Backdrop for Little Red Riding Hood (3RD)

Since 3rd graders have been working on lesson plans related to the Murch garden or trees on our property, this one particular class studied varied ways to make the color green. Green generally is the mix of blue and yellow. Yet, artists learn that when you tweak that basic recipe and add more blue, you get another color. And when you add more yellow, you also get a new color.

For this activity, these children were given blue, yellow, white and black and told to create as many variations of green as they could.
These explorations will later be used for the backdrop for the play, Little Red Riding Hood happening in May at Murch with some of the 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade classes.

When the class ended, I told them that today they probably invented a new green. I don't think they will ever see any color in a singular way again.

Sumi-e, Japanese Brush Painting- an exploration

2nd Graders have studied landscapes this year and just last week we did an exploration of watercolor and basic proper techniques of this medium. This week, these same students were exposed to various Japanese brush paintings of landscapes. The kids learned how to vary their water/ink mixture, as one would in making food, to bring about varying tonal results.

I encourage all Murch parents to buy ink, watercolor paper and a good watercolor brush and try this activity at home.....You need a bowl to make the mixture and a very little amount of ink will do.
This child met the objective of the day. She was able to create varying tones in her work by adjusting the water and ink ratios.


This is a projection of a Japanese ink painting we looked at to get inspiration.

5th Storytelling class TOMORROW

For those kids who are in the class, we ARE having our 5th storytelling class this Friday (4/8) from 3:30-4:30pm. Please be on time picking up your child for I need to be someplace at 5pm tomorrow. Please text me if you'll be late, 516-225-3403.

Need help building metal shelves

I am seeking help from anyone in the Murch community who might have strong 'IKEA' genes. I have ordered and received three wire metal shelves funded by the HSA (that's you....my awesome parents!!!) and would love some help building them. If you are free the week of April 11th, please contact me at miriam.cutelis@yahoo.com .

5th Grade: Ideas of what to include in your time capsules

5th Graders are creating time capsules and exploring various aspects of their current lives they'd like to remember 10, 15 years from now. I shared with the class an item I loved as a 6th grader and it's changing importance to me now in the present, years later. We will be looking at the work of Joseph Cornell. Click here to see samples of his work.

* A local daily newspaper * A weekly news magazine (Time, Newsweek) __ * Ticket stubs (concerts, movies, sporting events, etc.) __ * Sports trading cards (or other collectibles) __ * A popular toy __ * A sample of product packaging (empty Coke® can, etc.) __ * A popular CD (top-10 music hits) * A menu from a favorite restaurant __ * Items from your school * Letters From Mom, Dad, Grandparents * Travel brochures * Stamps * Stickers * Metro ticket * Receipt * Acorns from tree by your house * Pressed leaves * Photos * Pictures of famous people now * A copy of your report card * A photocopy of your hands * A greeting card from a loved one * favorite candy wrapper

5th Graders that come to art Monday and Fridays are expected to have their items by Friday. All other 5th grade classes must have their items ready for next week's class.

Recycled items needed in the art room

I have updated out list of recycled items needed in the art room....click HERE to go to the list.

What I most need this week are magazines.....if you have any, please send some in with your child. Any type of magazine/catalogs will be fine....we use them for printmaking and helping keep our prints clean. Thanks to all your help in advance

Art show lost and found -Literally

A 5th Grader LOST her coat at the art show....it's a short purple jacket.

Also, on the FOUND part of this post, I found a silver bracelet at the show. If it's yours please email me a detailed description to Miriam.Cutelis@yahoo.com.

Murch Art Show Pictures

Click here: http://2ndmurchartshow.shutterfly.com

then enter the passwords 'Murch' (make sure the M is capitalized).

If you took pictures that night you are welcomed to upload them as well.....

Make yourself a 'member' so that you get updates when someone posts new pictures.

Please contact me at Miriam.cutelis@yahoo.com if you have any questions.

ENJOY!!

Watercolor explorations (2nd Grade)

2nd graders were introduced to watercolor paper, which is much heavier than regular paper. They also used a wonderful technique of creating an instant 'frame' for your painting which I picked up from fellow Murch parent and artist, Regina Holliday.

This is not just any ordinary watercolor palette. This is a metallic watercolor set......the colors were brilliant!!

Children used masking tape to create an instant 'frame' for their watercolor paper.

4th Grade moving bodies figures...a few more samples

Here are a few more samples of our unit on moving bodies. Kids added props to strengthen their message. The goal was to create a sculpture in which the body's position expressed a very obvious message or movement.

Click here to volunteer for the art show!! (need help setting up and with snacks/refreshments)

Parents, above (green button) is the link to the volunteer sign up form for the 2nd Annual Murch Art show. Thank you all so much for your support in advance. To have your child's work celebrated by the entire community is an amazing feeling that will stay with children for the rest of their lives....

If you are having trouble signing up just know that food/drinks/cup/napkins due the 25th (night of the art show) at 5:30 to the all purpose room. You can also drop it off in the art room at drop off/pick-up. I will also need help with set up from 4-6pm and then after at 7:50pm for clean up. The works will come down the week after on Thursday at 3:30pm-4:30pm.

Are there any student or adult musician(s)/singer(s) out there who would like to perform that evening....I am wide open......

See you all FRIDAY!!!

Murch Parents, Save the Date!!

Click below to see entries and kids' names entered in the Cherry Blossom Art Show.

http://murchart.blogspot.com/2011/03/cherry-blossom-festivals-youth-art.html

Posters sent to the Cherry Blossom Festival will be exhibited at Union Station from March 22 - April 24, 2011, and winning

entries will be displayed at the Family Day & Opening Ceremony on Saturday, March 26,

2011 at the National Building Museum. I have not yet gotten any information about 'winning entries'. But I hope to see you all at Union Station Opening Ceremony March 26th, 2011.

2nd Annual Murch Art Show-DEADLINE EXTENDED

Pk kids to 5th Graders!!
Enter the....
2nd Annual Murch Art Show

Opening Celebration and Reception: March 25th,2011, 6-8pm
(Parents needed to donate refreshments and help set up and take down. Contact Ms. Cutelis at Miriam.cutelis@yahoo.com if interested)
Time: 6pm-8pm in All-purpose Room at Murch
Up to 2 flat art pieces due to Ms. Cutelis: By March 21th, 2011, 4pm or before

Instructions for entering:
All work must be 2D (flat). Sorry, sculptures will not be accepted this year.
Up to 2 works only per child
The work could be work done from home or at school.
All work MUST have a fully completed label (see below for labels)
All work must be taped/glue to a larger BLACK paper or black cardboard that will act like matting or frame. (see image below)

All labels must be attached to the matting, on the BOTTOM, to the RIGHT.
All work MUST be turned in by March 18th (4pm) to the art room.

Cut labels below:

Artist’s Full Name:_________________
Teacher’s name:___________________
Grade:___________________________
Title of work:_____________________
Medium used:_____________________

Artist’s Full Name:_________________
Teacher’s name:___________________
Grade:___________________________
Title of work:_____________________
Medium used:_____________________

All labels must be attached to the matting, on the BOTTOM, to the RIGHT.
All work MUST be turned in by March 18th (4pm) to the art room.

Cut labels below:

Artist’s Full Name:_________________
Teacher’s name:___________________
Grade:___________________________
Title of work:_____________________
Medium used:_____________________

Artist’s Full Name:_________________
Teacher’s name:___________________
Grade:___________________________
Title of work:_____________________
Medium used:_____________________

2nd Grade Mammal Clay Containers

Children in 2nd Grade have been studying all about sculptures. They are learning that sculptures can be made from pretty much anything such as wood, paper, cardboard, metal and even gold. We also learned that often sculptures can serve a double purpose. These here are beautiful mammal sculptures that are also containers and can serve a purpose. These sculptures are drying and will go through a 2-part painting process. Ask your child what mammal they made.

Metallic Watercolors, an exploration (K/welsh)

Kindergarten students in Mr. W's class have been exploring watercolor media. I introduced the kids to basic watercolor techniques, such as 'waking up the colors', and keeping a puddle in your palette to help keep colors rich. I also taped their 140lbs. paper to the table to prevent the paper from buckling. The watercolors were also not just your ordinary watercolor sets, they were METALLIC colors. The kids loved the glittery affect of all the colors.

Kids get to conference with either me or Mrs. Marcus to verbally work out their choices in composition.
Kids discover that the water color changes as they wash off their colors in the containers.

Check out that watercolor palette.

Amazingly detailed bird sketches (3rd Grade/HSU)

This 3rd grade class made the most amazing birdhouse for the Murch garden out of popsicles sticks. To decorate the birdhouse we made detailed sketches of birds that will afterwords be decoupaged on the house. I connected adding 'details' to our drawings as similar to adding 'details' to our stories. I told a story with very little detail and then the same story with many more details, then asked the kids which story they preferred. Kids loved the more detailed story. I then told them that the 'viewer' too prefers more details, for the eyes have more to see. On that note, I gave them wonderful calendar images (donated by Murch parents) from which to sketch from. I LOVE how amazingly different these sketches are!!