A few traditions

As an Art teacher, it's hard to make connections w/ individual students when you only see them once a week.  So, I started these two traditions in my first years of teaching. 

I started making birthday cards for those students I shared a birthday with (October 20.)  There are usually only 1-2, so it's just a special something.  I also try to give a little "artsy" present like watercolor paints or crayons (I mean, I am the Art teacher!)  I've shared many fun cards w/ kids, and have received some great ones, too.

Our 5th grade students spend a week away at Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center in late October.  A few years ago, a teacher asked if I could write a few letters to kids who didn't get mail from home.  The tradition is going strong, and kids have even sent me postcards back!  Hopefully, they don't put two and two together (that Bobby's card and Sally's cards are exactly the same and generic), but hopefully they feel loved. <3

Autumn birch trees

My 3rd graders learned about the wet on wet watercolor wash technique.  We gave our papers a generous soaking, then added a sunset (using the warm colors, red, orange, and yellow), then added a green/brownish landscape.

Next, we designed birch trees with Sharpies on strips of white paper.  We made sure to add lots of different lines!

Last, but not least, we added branches and autumn leaves to our paintings.  The results were amazing!

Scientific Drawings: kindergarten through 5th grade

All Glendale students learn about scientific drawings in Art.  

We talk about how their drawings need to have:

Title and date

Realistic drawing and colors

Descriptive labels

Students drew both a leaf (real) and a flower (fake.)

5th Grade Slab Birdhouses

Each year, students explore and experiment w/ ceramics and clay.  We add a new technique each year so they're building onto previous knowledge.
Kindergarten & 1st grade start w/ scratching and pressing to make impressions.
2nd grade does pinch pots.
3rd grade uses the scoring technique to attach two pieces together.
4th grade makes coil pots.
5th grade uses the slab construction.

We start out by rolling a slab/flat piece of clay.  Next, we cut a circle, then cut out a quarter (make a Pac Man.)  Next, we roll it up into a cone and score the edges to make the roof.

After the roof is finished, we roll out another slab and cut a rectangle.  Once the rectangle is cut, it's time for windows and other scratched details.  Roll it up into a cylinder and score the two edges.  Roll out another slab and place the cylinder onto the slab to trace for a base.  Score and smooth out the edges and let it dry before firing in the kiln.

After they've been fired, glaze and re-fire and they're ready to go!
The end products are amazing!

Thiebaud Gumball Machines

Inspired by Wayne Thiebaud's paintings of Americana, kindergarteners made their own!

The Dot!

Peter Reynold's book, The Dot, is one of our favorite back to school reads.

Inspired by the book, kindergarteners and 1st graders made their own!