Elementary Art with Miriam Cutelis

2/9/12

1st graders explore ink painting using varied brushes (Bergin)

In the art studio, children do a lot of exploration at the beginning of each unit. In this ink painting unit children begin with exploring various degrees of ink and various brushes. At the end of class children shared out various characteristics they noticed that was unique to this media. One child said that they saw that the level of black varied depending on how much water was used. Another child noticed that thinner marks can be made using 'detail' brushes. Another child noticed that a 'fuzzy' mark was made is he painted on pre-wet paper.

Explorations allow us to build experience with a media and learn certain things about a media. During the discussion times, children learn to label these findings and categorize them in ways that will be useful to them in the future.

Published with Blogger-droid v2.0.4

3rd graders stuff their designed pillows and sew it shut

Children in 3rd grade have been LOVING sewing. So much that I think we might extend the learning into a more in-depth project that takes what they learned in their pillow-making into a new level. I could say with certainty that it has been an amazing experience for them to actually create a pillow.....from beginning to end. I will post pictures of some of the finished pillows later.

Published with Blogger-droid v2.0.4

4th graders pull several GIANT abstract prints .....

The 4th graders are starting a new unit in printmaking. We began the unit by working in teams to create giant abstract shape stamps and pulling a print for each child.

Below you see the whole class in front of their drying GIANT prints

Published with Blogger-droid v2.0.4

4th graders create a giant stamp..launching into our new printmaking unit

Published with Blogger-droid v2.0.4

Sample page for altered book project from a 5th grade artist

Published with Blogger-droid v2.0.4

5rh grades working on designing altered books..need old and no longer needed baby board book!!

We are in dire need of board books, but seriously, any book would do. In 5th grade students are working on designing an altered book containing some pop-up elements.

Published with Blogger-droid v2.0.4

Where's my child's art work?

I recently had a parent ask me why more art work is not going home weekly stemming from the art program. I see all kids at Murch 45 minutes a week. Each unit I introduce my take up to 4 weeks, sometimes more. A unit is a set of lessons based around one media. An example unit with a media might require (1) exploration with the media in our sketchbooks, (2) reflection on what we learned and created a shared resource wall and begin planning steps for a final project in that media. Lessons 3-4 often entail working on our 'final projects'. This may differ some from more 'crafty' art lessons that look good but carry little individuality and very little value in terms of building skills. When done, the project may be used to be displayed in the hallways or sent home. At this rate, parents may get work about every 4-6 weeks. But by no means, does this mean learning is not happening. I post on this very blog at least twice a week and at most three times daily with pictures and 'glimpses' of what is going on in the studio. In addition, I have an open door policy in my classroom. I welcome all parents to come and observe their children and the class during their child's art class. So, please take advantage of this and come join us and see for yourself what we are working on. My focus in the art studio is exposure and skill building in various true art media and building of ideas and concepts that stem from within the child and lessons that are meaningful to the child personally. I have a full curriculum for all grades posted right at my door. Please contact me if you have any questions at Miriam.Cutelis@yahoo.com.

2/3/12

More work with integrating technology in the art classroom with all DCPS art teachers on Professional Development Day

Published with Blogger-droid v2.0.4

At the Hirshhorn all day learning about how to use digital technlogy in the art room

Published with Blogger-droid v2.0.4

2/2/12

1st graders add last minute touches to their paper sculptures

Published with Blogger-droid v2.0.4

3rd graders sew their African-inspired designed pillows today

Published with Blogger-droid v2.0.4

Resource wall created by 5th grade class to be used during book design unit

Published with Blogger-droid v2.0.4

5th graders learn and share their discoveries in pop-up design

Published with Blogger-droid v2.0.4

1/27/12

3D paper sculpting exploration in 1st grade

Published with Blogger-droid v2.0.2

3rd grade sewing their pillows

Published with Blogger-droid v2.0.2

1/26/12

4th grade detailing their yoga-inspired sculptures

Published with Blogger-droid v2.0.2

1/19/12

Our African Inspired Designs on our Pillow cases

African-inspired designed pillow cases (George /3rd grade)

Published with Blogger-droid v2.0.2

1/13/12

Artist, Fiona, from first grade, shares her invented vehicle' sketches from her sketchbook

Published with Blogger-droid v2.0.2

1st graders creating collagraphs of their invented vehicles. Notice they are using their sketches from last week as a resource.

Published with Blogger-droid v2.0.2

2nd graders using fake foods to create still life sketches, which will be used to make collages with emphasis on composition

Published with Blogger-droid v2.0.2

1/10/12

National Gallery Art for Kids!!!!

Family Programs
WORKSHOP REGISTRATION

Balancing Act

January 15, 22, 29 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
January 16, 28 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
February 5, 12, 19, 26 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
February 11, 20 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Education Studio

Online registration begins on January 11, 2012, at noon.
(ages 8 to 11)

Investigate Edgar Degas's wax sculptures of dancers and horses, and learn how to construct your own sculpture using a wire armature and clay. Led by Emily Lazaro and Nathalie Ryan.
Family Workshops are designed for children and adults to participate in together. Taught by artists and museum educators, each two-hour workshop includes an interactive tour in the galleries followed by a hands-on studio session.

www.nga.gov/programs/family/#family_workshops

Anasazi-Inspired Vessels Gallery (4th Grade-Patterson)

This is just one of the 3 classes that worked on creating Anasazi-inspired vessels. We began by learning about the Anasazi, looking at maps of where they lived and discussed similarities in the vessels they created. We then learned about cylindrical vessels, what they are, what they are not, how to draw them. In our sketchbooks we drew half-a-dozen cylindrical vessels and drew Anasazi-inspired designs over our vessel sketches. Next, we used parent-donated recycled plastic containers, and sometimes inflated balloons, to create our vessels. We used tape, then paper mache to make our vessels extra strong and durable. When dry, we painted them and the last week we used varied-sized brushes to detail them using the designs we had drawn in our sketchbooks weeks back. What an amazing process to learn that you can be inspired by the work of another culture or artist and still make the final product your own personal creation. Enjoy the gallery!!