A Week of Celebrations

Students this week engaged in a variety of art projects as we anticipate the crowning of our Mother Mary at our prayer service on Wed., May 7.  Second and eighth grades collaborated in the making of a crown and garland.  Students also participated in activities that reflected our love of the earth and nature as we celebrated both Earth Day and Arbor Day this week.  Finally, we celebrated the canonization of Pope John Paul II and Pope John XXIII.

Kindergarten

Kindergarteners participated in a read aloud of The Great Kapok Tree by softly mimicking the noises of animals as they appeared in this lovely story about protecting our natural resources in the tropical rainforest.  Then, we created our own jungle, using the tropical fruit starfruit.  Students enjoyed seeing how the starfruit looks as a whole compared to how it looks sliced.  We painted the starfruit using a sponge and stamped it onto their paper for fruit printing!  We also used okra, asparagus and green pepper to create various other effects.  Way to go, Kindergarten!

First Grade

First grade put on the finishing touches to their storybook illustration creations.  Students explored filling the entire picture plane and adding texture, as pictured below.  Students also delved deeper into the writing of the stories, as evidenced in the detail of the Hobbit, below!  Great job, students.

Second Grade

Second graders completed their tissue paper and construction paper flowers to be formed into a crown and garland by the eighth grade!  Scroll down to see the finished product.

Third Grade

Third graders wrapped up their 3-D found object sculptures and began taking them home as they dried.


Fourth Grade

Fourth graders experimented with pointillism as they learned about Mexican art using beads or painted dots.  They painted animals and landscapes.  Lovely work, 4th grade!

Fifth Grade

Fifth grade did not meet this week, but we look forward to exploring digital animation next week!

Sixth Grade

Sixth graders collaborated in small groups to create the visual display for their music project on music around the world!

Seventh Grade

Seventh graders began finishing up their Mexican Art-inspired self portraits this week!  Check back soon for more completed artwork photos.

Eighth Grade

Eighth grade put the finishing touches on their Frank Bear portraits.  Early finishers assembled the garland and crown for our Mother Mary!

Happy Easter!

Here are some of our activities in art leading up to our Easter Holiday!

Please note: Students in K-8 are invited to submit their artwork for display in the first-ever ICSJ Art Show! The Art Show will run in conjunction with the Spring Show in late May.  Students in grades 5-8 are also invited to return forms indicating their interest in participating in the Art on Sedgwick community fundraiser art show.  Thank you to those who have RSVP'ed that they would like to attend!

Kindergarten

Kindergarten students in K2 met this week and created Easter egg paintings after discussing the important concept of contrast.  This was a wonderful opportunity for students to apply their learning throughout the year, including pattern, color, shape, and much more in addition to the contrast of light colors and dark colors with the watercolor resist.

Also, please take a look at the completed Monet water lily window display!

First Grade

First grade enjoyed a lesson about illustrators and picture books before sharing in the creation of their own picture book cover illustrations!  Students colored and cut colorful paper to apply as a collage.  This coming week students will conclude their illustrations.  Early finishers will write stories inside!

Second Grade

Now that the 2nd grade totem poles have been assembled (and nearly reach the ceiling!), students have moved on to the creation of flowers for our upcoming prayer service honoring our Mother Mary.  These beautiful flowers will be assembled into a crown and garland by the 8th grade.

Here is the finished totem pole display!

Third Grade

Third graders this week concluded any final details to their mixed media cityscapes, and they began to apply and paint materials for their found object sculpture!  Students had the option not to paint, or instead to paint white or grey over their materials.  The results are striking!

Fourth Grade

Fourth graders learned about photography in the past versus photography in the present digital age.  Then, students learned the importance of trying new, unique angles, getting close to one's subject, and paying attention to the background of photos before creating fun and entertaining photos with props and classmates in the art room.  Great job, 4th Grade!

Fifth Grade

Fifth grade read about the process of animation at its beginnings, in which artists created hand-drawn storyboards to tell a story in a sequence of events.  Students then learned about modern digital animation before the creation of a storyboard of their own, including audio and directions for a videographer!  Students shared a variety of apps and techniques they have used to create their own animations.

Sixth Grade

Students reviewed important components of design from last week's presentation in order to apply these principles to their Music posters featuring music from around the world!  Students remembered to have dominant art to draw the reader's eye in, and to use color and visuals to add meaning, not just decoration.  Great job, 6th grade!

Seventh Grade

Seventh grade students took risks in experimenting with pointillism as they continued to create Mexican-art inspired portraits.  It is hard to risk trying an unfamiliar technique rather than relying upon the familiar, but the results can be stunning --  you never know until you try.  Way to go, 7th grade, on having a positive attitude and open mind!

Eighth Grade

Eighth graders again continued to work on their Frank Bear portraits.  Some students who have finished at a faster pace have gone on to create additional paintings, to help out around the classroom, or to read from the rich art texts available in the art room.   When students wrap up their Frank Bear portraits, they will begin their careers in art project.  Students will work to research information in Language Arts, as well!

Have a safe, blessed and happy Easter!

April Showers Bring May Flowers

"April Showers Bring May Flowers" is an appropriate analogy for art making, at times.  Sometimes we face challenges that are difficult to solve or make a mistake in our artwork.  Through these challenges, like seeds in rain, we learn and grow!  Some students this week experienced "happy accidents," wherein things did not go exactly as planned.  Students, however, adapted and recovered and reworked artwork accordingly -- sometimes to an even better effect!  Great job, students!

Kindergarten

Students in Kindergarten enjoyed learning about Claude Monet, who painted in a new style, contrary to what was popular at the time.  Monet followed his heart amid criticism, and he ultimately helped start a new art movement that we still enjoy today.  Students emulated his Water Lilies painting with oil pastel and watercolor.  Meanwhile, small groups recreated his impressionistic style on the windows outside Kindergarten!  This coincided with the Week of the Young Child, in which students in both PreK and Kindergarten at ICSJ celebrated with fun activities!  To evoke Monet's simple brushstrokes, students used thumbprints for water dappled in sunlight.  Way to go, Kindergarten!

Here is a look back to another creative Starry Night from last week's study of Van Gogh and his impasto technique.

First Grade

First graders experienced the fun of splatter paint in their interpretation of Hokusai's "The Great Wave," which they began last week. Students learned how art can tell stories about people and events.

Second Grade

Second graders completed their Totem Pole animals this week!  Here is the start to their hallway display!

Third Grade

Third graders continued to work on their found object letter sculptures and mod podge cityscapes!  These lovely artworks will return home soon!

Fourth Grade

Fourth graders created salt art in the style of the sand art, which we learned about in last week's class.  Check out these unique and playful approaches!

Fifth Grade

Fifth graders completed their photo stencil portraits this week!  Check out the hallway display here:

Sixth, Seventh and Eighth Grades

Middle School students continued to work toward their completed portraits for Art on Sedgwick.  Sixth grade students additionally learned important principles of design to apply in the creation of their Music posters for their upcoming project.  Check back for photos soon.  Great work, Middle School!