3rd graders prepare for their animal paintings by sketching images of real animals

Children in 3rd grade were given magizine/calendar images of animals to sketch out various animals in their sketchbooks. If your child has not yet bought in a composition book to be used as a sketchbook, please send them in this coming week. At the end of the year, having all their initial ideas and sketches for each project in one place will be a great item to take back home and continue in the summer. The secret to having a successful realistic drawing lesson is having lots and lots of images on the subject. Children will then be able to choose images that will make them feel most successful and it also helps with any arguments over some more desired animals for there are too many awesome ones to choose from.

Next, we will be talking about composition and color recipes. The final works will be paintings of their favorite animals using all the skills gained in the unit; from realistic sketching, to composition and color mixing.

Nature drawings help children learn to look and draw realistically

These are amazing drawings done by a Kindergarten artist. We first talked about what lines and shapes are. Then I demonstrated how to really look at a real leaf and simply represent what they see on their paper. If your child has not yet brought in a sketchbook for art, please send them in. For this lesson we had to do the sketches on paper because most students have not yet brought in their sketchbooks.

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5th graders have been closely studying Van Gogh

5th Grade artists are looking at the pre-drawings of Van Gogh. When looking at them we noticed how he even 'texturized' the sky in his drawings. Each child chose a world-famous landmark to paint. Right now we are at the initial stages of sketching out our landmarks. This artist chose the Empire State Building for her painting. Can't wait to see how amazing they will be once they paint it, inspired by Van Gogh's paintings.

To see works by Van Gogh online go HERE. Ms. Levy and Ms. Otten's class have not yet begun this for I do not see them twice a week, but they will be at this stage in 2 weeks.

Prek artists created this mural as a response to reading Swimmy by Leo Lionni

Pre-Kindergarten artists read the book Swimmy in art class. In a 3-part class, children created this mural. First, they sponge painted a large paper. Then they traced fish stencils and decorated their fish with oil pastels. The third class they glued on their fish onto the mural and used white and blue oil pastels to add 'bubles' to the water.

kindergarten artists used their sketches of real leaves to create these 'stamps'. We will be making monoprints with these next week.

Children used their last week's sketches of real leaves to create these stamps. They first looked through their sketchbooks and chose a leaf they liked. They then drew a larger version of the leaf on a piece of cardboard and cut it out. Next they used pre-cut strips of manila folder paper and added the 'veins' on their leaves.

Next week we will use printing ink to make limited edition 'prints' of their leaf print. can't wait to see these prints!! Check back next week for updates on this printmaking unit.

3rd Graders paint their favorite foods. These mixed-media paintings will be exhibited by the lunch line next week.

3rd graders have been learning all about color recipes. The obsession began when they painted their sculptures from the last unit, when they discovered how fun it was to create new colors through mixing 2-3 colors. We then went on a scientific journey to find out ways to create 'color recipes' using varying percentages of pure colors. For this activity their assignment was to use what they learned about color recipes to create a painting of their favorite foods. Next, they have chosen a group topic on their own and will go through a more formal process to create a final piece. Check back later to see our progress in this vary intense painting unit.

1st Graders were unspired by Keith Harings work to create their own visual narratives

The wonderful thing about teaching art is the constant back and forth inspiration we all get from each other. 2 weeks ago I watched a wonderful documentary on Netflix about Keith Haring. I was so inspired by his life and his works that I felt I should absolutely bring back his work and share with the children. Ms. Crawley, my student teacher and I sat down and talked about ways to connect his work with young children. We first showed the children some of Harings very simple works. See below:

The kids had an immediate connection with the work and began creating elaborate narratives just from the picture clues they observed. We then provided them with black paper and white oil pastels and asked them to create their own story without words. They were like duck to water. Their stories were quite amusing and imaginative and they were mindfully included loads of well thought our picture clues to help the viewer understand what was happening. These should be coming home this week or next week.

2nd grade: A very fun and messy paper mache class for our puppet heroes

2nd Graders have begun their puppet hero construction unit. Children and their families will brainstorm their hero and bring in an image to use as reference. The hero could be anyone that has lived or is still alive. In this image you see young artists paper mache-ing their puppet heads. These will be painted, detailed, dressed and propped before they can come home. If you are a parent of a 2nd grader please help them chose a hero and provide your child with a picture of that hero to bring to the art room. All photographs must come in a baggie labeled with that child's name and will be returned at the end of the unit. Teachers of these classes might want to connect with what we're doing through their writings in class.

Kids Euro Festival 2011! Free activities for children!!

