decided to paint their final plates and save them as works of art. We liked that so much, I may just change this to a relief sculpture unit! Here are some of the beautiful prints:</div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TNDMcVAXH4I/AAAAAAAAEdw/vKZjcOq38UU/s320/birds+207.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535148729085403010" style="cursor: pointer; width: 274px; height: 320px; " /><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TNDQzbvuh0I/AAAAAAAAEeo/wtrCbBFmZRY/s320/birds+244.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535153524078184258" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 269px; " /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 270px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TNDWVsgSpxI/AAAAAAAAEfA/YUEOoQ6JSvU/s320/machines+296.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535159610250536722" /><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TNDMcCuukRI/AAAAAAAAEdo/sK56Wg92ymk/s320/birds+208.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535148724179603730" style="cursor: pointer; width: 270px; height: 320px; " /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 271px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TNDWWA6zyoI/AAAAAAAAEfI/a8df5zuqxNs/s320/machines+294.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535159615730469506" /><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TNDQy9CbXVI/AAAAAAAAEeg/Q8U_sIQO-Q0/s320/birds+217.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535153515835120978" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 270px; " /><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TNDSZ8UCB_I/AAAAAAAAEe4/OEr1BlYJHSM/s320/birds+220.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535155285167048690" style="cursor: pointer; width: 278px; height: 320px; " /><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TNDSZCQnTrI/AAAAAAAAEew/J4yWbwe8Zr0/s320/birds+219.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535155269583457970" style="cursor: pointer; width: 278px; height: 320px; " /></div></div></div></div></div>Katie Gonzalezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16007073454015257260noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4138906682666850660.post-67309875364295042892010-10-13T16:35:00.006-05:002010-10-15T12:46:44.323-05:00Birds of the Tropical Rain ForestWell, it's been a while but I really want to spotlight some more of the incredible birds my students made last year. Ms. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Borowski's</span> 4<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">th</span> grade class studied the birds of the <strong>Tropical <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Rain Forest</span></strong>. The tropical <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">rain forest</span> is a warm, humid, lush and colorful environment year round. The birds there couldn't be more diverse! The students found endless varieties of interesting species that had special adaptations to help them survive in the different levels of the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">rain forest</span>. Every student chose a special bird to study and built their sculptures entirely of recycled materials, hot glue, and acrylic paint. Here are a few examples from this class:<br /><div><div><div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TLiNJJJJ1EI/AAAAAAAAEV4/Wx_0sPrHI48/s1600/machines+169.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528323730809934914" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TLiNJJJJ1EI/AAAAAAAAEV4/Wx_0sPrHI48/s320/machines+169.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TLiPo6exMTI/AAAAAAAAEWA/8P8lwFLDYso/s1600/machines+120.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528326475653132594" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TLiPo6exMTI/AAAAAAAAEWA/8P8lwFLDYso/s320/machines+120.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Two Toucans!<br /><div><div><div><div><div></div><div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TLZ53G-dUYI/AAAAAAAAEU4/VLm8o7BbZiU/s1600/machines+103.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527739580316209538" style="WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TLZ53G-dUYI/AAAAAAAAEU4/VLm8o7BbZiU/s320/machines+103.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TLZ51wjI5xI/AAAAAAAAEUw/9AJR-sg7Hzk/s1600/machines+096.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527739557116176146" style="WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TLZ51wjI5xI/AAAAAAAAEUw/9AJR-sg7Hzk/s320/machines+096.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TLZ8Yr2a07I/AAAAAAAAEVY/zeHVEHbvySM/s1600/machines+145.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527742356173542322" style="WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TLZ8Yr2a07I/AAAAAAAAEVY/zeHVEHbvySM/s320/machines+145.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>A Bird of Paradise, an Umbrella Bird and a Double Wattled Cassowary (this sculpture is over 2ft tall!)<br /><div><div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TLZ660QvYtI/AAAAAAAAEVI/09XXJ9F6cOs/s1600/machines+116.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527740743523721938" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TLZ660QvYtI/AAAAAAAAEVI/09XXJ9F6cOs/s320/machines+116.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TLZ67MBxalI/AAAAAAAAEVQ/osRfTav0hbU/s1600/machines+159.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527740749903391314" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TLZ67MBxalI/AAAAAAAAEVQ/osRfTav0hbU/s320/machines+159.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div>Another Bird of Paradise and an Asian Pied <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Hornbill</span>!<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TLiPpaKVAXI/AAAAAAAAEWI/5fIPaYG0_Wc/s1600/machines+134.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528326484157333874" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TLiPpaKVAXI/AAAAAAAAEWI/5fIPaYG0_Wc/s320/machines+134.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TLiNIq391AI/AAAAAAAAEVw/EFV1-8WCNE8/s1600/machines+147.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528323722684781570" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TLiNIq391AI/AAAAAAAAEVw/EFV1-8WCNE8/s320/machines+147.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />A Harpy Eagle and a Kingfisher!<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TLZ8ZJfnruI/AAAAAAAAEVo/3DHuLoRVn6Q/s1600/machines+140.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527742364130979554" style="WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TLZ8ZJfnruI/AAAAAAAAEVo/3DHuLoRVn6Q/s320/machines+140.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TLZ8Y2I_RdI/AAAAAAAAEVg/k_MBssBMXa0/s1600/machines+164.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527742358935782866" style="WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TLZ8Y2I_RdI/AAAAAAAAEVg/k_MBssBMXa0/s320/machines+164.