Just a Still LIfe

First Graders learned 

about artist Henri Matisse

this week and created a still 

life to record the beauty of the flowers. 

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!

Kindergarteners study Elmer Yazzi and print Navajo Rugs

                                                       

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. 

*

Arts: The Calling of Elmer Yazzie | Christianity Today

www.christianitytoday.com

Handbuilding Ceramics with 4th Graders

This week 4th graders worked with clay. As you can see they love this! 

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. 

Do you have any containers to donate? We recycle!

Do you have any clean empty containers just taking up space your house?  We take small yogurt cups, fruit cups, milk caps, and sour cream containers as well as the plastic lids. I bet they would love to make their way to the entrance to the art room. Just put them in the box by the art room door. We'll take it from there!  We use them to hold glue, paper mache, paint, slip for clay, water and small collage materials.  Thank you for recycling and helping us out!  

Happy Thanksgiving!

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?