Kids Euro Festival 2011-

Schedule of upcoming events below

Dear Friends, Scroll down to discover all the upcoming events of Kids Euro Festival - week two! Enjoy the very best in puppet shows, magic, cinema, music, theatre, workshops, and more... I encourage you to take full advantage of all of these magnificent FREE activities for children. Visitwww.KidsEuroFestival.org to discover the entire festival through November 10. Warm regards, P.S. Help spread the word by forwarding this email to family, friends, PTA, teachers, etc. T H U R S D A Y , O C T O B E R 2 0 The Gruffalo - FILM + WORKSHOP UNITED KINGDOM - 10:30 a.m. MLK Public Library - 901 G St., N.W. Age: all ages / Duration: 30 mins Based on the classic picture book written by British author Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler, The Gruffalo is the magical tale of a mouse who takes a stroll though the woods. Encountering three predators who all wish to eat him -- a fox, an owl, and a snake -- the plucky mouse must use his wits to survive. Sampo Lappalainen - PERFORMANCE FINLAND - 6 p.m. Kennedy Center, Millennium Stage - 2700 F St., N.W. Age: all ages / Duration: 45 mins As a Unicef Goodwill Ambassador, master puppeteer Juha Laukkanen has transported audiences around the world to the enchanting FinnishLapland. In one of his popular tales, a mean troll lives inside a mountain. Add some scenery, some authentic Yoik music, and the adventure is ready! F R I D A Y , O C T O B E R 2 1 Snow Workshop - WORKSHOP FINLAND - 1 p.m. Georgetown Public Library - 3260 R St. N.W. Age: 5-7 / Duration: 40 mins Kids make a journey from USA to the fells in Finnish Lapland. Making handicrafts, for example puppet snowmen. Kids will perform a snowman dance. Exploring the Perfect World - PERFORMANCE DENMARK - 6 p.m. Kennedy Center, Millennium Stage - 2700 F St., N.W. Age: 5+ / Duration: 50 mins One night, Benjamin had a beautiful dream about a golden flower. In the morning he woke up to go to school, but when he opened the front door, he didn't see his own front yard - he saw a big forest! From the top of an oak tree, a cuckoo bird called to him - and said she knew the way to the golden flower in Benjamin's dream. S A T U R D A Y , O C T O B E R 2 2 Nocturna - FILM SPAIN - 10 a.m. The Avalon Theatre - 5612 Connecticut Avenue, NW Age: 6+ / Duration: 80 mins A sudden blackout of the stars plunges the night into the deepest darkness. Tim, a frightened boy who lives in an orphanage, plucks up his courage to do something about this disaster, while facing up to his own shadow. Tim sets out on a thrilling adventure in Nocturna, a parallel world that comes into being every night when we go to sleep. Sampo Lappalainen - PERFORMANCE FINLAND - 10:30 a.m. Capitol Hill Arts Workshop - 545 7th Street, S.E. Age: all ages / Duration: 45 minsRESERVATIONS REQUIRED As a Unicef Goodwill Ambassador, master puppeteer Juha Laukkanen has transported audiences around the world to the enchanting Finnish Lapland. In one of his popular tales, a mean troll lives inside a mountain. Add some scenery, some authentic Yoik music, and the adventure is ready! The Gruffalo - FILM + WORKSHOP UNITED KINGDOM - 11 a.m. MLK Public Library - 901 G St., N.W. Age: all ages / Duration: 30 mins Based on the classic picture book written by British author Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler, The Gruffalo is the magical tale of a mouse who takes a stroll though the woods. Encountering three predators who all wish to eat him -- a fox, an owl, and a snake -- the plucky mouse must use his wits to survive. Piip & Tuut in Concert - PERFORMANCE ESTONIA - 11 a.m. Montgomery College Culture Arts Center - 7995 Georgia Avenue,

Silver Spring MD 20910

Age: all / Duration: 45 mins / RESERVATIONS REQUIRED Piip and Tuut are two janitors who tidy the concert hall after each performance. But one day, they decide they want to see a cultural event for themselves. Finding free seats in the audience, they are surprised to realize that they've left their supplies on the stage - but the show has already started! What to do? When one half of this comic cleaning duo find themselves in front of a huge audience, the laughter is contagious!

Kooky - FILM CZECH REPUBLIC - 11 a.m.

The American Film Institute Silver - 8633 Colesville Road, Silver Spring, MD 20910

Age: 6+ / Duration: 93 mins

Six-year-old Ondra's mother has just thrown his favorite stuffed animal -- a bear named Kooky -- into the trash. Kooky's stuffing is falling out, and Ondra's mother is worried that it will irritate his asthma. Before he falls asleep, Ondra imagines Kooky's determination to come back home, and everything he has to do to get there. Lost in a forest, Kooky meets strange animals, and sees and hears things he could never have imagined during his uneventful life on Ondra's toy shelf!

