Women's Rock Half Marathon

The beginning of the school year is right around the corner, to kick it off my sister and I decided to run another race.  On Saturday we tackled the Women's Rock Half Marathon.  It was 13.1 miles of hills and very humid weather, but we both managed to cross the finish line.  My official time was 2 hours 10 minutes and 1 second.  I'll take it.  :)

My training for my full is going to get a bit tougher since I have to go back to work.  My morning running is going to have to wait now until the end of the school day.  It will probably be great time to reflect about the day and plan for upcoming art lessons.  :)  I am looking forward to the first day of school.


My sister and I at Women's Rock Half Marathon.

2014-2015 Start UP

Let the unpacking of new art supplies begin!  I have been putting it off, but I can no longer hide.  Time for the 2014-2015 school year to begin.

Value Fish

Second Grade Art Lesson
6 Class Periods

Value Fish, Second Grade Art Lesson

Day 1 and 2:

Before we even begin this lesson we spend two class periods discussing and mixing tints and shades.  Students create a total of 4 value scales.  These scales are 3 x 18 inches and are folded into 8 boxes.  The first box is left blank for their name and class period. 

As a class we create one value scale together with step by step directions. Students then complete the second value scale on their own.  We do this for both warm and cool scales.

After the scales dry, I have students glue the value scales back to back matching warm with warm and cool with cool.  For example if a student painted a value scale using orange and another using yellow, we glue these together so you can view either scale by flipping it over.  I like to laminate these for students to keep for future reference.

Day 3:

On the third day of class students look at numerous fish handouts to help them draw a fish on a 12 x 18 inch piece of paper. Students are reminded to keep their compositions large.  After the fish is drawn a wavy line is repeatedly draw in the background of the composition to represent water.

I have students look at their value scales and the value scales of their classmates to determine what color they would like to paint their fish.  I have them write the color they are planning on painting on the back of their paper.

Students planning out their fish compositions.

Can you see the laminated value scales in the photograph above?

Day 4:

Students pick one color for their entire composition.  Tints are our primary focus for this class period.  Using the color they selected and white, students mix as many tints as they can on their palette.  Students are instructed to paint their fish in their compositions using only the tints they created.  They are allowed to use the color in its pure form as well as white if they so wish.

Day 5:

This day is very similar to day 4, however instead of our focus being tints it is shades.  Using the same hue as last time and black, students mix as many shades as they can on their palette.  Students are instructed to paint the background of their compositions (the water part) using only the shades they created.  They are allowed to use the color in its pure form as well as black if they so wish.

Day 6:

This day is our catch up day for the composition.  If students did not finish painting any parts of their composition they may do so on this day.  The last step for this lesson is to carefully outline their piece using black paint.  Students are shown how to paint slow and steady their hand for careful craftsmanship.


Examples of Student Work:

 

 

 

 

Bloomer Scoot and Skedaddle 5K

I ran this race with my friend Marie on August 1st, 2014.   It was an evening run in Bloomer, WI.  I placed third in my age bracket completing my 5K in 25:40.  My friend Marie was only 5 seconds behind me!  We celebrated our awesome times by indulging in some ice cream after the race. :)

Sail Boats

Adaptive Art
3 Class Periods

Adaptive Art Lesson, Sail Boats

Day 1: 
Fold a piece of 12 x 18 inch white paper in half lengthwise.  Using a mixture of blue liquid tempera and modeling paste have students paint the paper blue.  Students can use texture tools or their hands to drag through the paint to create designs.  Discuss how these marks can resemble ripples or waves in the water.  Have students place paintings on drying rack.

Adaptations:
Placing a small rolled up piece of masking tape underneath the paper will keep it from sliding as the students paint.  Sponges or hands could be used instead of paint brushes.  For students that are sensitive to textures on their hands, gloves may be worn.

Day 2:
Keeping the paper folded, flip the paper over so that students can paint the sky.  On a tray place red and yellow paint.  Allow the students to mix the colors to create orange. Have students paint the sky orange using once again their hands or texture tools to create designs in the sky.  Have students place paintings on drying rack.

Adaptations:
Placing a small rolled up piece of masking tape underneath the paper will keep it from sliding as the students paint.  Sponges or hands could be used instead of paint brushes.  For students that are sensitive to textures on their hands, gloves may be worn.

Day 3:
Using paper of various colors and patterns show students how to cut out triangle and rectangle shapes to create the boats for their compositions.  Have students glue boats in place.

Adaptations:
Triangle and rectangle pieces can be cut out ahead of time for students.  When applying glue, glue sticks work best.  Students that have difficulties applying pressure required for a glue stick could paint glue on their pieces with a brush before sticking it to the composition.

Student Examples:

Thiebaud Cupcakes

Fifth Grade
3 Class Period

Thiebaud Cupcakes, Fifth Grade Art Lesson

Here is another spin on a lesson that I use to do with my sixth grade students.  This time I taught it to my fifth grade students and due to time restraints I shortened the lesson by having them only concentrate on drawing one cupcake. Tempera paint and water soluble oil pastels were used to create these delicious masterpieces.   The original lesson and information about the artist studied can be found on my blog post titled  Wayne Thiebaud Cupcakes.

Examples of Student Work: