KindergartenAs we wrapped up the year, kindergarten students made a Model Magic water lily flower, inspired from a Claude Monet project we completed the other month. They also made a textured elephant collage. First GradeIn first grade, students created a self-portrait, featuring Olive-Mary Stitt Elementary illustrated behind them. We also made a symmetrical tissue paper butterfly with a landscape background. Second GradeOur annual self-portrait was inspired by the self-portraits of Frida Kahlo, as students drew their portrait with a jungle background. Our annual clay project is an Olive 2nd grade tradition: clay penguins! What is it about little clay animals that delight kids? Regardless, these critters were fun to make. Students learned the importance of smoothing two pieces of clay together when joining to ensure a strong bond. We also covered a bit of information about these interesting creatures. Third GradeOlive's 3rd graders explored ancient Egypt and made a collage with an object like a pyramid or a camel. The object had to repeat three times and become smaller as it was placed farther into the background, which allowed students to demonstrate their understanding of foreground, middle ground, and background. Students were free to add other details to personalize their art! Below is an interview with 3rd grade student Ellie about the project. Note: Interview has been edited for clarity Mr. DeMarco: Hi Ellie. Describe your project for me! Ellie: I made an Egyptian Landscape with pyramids, an oasis, and palm trees. Mr. DeMarco: What materials did you use to make it? Ellie: Paint, paper, Twistable colored pencil, and markers. Mr. DeMarco: What did you enjoy about the project? Ellie: Painting it. Mr. DeMarco: What was challenging? Ellie: Coloring the pyramids. Mr. DeMarco: Did you learn anything new? Ellie: I learned how mummies were made and about background, middle ground, and foreground. Fourth GradeDuring the last 1/3 of the year, 4th grade students made a clay gargoyle. Students learned how gargoyles (and grotesques, which are the closed-mouth versions of gargoyles) decorate cathedrals to, as people of the time thought, ward away evil spirits. Moving our attention from Europe to Asia, students next explore Sumi-e, which is the Japanese form of ink and brush painting. Students learned how to create bamboo, a plant that along with three other plants are part of the four gentleman, which are four differents plants one should master creating to become skilled at Sumi-e. Fourth grade students also visited the Art Institute of Chicago for our annual visit. Fifth GradeOlive's 5th grade students have been heavily involved with a choice-based learning project. During this project, students were given a broad theme, in this case "What I Love." After brainstorming a list of the things they hold dear, they created two sketches. From these, they created a work of art using their choice of medium or media. I enjoyed this project because it gave students greater autonomy in making creative decisions, and hopefully helped strengthen their studio habits of mind, in particular engaging and persisting in the creation of new work. Students had to figure out how to manage time, materials, and ideas, skills that will serve them well in Mr. Damico (or Mr. Gnutek's) art room at Thomas (or South). Below is an interview with 5th grade student Abby about the project. Note: Interview has been edited for clarity Mr. DeMarco: Hi Abby. Describe your project for me! Abby: It was a night sky with the Chinese character for "family" on it. The night sky has stars in the background. Mr. DeMarco: What materials did you use to make it? Abby: I used oil pastel for the background and marker for the Chinese character. Mr. DeMarco: What did you enjoy about the project? Abby: I enjoyed that it wasn't as structured as the other projects. It was very free. Mr. DeMarco: What was challenging? Abby: Having to figure out what to do on my own. Mr. DeMarco: Did you learn anything new? Abby: I learned how to set better goals and how to smudge and mix oil pastels. 5th grade students also made clay dogs or cats that were finished with glaze. Woof! Lastly, congratulations to all the students who have work at the Arlington Heights Memorial Library! Your work looks great.
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AuthorI'm Mr. DeMarco, Art Teacher here at Olive-Mary Stitt. Please use this blog to read about our adventures! Archives
November 2022
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