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TLZ53-aktAI/AAAAAAAAEVA/QMncFP-oQ5Y/s1600/machines+142.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527739595198084098" style="WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TLZ53-aktAI/AAAAAAAAEVA/QMncFP-oQ5Y/s320/machines+142.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />A Red-Bellied Kingfisher, Tropical <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Rain Forest</span> Bird, and a Peacock!<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TLiPpnmh8II/AAAAAAAAEWQ/L9i6NKhSSmc/s1600/machines+156.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528326487765282946" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TLiPpnmh8II/AAAAAAAAEWQ/L9i6NKhSSmc/s320/machines+156.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TLiPqCFMikI/AAAAAAAAEWY/Z5LNFT-6d6A/s1600/machines+149.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528326494873225794" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TLiPqCFMikI/AAAAAAAAEWY/Z5LNFT-6d6A/s320/machines+149.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />A Blue and Gold Macaw and another species of Toucan!</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Katie Gonzalezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16007073454015257260noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4138906682666850660.post-90931059400230923362010-09-29T13:43:00.004-05:002010-09-29T14:13:59.534-05:00Briargrove GREEN EffortLast year, I created <a href="http://greenartbriargrove.blogspot.com/">a blog</a> dedicated to our efforts at becoming a more<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><b> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">eco</span>-friendly </b></span>art room here at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Briargrove</span>. We spent the year focusing on <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CC00;">reusing</span></b> materials that would have otherwise been thrown in the trash or, maybe if we're lucky, sent to the recycling center. With every single unit K-5, we incorporated <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;">recycled materials</span></b>, whether as tools for creating or as part of the end product. The effort was <i>incredibly</i> successful, and I really feel like <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Briargrove</span> made a HUGE impact on our environment last year! Be sure to check out a selection of those units here on the Student Art Page!<div>.<br /><div>This year, we will continue with the same goal in mind - <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;">to incorporate</span></b> <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;">environmentally-friendly practices and materials into <i>every</i> art unit!</span></b> I've got a lot more ideas, and can't wait to get started working with my students again! We will share more of our efforts later this fall, because at the current moment I am not at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Briargrove</span>... I'm on maternity leave! My husband and I were blessed with our first child two days after school started this year! </div><div>.</div><div>So, while I am away from the classroom, I have decided to dedicate some time (when it's available) to updating the <a href="http://greenartbriargrove.blogspot.com/">Green Effort blog </a>with recurring features such as Artist Inspiration and Tips for a Greener Classroom. My goal is to provide a variety of ideas and resources regarding <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">eco</span>-friendly art studios and art-making</span></b>. I revamped the blog this morning, and I think it looks pretty great, if I do say so myself! I hope you all <a href="http://greenartbriargrove.blogspot.com/">check it out</a> and be sure to leave<i> your</i> ideas and resources in the comments!!!</div><div>.</div><div>Wishing you all a great start to the school year! See you later this fall!</div><div>Sincerely, </div><div>Mrs. Gonzalez</div></div>Katie Gonzalezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16007073454015257260noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4138906682666850660.post-75904309043120991932010-06-16T09:51:00.004-05:002010-06-16T10:49:18.213-05:00Birds of the GrasslandsMrs. Howard's 4<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">th</span> grade class studied the birds of the <strong>Grasslands</strong>. These birds often live in large fields of grass, possibly near the edge of a forest. They have to be quick on the ground and have good <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">camouflage</span> when there aren't a lot of trees to hide in. Most of the birds these students studied had feathers in the earth-tone family - lots of browns, golds, and tans. All the sculptures are made entirely of <strong><span style="color:#33cc00;">recycled materials</span></strong>, plus <strong>acrylic paint</strong>. Here are a few examples from this class:<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TBjoogWPdHI/AAAAAAAAEPQ/kpsPO2z_Y9I/s1600/machines+126.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483388328899212402" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TBjoogWPdHI/AAAAAAAAEPQ/kpsPO2z_Y9I/s320/machines+126.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TBjopmx3m0I/AAAAAAAAEPg/aaK2FqR16SE/s1600/machines+161.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483388347805571906" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TBjopmx3m0I/AAAAAAAAEPg/aaK2FqR16SE/s320/machines+161.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>A Turkey and a Bobolink!</div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TBjopLGiwQI/AAAAAAAAEPY/XCTRGDStudA/s1600/machines+130.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483388340376092930" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TBjopLGiwQI/AAAAAAAAEPY/XCTRGDStudA/s320/machines+130.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TBjnCbIla3I/AAAAAAAAEO4/sOsuJletF3A/s1600/machines+107.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483386575153097586" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TBjnCbIla3I/AAAAAAAAEO4/sOsuJletF3A/s320/machines+107.jpg" border="0" /></a> <br />A Falcon and a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Prairie</span> Chicken!</div><div><div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TBjnC78J0cI/AAAAAAAAEPA/Ye7wMrZ3YBQ/s1600/machines+110.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483386583959327170" style="WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TBjnC78J0cI/AAAAAAAAEPA/Ye7wMrZ3YBQ/s320/machines+110.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TBjnBe1yPTI/AAAAAAAAEOo/lZsfQybN_m4/s1600/birds+109.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483386558968118578" style="WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TBjnBe1yPTI/AAAAAAAAEOo/lZsfQybN_m4/s320/birds+109.