Dot Day with iPads

Although I've used "The Dot" in past years as an introduction to first grade art at the beginning of the year, this year was the first time I heard about International Dot Day. Since the official day was on a Sunday this year, and since I also only see my art students one day each week, I decided to just run with it and make September our "Dot Month" in the art room.

Now that I have nine iPads for use in the art room, I thought it would be fun to introduce them to my sixth graders right away with this simple group Dot Day project.











After sharing the book with the class, groups of four or five students spent the rest of the class period photographing examples of dots and dot shapes in the art room and using their images to create a photo collage using the PicCollage app.

It took a second art period for most groups to perfect their collages, adding backgrounds, borders, stickers, and text.




This was an easy introduction to using iPads in the art room for my students. Since many of them were already familiar with iPads, iPhones, and other similar technology, the students were able to help one another with using the camera, creating albums for saving photos, and making the most of the PicCollage app.

 

 We will be printing out the collages tomorrow and adding them to a Dot Day bulletin board background that was created by my second grade students. I'll post photos of that later this week!

 

 

Symmetry, Transformation, and Experimentation!

Last week, I decided to try a new approach to the concept of symmetry with my second grade classes. Symmetry is not a new concept for second grade students, since the students had worked with it in math, science, and art as first graders. So, I decided to use a simple symmetrical painted paper design as the inspiration for an experiment with creative transformation. Like all first time lessons, there is going to be some tweaking needed before I do it again, but overall, I think it was a success, and I know most of the students enjoyed their results.

During the first class period, the students followed some simple steps to create an original symmetrical painting and a print from the original. Before starting, we reviewed primary and secondary colors since the choices would be limited to just these six paint and paper colors. I put the liquid tempera into small bottles with squeeze tips, like those used for glue, to keep some element of control to the amount of paint used. Each student chose one piece of colored paper and one piece of white paper and put his or her name on the back before we started. The original drop, fold, and press design was created on the colored paper. Before the paint could dry, a print was made using the white paper.

It was fun to see how the painting and the print related to each other.

 

When the students returned the following week, I started the lesson by asking the children how many of them had played with Transformers toys. Those who were familiar with them described the toys and how they work, which set the stage for "transforming" one of their painted papers into something new.  I shared my example of two ways to use one of my papers from the previous week and we talked about the difference between 2D and 3D artwork.

My original symmetry painting

My transformation from the white print
included 2 bugs on a new background.

We reviewed how to make things "pop out".

Then I demonstrated how to turn the rest of
the white paper print into a "bug mobile" and
gave my bugs a ride.

 



No time yet for the passengers!
 

Here are some of the results. Each student had a different approach to the transformation. Some cut, pasted, taped, and colored. Some used all of their painted paper, and some only used a little of it and went for the scrap box.   


Ladder to a storage room with
objects on the "shelves"!

 Others couldn't even begin to consider cutting up their masterpiece and decided to embellish it as a 2D transformation. Either way, I think the project was a success!

The water skier and the boat's
driver are from the painted paper.



The flower on the left is also a bracelet!

Space vehicle or robot, not quite sure!



I loved this one! This student decided to make a model of human lungs, complete with the windpipe, from his monochromatic painting.

 



The next time I do this project, I may consider limiting access to the masking tape. The student who made the lungs used the tape creatively, but for some students it became a rather unattractive alternative to glue sticks, one of my pet peeves when constructing and collaging!

Full STEAM ahead!

So far my school year is off to a very exciting start! Last spring, we received official designation as a STEM school, which means every grade preK-8 will be focusing at least one or two units of interdisciplinary studies in science, technology, engineering, and math. When I received the news via email in the early weeks of June, I couldn't resist sending a response with a reference to STEAM...the movement to add the essential arts and design element that has been championed by the Rhode Island School of Design. At the time, I really didn't expect an immediate response, although I felt pretty confident that the idea would be well-received because our principal is a very strong supporter of the visual and performing arts in our school and in our community.




Mechanical puppet made by
the Zoot Theatre Company, one
of our Muse Machine arts partners

When I attended the STEM in-service day just before school started in August, I was more than pleasantly surprised to learn that STEAM was going to become a reality sooner than I expected! Our principal and assistant principal have embraced the idea and our PTO is sponsoring a STEAM fundraiser in October. For now, I have no idea where this will take me and my curriculum, but I'm looking forward to finding out!




