Monet Field of Poppies

For Memorial Day we looked at Monet's Field of Poppies and read Flanders Field.  Then we made imitation of Monet's painting using oil clay on cardboard.  They are beautiful.

Tape Resist Self -Portrait

Not having an artroom made teaching art to my students a challenge.  Our classroom was carpeted and that was always a concern when using paint.   

Mom and Me

After learning about Mary Cassat, my 2nd and 3rd grade students made Mom and Me portraits.  They came out very nice and a sweet gift for Mother's Day.

Nativity with Burning Bush

At Christmas Time students imitated aNativity with Burning bush by Albert Herbert.  I love this painting and I love how the kids chalk/glue resist paintings came out. 

Classroom Management

Art production is what I call an "organic experience." What I mean by organic is that the knowledge fostered within the art room causes visible growth physically, intellectually, and spiritually within students. A successful art room is structured with openness and freedom for growth in the:

understanding about the purpose of art (at the elementary level I stress art's ability to document human emotion and experiences)

understanding and use of materials

The growth is is so active that the process seems to happen magically and without control, this of course would not be true. While there is enormous freedom within the classroom there are rights and wrongs. Good classroom management is the foundation for success in the art room.

Some of the methods I use are:
1. Orientation about the learning and behavior expectations in the artroom
2. Student contracts that coincide with classroom expectations
3. Expectations posted in the room year round
4. Recording what each class's lesson is on the board
5. Writing key points about the lesson on the board
6. Using visuals such as learning posters and notebooks with lesson handouts to guide students through the steps in the lesson
7. Designating student responsibility with the help of table "keys"
8. Seating charts
9. Designated areas for materials and artwork
10. Establishing routines and procedures for taking care of materials
11. Establishing routines and procedures for handing back work (table boxes, baggies, and clips)
12. Behavior charts
13. Using daily folders with class lists, and behavior charts
14. Storing teacher's lesson examples in a designated area

Ensuring that students record their name and their teacher's name on their paper is the most troublesome concern for any teacher. I find that this is one behavior that requires constant and unstressed reinforcement by the teacher. The words "Put your name on your paper" or using a question to prompt them about what they should do first should be spoken daily by the teacher.

Routines for Instruction
1. During whole group Part 1 the teacher will introduce the lesson, have students look at examples (PowerPoint)and discuss the purpose of the artwork, and establish the goals of the project.
2. Whole group Part 2 will introduce the materials and methods. Depending on the project, I will demonstrate how to do the entire project.
3. The teacher will instruct one step and students will respond

Making "Blue Willow" Story Plates

For reading festival students went to various "countries."  Each classroom shared a story from a foriegn country.  Teachers also provided a project to extend the lesson.  The 7th and 8th grade classroom was China and the story of the Blue Willow Pattern by Allan Drummond. 

As part of the presentation I made my own blue story plate which illustrates me getting a little chick one Easter morning.  He was named Eggbert until we thought he might be a she; then we named her Eggberta. After some time the chicken crowed and had to leave our subdivision. Eggbert was taken to live on the farm. 

My plate has an authentic feel because I drew the design onto a ceramic plate spray painted white.  I used permenent markers but they need some time to dry/set.  Drawing has to be done carefully to avoid smudging your work.  I gave my plate a clear coat to protect my work.   

Still Teaching Art - but in Small Amounts

 This is Mekayla age 9.  She helped me to upcycle some country angels made by my sister-in-law, Nancy.

 Nancy was surprised that we still had these angels; they have been around awhile. 

 Mekayla and I used old curtain rings for decoration. 

 We spray painted, painted and attached odds and ends.

Voila! New contemporary angels!