Your Wish is Granted!

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:

Joel Schoon Tanis 

www.joelschoontanisart.com/

This past week there
was an extra bit of
energy in the art
room at Rose Park!

Creating Beauty Together in the Art Room - A recycled art project 4th Grade

     This fall our school theme is Life Together. With Dale Chihuly, a glass blower, as our inspiration we began 4th grade art with a group recycling project. I could hardly believe the enthusiasm! We discussed how big projects were possible if we worked together. Students quickly compared this to an assembly line (smart cookies that they are!) and everyone volunteered for a job so our work would be accomplished efficiently. Some students removed labels, others washed, and still others others dried. There was a sanding group to help our paint stick and others that were excited to paint.  I did not hear a single complaint about their job and they all were industrious as little bees. A few weeks later we divided up the work again. This time some cut the bottles into spirals and added a wire while the muscle crew bent wire and assembled the project. I hope you enjoy the two beautiful chandeliers that were the result of us doing life together in the art room at Rose Park. 

 

 

Some began by washing all the water bottles that we had collected. 

Others sanded the bottles to created a rough surface so our paint would adhere.

Two groups of students painted the bottles. One group used warm colors and another cool. 

Here we are cutting the sculpture and adding wire. 

 

 

Finally students added the spirals to the wire to assemble it.

Quite beautiful, don't you think?