Sampo Lappalainen - PERFORMANCE FINLAND - 12 p.m.

Capitol Hill Arts Workshop - 545 7th Street, S.E.

Age: all ages / Duration: 45 mins / RESERVATIONS REQUIRED

As a Unicef Goodwill Ambassador, master puppeteer Juha Laukkanen has transported audiences around the world to the enchanting Finnish Lapland. In one of his popular tales, a mean troll lives inside a mountain. Add some scenery, some authentic Yoik music, and the adventure is ready!

ArtObet - Wrap me in Gold - WORKSHOP AUSTRA - 1:30 p.m.

National Children's Museum Launch Zone - 112 Waterfront St - National Harbor, MD

Age: 5 - 10 / Duration: 60 mins / RESERVATION REQUIRED

Artobet: An Afternoon with Gustav Klimt. We will craft collages inspired by Klimt, layering material to attain a "golden" visual effect on their self portraits.

Cool Frogs - PERFORMANCE NETHERLANDS - 6 p.m.

Kennedy Center, Millennium Stage - 2700 F St., N.W.

Age: 4+ / Duration: 45 mins

Imagine a man carrying a green musical suitcase and a huge green frog on his back - both the man and the frog are looking for somewhere to live, but nobody knows where they come from - because they can't understand what they're saying or singing! As the man and the frog build their new home, strange and funny things happen, and a little fly threatens to mess up everything.

S U N D A Y , O C T O B E R 2 3

Acorn Boy - FILM LATVIA - 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

La Maison Française - Embassy of France - 4101 Reservoir Rd., N.W.

Age: All / Duration: 70 mins / RESERVATIONS REQUIRED

Immerse yourself in the clever and charming world of Latvian animation with seven short films by award-winning director Dace Riduze. Acorn Boy - based on a story by Margarite Staraste - tells the story of clumsy little Acorn Boy and his friends in the village of Stalks. A favorite at animation festivals worldwide.

Brothers Be Be - FILM LITHUANIA - 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.

La Maison Française - Embassy of France - 4101 Reservoir Rd., N.W.

Age: all ages / Duration: 70 mins / RESERVATIONS REQUIRED

Little brother Bebe lives with his three sisters and a cat named Miau. He spends his days fishing by the lake, and his little sister brings him cinnamon buns at mealtime. Unfortunately, an evil witch with six eyes also lives by the lake, and she has some nasty plans for Brother Bebe and his family!

Cool Frogs - PERFORMANCE NETHERLANDS - 11 a.m.

La Maison Française - Embassy of France - 4101 Reservoir Rd., N.W.

Age: 4+ / Duration: 45 mins / RESERVATIONS REQUIRED

Imagine a man carrying a green musical suitcase and a huge green frog on his back - both the man and the frog are looking for somewhere to live, but nobody knows where they come from - because they can't understand what they're saying or singing! As the man and the frog build their new home, strange and funny things happen, and a little fly threatens to mess up everything.

The Music and Dance of Ireland - WORKSHOP IRELAND - 12 p.m.

La Maison Française - Embassy of France - 4101 Reservoir Rd., N.W.

Age: All ages / Duration: 40 mins / RESERVATIONS REQUIRED

Irish music and dance has a rich history on both sides of the Atlantic - discover the many varieties of both in this fast-paced performance that demonstrates intricate and rhythmic traditional Irish footwork! A powerful, yet graceful, experience for the whole family!

Cool Frogs - PERFORMANCE NETHERLANDS - 1 p.m.

La Maison Française - Embassy of France - 4101 Reservoir Rd., N.W.

Age: 4+ / Duration: 45 mins / RESERVATIONS REQUIRED

Imagine a man carrying a green musical suitcase and a huge green frog on his back - both the man and the frog are looking for somewhere to live, but nobody knows where they come from ? because they can't understand what they're saying or singing! As the man and the frog build their new home, strange and funny things happen, and a little fly threatens to mess up everything.

Exploring the Perfect World - PERFORMANCE DENMARK - 1 p.m.

The Washington Ballet - 3515 Wisconsin Avenue, NW

Age: 3 - 10 / Duration: 30 mins / RESERVATIONS REQUIRED

One night, Benjamin had a beautiful dream about a golden flower. In the morning he woke up to go to school, but when he opened the front door, he didn't see his own front yard - he saw a big forest! From the top of an oak tree, a cuckoo bird called to him - and said she knew the way to the golden flower in Benjamin's dream.

Piip & Tuut in Concert - PERFORMANCE ESTONIA - 2 p.m.