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TBjnA7rHgAI/AAAAAAAAEOg/XKrS7jJ4ojM/s1600/birds+377.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483386549528133634" style="WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TBjnA7rHgAI/AAAAAAAAEOg/XKrS7jJ4ojM/s320/birds+377.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />A Turkey Vulture, a baby Barn Owl and an Ostrich!<br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TBjnB7G9bkI/AAAAAAAAEOw/vXSm3SKYarQ/s1600/birds+370.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483386566556347970" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TBjnB7G9bkI/AAAAAAAAEOw/vXSm3SKYarQ/s320/birds+370.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TBjooK5glaI/AAAAAAAAEPI/Ms1umzmzm4Q/s1600/machines+112.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483388323141555618" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TBjooK5glaI/AAAAAAAAEPI/Ms1umzmzm4Q/s320/machines+112.jpg" border="0" /></a></div>A Prairie Chicken and a Pheasant!</div></div></div>Katie Gonzalezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16007073454015257260noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4138906682666850660.post-9434569748610570642010-06-16T09:01:00.006-05:002010-06-16T09:50:18.398-05:00The Wetlands! A Collaborative Recycled Mural<div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TBjZw3poPVI/AAAAAAAAENY/rsrR8R6XoRw/s1600/murals+047.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483371979919080786" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TBjZw3poPVI/AAAAAAAAENY/rsrR8R6XoRw/s400/murals+047.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>For the end of the year, our plans for <strong>a large collaborative mural</strong> between grade levels from each day of the rotation (6 days total) finally came together with a bang! These murals will be on permanant display at Briargrove, and everyone is IN LOVE with them.</div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TBjcEXWmAXI/AAAAAAAAENg/BrnbNS-icFg/s1600/murals+049.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483374513869947250" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TBjcEXWmAXI/AAAAAAAAENg/BrnbNS-icFg/s320/murals+049.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TBjcE8cM8vI/AAAAAAAAENo/UfP1xnfrn8U/s1600/murals+050.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483374523825582834" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TBjcE8cM8vI/AAAAAAAAENo/UfP1xnfrn8U/s320/murals+050.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div><div>This is the second - <strong>the Wetlands</strong>. All materials were <span style="color:#33cc00;"><strong>collected</strong></span> and <strong><span style="color:#33cc00;">recycled</span></strong> into artwork by the students at Briargrove. The <span style="color:#33cc00;"><strong>large cardboard boxes</strong></span> that serve as a "canvas" for the murals were saved from the beginning of the year when we received our new amazing blue flat file drawers. </div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TBjdBI1M6kI/AAAAAAAAEOI/cohty4A-QuA/s1600/murals+058.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483375557943814722" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TBjdBI1M6kI/AAAAAAAAEOI/cohty4A-QuA/s320/murals+058.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TBjdAe2lSkI/AAAAAAAAEOA/kRG5hNr_hUk/s1600/murals+057.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483375546675317314" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TBjdAe2lSkI/AAAAAAAAEOA/kRG5hNr_hUk/s320/murals+057.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>For the large painting, students used <strong>acrylic paint</strong>. The final mural was assembled using a combination of <strong>gloss medium</strong> for lightweight items and <strong>hot glue</strong> for heavier materials. Then, we coated the whole mural with gloss medium to unify the elements and give it a nice shine. </div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TBjcF1FJPtI/AAAAAAAAEN4/m4wT4d8x7hE/s1600/murals+056.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483374539029692114" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TBjcF1FJPtI/AAAAAAAAEN4/m4wT4d8x7hE/s320/murals+056.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TBjcFSNdr8I/AAAAAAAAENw/w86-AYM84dQ/s1600/murals+055.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483374529669345218" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TBjcFSNdr8I/AAAAAAAAENw/w86-AYM84dQ/s320/murals+055.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>The following parts of the murals were made by the following homerooms/ grade levels:</div><div><strong>Painting on Cardboard </strong>by Ms. Ficke’s 1st Grade Class<br /><strong>Scrap Paper Plant Collages</strong> by Mrs. Henley’s 3rd Grade Class</div><div><strong>Cardboard Animals</strong> by Ms. Sutton’s 5th Grade Class</div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TBjhWpKDZWI/AAAAAAAAEOY/r-KPwxtXO_Q/s1600/murals+059.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483380325444969826" style="WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TBjhWpKDZWI/AAAAAAAAEOY/r-KPwxtXO_Q/s400/murals+059.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TBjhV12TB-I/AAAAAAAAEOQ/IZSa11Dfnbg/s1600/murals+054.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483380311671900130" style="WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TBjhV12TB-I/AAAAAAAAEOQ/IZSa11Dfnbg/s400/murals+054.jpg" border="0" /></a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Katie Gonzalezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16007073454015257260noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4138906682666850660.post-13819550219674597462010-06-02T19:45:00.015-05:002010-06-03T10:17:04.924-05:00Eco-Friendly Machines<div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TAcj5NPnsvI/AAAAAAAAENQ/AXLXAZsk8SY/s1600/birds+285.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478386937434190578" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TAcj5NPnsvI/AAAAAAAAENQ/AXLXAZsk8SY/s320/birds+285.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TAcKO6tAdMI/AAAAAAAAEL4/Qt7Dkev_WBo/s1600/machines+278.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478358723111974082" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TAcKO6tAdMI/AAAAAAAAEL4/Qt7Dkev_WBo/s320/machines+278.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />5<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">th</span></span> Grade spent the last couple months of school conceptualizing, designing, building and embellishing these incredible inventions. These one-of-a-kind machines are especially <strong><span style="color:#33cc00;">earth-friendly</span></strong> - not only are they made entirely out of <strong><span style="color:#33cc00;">recycled materials</span></strong>, but they also serve a very important purpose. Each machine has been designed to help solve a particular <strong><span style="color:#33cc00;">environmental issue</span></strong>!