April 18th
Kinder has been working on an exciting new art unit called "OPEN STUDIO". During this unit, the students are using all of their knowledge and skills with materials gained throughout the year (painting, constructing, collage, drawing, mixed media, sculpture, collaborative work, independent work), and applying it toward self-initiated and self-driven projects. Each session, the students come in, and the studio is set up with a wide range of available materials. The students get to choose whatever they want to work on for that day, and are responsible for setting up and cleaning up their own studio spaces. So far, we have explored the following questions during the unit:
*How can we protect the ARTISTS, ARTWORK and STUDIO during open studio?
*Where do our ideas to make artwork come from?
*What different ways can we work in the studio?
They have been doing an exceptional job, and the work they are making is fascinating! Here is a window into the art studio:
Kinder has been working on an exciting new art unit called "OPEN STUDIO". During this unit, the students are using all of their knowledge and skills with materials gained throughout the year (painting, constructing, collage, drawing, mixed media, sculpture, collaborative work, independent work), and applying it toward self-initiated and self-driven projects. Each session, the students come in, and the studio is set up with a wide range of available materials. The students get to choose whatever they want to work on for that day, and are responsible for setting up and cleaning up their own studio spaces. So far, we have explored the following questions during the unit:
*How can we protect the ARTISTS, ARTWORK and STUDIO during open studio?
*Where do our ideas to make artwork come from?
*What different ways can we work in the studio?
They have been doing an exceptional job, and the work they are making is fascinating! Here is a window into the art studio:
Two students use artist markers to create drawings during open studio.
Several students decide to work with blocks and construction during open studio, creating various structures without attachment to keeping them after the session is over.
Two students decide to work together to create a three-dimensional collage.
A student returns to a familiar material and begins a new cardboard construction.
After two sessions of working with blocks, this student begins a painting that he then works on for three studio sessions in a row.
A student creates a mixed-media collage using paper and wood.
Two students work together, one taking the role of "art director", and the other following her directions with the paint.
A student mixing special colors for her painting on green paper.
Two students work together to create "musical instruments" out of colorful blocks.
Four students sharing resources at the "paint set up station".
Students help each other to put smocks on.
A student works for the third session on his idea for a standing vase.
A students works on her first creation for open studio by using small pieces of wood.
Two students share resources but work on different projects.
March 7th
After creating their extraordinary unique forms using Papier Mache, the students were given the opportunity to paint their sculptures. Before beginning with the paint, they thought about whether their form represented a specific idea, or whether it was a 'form' intended for open interpretation. Then, they were given paint and paint mixing trays so that they could mix just the right colors for their sculptures. The students were particularly engaged with color mixing, and invented many wonderful recipes which they shared with one another to create original colors. When the sculptures were complete, the students named their work, and explained how it was meant to be shown in the upcoming exhibition. The final material exploration with form was to use cardboard pieces to create "a special place". We discussed what it means to be an "architect" and think about an artwork as a "space". We imagined that we were teeny tiny, and thought about where we could hide in the sculptures! Some students created playgrounds, others created houses, obstacle courses, and castles. Then the students painted a base coat on the sculptures, and soon we will add the details! Here is a window into the art studio:
Students use the mixing trays to create a unique palette for their sculptures!
Students embark on the architectural challenge of creating 'a special place'!
Students devise original ways to create stability with structures made from cardboard pieces!
Students choose a color to be their 'base coat' of their 'special place', being sure to cover all of the surfaces, inside and out!
January 25th
Kinder is starting the new year with a new unit in Art, Creativity: Form! While in their classrooms they will be delving into all different modes and means of expressing creativity, in Art, we will take a close look at how we as artists express our creativity through form. In our first exploration, Kinder looked at ways to transform shape into form using just newspaper, their hands, and tape. As they invented ways to tear, twist and crumple the newspaper, they created original forms. Then we looked at the forms as a class and thought, "What could this be?" Students talked about how the forms could represent different ideas. Then we worked with dried out markers, tape, and cardboard shapes to strengthen the forms. Currently we are working with Papier Mache to make them even stronger and ready to paint. Students were introduced to the terms "sculpture" and "sculptor"! Here is a window into the art room:
Students work to transform their newspapers from shapes to forms!
A student works to think of a new way to change the paper!
Tape is introduced to strengthen the forms!
Students work diligently to make their forms stronger!
Kinder A/R's sculptures after the first round of Papier Mache. Can you imagine what they are?
