Elementary Art Teacher at
Rose Park Elementary &
Pine Ridge Home School Program
at Holland Christian Schools
Friday, January 13, 2017
Kindergarten Portraits
Recently our kindergartener students have been exploring how to draw people. We discussed why this was so important for artists, how amazing God made our bodies, and how practice helps us improve our drawings. This year we have sketchbooks and have been recording our progress and I wanted to share how far we have come! This week we started with some guided drawings followed by some choice activities. Students could draw each other, wooden mannequins, or our class skeleton, Mr Bones. Enjoy the look of excitement and contemplation on their faces as they worked this week.
I wonder as I wander out under the sky How Jesus the Saviour did come for to die For poor on'ry people like you and like I; I wonder as I wander out under the sky
When Mary birthed Jesus 'twas in a cow's stall With wise men and farmers and shepherds and all But high from God's heaven, a star's light did fall And the promise of ages it then did recall. If Jesus had wanted for any wee thing A star in the sky or a bird on the wing Or all of God's Angels in heaven to sing He surely could have it, 'cause he was the King I wonder as I wander out under the sky How Jesus the Saviour did come for to die For poor on'ry people like you and like I; I wonder as I wander out under the sky
This Christian folk hymn by John Jacob Niles brings to mind memories of walking in the woods with my dad and siblings as a child. Crossing the creek, getting caught in the briars, hiking up hills and admiring the changing of the seasons to give my mom a little peace on Sunday afternoons. Encouraged to explore, splash in the creek, or leap across a ravine. That's a bit of what we did this week in art class at Rose Park Christian. Wandered a bit, explored some, and came together to share what we learned from God's creation. Enjoy our photos as well as watch the link captured by Rob Landes. https://youtu.be/MCX3h4cvnto
Yesterday I enjoyed spending time with some 1st graders thinking about our detailed creator. We braved the cold outside to glimpse some fresh snowflakes on black paper. They were were amazed at the pattern and design of each flake. How beautiful and unique! We were overwhelming to think about a snow drift filled with all the small individual flakes forming. Each one created just the way God had intended! You should have seen their faces when the weight of that went from their heads to their hearts.
Isaiah 42:5
"This said the God the Lord, the Creator of the Heavens and he that stretches them out; he that spreads for the the earth and that which comes out of it; he that gives breath unto the people, upon it and spirit to those that walk therein: I the Lord have called thee in righteousness and will hold thee by thine hand; I will keep thee and place thee as my covenant unto the people as light unto the Gentiles that thou might open the eyes of the blind"
While the above video is true it hardly tells the whole story about why art education is so important at Holland Christian. It goes beyond knowing how to communicate our ideas. It's about teaching kids how to deal with mistakes, work together, take risks with their ideas, brainstorm effectively, compromise their ideas to become attainable, share their art to bring joy to others and celebrate who God is and how he has made us. Pray with me that each student will feel empowered in their art, use it to help them mature in community, and grow closer to our Savior as they express who and whose they are this year at Rose Park Christian.
Kindergarten students have been working with linethis semester. They have learned the names of lines, drew lines with dark, sticky, oil pastels, glued lines, painted the space between lines, cut out shapes on the line, printed on lines and even formed lines to wash our hands. Enjoy viewing some of our newest and most thoughtful artists and their line explorations.
Friday, September 9, 2016
"I think this has a lot of emotion in it! What were you thinking about?"
2nd graders Explore Emotion through Color This week our 2nd graders thought about color and emotions associated with that color; such as blue equals sad or yellow helps us feel cheerful. As a class we viewed several works of art and found we did not agree what each color meant.
They learned about Abstract Expressionist, Marc Rothko who challenged their thinking that each color could mean more than one emotions based on experience.
Students thought about their emotions and drew fields of color based on their emotions.
They blended pastels to create new colors and asked why Rothko's paintings are called "fields of color." One astute student remarked "I think it's because when I look at the ground from an airplane it looks like fields of color."
This student is responding to her work.
Can you guess what emotions I was thinking about?
Come enjoy more work like this in the halls of Rose Park.
Are you still looking for something for your kids to explore this summer? Are you looking for them to think differently? Consider starting the summer off with one of our summer art camps! Students choose to explore 3D materials including clay or drawing and watercolor painting.
To register, go to the camps link on the Holland Christian website to register www.hollandchristian.org/athletics/summer-camps/#art
Drawing and Watercolor:Students practice a variety of drawing techniques and learn tips used to help control watercolor while painting in the outdoors. We'll examine landscapes, still lifes, portraits and animals, while using techniques such as resist, glazing and how to create texture in our art.
Grades:2nd-6th grades Time: 1-3 pm Monday-Thursday Location:Pine Ridge art room
3-D Construction: Students explore 3-D construction with a wide variety of materials including clay, wire, wood and plaster while viewing famous architecture to help us think differently about what makes our constructions strong.
Grades: 2nd-6th grades
Time:9:30-11:30 Monday-Thursday Location:Pine Ridge Christian art room
Please email Mrs Luce if you have additional questions: aluce@hollandchristian.org
These are the words I read this past fall a month after I applied for a Holland Christian Egg Grant. What? You haven't heard of an Egg Grant? Well, think of it this way, an Egg Grant is like waving a magic wand and being granted a wish from the educational fairy. Last fall teachers were asked to dream about a project that would entice them to explore new and exciting things in their classroom. It might extend beyond their normal budget but it would also stretch them as an educator. Perhaps you child had genius hour or learned how to play the ukulele. If accepted, one is provided funding to make your dream come true. Really!
So last summer I started thinking and dreaming. I dreamt that Rose Park students would have the opportunity to experience the process an artist follows from start to finish when creating a painting.
I felt strongly that I wanted my students to interact with a Christian artist. One who makes a difference in the world through their art. And finally I hoped to have an artists students might experience who was part of their community, not just something at a museum.
So I am proud to announce this semester that our fourth grade class will be working with Joel Schoon-tanis, a local Christian artist who enjoys working with children and helping bring our their creativity. This is the second week we have met and so far it is going well. Enjoy the short video clip of them on our first day learning a little about Joel, how to read art, as well as brainstorm some of their ideas.
I'll keep you posted on our process, but please feel free to ask a fourth grader all about the process!
For more information about our artist please check out his website:
Kindergarten students are working on pattern making with both shape and color. One can hear them repeat it as they print with a small found object. At the center of their rugs is the Christian cross because as Elmer Yazzi* taught us, we want to display Christ everywhere we go so that everyone hears about our Jesus.
This week 4th graders worked with clay. As you can see theylovethis!
Last year they learned how to build with coils so this year to build on
their knowledge we combined a coils with a small pinch pot.
Our goal was to create smooth and proportionate pots.
Everyone began with a simple pinch pot.
While working on our pinch pot I shared that if one closed their eyes they
will better be able to feel if their pot is even and smooth on all sides.
They laughed and then they tried it. A lot of them were amazed that
it really worked!
After students made a small pinch pot we rolled out some coils.
Students used our fabric to measure a workable length and found
our pinky was the perfect thickness for coils.
Next students combined the pinch pot with the coils.
They used a fork to score the clay with a fork and used
water to soften the help it stick.
Gradually students built up the wall of their vessel.
They were asked to smooth the inside coils together to create a strong wall.
Students found wooden tools helpful in reaching the bottoms.
Gradually students built up their projects until they were around 6 inches tall.
Stay tune for the final project in a few weeks.
