Welcome

Welcome to the JRB art blog! If you are a parent, I hope seeing what we are creating in class will help you discuss your child's artwork with them!
If you are another art teacher, feedback is welcome! Whoever you are, please leave a comment!

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

District Art Announcement

Café Arte at Oakmont

Art Club and the National Art Honor Society are hosting the first Café Arte of the 2011-12 school year on Friday October 7th from 7 -9 pm in the Oakmont main lobby.

Café Arte is a unique experience that promotes Oakmont students’ abilities in performing music and reciting literary works. Our coffeehouse atmosphere and culinary "artful treats" combined with our transformed lobby makes Café Arte a great place to relax, listen and gather together among friends. Admission is $3.00 at the door, and refreshments are offered at various affordable prices. Bring your empty travel mug to receive complementary refills of our coffee drinks after an initial purchase. Open to Oakmont students and their families [adult/parent supervision is required for younger siblings of Oakmont students], Café Arte is designed to showcase art, music, writing and refreshments in a unique experience!

For questions or more information, contact co-advisors Mr. and Mrs. Barry
gbarry@awrsd.org or tbarry@awrsd.org.

Sunday, September 25, 2011

Projects to Help Learn about LINE

This week students will begin new projects to learn about the art element LINE. Here is a glimpse of each grade level's assignment:

KINDERGARTEN: 3D Line Collage
Students will use many different kinds of objects to create a college of varied lines.


GRADE 1: Directional Lines and Warm or Cool Colors
Students will explore the idea of line showing direction (horizontal, vertical, diagonal) and warm colors coming forward while cool colors go back. They will use crayon and watercolor.


GRADE 2: Keith Haring and Gesture Drawing
Students will learn about artist Keith Haring and use his figures to learn about how line shows movement. They will use oil pastels.


GRADE 3: Harold and the Purple Crayon and Contour Line
Students will read the book Harold and the Purple Crayon and create a new setting for Harold through the use of contour line. Students will use crayons.


GRADE 4: 3D Shapes
Students will learn about the concept of one-point perspective to help create a 3D look on a 2D surface. They will create 3D shapes using colored pencil.


GRADE 5: Falling for Foreshortening
Students will revisit the idea of perspective and showing depth and 3-dimensionality by learning about foreshortening. Students will use tempera paint.

Friday, September 23, 2011

Happy Weekend!

I just want to wish everyone a restful weekend! Perhaps the sun will shine for us on Sunday! Enjoy your families, and I look forward to seeing you bright and early Monday morning!

Keep Smiling!
Mrs. DiSalle

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Happy Fall and Welcome to ART Cycle 2!

WOW!

I cannot believe that Cycle 1 of art is over, and we are on to Cycle 2! I have officially met every student at Briggs, and have learned about half of the names. I hope to have them all down pat by the end of this cycle.

In addition to finishing up our Square 1 Art self-portraits, we will begin a new lesson focusing on the concept of line. This is Massachusetts Visual Arts Curriculum Framework 2.2, “For line,explore the use of line in 2D and 3D works. Identify a wide variety of types of lines in the environment and in artwork.” Each grade level will explore the concept of line differently. Kindergarten will learn the song “My Lines”, so be sure to have your son or daughter sing it to you! Grade 1 will be going on a “line hunt”. Movement through line will be explored by grade 2. Contour lines will be grade 3’s focus, and both the fourth and fifth grade will review the concept of one-point perspective.

This will also (hopefully) give the classes their first opportunity to discuss their work with their peers. Massachusetts Visual Arts Curriculum Framework 5.3 asks that children be able to discuss the elements of art in their own and others’ work. This will be the first time some students will be doing this kind of activity, so MUCH support will be given to those students who are uncomfortable with the idea.

On a personal note, I want to thank everyone for taking the time to fill in the back of the last newsletter. It gave me wonderful information about the students, and I was thrilled to see so much creativity happening at home! I also want to extend my gratitude to those of you who have taken the time to make me feel welcome in the Briggs community. It is wonderful to leave here everyday with a smile, and look forward to coming back! Thank you for sharing your children with me!

Monday, September 19, 2011

Square 1 Art Self-Portraits

Hello again Briggs community!

Here are a few images that I took today of the kids working on their self-portraits. I also wanted to clarify some questions parents may have. I chose to use the self-portrait lesson plan provided by Square 1 Art for this year's findraiser (You can see the examples provided by the company here.). Learning to draw through observation is a key component of the Massachusetts Arts Curriculum Frameworks, and since we all love our children's little mugs, I thought this would be a fun project for Square 1 Art. Some students have been hesitant, but I want you to know that they have been supported every step of the way through encouragement and instruction. Students have also been allowed the opportunity to begin again when they felt deflated about a current work.

I began the assignment through reading the book Camille and the Sunflowers, which shares a touching story about Vincent van Gogh using his art as a gift, just as the students will do through Square 1 Art. We discussed the thoughtfulness of giving art and the effort one should demonstrate. Students then viewed the slide show listed in earlier post. When first looking in the mirrors, we made faces at ourselves and talked about how our faces change as our expression changes. We talked about using bright colors, finding the appropriate skin tone, and having a background that complements the portrait. These were all important ideas to consider when making any piece of art.

I am sure you will be proud of your children when you see what they have accomplished! Here is a preview:





Thursday, September 15, 2011

Links of Interest

Here are a few links about art and art education, which you may find interesting! Happy browsing!

President's Committee on Arts and the Humanities
The Kennedy Center ARTSEdge
National Gallery of Art for Kids
Project Zero
Americans for the Arts

Reduce! Reuse! Recycle!

Jack Johnson's Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

The following letter will be available at open house tonight, and will be disseminated to classes in cycle 2. Thanks! :)

Dear Families,

Many of the children’s favorite art activities involve the use of materials found around the home. Collages and sculptures can be made by reusing everyday objects. This is not only a wonderful manipulative activity, but also teaches a lesson about caring for the environment and conserving resources.

I was hoping to enlist your assistance to help us be able to complete these activities. Could you please check around your home and see if you have any of the following materials that we could use in making art?

· Bottle caps
· Coffee cans
· Buttons
· Cloth scraps
· Ribbon
· Spools
· Wrapping paper
· Wood scraps
· Small sticks

I will be accepting these on an ongoing basis throughout the year. Any contribution you can make, large or small, would be greatly appreciated. Please do not feel the need to go out and buy anything. This would, of course, defeat the reusing aspect of the lesson. As always, thank you for your support and positive attitudes!

Stay creative!
Mrs. DiSalle

Open House Tonight!

I can't wait to meet everyone tonight and for you to see the art on the walls! Don't forget to also check out the Square 1 Art display in the foyer. See you at 6PM!

Monday, September 12, 2011

Volunteers

Thank you so much to all of the parents who have offered to volunteer in the art room this year. As soon as all of the forms are returned to me, I will be sending home another notice asking more specific questions about your availability. Remember, in order to volunteer in the school, you must have a CORI check done. Thanks again for all of your enthusiasm! Happy Monday!

Sunday, September 11, 2011

Just a peek...


As you enter J.R. Briggs, you will see these spectacular name drawings across the hall from the office. Take a peek on your way through on Thursday nights' open house!