Postive/Negative Space - 2nd Grade

Our curriculum had a still life lesson to start the nine weeks....but I wanted to introduce some other things into lesson lesson.  If you've ever done positive/negative space with your students...you know that it can be challenging.  However, I feel it is really important to get them to consider the space around the main objects in their work.  I'm pretty proud of my kiddos!  I also allowed them to use watercolor pencils for the first time.....THEY LOVED THEM!!! 

Red Grooms Inspired: Dali Salad 3rd Grade

Here are several of the portraits after the second day of painting!  

Tulip Grove Annual Art Show 2012: A Yummy Night of Art

Food Themed All School Art Show

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Every year I'm amazed!  I know that sounds strange coming from the person that witnesses the art at every stage of development.  At times, the work can not truly be appreciated until it is seen from a distance or as a part of a collection of work.  Even as I'm hanging the pieces....I'm not truly experiencing the impact of the art.  When the last piece is hung...and I'm able to stand back...that is when it hits me.  I HAVE AN AMAZING JOB....AN AMAZING CALLING!!!  As much as I inform, inspire, encourage, and challenge....I AM INSPIRED.  How can you not be when you see something like this?!?!  

So the nuts & bolts of the art show.  We have around 550 students...and there is a piece for almost every student (maybe 5 or 6 do not have a piece because of extreme absences or they are new to our school).  Time is taken to go through each class to make sure there is at least one piece per child, each piece is cut down a bit smaller, mounted on black construction paper, 4 pieces of tape placed on the back to prevent oil marks, and 4 pieces of blue wall tacky putty placed on the tape(something in this product makes oily marks on the paper if you don't place tape on the back). There is also the time to hang it up...and create the teacher name plates, and other decorations.  I bring down a bunch of props as well to set the mood(giant crayons/pencils...fake trees/plants...and music!)  If you have never done an all school show...be prepared for a lot of work.  HOWEVER....also be prepared for amazing joy, pride in your students, and a sense of accomplishment when it is all said and done!!!!  All the work is worth it!!!   

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3rd Grade 

 4th Grade

COOKIE TABLE

( I ask teachers to bring in a box of cookies for the art show..I always have more than enough)

 2nd Grade

1st Grade

 Kindergarten

(1st grade helped me make these)

The past two years I've had an activity center at my art show.  This asked  guests to the art show to share their favorite foods.  I had a small table with markers & crayons set up beside the butcher paper.  I honestly think at least 50 % of the those attending took the time share!

Art Show Prep: Bottle Cap Decorations

These are truly only temporary bottle cap decorations!  I'm going to place them around the art show to add to the foodie yum yum theme!! :) ha ha  I'll pop the caps off the painted cardboard after the show and reuse them.  They are attached with only Elmer's..which I would never recommend because they do not stay attached! Elmer's dries very hard/dry/brittle....so the POP off if you bump or bend the board.  This is fine for what I'm using them for..and will make reclaiming them extremely easy! If I wanted them to stick a bit better to the cardboard...I would have had the students use tacky/craft glue.  It tries with a more plasticy/rubbery texture..which gives a bit when the board is bumped or bent.   I gotta tell ya....my 1st graders had SOOOOOOO much fun doing these.  Next year when we redo the outdoor bottle cap mural...I'll be sure to include the younger grades in on the fun! 

Water Color Pencils: 4th Grade

You will be seeing more of these....the students are really enjoying this project & it is showing!  Sometimes keeping things simple really is best.  We're still doing food related projects for our spring art show, and some of these might make the cut.