<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TAb-GZWbDdI/AAAAAAAAEJw/dJnDDzWFlkE/s1600/machines+016.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478345382580391378" style="WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TAb-GZWbDdI/AAAAAAAAEJw/dJnDDzWFlkE/s320/machines+016.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TAb_LIERFkI/AAAAAAAAEKQ/6VEwOfcEiEU/s1600/machines+045.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478346563351811650" style="WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TAb_LIERFkI/AAAAAAAAEKQ/6VEwOfcEiEU/s320/machines+045.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TAb-HVTRwzI/AAAAAAAAEKA/lITRbW5V080/s1600/machines+027.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478345398673326898" style="WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TAb-HVTRwzI/AAAAAAAAEKA/lITRbW5V080/s320/machines+027.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div>To begin this unit, we started by talking about current and future environmental concerns and threats. Students discussed what they knew about various <strong><span style="color:#33cc00;">types of pollution</span></strong>,<strong><span style="color:#33cc00;"> energy and natural resource conservation</span></strong>, <span style="color:#33cc00;"><strong>endangered species</strong></span>, <strong><span style="color:#33cc00;">animal displacement</span></strong>, <strong><span style="color:#33cc00;">global warming</span></strong>, and many other issues.<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TAcKOVzR-9I/AAAAAAAAELw/bBrPM2MAG1M/s1600/machines+267.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478358713206176722" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TAcKOVzR-9I/AAAAAAAAELw/bBrPM2MAG1M/s320/machines+267.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TAcAo_NGhLI/AAAAAAAAEKo/aKOKSRAmKgU/s1600/machines+035.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478348175880651954" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TAcAo_NGhLI/AAAAAAAAEKo/aKOKSRAmKgU/s320/machines+035.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div>Our discussion also included talk of <strong>inventions</strong>, the process of developing new technology, and the interwoven relationship between artists and scientists. We reviewed <strong>simple machines</strong>, and discussed real-life applications of these machines. This helped the students with the next step - creating a <strong><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">preliminary</span> design</strong>.<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TAb9NWIKcyI/AAAAAAAAEJY/nrnjYJEJDSA/s1600/machines+004.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478344402462733090" style="WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TAb9NWIKcyI/AAAAAAAAEJY/nrnjYJEJDSA/s320/machines+004.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TAb9Opj-73I/AAAAAAAAEJo/vmgSKujITMk/s1600/machines+010.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478344424859561842" style="WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TAb9Opj-73I/AAAAAAAAEJo/vmgSKujITMk/s320/machines+010.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TAb9OESWdDI/AAAAAAAAEJg/C-W0ozvYn20/s1600/machines+006.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478344414853493810" style="WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TAb9OESWdDI/AAAAAAAAEJg/C-W0ozvYn20/s320/machines+006.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div>Each student individually chose an environmental issue that they feel passionate about, and <strong>brainstormed</strong> different ways that they could work to aide in solving that issue. Then, they sketched out an idea for their machine, incorporating at least four simple machines in their design.<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TAcAp_eMjLI/AAAAAAAAEK4/f9m3eJj1XNc/s1600/machines+190.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478348193132219570" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TAcAp_eMjLI/AAAAAAAAEK4/f9m3eJj1XNc/s320/machines+190.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TAcApSdXfUI/AAAAAAAAEKw/6obeXNVCNbQ/s1600/machines+186.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478348181049146690" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TAcApSdXfUI/AAAAAAAAEKw/6obeXNVCNbQ/s320/machines+186.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div>Of course, the students did not limit their imaginations to totally "realistic" designs. Without a creative mind, nothing would ever change, right? So many of these machines do quite impossible things - like take trash and turn it into new trees. Some, however, do things like take trash and turn it into <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">furniture</span>, or <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">artificial</span> habitats, or building supplies.<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TAcFVMprMdI/AAAAAAAAELI/S343qvk37cs/s1600/machines+224.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478353333450912210" style="WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TAcFVMprMdI/AAAAAAAAELI/S343qvk37cs/s320/machines+224.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TAcFVnxmPpI/AAAAAAAAELQ/lrez_4DoFlU/s1600/machines+233.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478353340731899538" style="WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TAcFVnxmPpI/AAAAAAAAELQ/lrez_4DoFlU/s320/machines+233.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TAcFUnT4ONI/AAAAAAAAELA/_KEVfpYM9GE/s1600/machines+239.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478353323427379410" style="WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TAcFUnT4ONI/AAAAAAAAELA/_KEVfpYM9GE/s320/machines+239.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div>To make these designs, students used a variety of collected materials - <strong><span style="color:#33cc00;">plastic and tin containers</span></strong>, <strong><span style="color:#33cc00;">bottle caps</span></strong>, <strong><span style="color:#33cc00;">soda tabs</span></strong>, <strong><span style="color:#33cc00;">cardboard</span></strong>, <strong><span style="color:#33cc00;">egg cartons</span></strong>, <strong><span style="color:#33cc00;">beads</span></strong>, and all sorts of <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">odd</span> <span style="color:#33cc00;"><strong><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">pieces</span> of plastic</strong></span><span style="color:#000000;">, etc</span>. They used <strong>hot glue</strong> to join their designs together securely. On a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">safety</span> note - students were WELL educated as to the proper (and safe) way to use a hot glue gun, and WELL warned about the consequences of any misbehavior while hot glue guns were being used in the room!<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TAcAoRR6arI/AAAAAAAAEKg/hpVyk-P5jTo/s1600/machines+031.