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It's clay time!

Loading the kiln

I pushed my clay unit off until after February Break this year.  Here we are at week four and the greenware is going into the kiln.  I taught a few of the old standbys with the kids and threw in a few new projects this year as well.  Third grade explored the Egyptian burial process and are creating Canopic Jars.  We stepped into Ancient Greece for fourth grade and they are created urns to be decorated with slip or underglaze with geometric patterns.  Clay is a favorite unit of the year.  In about a month I will post some of the completed projects.

Canopic jars - the Jackal was a very popular choice

A powerpoint for the Canopic lesson

Planning for some ArtBot creations!

I just visited my local Dollar Tree to gather supplies for the art club to make ArtBots.  I'm so excited! I have wanted to do these for quite the while but couldn't validate purchasing all those mini motors everyone was talking about out of pocket.  A few electric toothbrushes and pool tubes later we are in business.  I'll be sure to post photos of the Club Kids work in a few weeks.  

STEAM  should translate to FUN!

District Exhibit for Youth Art Month

Student work top row center

Last night our local museum hosted the opening reception for our county YAM event.  The turnout was fabulous with people from the community as well as families and students.  It was great to see a few principals in attendance as well as our city's superintendent.  Hopefully, this is the begging of a great art movement for our county.  Photos capturing my student's work and some of the performers from last night.

Student work top row 2nd from right

Student work bottom right

Student work bottom round print
Top left

Student work top center

Student work top center

Student works - near bottom center
Bird and Bear

student work fish

High School band kicked off the night

One of my school's alumni now in HS band

Elementary Musicians performed

Ages and Stages?

 Have you ever really paid attention to the developmental differences in students of the same age?  Today I noticed one of my first grader's work and proceeded to be amazed by the great effort.  Then I began to really pay attention to the vast differences in the level of work in that one first grade class.  Thought I would snap a few pictures.  Kinda keeps me grounded with my expectations.

Book review with a project connection

I just finished reading this terrific illustrated biography written by Kay A. Haring, Keith's sister.  I loved this.   Many of the facts I already knew about Haring's life and career are included in the narrative.  The additional personal information adds clarity to my understanding of the choices Haring made in his life.  I can not wait to read this treasure to my students.

I already enjoy sharing the images of "I wish I didn't have to sleep! with students.  The companion books will definitely enhance my Haring unit.

I usually use Haring with fourth grade students.  They have done a variety of projects over the years generally focusing on the simplicity of line in Haring's images as well as the implied                                                                       movement in his work.

This year students connected Haring to a project in trace printing.  They created a Haring figure and included hearts in the image.  These were then used for printing.  Here are some images of student works.

Student work

You can find another project connection here.

Chris Uphues borrowed from Cassie Stephens

student work

 When I spotted this project on Cassie Stephen's blog I knew I had to do it with one of my students.  We were exploring printmaking and I knew printing hearts with TP rolls would be a big hit.  My students also enjoyed learning about a practicing artist and viewing some of his work.  The project took about three weeks, a bit longer than I anticipated but happily most were completed prior to February break.

student work