December 14th, 2015
After creating a light value and a dark value painting, those works were used to create a large scale collage incorporating original shapes cut from each to create captivating final work! Some new words that we introduced were "biomorphic shapes", "geometric shapes", "horizontal", and "vertical". After the students completed their work, we did the magic chair and students had the opportunity to be "risk takers" by presenting their work, "inquirers" by asking questions about other students' work, and "caring listeners" by listening in a thoughtful way while other students presented. We did a celebration dance after each presentation! As their last exploration in the Light, Dark, and Shape Art Unit, students inquired into the transparency of various materials. They were introduced to the words "transparent", "translucent" and opaque. After sorting the materials into different categories, students experimented with drawing materials to see which were transparent, translucent or opaque.
Student works simultaneously cutting and gluing shapes onto his work!
Student applies glue into a specific shape, knowing what shape she wants to put on next!
Student plans out her composition before using the glue trying shapes in different positions!
Students do the celebration dance between presentations while we do the 'magic chair'!
Student tests various drawing materials to discover which are transparent, translucent and opaque!
Students pose with transparent, translucent and opaque materials!
November 27th, 2015
With their newest project, Kinder has been exploring VALUE, and how to mix different values by adding white and black to colors! They made two paintings, a "dark value" painting and a "light value" painting. Then we looked at the work of Henri Matisse and thought about ways to cut our paintings into shapes, and use the dark and light shapes to create a final collage! Here is a window into the art studio:
Students work together to solve a "value puzzle"!
Students working to create various values of green!
Students working to create values using only one color and black!
Students are working to cut original shapes out of their value paintings to use in their collages!
November 13th, 2015
Kinder has begun their new Unit, "Light and Dark", and in Art, we explore light and dark through the lens of SHAPE. Students began their first explorations with shape by looking at how lines (previous unit) can create shapes. We talked about the fact that when you see a shape, it has space on the inside, and space on the outside. We sang the song "in and out" and jumped in and out of circles. Then we worked on paintings with an original shape which then created the possibility to use watercolor paint to paint "in" or "out" of the shapes they created. Here is a window into the art studio:
Students charge up their brushes with color to use "in" and "out" of their shapes!
Students work with "v" lines and "c" lines to create innovative shapes!
Can you see the shape(s) that inspired the students to paint "in" and "out"?
October 23rd, 2015
A student in the spotlight on the magic chair presents her work to the class!
Students work together to make a collaborative drawing!
Students holding the work they chose for their portfolios!
October 12th, 2015
Kinder has continued to work on, talk about, and discover new ways to make LINES! In the last two weeks, Kinder has been exploring how lines can be made in all different ways using tempora paint and ink. We took an imaginary trip to a museum to look at brush and ink artworks from around the world. We talked about the fact that some lines that we make turn into our ideas, and sometimes we look at lines and think of new ideas, and that each student's artwork and idea is unique! We are currently working on mixed media line artworks inspired by the work of Josh Smith. What's coming up next? Interactive artworks and Collaborative artworks! Here is a window into the Art Studio:
Students begin the first stage of their mixed media artworks using brush and ink technique with diluted black paint.
Students thoughtfully add new lines using professional artist pens to her mixed media artwork!
Are you interested in extending the learning we are doing in
the Art Studio beyond school?
Here are some ways to take action:
Do a line hunt in your closet! What clothes do you have with
lines? Are they straight lines? Curvy lines?
Make chalk drawings of long lines and see if you can walk on
the line! Try a dotted line for a jumping challenge!
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September 2015
Kinder has begun the year in Art exploring the
concept of LINE! So far we have explored the expressive
capabilities of various materials including yarn, oil pastel, paper lines,
crayon and ball point pen. We have looked at various artists who work with line
and made observations about their work. We have worked on a giant scale, a tiny
scale, and many sizes in between. Our lessons on line have
intertwined with the Friendship unit through discussion,
supporting other students when they present their artwork, and through building
cooperative studio routines like working together to share materials and clean
the room. Here is a window into the Art Studio:
Student working with yarn and felt board to resolve the
challenge:
How many different ways can you change a yarn line?
Student creating unique response to the challenge:
How many different lines can I make using oil pastels?
Students working in two teams (the green team and the yellow
team) to solve the challenge: How many different ways can we change these paper
lines?
Students observed the work of Tony Orrico (Performance artist who
works with line and dance on a large scale). Then we explored what it was like
to make giant drawings using our whole body by making a huge collaborative
work.
Are you interested in extending the learning we
are doing in the Art Studio beyond school?
Here are some ways to take action:
*Do a line hunt around the house. How many
different lines can you find?
*Watch Tony Orrico's performance video together,
and try the motions of his dance together! (see link below)