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478348163552799410" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TAcAoRR6arI/AAAAAAAAEKg/hpVyk-P5jTo/s320/machines+031.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TAcLvjK1RSI/AAAAAAAAEMQ/RNNJxgUYnA4/s1600/machines+235.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478360383241930018" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TAcLvjK1RSI/AAAAAAAAEMQ/RNNJxgUYnA4/s320/machines+235.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />To finalize their sculpture, the students used <strong>acrylic paint</strong>. I had the students first paint a base coat to fully cover their materials (unless they wanted to leave it unfinished.) Then, students added <b>design elements</b>, <b>patterns</b> and <b>details</b> on top. It was very important to make sure to wait in between coats of paint so that the colors didn't mix or get muddy.<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TAb_LiC0x1I/AAAAAAAAEKY/xplm4AvAgaw/s1600/machines+050.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478346570325083986" style="WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TAb_LiC0x1I/AAAAAAAAEKY/xplm4AvAgaw/s320/machines+050.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TAb_Kv8wHkI/AAAAAAAAEKI/L2Cvu2qeFzo/s1600/machines+042.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478346556877839938" style="WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TAb_Kv8wHkI/AAAAAAAAEKI/L2Cvu2qeFzo/s320/machines+042.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TAb-GxD8GbI/AAAAAAAAEJ4/8TjDaSnB_OM/s1600/machines+022.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478345388945316274" style="WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TAb-GxD8GbI/AAAAAAAAEJ4/8TjDaSnB_OM/s320/machines+022.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div>It was interesting to see the way that each set of students solved the problem. Many <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">students</span>, as you may have noticed in the images above, created vehicles that serve an environmental purpose. The work in water, on land, in the air, underground, even within a hot volcano! Of course, there were some awesome <strong>robots</strong>, too. The last one in the pictures above eats used paper and spits out new recycled sheets from the back! I love the sense of humor mixed in with creative problem solving. </div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TAcLu8_SMvI/AAAAAAAAEMI/2W9g6CirIzs/s1600/machines+250.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478360372992946930" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TAcLu8_SMvI/AAAAAAAAEMI/2W9g6CirIzs/s320/machines+250.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TAcLuN05umI/AAAAAAAAEMA/4yE-CffXDx8/s1600/machines+254.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478360360332933730" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TAcLuN05umI/AAAAAAAAEMA/4yE-CffXDx8/s320/machines+254.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div>A few students in one of my classes created some different tank designs, but they're not for military use! First of all, they run on <strong><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">eco</span>-friendly energy</strong> - like <strong><span style="color:#33cc00;">solar power<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"> or</span></span></span></strong> trash converted into fuel. </div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TAcNJatKaFI/AAAAAAAAEMg/KsGGk-rp02Q/s1600/machines+249.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478361927158229074" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TAcNJatKaFI/AAAAAAAAEMg/KsGGk-rp02Q/s320/machines+249.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TAcLv-uS1zI/AAAAAAAAEMY/TCcLwa2dndk/s1600/machines+245.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478360390638425906" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TAcLv-uS1zI/AAAAAAAAEMY/TCcLwa2dndk/s320/machines+245.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><div>The canon-looking attachments on these tanks <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">expel</span> things like purified water or food for animals or clean air! I wish I had recorded the students explaining their final products - their creativity was astounding, and their <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">explanations</span> were very detailed and thoughtful!<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TAcIKnC7oJI/AAAAAAAAELo/HUDhKicnLL0/s1600/machines+215.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478356450092490898" style="WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TAcIKnC7oJI/AAAAAAAAELo/HUDhKicnLL0/s320/machines+215.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TAcIJaMSz-I/AAAAAAAAELY/mga4OgTchyA/s1600/machines+288.jpg"></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TAcIJ7bEyrI/AAAAAAAAELg/IHe0wFsKMV8/s1600/machines+258.jpg"></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TAcRLth6SiI/AAAAAAAAENA/NrsAKd3lEOU/s1600/machines+203.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478366364617558562" style="WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TAcRLth6SiI/AAAAAAAAENA/NrsAKd3lEOU/s320/machines+203.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TAcRLUfPZGI/AAAAAAAAEM4/r_GF7vu1XyY/s1600/machines+221.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478366357895472226" style="WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TAcRLUfPZGI/AAAAAAAAEM4/r_GF7vu1XyY/s320/machines+221.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><div><div>Some students work to <strong><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">collect</span></strong> waste or <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">recyclable</span> materials, some work to <strong>relocate</strong> animals, some work to <strong>rebuild</strong> habitats. The middle one above takes solar energy and uses it to power a video camera that projects films about recycling. The students considered every detail they could - including the colors of their machines. Many chose to <strong><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">camouflage</span></strong> their creation with the type of environment in which it would work.</div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TAcj4vVbBYI/AAAAAAAAENI/mzlArVV_UzY/s1600/machines+214.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478386929405461890" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TAcj4vVbBYI/AAAAAAAAENI/mzlArVV_UzY/s320/machines+214.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TAcRK74TJZI/AAAAAAAAEMw/l3YSEDviudM/s1600/machines+282.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478366351289689490" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/TAcRK74TJZI/AAAAAAAAEMw/l3YSEDviudM/s320/machines+282.