Ceramic Layered Landscapes

Fifth grade recently created some amazing ceramic landscapes. We discussed landforms they learned about in Social Studies (mountains, hills, glaciated forms, valleys, etc.) and they created a landscape using those terms. We also talked about the concept of depth in artwork with the sky being at the top of a work of art, and as things get closer they move downward. We started with a brainstorming session, which turned into sketches, and then a paper model which has parts that can be used as templates.

Paper Model/Template

 We then used clay to create a ceramic landscape, using divided layers of clay to show the layers in a landscape. Care was taken to give small details and texture to the wet clay. The students were dedicated to making their landscapes unique and beautiful!

Clay landscape fired but not glazed.

 Once the landscapes were out of the kiln, the fifth graders glazed them. Some added marbles to indents to make tiny little ponds! The finished products are so interesting and every one has some individuality that we really love!

This landscape has lovely curved layers.

Great nighttime details with a bear.

Cityscape.

This landscape really shows the idea of distance.

See the water detail to the right...

Melted marbles make great water!

Shoe Jewelry

The pattern on the bottom of your shoe is designed to give you traction and add comfort. But did you ever look at the pattern on the bottom of your shoe and think about how beautiful it is? 4K did, and created some sweet clay charms to make necklaces out of! Here are some photos of the finished jewelry. They are excited to bring them home!

The Fish are Back!

Our students are so excited! Thanks to Kolton and his family for giving the fish a home over the summer! Now that the air is chilly, the fish are out of the pond and in the tank swimmin' and learnin' about art. This is a smart school of fish. We will use them as inspiration for drawing and sculpture this year - lucky fishies!

Now if only I could get them to hold still for a good photo...

If you scroll to the bottom of this blog, you can feed the fish! Just click and feed. 

Vocabulary Word Wall

Did you know that you can view the vocabulary your child is learning in the art room? Paint splotches on the wall will show what students are learning! Stop in any time to see new words as well as learning targets for the whole year. It is a visual tool for students, and they like to see what words other grades are learning too.

Sixth grade vocabulary and learning targets

First grade vocabulary and learning targets

Weaving with Second Grade

Ahhh...weaving. Kids love it! We use cardboard looms with teeth already made. We talk about the history of weaving and where it exists in ancient and modern cultures. Then they make their warp threads out of rug warp, and off they go!

The toughest part for some students is figuring out the over/under pattern without skipping a string. For most, the toughest part is tying knots - a skill that will be with them for the rest of their life...

We also figure out rya knots (fringe) and some kids have a great time adding it to the top, bottom, or somewhere in between. They even frizz it out for fun!

When it is time to take it off the loom, they cut the warp carefully on the back of the loom and tie two strings at a time to finish it off. Then they are so excited to bring it home! Look at those happy faces!

I am very pleased to hear from students that they got a loom for Christmas because they enjoy it so much. Two parents even shared that they made wooden looms for their children this year! Keeping the Arts alive.

Color Mixing Caterpillars

First grade has been working on color theory - primary and secondary colors, color mixing, etc. We created these color caterpillars using masking tape rolls as the circle template. Sponge painting for the background, wiggly eyes, and pipe cleaners for legs and antennae made them come alive. Fun!

 

I am having a hard time with Blogger - they don't give me the option to rotate any photos! Sorry if your neck gets strained trying to view these!

Sixth Grade Letter Design

Sixth grade reflected on their experiences at Camp Whitcomb and came up with new ways to design letters. The results were pretty cool - check them out!

Students worked on developing block letters and making them as even and clean as possible. They then developed a list of things at camp using the 5 senses (things they smelled, saw, tasted, heard, touched), Using this list, they changed the letters into different things. They were encouraged to "think outside the box" and create interesting shapes on each letter. They had a lot of fun!