Art Timeline

Today was the last day of school at Herrera.  The last day for me is always so bittersweet.  I am sad to see my 8th graders leave, but happy for them as they go to High School and start a new chapter in their lives.  I will definitely miss the smiling faces I get to see every morning when I walk through the halls, but know there will be many more in my future.  This year was truly amazing for myself and my students.
               I have posting pictures all year about my art history timeline, and as the year ends, so does the timeline.  Here are some pictures of the results. 4th and 5th graders started with cave art (where we painted with the lights off in our "art cave") and continued until the 20th century (impressionism).  Junior high students started the timeline at the 20th century to contemporary art.  During this year we painted under our tables like Michelangelo, splattered paint like Pollock, printed like Warhol and much much more.  After each lesson, I chose one student's artwork to display on the timeline (for visual learners, like myself). I believe it is so important to learn about art history at a young age (on a personal note, my grandfather took me the Cleveland Art Museums every month for many years, which is why I am so passionate about art and art history). I cannot count the number of times students have ran up to me in the hallway to tell me how they saw the artwork we studied on their favorite show (many times on Family Guy or Simpsons), movie, commercial, clothing, etc.  I am so proud of my students this year for all they have accomplished and learned.  

Russian Stacking Dolls

2nd and third graders are learning about ART FROM AROUND THE WORLD!!! This is the project from Russia. We discussed Russian Stacking Dolls (AKA Russian nesting dolls). First, we looked at pictures of traditional stacking dolls and discussed characteristics (what they are made out of, shape, colors, why are the women wearing scarves? etc.). Next, we looked at modern stacking dolls and discussed the differences.

For the art project, I made a template of the three different size dolls. I made sure to remind them that all the lines have to go from one side of the stacking doll to the other (one example is the line on the top of the pants). I also reminded them that nothing can be sticking off of the stacking doll because then they wouldn't fit together.

I let the students choose if they want to make a traditional stacking doll or a modern stacking doll (most chose modern). There were so many great ideas for this project, but here a few...

Also, a few weeks later, a student (above) was soooooo excited to show me that her cousin let her borrow her stacking doll to bring in to show the class!! Another example of those "teacher moment" reasons I LOVE MY JOB!!!

Silhouettes

Last month, a professional silhouette artist, Varin, (who also happens to be my beautiful mother) came to Herrera School to teach us about the art of silhouettes. She came all the way from San Diego to teach Kinder-8th graders about the history of silhouettes and how to cut them. She started each lesson by talking about the history of silhouettes and how they are made. Earlier that morning, I asked teachers from our fine arts team and junior high to come to my room to have their silhouette done. During class, I layed out the teacher's portraits and called students up to the table as a challange to see if they could identfy each teacher portrait (and they guessed correctly!!!) Next, Varin chose the student with the closest upcoming birthday and cut a silhouette of that student. She gave them pointers, for example, always have the model sit so the front of thier face is on your right hand side (if you are right handed) so that it is easier to cut the tiny details on the face. Also, to turn the paper when you are cutting, not you hands. Next the students paired up and cut silhouettes of their friends!!! Students were surprised at how difficult it was, but had a lot of fun!!!

You can view Varin's work at www.papercutsbyvarin.webs.com

Art and Music...Our first IMPRESSION

This week, I collaborated with the music teacher (Mr. Estrella) to teach students about Impressionist art and music!!! First, we looked at Van Gogh's Starry Night and discussed what we see and how it is painted. Next, Mr. Estrella discussed and played Clair De Lune by Debussy. Students discussed the title of the song, what they hear, and how it is played. Then, it was time for art... each student received oil pastels and blue paper. They were asked to draw their favorite place to watch stars at night, but they had to draw in the style of Van Gogh. Students used short strokes to create texture in their artwork. We also listened to Debussy's piece while they worked.

Guiseppe Arcimboldo Collage

4th and 5th grade students have reached 1570's on our timeline which includes the famous artist GUISEPPE ARCIMBOLDO!!! Arcimboldo creates two-dimensional portraits out of unusual objects. He was way ahead of his time!! Everyone else in his time was creating realistic art (like Da Vinci and Michealangelo), he was painting these crazy pictures!! Salvador Dali called Arcimboldo the "Father of Surrealism." Students really like Arcimboldo's work!!

For our assignment we created portraits by using magazine pictures. They were required to make a face out of anything but facial features!! This project is so much fun and really forces students to be creative and think outside of the box!!

Happy Chinese New Year!!

This is a very important year for Chinese New Year because is the year of the dragon!! We are so lucky at Herrera School to have such a diverse staff that can teach us about their culture. For this assignment, Ms. Sun (our wonderful dance teacher) came into art to teach us about Chinese New Year, culture and Chinese calligraphy. Students were taught proper technique, like holding the paintbrush vertical. we used red paper which signifies good luck. Students (and Mrs. Castrigano) learned how to write "Happy New Year."
Thanks Ms. Sun!!

Fall Leaves

2nd and 3rd Graders created fall leaves before the Thanksgiving Break.First, we used rubber leaves to make a leaf print with white paint and little sponges to apply the paint. We used brown construction paper as a base for the leaves to make fall colors. When we were finished we set them on the drying rack to dry for the next class. Next, we used tempera paint, with warm colors (red, orange and yellow) mixed with copper paint to
create the background for the leaves. We used a little sponge (cut from large sponges from the dollar store) and clothespins to BLEND the colors together. The clothespins also help to keep their hands a bit cleaner. It is difficult to paint with such large classes and wash hands, so the clothespins help. Lastly, we use a black permanent marker to add a border and bring out the veins of the leaves.

Yummm! Color Wheels!!!

Every Wednesday we have "Super Special Wednesdays," which are days that we get selected classes for a longer time. This allows classroom teachers to meet for professional development. It also allows special area teachers to have some extra time with their classes. I like to use this time to create lessons that I would not have time for during the regular class time. This lesson, Tasty Color Wheels, is a perfect example of one of those lessons. We use white frosting, food coloring, and vanilla wafers for this project. I have found that wax paper works best to keep the tables clean. I remind students of a few things before we begin... they will get a chance to eat it at the end so please be patient and wait, only touch the food that you will eat, take turns mixing colors, and don't put too much food coloring (your teeth will be blue!!). Also, it is important that after you mix the primary colors (red, yellow,and blue) and you begin to mix the secondary colors (orange, green, and purple) that you only take a small amount of primary colors. For example, if you take all of the red and blue to make purple, you will not have any red left for orange or blue left for green. This is a wonderful lesson about the color wheel and color mixing, as well as so much fun!!!