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div>I thoroughly, thoroughly enjoyed watching the students use all those items that would otherwise be trash and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">transform</span> them into these sculptures. I really hope that they share their ideas with others - these children are the future, and our key to taking care of our very important planet in the years to come!</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Katie Gonzalezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16007073454015257260noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4138906682666850660.post-7373382894790690652010-05-28T11:14:00.007-05:002010-05-28T11:40:58.840-05:00Birds of the DesertMs. Abraham's fourth grade students studied the <strong>birds of the desert</strong>. These birds live in hot, dry climates and need to blend in with the tones of the earth, since there aren't many plants or trees to hide in. We found out that many birds here depend on cacti for hydration and food, and even shelter. I really enjoyed the way that many students in this class created a <strong>setting</strong> for their birds as well as the bird itself. I am a cactus lover, so the bottle cap and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">pringle</span> cup cacti were especially exciting to me! All the sculptures are made entirely of <strong><span style="color:#33cc00;">recycled materials</span></strong>, plus <strong>acrylic</strong> <strong>paint</strong>. The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">popsicle</span> sticks used by this class were collected from actual <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">popsicles</span>, not a prepackaged set of craft sticks. Here are a few examples from this class:<br /><div><div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/S__uCEcYx8I/AAAAAAAAEIw/KVcZwxXm0WA/s1600/birds+253.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476357391225767874" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/S__uCEcYx8I/AAAAAAAAEIw/KVcZwxXm0WA/s320/birds+253.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/S__vRIxu_0I/AAAAAAAAEJA/9GGpgv-hJoo/s1600/birds+313.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476358749598711618" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/S__vRIxu_0I/AAAAAAAAEJA/9GGpgv-hJoo/s320/birds+313.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />A Gamble's Quail and a Vulture!<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/S__wFvE6AGI/AAAAAAAAEJI/XJwrjEJ6wac/s1600/birds+128.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476359653232869474" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/S__wFvE6AGI/AAAAAAAAEJI/XJwrjEJ6wac/s320/birds+128.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/S__wGMeEkcI/AAAAAAAAEJQ/dY8vsk3m1fo/s1600/birds+288.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476359661123047874" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/S__wGMeEkcI/AAAAAAAAEJQ/dY8vsk3m1fo/s320/birds+288.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />A Turkey Vulture and a Cactus <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Ferruginous</span> Pygmy Owl!<br /><div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/S__tB5TOwqI/AAAAAAAAEIg/wn8WFH3cCV4/s1600/birds+267.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476356288722944674" style="WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/S__tB5TOwqI/AAAAAAAAEIg/wn8WFH3cCV4/s320/birds+267.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/S__tAJPQABI/AAAAAAAAEIA/7lsHZYdoVO4/s1600/birds+201.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476356258641477650" style="WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/S__tAJPQABI/AAAAAAAAEIA/7lsHZYdoVO4/s320/birds+201.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/S__uBsuefGI/AAAAAAAAEIo/rfDqh2bHKfQ/s1600/birds+300.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476357384859188322" style="WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/S__uBsuefGI/AAAAAAAAEIo/rfDqh2bHKfQ/s320/birds+300.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div>A Roadrunner, a Gila Woodpecker, and a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Pinyon</span> Jay!<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/S__tBEhbEhI/AAAAAAAAEIQ/DYFAPMxccq4/s1600/birds+291.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476356274555392530" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/S__tBEhbEhI/AAAAAAAAEIQ/DYFAPMxccq4/s320/birds+291.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/S__tAvVhf9I/AAAAAAAAEII/RaVCkGng8mI/s1600/birds+316.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476356268868337618" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/S__tAvVhf9I/AAAAAAAAEII/RaVCkGng8mI/s320/birds+316.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />A Turkey Vulture and a Gamble's Quail!</div><div><div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/S__uCsdaE-I/AAAAAAAAEI4/TJvSssB5k9g/s1600/birds+257.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476357401967465442" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/S__uCsdaE-I/AAAAAAAAEI4/TJvSssB5k9g/s320/birds+257.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/S__tBmD0qvI/AAAAAAAAEIY/xQ5giuJ_TUg/s1600/birds+206.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476356283558046450" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/S__tBmD0qvI/AAAAAAAAEIY/xQ5giuJ_TUg/s320/birds+206.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />A Barn Owl and a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Pinyon</span> Jay! </div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Katie Gonzalezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16007073454015257260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4138906682666850660.post-47038252354764729092010-05-27T09:30:00.026-05:002010-05-27T20:27:27.690-05:00The Deciduous Forest! a Collaborative Recycled Habitat<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/S_7Fc2MnbyI/AAAAAAAAEH4/CSvQKn4UWz8/s1600/murals+016.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476031296304541474" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/S_7Fc2MnbyI/AAAAAAAAEH4/CSvQKn4UWz8/s400/murals+016.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/S_68rJJyOMI/AAAAAAAAEHo/Ac9qyIwEHmE/s1600/murals+016.jpg"></a>For the end of the year, our plans for a <strong>large collaborative mural</strong> between grade levels from each day of the rotation (6 days total) finally came together with a bang! These murals will be on permanant display at Briargrove, and everyone is IN LOVE with them.<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/S_6M7MRRm3I/AAAAAAAAEGI/Y28huDdBuDk/s1600/murals+018.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475969145462954866" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/S_6M7MRRm3I/AAAAAAAAEGI/Y28huDdBuDk/s320/murals+018.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/S_6M7kYmDPI/AAAAAAAAEGQ/MpMq3IGzPNs/s1600/murals+017.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475969151936105714" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/S_6M7kYmDPI/AAAAAAAAEGQ/MpMq3IGzPNs/s320/murals+017.