ARTY PARTY = Learning Disguised as FUN!

Central Riverside art students who met the behavioral challenge of "straight happy faces" every art class earned a special "ARTY PARTY" during art classes this week before winter break.  Six stations were set up with science integrated art activities for center rotation - in other words, learning disguised as fun!

Kinetic Sand

Wooly Willy & Hairdo Harriet Magnetic Art

Play Dough & Tools

Magnetic Sculpture

Magna-Doodle Drawing and Stamping

CRES Student Artists Thank Our Good Neighbors

Last week, students and staff at CRES held "Good Neighbor Day" to honor those community friends who support and invest in our school.

Representatives from Children's Enrichment Workshop (CEW), Cathedral Arts Project (CAP), The Cummer Museum's Weaver Academy of Art, The District Church and our faithful crossing guard, Mr. Watson. Students addressed each honoree with words from their hearts, thanking each one for gifts they provide for our students. Each honoree was presented with a beautifully framed piece of artwork from CRES artists.  Here are samples of their artwork:

Weaver Academy of Art from The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens

This month we had a visit from our special friend from the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens, Mrs. Hause who came into our art classes and conducted art lessons based on the museum's collection. 

These visits are part of the unique partnership we have with the Museum as part of the Weaver Academy of Art.  Students and their families enjoys free family memberships that includes admission and free monthly art classes.  We are so fortunate to be included in this valuable outreach program.  Thanks Cummer Museum!

Back by Popular Demand: Symmetrical Bugs!

5th grade students showed their knowledge of symmetry in their drawings of insects.  After drawing with pencil on black paper, they traced over the lines with glue mixed with black ink. After the glue dried, the students added color with colored chalk, layering the chalk to create the illusion of depth.

 

Go TEAM ART!

We recently had a school spirt day when all faculty, staff and students were encouraged to wear their favorite teams colors and t-shirts.  Since my family supports a variety of teams I chose to support my favorite:  TEAM ART!

(Yes, I was a college cheerleader!)

Kinders Explore Printmaking

Central Riverside kindergarten students explore printmaking using an unexpected material:  bubble wrap! Here is a foolproof way to teach printmaking with these young artists.

Bubble wrap was cut into rectangles the same size as their paper then taped to a table.  Using foam rollers, students applied tempera paint then placed the paper within the tape boarders.  After a good rub, they peeled back their paper to reveal rows of dots.

These prints will be used to create a bumble bee hive collage!

CRES Artists "FALL" back into the new School Year

Wow! It's so hard to believe we have almost completed the first semester of the 2014-15 school year.  Our CRES artists have been very productive these last few weeks. Here is a brief overview of some of the projects they have been working on.

Kindergarten Geometric Hats

Kinders are learning so much now that they are putting in a full days work!  In math they are learning about geometric shapes so it fit in quite nicely to support their learning by making geometric hats in art class.

First Grade Dots

First Graders celebrated the start of a new school year by reading "The Dot" and did an author study about Peter Reynolds. Afterwards, they each painted their own version a dot from the story.

 

Second and Third Grade Self Portraits

Second and third grade students studied self portraits created by famous artist, Vincent Van Gogh then created a portrait of themselves.

 

First and Second Grade Printmaking

Students learn about a new printmaking technique, mono-printing.

 

Forth Grade Studies Outer Space

Forth graders learned about outer space as they created their own solar system using oil pastels.

Fifth Grade Draws From Observation

Fifth graders are becoming very proficient at drawing from observation as they draw Florida seashells then add color with watercolor.

 

One Last Announcement:

October has been a very exciting month!  What a surprise I had when I was selected by my  colleagues at Central Riverside as Teacher of the year 2014-15. It is such an honor for me to teach in a school with such a wonderful, caring staff and amazing students. AND I even get my own parking space!