Putting a cap on February

We wrapped up our February in the art room this week!  Below are details of the week's lessons in the art room.

**Thank you Mrs. Bredemann for volunteering in the third grade class, and thank you Mrs. Russell for volunteering in the art room for kindergarten/2nd grades and for passing along the flyer below for exciting reading activities to come this weekend at the Chicago Public Library.**

 

Kindergarten 

Kindergarteners celebrated another favorite story in advance of Read Across America (Mar. 2 - see flyer above for related activities): Giraffe's Can't Dance.  This entertaining story (not by Dr. Seuss, but beloved nonetheless) shows how we all can excel when we find our niche, with Gerald the Giraffe discovering his talent for dancing only when he finds the right music for him.  Students then drew or painted giraffes after a guided drawing lesson.  Students explored use of different colors and techniques in this project.

First Grade

First grade also had a video reading of Giraffes Can't Dance, followed by the painting of the background for their dancing giraffe, which students will complete at our next class (following Terra Nova week).  Creating our backgrounds involved many challenging steps, such as blending colors for a glowing moon.  The steps culminated in a fun "scratch-off" paint technique -- ask your child to describe this process!

Second Grade

Only one second grade met this week because of the faculty PD day.  Students who met learned about the concept of emphasis before creating close-up sunflower oil pastel drawings.  Students emphasized the focal point or the center of the flower through layering and blending colors, adding detail, and off-setting it with a cool, contrasting background.  Next week, we will read a story about Van Gogh's life and conclude these drawings.  Below, see the "mock ups" of some of our Kandinsky collaborative paintings from earlier this trimester!

Third Grade

Third grade students caught up to other grades who met last week in the creation of 3-D skyscraper models with a variety of materials.  The goals of this lesson included successful problem solving and respectful language in a group setting.  Students also presented their work to one another!

Fourth Grade

Fourth grade classes have been postponed for various holidays and our snow day, but we finally concluded our Saint "stained glass" paintings this week!  Students did a great job mixing colors to discover that skin tones actually include blue and green, among other colors.  Great job, 4th grade!  When we meet again after Terra Novas, we will combine our learning of folk art with our Odyssey through the Arts learning.

Fifth Grade

Fifth grade did not meet because of the faculty PD day.

Sixth Grade

Sixth grade concluded their Greek vase paintings this week.  Early finishers looked at examples of Chinese imperial plates before creating similarly monochromatic painted paper plates with radial designs.  Check back next week for photo updates.

Seventh Grade

Seventh grade also played "catch up" to other grades and created their 3-D skyscrapers from a variety of materials.  Students demonstrated creative choices in problem solving.

Eighth Grade

Eighth grade continued their research of a career in the arts.  Many students demonstrated high initiative in finding and interviewing a person who works in this field in a prompt manner.  Students' interview questions also showed thoughtfulness and evidence of research.  Following Terra Nova week, when 8th grade students do not have art class, students will put the finishing touches on their presentations and begin sharing with one another.

Great work to all our students!

Building Skyscrapers

We're almost to the end of February, but the cold temperatures have not relented! Still, there was plenty to keep us busy in the art room and take our minds off the cold weather.  Take a look at the various activities of this week in the ICSJ art room.

**Special thanks to Mrs. Moran and Mrs. Russell for volunteering in the art room this week!**

Kindergarten

Kindergarten took their field trip to the Museum of Science and Industry during the Friday class times, and so only the Tuesday Kindergarten met, working on a fun Dr. Seuss inspired drawing and painting of The Cat in the Hat in preparation for Read Across America!

First, Second and Fifth Grades

Students in different grades worked toward the same goal this week, inspired by last week's Odyssey through the Arts lessons: building model skyscrapers!  With a variety of materials, students in first, second and fifth grades took on different tasks for one team in creating a skyscraper.  Students acted as sketchers, materials managers, lead builders and presenters, as assigned.  A lot of positive language and skills of teamwork and collaboration could be heard throughout the art room.  This was also a lesson in problem solving, as students worked to solve the inevitable challenges that cropped up with certain materials.  Great job, students!
 

Third and Fourth Grades

 Third and fourth grades did not meet because of President's Day.  See you next week!

Sixth and Seventh Grades

Students in sixth and seventh grades enjoyed their presentation of Odyssey through the Arts by our dedicated parent volunteers!  Great job in discussion and analysis, students!

Here is a look at the display of the 7th grade Variety Seascapes:

Eighth Grade

Eighth grade decided upon a research topic as they explore a career in the arts!  Not only are students performing research, but they are also interviewing a person who works in the field they chose to research.  Students also found reliable website sources, took notes, and drafted questions for their interview.  Next week, they should return having completed their interview so that we can begin creating our tech presentations of our new knowledge: VoiceThread, Glogster, Prezi, PowerPoint and more are all options.

Have a good weekend and stay warm!

Celebrating Odyssey through the Arts: Mid Century Chicago Architecture

This week we celebrated Odyssey through the Arts: Mid Century Chicago Architecture in most grades (K-8 except 6th and 7th, who will participate next week).  Students learned to distinguish modern architecture from classical, while recognizing subtle nods from architects such as Mies van der Rohe to Daniel Burnham. Students enjoyed learning stories about the architects themselves and how they drew inspiration.  It was especially fun seeing our towering skyscrapers that many students have visited! 

***Many thanks to our committed parents for putting together this learning experience for our students! ***

See below for pictures of select grades this week.

Kindergarten 

Students in kindergarten, who have a longer art period, experimented with different materials in order to see what constructed the strongest or tallest skyscrapers after the Odyssey presentations.

Here is a team that worked together, just like Skidmore, Owings and Merrill!

This kindergarten friend created a double-decker hexagonal prism!

Also, here is our Penguin display!

Second Grade 

Mrs. Johnson discusses the variety of Lego constructions made by students in Ms. Garcia and Ms. Malaney's class following their Odyssey presentation.

Sixth Grade

Sixth grade students will have their Odyssey discussions next week.  This week, they continued working on their "Greek" vases inspired by their gods and goddesses of research for Language Arts!

Seventh Grade

Seventh grade learned about folk art around the world but in particular Mexican folk art.  Students used tooling foil and techniques of embossing to make the famous symbol of a heart with flames, the Sacred Heart devotion.  Take a look below for photos of this as well as photos from the recently completed Variety Seascapes.

Eighth Grade

Eighth grade did a great job participating in discussion, sharing their knowledge and analyzing architecture!  Here is a look back at their negative space paintings.