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">(This is my not quite successful attempt at trying to zoom in and show you the entire mural a little closer up.)</span></div><div><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Here is the first - the <strong>Deciduous Forest</strong>! <span style="color:#000000;">All materials were </span><span style="color:#009900;">collected</span><span style="color:#000000;"> and </span><span style="color:#009900;">recycled </span><span style="color:#000000;">into artwork by the students at Briargrove. </span></span></span></div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/S_6SGtvRnGI/AAAAAAAAEG4/GfsNISngwQ0/s1600/murals+028.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475974840983854178" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/S_6SGtvRnGI/AAAAAAAAEG4/GfsNISngwQ0/s320/murals+028.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/S_6X9K3AC_I/AAAAAAAAEHI/2ZCGUUVU704/s1600/murals+022.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475981274071960562" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/S_6X9K3AC_I/AAAAAAAAEHI/2ZCGUUVU704/s320/murals+022.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><div>The large cardboard boxes that serve as a "canvas" for the murals were saved from the beginning of the year when we received our new amazing blue flat file drawers<span style="color:#000000;">. </span><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/S_6RfmDhRzI/AAAAAAAAEGo/v7Nn3tWeU3Y/s1600/murals+029.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475974168906385202" style="WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/S_6RfmDhRzI/AAAAAAAAEGo/v7Nn3tWeU3Y/s320/murals+029.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/S_6RfGWN0nI/AAAAAAAAEGg/APdBHhHcfQE/s1600/murals+023.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475974160394867314" style="WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/S_6RfGWN0nI/AAAAAAAAEGg/APdBHhHcfQE/s320/murals+023.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/S_6Rf4gATNI/AAAAAAAAEGw/YQCEuYp8SVo/s1600/murals+025.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475974173857696978" style="WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/S_6Rf4gATNI/AAAAAAAAEGw/YQCEuYp8SVo/s320/murals+025.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />For the large painting, students used <strong>acrylic paint</strong>. The final mural was assembled using a combination of gloss medium for lightweight items and hot glue for heavier materials. Then, we coated the whole mural with <strong>gloss medium</strong> to unify the elements and give it a nice shine. </div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/S_6SHJWpMwI/AAAAAAAAEHA/bVMYwu4CpbY/s1600/murals+030.jpg"></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/S_6X98i0gBI/AAAAAAAAEHQ/1C4QPJGwS6w/s1600/murals+024.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475981287409090578" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/S_6X98i0gBI/AAAAAAAAEHQ/1C4QPJGwS6w/s320/murals+024.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/S_6-mMDNiVI/AAAAAAAAEHw/N7MO7uJZ9PY/s1600/murals+017.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476023760208103762" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/S_6-mMDNiVI/AAAAAAAAEHw/N7MO7uJZ9PY/s320/murals+017.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><div>The following parts of the murals were made by the following homerooms/ grade levels:<br /><strong>Painting on Cardboard</strong> by Ms. Charpiot’s 1st Grade Class<br /><strong>Birds Printed from Styrofoam</strong> <strong>Egg Carton Lids</strong> by Mrs. Brown’s 2nd Grade Class<br /><strong>Scrap Paper Plant Collages</strong> by Ms. Melville’s 3rd Grade Class<br /><strong>Cardboard Animals</strong> by Mrs. Klusener’s 5th Grade Class<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/S_6X-wWR9MI/AAAAAAAAEHg/AL9FuhGON6o/s1600/murals+018.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475981301315138754" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/S_6X-wWR9MI/AAAAAAAAEHg/AL9FuhGON6o/s320/murals+018.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/S_6X-ut3aEI/AAAAAAAAEHY/uM-aFHIZH0M/s1600/murals+030.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475981300877191234" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/S_6X-ut3aEI/AAAAAAAAEHY/uM-aFHIZH0M/s320/murals+030.jpg" border="0" /></a></div>Katie Gonzalezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16007073454015257260noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4138906682666850660.post-87360601899134741152010-05-26T15:58:00.007-05:002010-05-26T18:53:48.735-05:004th Grade Deciduous Forest Mural<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/S_2QDcyebEI/AAAAAAAAEFw/S6as1TJTIeQ/s1600/murals+009.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475691110894300226" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/S_2QDcyebEI/AAAAAAAAEFw/S6as1TJTIeQ/s320/murals+009.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/S_2QEEKCNBI/AAAAAAAAEF4/gmK-UaYIVaE/s1600/murals+010.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475691121462096914" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/S_2QEEKCNBI/AAAAAAAAEF4/gmK-UaYIVaE/s320/murals+010.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Collaborative painting and relief sculpture made by Ms. Azar's fourth grade class. The painting was made first using tempera paint; students then added details using acrylic paint.<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/S_2QEuOtDiI/AAAAAAAAEGA/cWC6Q1TPrno/s1600/murals+080.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475691132755971618" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/S_2QEuOtDiI/AAAAAAAAEGA/cWC6Q1TPrno/s320/murals+080.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/S_2PYmhf5GI/AAAAAAAAEFo/AGXKbR05aVY/s1600/murals+007.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475690374773072994" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/S_2PYmhf5GI/AAAAAAAAEFo/AGXKbR05aVY/s320/murals+007.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />The moose is made from <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;">bottle caps</span></b> and a big sheet of <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;">cardboard</span></b> saved from some new equiptment I bought for the art room this year. The students first painted the moose, then used hot glue to attach the caps. So proud!Katie Gonzalezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16007073454015257260noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4138906682666850660.post-91409099434373071262010-05-26T12:02:00.010-05:002010-05-26T19:05:10.402-05:00Birds of the Arctic and Antarctic TundrasMs. McConn's fourth grade class studied the <b>birds of the arctic and antarctic tundras</b>. While we researched many birds, the snowy owl, penguin and snow goose were particularly popular with this group! One interesting fact the students learned about many of these birds - their feathers change colors with the season. When it's winter - most of the year - they have white feathers to blend in with the snow. When it's summer - a very short amount of time compared to here in Houston - the birds molt and replace their white feathers with different shades of brown to blend in with the rocky terrain. These sculptures are all built using <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CC00;">recycled materials<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">, with a<b>crylic paint</b> as a final touch on some. </span></span></span></b>Here are a few examples from this class:<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/S_1eqUvLoaI/AAAAAAAAEE4/jVs_3DC9Z3A/s1600/birds+172.