Monday, August 24, 2015
New ICSJ Art Blog - www.articsj.blogspot.com
Our blog has moved! Please visit www.articsj.blogspot.com for updates on our adventures in the art room.
Friday, June 5, 2015
The First Week of June/Last Full Week of Classes
ICSJ students shared in the last full week of classes this first week of June; for many students, it was their last art class of the year. Here is a quick roundup of our art activities as we put a cap on the 2014-2015 school year. As always, it is a bit bittersweet to let go of the year and say good bye to several friends who will be moving away. Thank you all for the memories, and see most of you in the fall! Have a safe and happy summer.
*Thank you to Mrs. Russell for volunteering in the art room this Tuesday!
Kindergarten
Only one Kindergarten met this week, as Friday we celebrated their graduation! Students who did meet first celebrated the completion of their class mural (pictured in the background below). Then, students had the opportunity to engage in the relaxing and creative process of free paint before a final readaloud of favorite art story, The Art Lesson by Tomie dePaolo, and a short period of cleanup activities (as part of being an artist is taking good care of your art supplies). Thanks for a wonderful year, Kindergarten! See you in First Grade!
First Grade
Most first graders put the finishing touches on their Rainbow Fish this week; only a few students await the chance to use glitter and glue to create the Rainbow Fish's remaining sparkling fin after his lesson in the importance of generosity and sharing. Well done, First Grade!
Second Grade
This week, one second grade painted their miniature sculpture gardens, and another celebrated winning the trimester's Art Party! Students celebrated with "free paint" activities, Smarties candy, and a Brainpop video on using your imagination.
Third Grade
Third grade students did not meet this week, but we will meet for our final class Monday.
Fourth Grade
Fourth grade students, like third grade last week, reflected on another school year, using memories as ideas to create their own unique Doodle for Google sketch! Students may wish to hold onto these sketches as fodder for the official September competition.
Fifth Grade
Fifth grade students reflected on their new knowledge of Architecture, gleaned through the Odyssey through the Arts presentations and discussions, before learning briefly about the Art Deco period, both in terms of architecture and the social climate of the time. Students observed examples of Art Deco architecture, and noted both the dramatic vertical lines and the symmetry of the structures. Then, students created their own "Art Deco" drawings of buildings, using metallic Sharpie on black construction paper. Students backed these drawings on the watercolor backgrounds from last week and added colored "frames." The finished works are striking and unique! This was a fun way to spend our last art class of the year. Have a great summer, Fifth Grade!
Sixth and Seventh Grades
Sixth and Seventh Grades celebrated their last art class of the year with their student Art Teacher for a Day! This was a special Sparkle item dating back to the winter. Our student teacher, "G," worked hard to prepare a fun and engaging lesson, as students created Pop Art style drawings of candy! Students zoomed in on a portion of a piece of candy and drew it filling up the plane of their paper. Some students even worked to add value to show depth and dimension. After all their hard work, students ate their pieces of candy (and sometimes they had seconds -- if they could answer art trivia correctly!). Many thanks to G for her hard work and creativity. You were a wonderful art teacher!
*Thank you to Mrs. Russell for volunteering in the art room this Tuesday!
Kindergarten
Only one Kindergarten met this week, as Friday we celebrated their graduation! Students who did meet first celebrated the completion of their class mural (pictured in the background below). Then, students had the opportunity to engage in the relaxing and creative process of free paint before a final readaloud of favorite art story, The Art Lesson by Tomie dePaolo, and a short period of cleanup activities (as part of being an artist is taking good care of your art supplies). Thanks for a wonderful year, Kindergarten! See you in First Grade!
First Grade
Most first graders put the finishing touches on their Rainbow Fish this week; only a few students await the chance to use glitter and glue to create the Rainbow Fish's remaining sparkling fin after his lesson in the importance of generosity and sharing. Well done, First Grade!
This week, one second grade painted their miniature sculpture gardens, and another celebrated winning the trimester's Art Party! Students celebrated with "free paint" activities, Smarties candy, and a Brainpop video on using your imagination.
Third Grade
Third grade students did not meet this week, but we will meet for our final class Monday.
Fourth Grade
Fourth grade students, like third grade last week, reflected on another school year, using memories as ideas to create their own unique Doodle for Google sketch! Students may wish to hold onto these sketches as fodder for the official September competition.
