3rd Grade Sewing Update

So we are inching (literally) along the sewing of our pillows. Most children are done with one side at least. I am still looking for volunteers to help with these classes which are Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays between 10 and 10:45. Please e-mail me at miriam.cutelis@yahoo.com if you want to volunteer for any or all of these days and time. I will be photographing each pillow on a couch and posting them online when all are completed.

In class we have been using the back stitch, for a quick lesson on back stitch, go here.

Gallery of Realistic Butterfly Drawings-Ms. Mahar's Class

Realistic drawings of butterflies created by the 2nd grade class. Each drawing will be painted, cut out and glued to an all-green background painted 2 weeks ago. Enjoy!

1st Grade-A Peak at Next Unit in Painting

For our upcoming painting unit we will be creating paintings of our favorite animals inspired by Aztec representations of animals. We will first look at these images below and discuss similarities we see between them. We will address realistic drawings versus stylistic images of animals and identify various types of lines used in Aztec animal designs.

Did the artist use a thick or a thin brush to create this monkey?

These images were found on google image search and were not created by the children. These images will be the resource images I will use with the kids. You too can share these images with your children and begin the conversation about the Aztecs and their art. Below, you will find some additional information on the Aztecs that might help inform your conversation.

What are some shapes you see inside the shell of the turtle?

Is this a side view, a view from above or a view from the front?

What are some shapes

What shapes are the eyes?

What do you notice is the same about these animals' eyes?

Now, what lines and shapes do you find inside these animals?

Do you think this dog's ears curl that way?

Some Basic information on the Aztecs:

(from Wikipedia and other online sources)

-The Aztec people were certain ethnic groups of central Mexico, who dominated large parts of Mesoamerica in the 14th, 15th and 16th centuries. Often the term "Aztec" refers exclusively to the people of Tenochtitlan, situated on an island in Lake Texcoco, who called themselves Mexica Tenochca or Colhua-Mexica.

-At its pinnacle Aztec culture had rich and complex mythological and religious traditions, as well as reaching remarkable architectural and artistic accomplishments.

-In 1521, in what is probably the most widely known episode in the Spanish colonization of the Americas,Hernán Cortés, along with a large number of Nahuatl speaking indigenous allies, conquered Tenochtitlan and defeated the Aztec Triple Alliance under the leadership of Hueyi Tlatoani Moctezuma II; In the series of events often referred to as "The Fall of the Aztec Empire". Subsequently the Spanish founded the new settlement of Mexico City on the site of the ruined Aztec capital.

-The Aztec had many domesticated plants and animals that were not available in Europe.

-There were also many kinds of animals the Aztecs had domesticaed that the Europeans had not domesticated such the turkey, cows, wild pigs, and some dogs, llamas, and alpacas.

-The Aztec maintained their subsistence by utilizing fishing, hunting, gathering and gardening techniques. The valley rivers were rich in fish, insects, shrimp, tadpoles, and a naturally occurring pasta called ahuatle. Those near the ocean ate crabs, oysters, fish and turtles. Thus, the water was a major source of food for the Aztec who wished to utilize them. Among the wild animals are rabbits, snakes, armadillos, deer, pumas and coyotes. Along with the hunting of some of these, the ancient Aztecs also hunted the wild turkey.

For more information on the Aztecs go here.

Art Show Registration

I am sending the art show registration and more information this coming week in a tri-fold pamphlet. Yet, here is a sneak peak of the information for those who want to begin planning sooner than later.

GUIDELINES:

· Art must be 100% done by the registrant.

· 2D work must be matted with a black piece of construction paper creating a 2” border all around the work. (Ask me if you need BLACK paper). All this means is that the work is glued to a larger piece of paper that is BLACK in color. See image on the left for example.

· Work must have been done within the last 6 months and must be complete

· Label (included in this registration) must be secured with glue at bottom right hand corner of mat.

· If art is 3D, item must come in a box (such as a shoe box) and label included inside the box and not attached to work. I will place label near the work when displayed.

· Art AND registration must be dropped off together between 8:45-9am or 3:15-3:30 on any weekday before the deadline in the art room

IMPORTANT DATES:

**Friday, November 13:

Registration and art delivery deadline (3:30pm). No work will be accepted after this time. Art and registration form must be delivered to Ms. Cutelis in the art room by child or child’s family/guardian. See times under guidelines.

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**Friday, December 4:

Art Show Opening Night

7pm in the Gym

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**Friday, December 18 OR Thursday December 17

Art pick up between 8-8:30am and 3:20-3:40pm both days ONLY, no exceptions. Children or their families can pick up the art work during these times.

Note: do not drop off work until you get the registration and have a chance to fill it out. Work will not be accepted without a registration form and labels attached. Labels will be provided with registration forms.

New Items Needed in the Art Room

Here is my new list of recyclable items I need in the art room:

**different types of paper (textured, gift wrap, decorative)

**paper towel tubes

**cardboard of any kind

**tops of bottles/ toothpaste tubes

**yogurt cups

**corks

**cereal boxes

**any food boxes smaller than a cereal box

**wood pieces

**styrofoam packaging materials

**plastic animals (realistic looking)

**needles

**broken costume jewelry

**keys

**spools

**bread bag tags

**calendars

**old sweaters

**manilla folders

**meat trays, meat trays, meat trays (go through them like water)

Thanks in advance for all your help!! your efforts are what breathes life to this art program....I could not do it without your support!