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475636803166511522" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/S_1eqUvLoaI/AAAAAAAAEE4/jVs_3DC9Z3A/s320/birds+172.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/S_1eq6yaypI/AAAAAAAAEFA/jqO-Oj3rxsE/s1600/birds+164.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475636813380635282" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/S_1eq6yaypI/AAAAAAAAEFA/jqO-Oj3rxsE/s320/birds+164.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />A Snowy Owl and a Snow Goose!<br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/S_1h8Jx3WrI/AAAAAAAAEFQ/OYdptyJSpGY/s1600/birds+144.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475640407997504178" style="WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/S_1h8Jx3WrI/AAAAAAAAEFQ/OYdptyJSpGY/s320/birds+144.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/S_1c1LU8_7I/AAAAAAAAEEg/qj-DJhItzrM/s1600/birds+137.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475634790595887026" style="WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/S_1c1LU8_7I/AAAAAAAAEEg/qj-DJhItzrM/s320/birds+137.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/S_1ere3t_uI/AAAAAAAAEFI/BbORu2X-MB8/s1600/birds+157.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475636823066541794" style="WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/S_1ere3t_uI/AAAAAAAAEFI/BbORu2X-MB8/s320/birds+157.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />An Emperor Penguin, a Snowy Owl and a Penguin!<br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/S_1ep-D6LaI/AAAAAAAAEEw/cIXEEXIV2WU/s1600/birds+183.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475636797079432610" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/S_1ep-D6LaI/AAAAAAAAEEw/cIXEEXIV2WU/s320/birds+183.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/S_1czjLQIeI/AAAAAAAAEEI/3frdUwiAI9M/s1600/birds+122.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475634762637910498" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/S_1czjLQIeI/AAAAAAAAEEI/3frdUwiAI9M/s320/birds+122.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />A Snowy Owl and a Gyrfalcon!<br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/S_1c0q8lFnI/AAAAAAAAEEY/fX2aLVkoGeA/s1600/birds+134.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475634781903722098" style="WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/S_1c0q8lFnI/AAAAAAAAEEY/fX2aLVkoGeA/s320/birds+134.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/S_1c1mD8-bI/AAAAAAAAEEo/fjcePr6ZpkY/s1600/birds+141.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475634797772339634" style="WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/S_1c1mD8-bI/AAAAAAAAEEo/fjcePr6ZpkY/s320/birds+141.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/S_1h8mNyWrI/AAAAAAAAEFY/ukNVliwDlKg/s1600/birds+149.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475640415630809778" style="WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/S_1h8mNyWrI/AAAAAAAAEFY/ukNVliwDlKg/s320/birds+149.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div>A Puffin, a Tundra Swan, and an Emperor Penguin!<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/S_1h9DryQnI/AAAAAAAAEFg/sXY0RpFfZVA/s1600/birds+153.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475640423541260914" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/S_1h9DryQnI/AAAAAAAAEFg/sXY0RpFfZVA/s320/birds+153.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/S_1c0OlfIYI/AAAAAAAAEEQ/ACB3d3F7I0Y/s1600/birds+132.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475634774290669954" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/S_1c0OlfIYI/AAAAAAAAEEQ/ACB3d3F7I0Y/s320/birds+132.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />A Snowy Owl and a Tundra Swan!</div></div></div>Katie Gonzalezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16007073454015257260noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4138906682666850660.post-10372625013655891832010-05-25T16:46:00.009-05:002010-05-26T18:55:02.421-05:004th Grade Tropical Rainforest Mural<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/S_xIm-cWT5I/AAAAAAAAED4/51l7Ndp2lCc/s1600/murals+001.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475331081409810322" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/S_xIm-cWT5I/AAAAAAAAED4/51l7Ndp2lCc/s400/murals+001.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/S_xHqjoxAeI/AAAAAAAAEDo/HH6us1MxKXg/s1600/bird+of+paradise.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475330043421983202" style="WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/S_xHqjoxAeI/AAAAAAAAEDo/HH6us1MxKXg/s320/bird+of+paradise.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Collaborative painting and relief sculpture by Ms. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Borowski's</span> fourth grade class. Students first painted the mural using tempera paint, then added details on top using acrylic paint.</div><div></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/S_xLz6nSHII/AAAAAAAAEEA/L9Ac21r-iLM/s1600/murals+072.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475334602255113346" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/S_xLz6nSHII/AAAAAAAAEEA/L9Ac21r-iLM/s320/murals+072.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/S_xHrbcvJiI/AAAAAAAAEDw/6RLwje9th3s/s1600/murals+005.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475330058403915298" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bSBGJTgn2eo/S_xHrbcvJiI/AAAAAAAAEDw/6RLwje9th3s/s320/murals+005.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />The Bird of Paradise sculpture was made using <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;">bottle and marker caps</span></b>, <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;">old wooden rulers</span></b> and one large sheet of <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><b>c</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><b>ardboard</b></span></span> saved from a new piece of <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">equipment</span> bought for the art room this year. The students first painted the bird, then attached the other items using hot glue. Beautiful!Katie Gonzalezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16007073454015257260noreply@blogger.com3