Fifth Grade
Fifth grade students reflected on their new knowledge of Architecture, gleaned through the Odyssey through the Arts presentations and discussions, before learning briefly about the Art Deco period, both in terms of architecture and the social climate of the time. Students observed examples of Art Deco architecture, and noted both the dramatic vertical lines and the symmetry of the structures. Then, students created their own "Art Deco" drawings of buildings, using metallic Sharpie on black construction paper. Students backed these drawings on the watercolor backgrounds from last week and added colored "frames." The finished works are striking and unique! This was a fun way to spend our last art class of the year. Have a great summer, Fifth Grade!
Sixth and Seventh Grades
Sixth and Seventh Grades celebrated their last art class of the year with their student Art Teacher for a Day! This was a special Sparkle item dating back to the winter. Our student teacher, "G," worked hard to prepare a fun and engaging lesson, as students created Pop Art style drawings of candy! Students zoomed in on a portion of a piece of candy and drew it filling up the plane of their paper. Some students even worked to add value to show depth and dimension. After all their hard work, students ate their pieces of candy (and sometimes they had seconds -- if they could answer art trivia correctly!). Many thanks to G for her hard work and creativity. You were a wonderful art teacher!
Friday, May 29, 2015
The Makings of May
As we wrap up the month of May, students put the finishing touches on a variety of projects in the art room. Take a look at the students hard at work!
*Thank you to Mrs. Moran for visiting in the art room! Your volunteering makes a big difference.
Kindergarten
Kindergarten students learned that murals can also be made from tile mosaics or mosaics of other materials, in addition to paint. They looked at different examples of murals made with tiles. Then, students practiced creating their own mini-mosaic "murals" at their seats while they alternated turns painting our larger class mural. Students really seemed to enjoy working with clay, beads and paint this week!
First Grade
First grade students constructed their Rainbow Fish this week! After tracing and cutting fish "tracers," students cut them out and recycled scraps. Then, they carefully applied glue to the tissue paper "scales" and pasted them onto the fish. Finally, they colored in fins. Great work, first grade! Next week we will put all parts together and add a few details to conclude this lengthy but fun and engaging project.
Second Grade
Second grade students who met this week caught up with the other class in the creation of their miniature sculpture gardens.
Third Grade
Third grade students looked at examples of Doodle for Google before using their imagination to create their own, based on the story of their third grade year. Students recalled events in sports, vacations, and other special memories. The official contest will begin in September for students who are interested in participating. We also raffled off some Spring Show props to one student in each class! Congrats to Caitlin, who took home the Cloudgate ("Bean") painting, and to Liam, who took home the Sears Tower painting!
Fourth Grade
Fourth Grade did not meet because of the Memorial Day holiday.
Fifth Grade
Fifth graders participated in an arts and science integration activity, coordinated by Mr. Race, featuring an activity exploring Earth's layers. Students used salt dyed in different colors to represent the layers, discussing what types of fossils could be found in the different layers. Ask your student to describe the process to you! Then, students prepared backgrounds for their final project of the year, which they will conclude next week in addition to helping clean the art room and preserve our materials.
Sixth Grade
Sixth graders continued to work on library genre signs or on their superhero drawings from last week. Next week we will conclude our library genre signs and have a special art activity featuring our Art Teacher for the Day student!
Seventh Grade
Seventh grade concluded their film study, analyzing which types of shots were most effective and why in the film African Cats. One class watched a selection from Star Wars, as well.
Eighth Grade
Eighth graders had their final art class of the year, and they wrapped up their independent study projects just in time. Here is a look at some of the students at work (below). Thanks, eighth grade, for your hard work in art class over the years! You will certainly be missed at ICSJ. Good luck in your future endeavors!
*Thank you to Mrs. Moran for visiting in the art room! Your volunteering makes a big difference.
Kindergarten
Kindergarten students learned that murals can also be made from tile mosaics or mosaics of other materials, in addition to paint. They looked at different examples of murals made with tiles. Then, students practiced creating their own mini-mosaic "murals" at their seats while they alternated turns painting our larger class mural. Students really seemed to enjoy working with clay, beads and paint this week!
