Art History Reproductions

I hated the drowning feeling I constantly had during my first year of teaching. Since then I have been fine-tuning lessons that I teach regularly each trimester. I know, I know, to be a good teacher I should change up my lessons much more often. However, I have kids that say, "I've been waiting to do ________ project like my older sibling!". Plus, there's comfort in knowing what works in a lesson and how to best teach it. Having said all of that, I've been trying out some new projects this year in an attempt to refresh myself. A few of those attempts have gone okay (not good enough to share or brag about), some have fallen on their face, and others turned out FABULOUS! This project is a "Fabulous".

I have been blessed to work with an outstanding group of 6th graders that have great attitudes (the perfect ingredients for a successful new project). However, when I first introduced the lesson I was a little worried. I LOVE studying art history...I'm not normal. On the first day I was practically jumping in the air with excitement over the idea of my students getting to learn about famous artists in the past. When they came to class I had spread out about 40 Scholastic Art magazines featuring 40 of my favorite painters. Each child had to choose someone different and then we headed to the computer lab where we toured a museum and they each set out to research their artist. They then printed out a picture of their artist's work and created a frame. The students then reproduced that work of art by their artist. I then hung all of their work in the hallway and that's where we had class for 1 1/2 days while the kids did their artist presentations. It was SO COOL! Everyday people in the building tell me how much they enjoy looking at them and how much they have learned....I love educating others about art (even when its not in my classroom)!!!!

2 Pt. Cities

The 8th graders just completed a project in which they created their own city by using 2 point perspective. Each student had to come up with a theme for their city. Several students were inspired by their childhood when selecting their theme. I've posted a few that I found to be very creative and well done.

8th Grade Still-Lifes

The 8th graders have been working really hard on sketches of the still-lifes. When we first start the drawing unit, we begin with a regular value drawing of a still-life (they choose from 4 in the room). Then, I really switch it up and have them do a drawing in white colored pencil on black paper. This is one of their toughest because they have to think about their pencil pressure when showing their values. The final drawing is on scratch board (which can't be erased...one of their fears). I've posted some that are currently hanging in the hallway.

6th Grade Still-Lifes

The 6th graders have learned so much this year!! We've been working on values, shading smooth, making things look 3-D, highlights, shadows, gauging, and counting our details (among several other things). The last activity in their drawing unit is to complete a value drawing of one of the still-lifes in the room, showing at least 6 values. Here are some of my favorites!

7th Grade Still-Lifes

The 7th graders just put their finishing touches on their still-life drawings. There are 4 still-lifes set up in the classroom and the students can choose which one they want to sketch. The 7th graders do one drawing in regular pencil and one with colored pencils. I've posted photos of each. Nice job Chey, Madison, and T.J.!

6th Grade Buttons

Every year, every trimester I start all of my classes with projects in drawing. Drawing is like the ABC's or Art class (at least MY Art class). Without a foundation in drawing, most other projects we explore would be very difficult. I always tell the students that no matter what, they WILL get better at drawing. The only students I've ever taught that didn't get better, were those who chose to not do their work. The 6th graders always start off by sketching white buttons. For the first day they are on their own without any assistance. The results are always, "interesting" and typically don't show much detail. Each day following, we start class at the board where I show them how to do something new with their buttons (3-D, highlights, shading smooth, showing value, counting details, ect.). For that day, they have to focus on what we have discussed. After about 4 days of this, the kids sketch their "Final Buttons" (by then, they couldn't be happier to be done!!). Before the kids turn them in, I have them compare their first button sketch to their last. All of the kids talk about how much they have improved...I love it! I've included one random example of a student's first sketch and 3 of the final sketches.

Time Away

Alright, so I haven't updated my blog in a LONG time...but I have a GREAT reason. His name is Jacob and he was born in early Feb. I decided to take the rest of the school year off and didn't regret that decision at all! Here are a few pics of my little man...and then I promise to get back to art!