5th grade tree observational drawings

5th graders at Cumberland Hill said they spent their very first art class in an outdoor classroom...this year, with me!

Students used visual clues to learn about trees, how they grow, and why they look the way they do. First, students were asked to draw trees from their memory. Next, students did studies and drawings from Scientific Illustration books and Science books geared toward trees. Next, classes went outside and observed trees up close and personal, and worked with charcoal and pastels to create beautiful observational drawings...and yes, this WAS messy!



Here are some photos of the process and their work!

BEFORE AND AFTER

OUTDOOR CLASSROOM

BEAUTIFUL RESULTS

1st grade texture rub contour bird drawings

1st graders at Cumberland Hill amazed me with their intent focus and observational drawing skills for our bird project.

Students used contour line drawing skills to recreate beautiful bird shapes, and used textured plates to add interest to the vivid color choices they made!

2nd graders Beginning, Middle, End Correspondence

2nd graders just finished up a collaborative literacy based project connecting their arts class to their current study of beginning, middle and end in writing.

Visual Storytelling met with writing skills to create a story and image that travelled from classroom to classroom and student to student. Each student built upon the work of their classmate and in the end, the image and story had a beginning, middle and end.

1st: Students created an imagined land and wrote the beginning of their story

2nd: Students received imagined land worksheets, with the beginning of the story written out, and created characters to dwell in
the imagined land and the wrote out the middle of the story.

3rd: Students finished the story, added props or details if needed and completed the imagined world image.

Lastly: Students received their imagined world back, with a full story written, and shared stories aloud in class.

Here are some images of collaborative work:







Look for these pieces in person at the Celebration of Learning, in the connections to literacy!

3rd Grade Scientific Illustrators

Student's combined their imagination, writing skills, drawing skills and graphic design work to complete Scientific Illustrator magazines.

I was particularly excited that one student took time outside of class to try out different combinations of animals in his journal. His mother even participated by voting on her favorite invented animal:




Here are some of the finished pieces!

1st Grade Haitian Inspired Flags

1st graders learned about Haiti and the earthquake that recently occurred there through PowerPoint images gathered from news sources. As a class we used visual clues within "before" shots of Haiti to learn about the country, it's economical state before the earthquake, it's sense of community, and the Haitian people.

Students had a chance to look at traditional Haitian art, and focused in on Vodou flags, learning about their ceremonial purpose, symmetrical design, and place within the Haitian art scene and commerce.

Students picked from a list of Haitian loas, or gods and goddesses, in order to create their own Haitian inspired flags that will be sold at a fundraiser to benefit the people of Haiti.

Here are some images of students working on their designs!

Picture this! Did you know Mr. Pare is an Artist?

Yes that's right! Mr. Pare, Cumberland Hill's talented Reading Teacher is pictured below, showcasing his fabulous photography skills.

Notice his interest in capturing sharp, architectural elements and his attention to symmetry within his framing.





I was lucky enough to have Mr. Pare showcase his work with me...I wonder how many other teachers in Cumberland Hill are artists?!

Look at what's up in the Media Center!

Mrs. Rubin applied for the Picturing America resources from the Rhode Island Council for the Humanities!



You will notice full sized color posters hanging out throughout the library. This month's theme is Black History Month.

When you head into the media center, look up and take time to enjoy all of the wonderful artwork that relates to America and Black History.




Thanks Mrs. Rubin for celebrating the connection between arts and literacy!

5th grade Global Architects

5th graders have started an exciting unit looking at how Architects from around the world respond to environmental factors. Young artists looked at Dura Vermeer's work, as well as the efforts to rebuild in New Orleans, LA as a springboard for discussion.

First, students looked at green design, and then brainstormed on different environmental factors that may inspire their designs. These new architectural works are imaginative and inventive in scope, but required careful planning and sketching.

Here are some images of student work in progress!


Students explored 4 different ideas before moving onto a larger final work, that would serve as an advertisement for their Architectural Design.


Next students organized their paper into different sections for image and text, and started their work in pencil.


Finally, students began enhancing their advertisement using watercolor washes.

I am excited to share the final work with you! There are many varied and inventive designs!

1st Grade Camoflauge vs. Contrast

Student's in first grade are learning about the art term contrast, and connecting to Science by comparing contrast and camoflauge. First graders spent time learning about colors that blend together, as well as colors that are complemetary, or opposite. They gave examples of colors that pop out when put next to each other, and shared their ideas about what camoflauge is used for in nature.

Next students used their observational drawing skills to render animals, and their new color theory knowledge to make those animals hide, and pop out of their surroundings.



Today we read a book about a Tanzanian tribe who wear bright red contrasting garments, and search out animals in nature. The students used this book as a springboard for color ideas and have come up with some wonderful drawn responses!

3rd Grade Scientific Illustrators

Students in 3rd grade at Cumberland Hill are currently working on a Scientific Illustration Unit.

I couldn't help but post today after my 3rd grade class did such amazing work! We are starting the process of Imaginative Scientific Illustration. Students looked at a PowerPoint last class period and did a great job leading review and remembering key points and explaining how artists can create artwork for Science Magazines and Museums.

Students showed an impressive amount of imagination and joy combining animals together and thinking of hybrid names for their new creations.

As I looked around the room I was delighted to see student's using their "art eyes" while drawing from observation.

I cannot wait to share their finished work with all of you!