First Grade
First grade students constructed their Rainbow Fish this week! After tracing and cutting fish "tracers," students cut them out and recycled scraps. Then, they carefully applied glue to the tissue paper "scales" and pasted them onto the fish. Finally, they colored in fins. Great work, first grade! Next week we will put all parts together and add a few details to conclude this lengthy but fun and engaging project.
Second Grade
Second grade students who met this week caught up with the other class in the creation of their miniature sculpture gardens.
Third Grade
Third grade students looked at examples of Doodle for Google before using their imagination to create their own, based on the story of their third grade year. Students recalled events in sports, vacations, and other special memories. The official contest will begin in September for students who are interested in participating. We also raffled off some Spring Show props to one student in each class! Congrats to Caitlin, who took home the Cloudgate ("Bean") painting, and to Liam, who took home the Sears Tower painting!
Fourth Grade
Fourth Grade did not meet because of the Memorial Day holiday.
Fifth Grade
Fifth graders participated in an arts and science integration activity, coordinated by Mr. Race, featuring an activity exploring Earth's layers. Students used salt dyed in different colors to represent the layers, discussing what types of fossils could be found in the different layers. Ask your student to describe the process to you! Then, students prepared backgrounds for their final project of the year, which they will conclude next week in addition to helping clean the art room and preserve our materials.
Sixth Grade
Sixth graders continued to work on library genre signs or on their superhero drawings from last week. Next week we will conclude our library genre signs and have a special art activity featuring our Art Teacher for the Day student!
Seventh Grade
Seventh grade concluded their film study, analyzing which types of shots were most effective and why in the film African Cats. One class watched a selection from Star Wars, as well.
Eighth Grade
Eighth graders had their final art class of the year, and they wrapped up their independent study projects just in time. Here is a look at some of the students at work (below). Thanks, eighth grade, for your hard work in art class over the years! You will certainly be missed at ICSJ. Good luck in your future endeavors!
Thursday, May 21, 2015
Spring Show Celebrations and the Festival of the Arts at ICSJ
This is a very special time of the year to celebrate the hard work of students in the Spring Show, as well as students who participate in band, choir and the visual arts. We had our first "ICSJ Festival of the Arts" kickoff event on Tuesday, celebrating with the band concert, choir concert, and ICSJ Art Show on display in the lower hallway of the Hill Street campus. This special week-long celebration included the Spring Show at North Park during the week and culminated Thursday with our Spring Show at Hill Street. Congrats to all students who participated! See related photographs below. (Note: Visual art display will remain up into the following week.)
*Also, special thank you to Mrs. Marino and Mrs. Moran for volunteering in the art room this week!*
Also, congratulations to all the students who exhibited in the Vicky Tesmer Gallery Show this weekend! Great work, students!
Kindergarten
Only one kindergarten met this week for the shortened week; these students continued to work on their mural in tempera paint on butcher paper. We also had a literature-related activity for students waiting their turns to paint: students shared in a readaloud of The Poky Little Puppy (a Golden book that has stood the test of time) before a guided drawing lesson of the Poky Little Puppy. Students colored their puppy however they liked at their seats. We will continue the mural next week across all three classes.
First Grade
First grade continued the backgrounds of their Rainbow Fish paintings, adding construction paper crabs and other creatures of choice (many students elected to create fish, sea turtles, or more!). Students also used a thumb stamping technique with tempera paint to create colorful seaweed underwater.
Second Grade
Second grade students in the Tuesday class concluded their totem poles; the Wednesday class began their unit in appreciating art of all sizes. Students observed large scale sculptures by Claes Oldenburg (the "FREE" stamp in Cleveland and the giant spoon with cherry in Minneapolis, in particular) and Jaume Plensa here in Chicago (the new giant heads in Millennium Park). Students created their own sculptures in Model Magic or clay and a corresponding context, such a sculpture garden, in crayon and paper. This activity allowed students a fun and tactile way to exercise their imaginations!
Third Grade
Third grade students concluded their Mola artwork in the style of the Kuna people. We added a special neon touch with neon cardstock for further design elements and a border. Great work, 3rd grade!
Fourth Grade
With the arrival of spring comes the arrival of ... bugs! Students used their imaginations and their skills in line drawing to imagine a vast underworld of bugs with all sorts of conveniences of modern living, such as electricity, television, and more underground. Great work, students!