I have a feeling my art room iPads are going
to get a workout this year...bring it on!

 

 

 

 





New Year...New Children's Art Gallery!

I am so excited about the new look in our Children's Art Gallery! There is a long hallway connecting the old wing of our building to the newer wing, fondly referred to by most of us as "the ramp" because it slopes downward due to the a change in the elevation of the building site. Over ten years ago, some student artwork was professionally framed and hung on the walls of this hallway, along with two large bulletin boards. The boards change constantly, but the artwork has remained the same for all these years. Don't get me wrong, the artwork is excellent, but those students long ago moved on and are now adults, some possibly even with children of their own!

Last spring, while on Amazon looking for frames for my own home, I came across some fantastic cabinet-style frames with built-in mats. Perfect for a school, I thought! Fortunately, my principal agreed and told me to go ahead and order a sample in each size. They arrived in late May and we knew they were perfect! She found the funds to purchase 22 more, so we now have a total of 27 frames in several different sizes. At the end of last year, I chose some student work for the first exhibit of our new Children's Art Gallery. The week before school started, two members of our maintenance staff, Mike and Suzanne, graciously took the time to mount all the frames to the walls of the new gallery. Suzanne even did the beautiful stenciling above the entrance to the gallery!

The entrance to our gallery

One of the best things about these new frames is the way they can be reused over and over again, making them well-worth the initial expense. Some like the one below, have corkboard backing, which is perfect for canvas panels, relief work, and weavings.

 

My plan is to change the art gallery display every quarter, giving more students a chance to have a special place for their work to be displayed. When the work is removed, it will be returned to the student artist, along with a certificate to commemorate the honor.

 

If anyone is interested in having similar frames, these can be purchased from Dynamic Frames. I chose frames to hold 18x24", 12x18", 12x12", and 9x12" paper because those are the sizes I use the most in the art room. Most of the frames come in black, white, or cherry finishes.

 

At our Meet the Teachers Open House last Sunday, so many parents and students commented on how much they liked the "new look" in our Children's Art Gallery and I must say, I agree!

Look closely...this won't last long!

Yesterday we welcomed our students back at the annual "Meet the Teachers" open house. After working for two weeks to get my room ready for a new school year, I have to admit I was quite proud of the results after all the effort. So, I decided to get out my camera and take a few photographs to remind myself of how it once looked...before the paint...before the clay...before the collage paper clippings...before muddy shoes after recess...before my spotless, shining room becomes a living, lively classroom art studio once again!

I can see the top of my desk. That won't last long!

My work station aka desk extender

Look at that shiny floor!

Ready and waiting

Fresh red "order border" by the sinks

Wow! I can almost see my face in it!

Muse Machine Arts Club bulletin board

Bye bye, clean room! See you Tuesday morning!

Leibster Award

Just before I left for a vacation with friends, I discovered at I had been nominated for the Liebster Award for new blogs. Although flattered, I am a natural skeptic, so of course, I had to check it out! It turns out that I was "found" by fellow blogger Lori who blogs about Life in Room 24. The Leibster Award is a way for new, up and coming bloggers to be recognized by their peers, sort of a pay it forward plan for bloggers.

1. Thanks for the pat on the back to Lori @Life in Room 24...I appreciate the recognition and encouragement!
 

2. Here a my answers to the questions posed by Lori:

      1. What three "must haves" are in your possession when you travel? My camera because there are always great photo opps that can become new art projects, my iPad to stay in touch with friends and family, and packets of Starbucks instant coffee in case I'm staying somewhere without Starbucks nearby...heaven forbid!

       2. What reality TV show would you like to be on? Project Runway, even though I have very little sewing experience and absolutely no idea how to create clothing from scratch! 

       3. What piece of advice would you give a first year teacher? Take care of yourself...get enough sleep, eat nutritious foods, and get some exercise every day. You can't be your best self unless you stay emotionally and physically healthy.

       4. If your life had a theme song, what would it be? Daydream Believer, because I am one!

       5. Who was your favorite elementary teacher and why? I don't remember much about elementary school, but I LOVED my high school art and college prep English teachers. Both of them encouraged me to think and work outside the box and pushed me to excel.

