5th Grade Name Designs

 I have been doing this project for so many years that it has become an "oldie but a goodie."  We learn about a number of concepts while working on this design; abstraction, radial symmetry, lettering, warm and cool colors, complementary colors, and how to use the ancient, but handy, carbon paper.  The results are worth the effort every year, which is evident in the smiles and excitement when students finish their designs!

2nd Graders Love Gumballs!

 The challenge for this project was for students to create the secondary colors by mixing the primaries.  We used foil as a palette, and after the magical color mixing ensued, created the gumballs by painting with a cotton swab.  It was a bit of a challenge for this grade level, but I was proud of how hard they worked!  Math was also infused into this project; each class determined how many ways we could use change to add up to one dollar, if that's how much the gumballs cost. I provided a pattern for the lid and bottom of the machine, to make sure all the parts fit correctly.  Students had great fun deciding on the cost of each gumball!

5th Grade Japanese Fish Prints

This fun printing project began in Sept., when students created an abstract watercolor painting on cotton cloth.  I tucked these away until we began work on our name designs; students were then able to take a break from tracing and coloring to create their prints independently, in groups of 6.  Someday when I am feeling adventurous I will experiment with printing with a real fish, but for now, we are all using rubber fish and printing ink.  These are just beautiful!

1st Grade Bee Mine Valentines

I'm a bit behind here, but I wanted to share a new valentines day idea for 1st and 2nd grade.  Students had a great time creating their bees, and writing a message to their special valentine in the heart.   There was a great deal of cutting and gluing involved with this lesson, which is great practice for the younger grade levels.  Plus, they are adorable!!

The Neon Colors of Mexico

This condo complex was very close to where we were staying in Mexico, and I fell in love with it!  The combination of colors and lines really made it look like a piece of art.  Can you imagine a house painted this way in New York?  It sure would liven up the long dreary winters here, but the neighbors might not approve!  Too bad...

Mexican Dream Catchers

 During Feb. break we took a trip to Mexico, and discovered this wonderful shop on a road trip to some Mayan ruins.  I have never seen dream catchers so large!  I really wanted to bring one back with me, but getting it on the plane and home in one piece would have been tricky.  I'm still not sure how they were made!  I settled on a smaller version which is currently hanging in the art room.  I absolutely LOVE the bright colors of Mexican crafts!

MOMA Visit

We took a day trip to New York City in Feb. to the Museum of Modern Art.  I had never been there, so it was an incredible experience! We arrived later in the afternoon, so I didn't have as much time to look as I would have liked. I will definitely be back!  My favorite paintings were the huge Monet water lilies, and of course, Van Gogh's Starry Night.