Fifth Grade
Fifth grade students imagined themselves as superheroes this week and created portraits with unique choices in superhero masks and capes!
Sixth Grade
Sixth grade students began our special Library genre signage project in collaboration with Ms. Lawrence and the library. Students created collages with prints and words from texts of different genres. Going forward, we will create stencils in various objects to represent these genres to paint or cut out a bright color that is the same as the book labels. Some students elected to continue their pop art portraits or create their own superhero portraits, like the 5th grade. Good work, students!
Seventh Grade
Seventh grade students began their film study with the Disney film, African Cats. This film used a variety of types of shots that students recognized and recorded, from pan action to birds' eye to close up, and more. Students may earn the opportunity to watch selections of a choice film with their appropriate behavior for a film and their successful film analysis.
Eighth Grade
Eighth graders continued to make progress on their independent study. Students who are working in clay either began sculpting or created a base from cardboard, wire, or foam board. Students creating Chuck Close-style portraits continued to create their grids and began creating designs within. Students who will make a hand-casting of plaster gauze created "studies" of their hand using cling wrap and packaging tape -- ask your student about this unique technique! Finally, students creating videos wrapped up their footage and began the editing process. Great job, 8th grade!
*Also, special thank you to Mrs. Marino and Mrs. Moran for volunteering in the art room this week!*
Also, congratulations to all the students who exhibited in the Vicky Tesmer Gallery Show this weekend! Great work, students!
Kindergarten
Only one kindergarten met this week for the shortened week; these students continued to work on their mural in tempera paint on butcher paper. We also had a literature-related activity for students waiting their turns to paint: students shared in a readaloud of The Poky Little Puppy (a Golden book that has stood the test of time) before a guided drawing lesson of the Poky Little Puppy. Students colored their puppy however they liked at their seats. We will continue the mural next week across all three classes.
First Grade
First grade continued the backgrounds of their Rainbow Fish paintings, adding construction paper crabs and other creatures of choice (many students elected to create fish, sea turtles, or more!). Students also used a thumb stamping technique with tempera paint to create colorful seaweed underwater.
Second Grade
Second grade students in the Tuesday class concluded their totem poles; the Wednesday class began their unit in appreciating art of all sizes. Students observed large scale sculptures by Claes Oldenburg (the "FREE" stamp in Cleveland and the giant spoon with cherry in Minneapolis, in particular) and Jaume Plensa here in Chicago (the new giant heads in Millennium Park). Students created their own sculptures in Model Magic or clay and a corresponding context, such a sculpture garden, in crayon and paper. This activity allowed students a fun and tactile way to exercise their imaginations!
Third Grade
Third grade students concluded their Mola artwork in the style of the Kuna people. We added a special neon touch with neon cardstock for further design elements and a border. Great work, 3rd grade!
Fourth Grade
With the arrival of spring comes the arrival of ... bugs! Students used their imaginations and their skills in line drawing to imagine a vast underworld of bugs with all sorts of conveniences of modern living, such as electricity, television, and more underground. Great work, students!
Fifth Grade
Fifth grade students imagined themselves as superheroes this week and created portraits with unique choices in superhero masks and capes!
Sixth Grade
Sixth grade students began our special Library genre signage project in collaboration with Ms. Lawrence and the library. Students created collages with prints and words from texts of different genres. Going forward, we will create stencils in various objects to represent these genres to paint or cut out a bright color that is the same as the book labels. Some students elected to continue their pop art portraits or create their own superhero portraits, like the 5th grade. Good work, students!
Seventh Grade
Seventh grade students began their film study with the Disney film, African Cats. This film used a variety of types of shots that students recognized and recorded, from pan action to birds' eye to close up, and more. Students may earn the opportunity to watch selections of a choice film with their appropriate behavior for a film and their successful film analysis.
Eighth Grade
Eighth graders continued to make progress on their independent study. Students who are working in clay either began sculpting or created a base from cardboard, wire, or foam board. Students creating Chuck Close-style portraits continued to create their grids and began creating designs within. Students who will make a hand-casting of plaster gauze created "studies" of their hand using cling wrap and packaging tape -- ask your student about this unique technique! Finally, students creating videos wrapped up their footage and began the editing process. Great job, 8th grade!
