Art Work for All to See

I hate blank empty bulletin boards. I just hate them! So I found some old art work from the last couple of years plus artwork from this semester and went a'dectorating.

Opening Centers: Drawing

Between Monday and today I have opened our first art center of the year. The first center to be opened is the drawing center. In this center the students get to use various drawing materials from pencils to colored pastels to ink and calligraphy pens. 

I spent the first day of the drawing center opening explaining to the students what materials were there, what they can be used for and the rules for clean up. Since we are a 1:1 iPad 2 school, once the kids receive theirs there will be qr codes also on the board that will lead the students to various google docs and youtube videos that will help them or inspire them with their artwork.

Below are some of the posters that I have on display for the students in this particular center.

This poster I created to show the students what the materials look like on paper and I even blended some of them to show the students what the materials can do.

One thing my students love the create are 3D letters. Linear Perspective is something that my students have trouble with but they love the outcomes once they are finished with their artwork. 

This particular poster was created by the art teacher that was here before me but I really like it so I had to keep it. The students always want to draw people but tend to always draw stick figures and that is one of my NO NO Rules. 

This is my NO NO Board. These are all the drawing and painting techniques that the students tend to do however they are very elementary and since we are middle school art students, these are not allowed in my room. We spend about 10 minutes going over this so that the students really understand what I am expecting of them. This year I had to add the No Tracing rule to my board since students tend to do this more then anything. 

I hope you enjoyed our little journey through this years Drawing Center.

Still Life Unit

This semester my 8th graders focused on observational drawings and paintings, specifically still lifes. We looked at Dutch Baroque still lifes as well Cubism still lifes by Pablo Picasso.

With the Cubist Still Life the students studied color schemes and used chalk pastels to create these amazing works of art. 

The students weren't too happy with completing two still life art works and were all bottled out by the time we were done but I have to say that I am extremely pleased with the results. 

Maybe next time I will break up the unit by putting another project in the middle.

Decoration Crazy

This year I was very exited and lucky when I was able to get the back of my classroom back from the speech department! Now I have room to expand as well as display more stuff. 

Most of my permanent bulletin boards were derived from the Art with Mr. E blog (the one above and the no no board below). I really love the way they came out.

All of the student artwork is usually displayed outside the art room on hallway boards near the main office and cafeteria so it is very rare for me to have artwork in the art room. This year, however, I am using the yarn and laundry clips I found to display artwork around the room. I am hoping to change it often and hopefully create an environment of student pride in their work.

We are also required to create work walls for our lessons but because I teach three different grades (6,7, and 8) it was easier this year to create three boards -- one for each grade. However, instead of creating a board with just words I have added pictures to the board to help the students remember the art terms, styles, periods and technique.

This still life board is for the 8th grade. When I took the pic over a month ago, it was unfinished but I will be taking a newer photo soon to post.

Fantastic Castles

The first project of the school year is finally done and hanging! -- well at least the 6th grade one is. We spent an entire class mod (about 80minutes) looking at and discussing architecture from around the world and through out time. They really liked seeing all the different buildings and even commented on how even though they are from different cultures and times they all have similar features. 

I was really impressed with their ability to figure that out as well as articulate it.

After discussing everything they began to draw their castles out. Some students focused on castles, others were really interested in the catherdals. Especally St. Basil's in Moscow Russia. They kept calling the onion domes hersey kisses. It was really cute.

The level of discussion and talent in the 6th grade never ceases to amaze me. They are a constant surprise with their vocabulary and ideas.

After they had drawn out their castles we talked about and looked at different types of patterns. They had to decorate the facade of their castle with different patterns. 

Eventually the castles were cut out and glue to a piece of watercolor paper that had been given a colorful watercolor wash background. The contrast between the black and white buildings and the backgrounds are great! I just love how they came out.

I am extremely please with the way they all came out. I cant wait to see what else theses students have in store for the rest of the year. 6th grade is always exciting for me -- new kids coming from all different elementary schools -- it is just great! 

the only bad thing is --- this is the first time most of the have art. It is horrible that the kids have to suffer no art in elementary schools because of budget reasons.

But the end of a project is both a sad and a happy time. We are going to try to stay happy!

"BEE" Art Smart

This year I have a bulletin board that I can actually use right away! I am in the old wood shop room (the building is from the late 50's) and there are no bulletin boards -- just white dry erase boards placed over old chalkboards.

In the middle of last school year however, one of my old chalkboards was replaced with an actual bulletin board!!!! I was soo happy! I have two more that will hopefully be replaced sometime this school year! (hopefully sooner then later)

This year at my middle school we are doing PBIS -- a school-wide Positive Behavioral Intervention and Support program. Pretty much we reward positive and good behavior. We do not ignore the bad behavior though -- the kids just dont get a reward.

As part of this program, each teacher is supposed to have a board with the school motto on it. Ours at CCMS is to be a Peaceful, Positive and Productive school.

I wanted to post images here for all to see. Maybe it will inspire you.