News from the Art Studio

“In art, one idea is a good as another.” -Willem deKooning

This is the time of year when our children make strong connections, and as one student said, “It all comes together!” Art experiences connect to personal experiences and previously learning knowledge. This ensures meaningful experiences and understanding.

Kindergarten Artists retold Aesop’s fable, “The Lion and the Mouse”. Using a crayon resist technique, students discovered properties of crayon and paint. Our literacy connection included sequencing.

First Grade Artists were into measuring after a classroom trip to see Inch by Inch at the Civic Center. Making connections to story and math, the children created inchworm puppets (actually ten inches long!), then measured anything and everything in the Art Studio!

Second Grade Artists have been learning about the art of Wayne Thiebaud, who loves desserts so much he uses them in a number of his paintings! Learning about horizon lines, cool colors, and shadows the children are created fabulous paintings of their own favorite desserts.

Third Grade Artists have been learning about value in art. They created value scales using black and white, and then added one color. Their new vocabulary word is monochromatic, as they apply their new knowledge to create self portraits.

Fourth Grade Artists participated in the District wide art assessment. They learned about the art of Grant Wood and Henri Rousseau, and then created a landscape painting using pattern, perspective, and color.

Fifth Grade Artists are redesigning the Google logo as they Doodle 4 Google. Using their knowledge about perspective and form, the letters are changed to reflect this year’s theme of “What I would like to do someday”.

Enjoy the change of seasons as the flowers begin to pop up! Sincerely, Sally McKenzie, Art Educator