Friday, May 15, 2015
Spring Show Preparations
This week a major focus of ours was working on props for the Spring Show! Students in K-3 helped paint Chicago landmarks. Students in 4-8 created props and posters for the gym for the Granny Awards.
*Special thank you to Mrs. Marino for volunteering in the 2nd grade classroom! Students really appreciated your help constructing their totem poles!*
Also, be sure to stop by the Vicky Tesmer Gallery at 1837 W. Grand this Saturday, May 16 from 6-9 p.m. to support our student artists exhibiting work this weekend!
Kindergarten
Kindergarten students learned about murals this week. Students looked at examples of murals and recalled murals they have observed already. Students then began painting a collaborative kindergarten mural, as well as helping paint our Spring Show props. Great work, Kindergarten!
First Grade
First grade did not meet this week. We will continue our Rainbow Fish next week!
Second Grade
Second grade continued to work on their Totem Pole artwork and the Spring Show props. Take a look at our work so far!
Third Grade
Third grade students added more detail to their Mola-inspired artwork, similar to that of the Kuna people of Panama. Great work, 3rd grade!
Fourth Grade
Fourth graders learned about Diego Rivera, "muralista Mexicana," and how he helped bring major sociopolitical issues to the forefront of people's minds through his highly visible murals. Students observed artwork of his depicting Calla Lilies before creating their own chalk pastel Calla Lilies. Students demonstrated great excitement for this project, and many students submitted their drawings to the ICSJ student art show!
(Our fingers became quite "smudgey"!)
Fifth Grade
Fifth grade students had a choice to continue their storyboards, create posters for the Spring Show, or draw "A Bug's Life" scenes in Ultra fine-tipped Sharpie. Take a look at the fifth grade, hard at work!
Sixth Grade
Sixth grade students who met this week (one class did not meet for Spring Show rehearsals) put the finishing touches on their Pop Art portraits using highlighter and marker. Good work, 6th grade!
Seventh Grade
Seventh grade began their film study this week by learning about different types of shots that cinematographers use. Next week, students will watch a film, noting different types of shots before reflecting on the cinematographer's choices and their effects upon the audience.
Eighth Grade
Eighth grade began their Independent Study project: students elected to create sculptures, Chuck Close style portraits or films based upon ideas created during our film study project. Check back next week for updates!
*Special thank you to Mrs. Marino for volunteering in the 2nd grade classroom! Students really appreciated your help constructing their totem poles!*
Also, be sure to stop by the Vicky Tesmer Gallery at 1837 W. Grand this Saturday, May 16 from 6-9 p.m. to support our student artists exhibiting work this weekend!
Kindergarten
Kindergarten students learned about murals this week. Students looked at examples of murals and recalled murals they have observed already. Students then began painting a collaborative kindergarten mural, as well as helping paint our Spring Show props. Great work, Kindergarten!
First Grade
First grade did not meet this week. We will continue our Rainbow Fish next week!
Second Grade
Second grade continued to work on their Totem Pole artwork and the Spring Show props. Take a look at our work so far!
Third Grade
Third grade students added more detail to their Mola-inspired artwork, similar to that of the Kuna people of Panama. Great work, 3rd grade!
Fourth Grade
Fourth graders learned about Diego Rivera, "muralista Mexicana," and how he helped bring major sociopolitical issues to the forefront of people's minds through his highly visible murals. Students observed artwork of his depicting Calla Lilies before creating their own chalk pastel Calla Lilies. Students demonstrated great excitement for this project, and many students submitted their drawings to the ICSJ student art show!
Fifth Grade
Fifth grade students had a choice to continue their storyboards, create posters for the Spring Show, or draw "A Bug's Life" scenes in Ultra fine-tipped Sharpie. Take a look at the fifth grade, hard at work!
Sixth Grade
Sixth grade students who met this week (one class did not meet for Spring Show rehearsals) put the finishing touches on their Pop Art portraits using highlighter and marker. Good work, 6th grade!
Seventh Grade
Seventh grade began their film study this week by learning about different types of shots that cinematographers use. Next week, students will watch a film, noting different types of shots before reflecting on the cinematographer's choices and their effects upon the audience.
Eighth Grade
Eighth grade began their Independent Study project: students elected to create sculptures, Chuck Close style portraits or films based upon ideas created during our film study project. Check back next week for updates!
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