August 29, 2011 Grade 8

Students will continue their unit on proportion and pattern. They will create an illuminated letter design based on one of their initials and using the block letter as the core form for their desing. They have looked at images from the Book of Kells and may base their illumination on some of those designs.

You will find a demonstration of how to draw a Celtic Knot design at the following web site. You may want to include a design like this in your illuminated letter design.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_O_0yegDdIw

August 29, 2011 Grades 6 andc 7

Students will complete their Ndebele designs and will begin looking at the element of pattern in Islamic art. What is the connection between art, religion and geometry in this art form?

August 22, 2011 - Grade 8

Grade 8 students were introduced to the five perceptual skills for drawing. They have focused on the skill of seeing “relational angles and proportions” by drawing block letter forms. This week we will use this basic form to design an illuminated letter. We will take a close look at the Book of Kells to inspire our designs.

Students who do not complete their block letters in class may complete them at home. The completed block letter alphabet is due Monday August 22 (8A) or Tuesday August 23 (8B).

August 22, 2011 - Grade 7

Seventh graders had fun exploring line, texture and pattern, using black finger paint. They “painted” on glossy paper then placed colored construction paper on top and “pulled” a print. We have a great collection of textures and patterns…I wonder what we will do with them.

August 22, 2011 Grade 6 and 7

We are taking a close look at the Ndebele people and their art work. This is a relatively young or new art form, beginning in the 18th century. Why did these people begin decorating their houses this way? We will find out and then use their ideas to make some interesting Ndebele inspired paintings of our own.

August 15, 2011 Grade 6

Last week we had a busy first day, getting acquainted with new students and getting reacquainted with returning students. We reviewed the course description together, and started our sketchbook/research workbook. Each student expressed themselves with their own personal letter form design on their name plate and on the cover of their sketch books.

This week we will begin our unit on discovering a "world of art". We will take a close look at the art of the South African Ndebele people and use some of their ideas and techniques to create some of our own art.

August 15, 2011 Grade 7

Last week we had a busy first day, getting acquainted with new students and getting reacquainted with returning students. We reviewed the course description together, and started our sketchbook/research workbook. Each student expressed themselves with their own personal letter form design on their name plate and on the cover of their sketch books.

This week we will review the elements of art and the principles of design and experiment with line, shape, texture and pattern.

August 15, 2011 Grade 8A and 8B

Last week we had a busy first day, getting aquainted with new students and getting reaquainted with returning students. We reviewed the course description together, and started our sketchbook/research workbook. Each student expressed themselves with their own personal letter form design on their name plate and on the cover of their sketch books.

This week we will begin a unit on letter form designs. A good #2 pencil and six or twelve inch ruler will be helpful. However there are plenty to share in the art room.

August 10, 2011 Welcome to Visual Arts Grade 6,7 and 8

I am happy to be working with 6, 7 and 8 graders this year. Students will be exploring art from cultures around the world. They will begin a more in depth study of the visual arts and will be developing skills that will prepare them for higher level work in high school. The course is guided by the National Visual Arts Standards developed by the National Art Education Association (US).

Students will:
Understand and apply a variety of media, techniques and processes of art making.
Explore the elements of art and the principles of design.
Explore the visual arts in relation to history and cultures and other academic disciplines
Reflect on and assess the characteristics and merits of their work and the work of others
Begin to develop a personal philosophy on the nature of beauty and the nature and value of art.

Assessment
A grading rubric is developed for most projects. Self-assessment is an important skill and students are frequently given the opportunity to participate in the process of evaluating their studio projects. Students are expected to demonstrate a high degree of respect and responsibility to themselves and to all others. This is also reflected in assessment.

During the first class this week students will get aquainted with the art room. We will start the sketchbook/journal.

The art studio door is always open (right next to the computer lab). Please feel welcome to stop by any time to see what we are up to.