La Maison Française - Embassy of France - 4101 Reservoir Rd., N.W.

Age: all / Duration: 45 mins / RESERVATIONS REQUIRED

Piip and Tuut are two janitors who tidy the concert hall after each performance. But one day, they decide they want to see a cultural event for t hemselves. Finding free seats in the audience, they are surprised to realize that they've left their supplies on the stage - but the show has already started! What to do? When one half of this comic cleaning duo find themselves in front of a huge audience, the laughter is contagious!

Irish Dance: an Introduction - WORKSHOP IRELAND - 2 p.m.

La Maison Française - Embassy of France - 4101 Reservoir Rd., N.W.

Age: All ages / Duration: 45 mins / RESERVATIONS REQUIRED

Irish music and dance has a rich history on both sides of the Atlantic - discover the many varieties of both in this fast-paced performance that demonstrates intricate and rhythmic traditional Irish footwork! A powerful, yet graceful, experience for the whole family!

The Adventures of Bolek and Lolek (Part 1) - FILM POLAND - 2 p.m.

La Maison Française - Embassy of France - 4101 Reservoir Rd., N.W.

Age: 3-6 / Duration: 45 mins / RESERVATIONS REQUIRED

Two brothers 'Bolek and Lolek" just can't seem to stay out of trouble! Their funny and sometimes silly adventures include camping, playing sports, searching for hidden treasure, rescuing stranded animals - if you can name it, they've done it! Bolek and Lolek is the all-time favorite Polish cartoon. Featuring a capricious animation style and whimsical sound effects, it enchants viewers without the need for dialogue. This universal approach helped make Bolek and Lolek a hit with kids everywhere, and it was picked up by Nickelodeon in America.

A Cat in Paris - FILM FRANCE - 3:30 p.m.

La Maison Française - Embassy of France - 4101 Reservoir Rd., N.W.

Age: 3 - 9 / Duration: 60 mins / RESERVATIONS REQUIRED

A thrilling mystery unfurls in the alleys and on the rooftops of Paris, over the course of one adventurous evening. Dino is a cat who shares his life between two houses. During the day, he lives with Zoo, the only daughter of Jeanne, a police captain. During the night, he clambers over the roofs of Paris in the company of Nico, a very skillful thief.

The Adventures of Bolek and Lolek (Part 2) - FILM POLAND - 5 p.m.

La Maison Française - Embassy of France - 4101 Reservoir Rd., N.W.

Age: 3-6 / Duration: 60 mins / RESERVATIONS REQUIRED

Two brothers "Bolek and Lolek" just can't seem to stay out of trouble! Their funny and sometimes silly adventures include camping, playing sports, searching for hidden treasure, rescuing stranded animals - if you can name it, they've done it! Bolek and Lolek is the all-time favorite Polish cartoon. Featuring a capricious animation style and whimsical sound effects, it enchants viewers without the need for dialogue. This universal approach helped make Bolek and Lolek a hit with kids everywhere, and it was picked up by Nickelodeon in America.

M O N D A Y , O C T O B E R 2 4

Piip & Tuut in Concert - PERFORMANCE ESTONIA - 6 p.m.

Kennedy Center, Millennium Stage - 2700 F St., N.W.

Age: all / Duration: 45 mins /

Piip and Tuut are two janitors who tidy the concert hall after each performance. But one day, they decide they want to see a cultural event for themselves. Finding free seats in the audience, they are surprised to realize that they've left their supplies on the stage - but the show has already started! What to do? When one half of this comic cleaning duo find themselves in front of a huge audience, the laughter is contagious!

W E D N E S D A Y, O C T O B E R 2 6

Kraft - PERFORMANCE SPAIN - 6 p.m.

Kennedy Center, Millennium Stage - 2700 F St., N.W.

Age: 7+ / Duration: 50 mins

Recycling has never been so much fun! Enter a world where something as simple as craft paper is transformed into a magical tool that makes crashing waves, rustling leaves, and crackling flames. In a time when the planet's resources are becoming more and more scarce, KRAFT reminds us how valuable they are - and of our own responsibility to not waste anything.

DC Youth Orchestra - PERFORMANCE CZECH REPUBLIC - 6 p.m.

Kennedy Center, Millennium Stage - 2700 F St., N.W.

Age: 7+ / Duration: 60 mins

Maestro Jesus Manuel Berard will conduct the DC Youth Orchestra in a performance of Dvorak's acclaimed Symphony No. 9 in E minor, 'From the New World', at the Kennedy Center Terrace Theater. The DC Youth Orchestra, comprised of gifted students from the Washington, D.C. community, has performed in the past as such prestigious venues as the White House.