       6. You find a Genie's lamp. What are your three wishes? To live to see my grandsons grow to adulthood, to retire before I'm too old to enjoy it, to see the Sistine Chapel and marvel at Michelangelo's talent.

        7. Who has had the biggest influence on who you are as a teacher? I can't say it is a single person. I have been blessed to have friends and colleagues who are amazing teachers and who have a talent for bringing out the best in everyone they work with.

        8. Which room in your house is your favorite? My newly remodeled kitchen...with the dishwasher I never had in 37 years of home ownership.

        9. Which would you rather do: sit on the beach or hike in the mountains? Hike on the beach at sunset.

        10. Describe yourself in just three words. Creative, determined, successful

        11. Assuming you had time for a new hobby, what would it be? Playing the piano..I never had the opportunity to take music lessons as a kid and wish I had.

3. Here are 11 random facts about myself:

 1. I have been at the same school since 1977.

 2. I leave my driveway to go to school and never have to turn a corner until I arrive at the school. My house and my school are on the same road, about five miles apart.

3. I have been a classroom teacher, assistant principal, and now art teacher, all at the same school.

4. I am the oldest of eight children, but I only have one daughter.

5. I can't carry a tune in a bag, so I only sing in the car when I'm driving by myself. 

6. I talk out loud when working by myself, which can really throw off a student who enters my room during a planning period!

7. I like to cook and often experiment with recipes to make them my own. Not always with stellar results!

8. When I retire, I want a beach house on Lake Ontario for the summer and one on the Gulf of Mexico for the winter.

9. I think "grandma" sounds old, so my grandsons call me "Mimi".

10. I have been married to their "Papa" for 40 years.

11. We have been living in our "starter home" for 36 years...see why I want a beach house?
 

4. In return, I am nominating the following five bloggers for the Liebster Award:

      Blessings of a Teacher by Paulina Tawii, a grade 5 teacher who loves literature and writing as much as I do.

      Techie Teacher Thoughts by Eva Harwell because I am always looking for new tech tips from people who know more than I do, which is pretty much everyone!

       Art Lesson Launchpad for the great photo illustrations of projects.

       Pipe Cleaners, Paper Cuts and Picasso with Stephanie Cline who has some awesome art projects going on!

       Dream, Pray, Create by Andrea Ellwood, an eclectic mix of career, art, and faith. Andrea has been blogging since 2010 and deserves a shout out!
 

5. Here are my questions for my Liebster Award nominees:

1. Who is your favorite artist from the past and why?

2. If you could live at any time in history, what era would you choose?
3. What technology device would you hate to give up most?
4. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you choose to be?
5. What is your favorite memory from your life at the age of the students you teach?
6. What is the last movie you saw in an actual movie theater?
7. If you were a game show host, what show would you emcee?
8. Chili with meat or chili with beans?
9. What is the color of your favorite room in your house?
10. Are you a dog person or a cat person?
11. What is your superpower when you aren't teaching?

Check out a few of these blogs! There are so many amazing teachers out there and the school year is just beginning for many of us. I hope yours is a good one!

Charmaine
 

Common Core Connections...

Although the specifics of the Common Core are still a little hazy to me, and I have a lot to learn yet, making connections to literacy seems to be a huge part of the Language Arts curriculum. Last school year, my students and I experimented with a few apps that lend themselves to story creation. Here are two that were a particular success.



PuppetPals HD: 
This app was a HUGE hit with my fourth grade students and with a few sixth grade art club students who tried it out at some of our club meetings. However, we did have to purchase the paid version in order to fully utilize the app for story-telling because the free version has only a limited number of characters and stage settings to use. With the paid version, not only were more characters and settings provided, students were also able to incorporate their own iPad photographs of people and scenery to create an unlimited number of other creative options. At $2.99, this is a pricy app unless you have a school quantity discount, but the students' enthusiasm made it worth the cost. This is an app that I will definitely be using this coming year!
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/puppet-pals-hd/id342076546?mt=8




HalfTone is another app that my older students really enjoyed using. Last year we didn't get into using it for storytelling, but the comic strip format lends itself well to this task. And at only $.99, it's a bargain, too. I love the combination of photography and simple storytelling and I know my students will have fun with this one.
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/halftone/id419957803?mt=8


Now I'm looking for suggestions for movie making apps that we can use in the art room this fall. What apps have you found that are particularly easy for elementary students to learn and use successfully?