Monday, September 15, 2014

The Most Important Colors

This year, I started my kindergarten classes with the discussion of the three most important colors in the art room.  RED, BLUE and YELLOW.  Students learned that these three colors were called primary colors and they created all the other colors on the color wheel.

We went over my art room expectations for painting, how to clean their brush and palette, where to place their completed paintings and what to do when they were waiting for their friends to complete their tasks.  My kindergarteners IMPRESSED me with their listening skills this year.  It made my heart burst with pride on what a great job they did following directions.



Kindergarten students practicing mixing primary colors and using proper paint techniques.

  

Monday, September 8, 2014

Radial Design Action

Fifth Grade Art



 Fifth grade art students have been busy the first few days of school working on radial design.  A radial design is a circular design that has symmetrical parts arranged around a central axis.  We used an A/B pattern to create this design.

Today we discussed several color schemes for students to pick for their project.  Complementary, Warm, Cool, Neutral, Primary and Secondary.  Once a color scheme is selected students use markers to color their design.

We should be finishing up this project by the end of the week.

Here are a few more examples of work in progress:





Sunday, September 7, 2014

Rugged Maniac 5K Mud RUN

I had another race this weekend.  This  race was in Taylor Falls, MN.

It  was a 5K obstacle mud run.  There are a couple things that makes this race so special to me.  The first being that my mother (who will be 63 on Wednesday) did this adventure with us.  She has never ran a race in her life!  I can't even begin to explain how amazed and proud of her I am. My brother also, flew up from Florida to run this race with us and my sister drove over from Minnesota to be there, too!  It was the first time in my life that I had the chance to run with my whole family.  
My brother is taking the picture and I am hugging my mom.
The second thing that made this race really cool, was our team costumes.  Being the artistic one, I had to come up with our theme.  I painted yellow stocking hats to look like Minions and added black pipe cleaners to the top to make the hair.  Once everyone agreed to wear a yellow shirt and blue shorts...PRESTO...we had MINIONS.  We received many compliments on our costumes!

Below are a few more actions shots of me completing the Rugged Maniac.



Friday, September 5, 2014

First Week!


What do I have my K-4 classes work on in art during the first week of school?  PORTFOLIOS!  We will use these portfolios throughout the year to store our artwork.  During parent teacher conferences we will be able to easily share all the creations we have made and it will be a wonderful place to look for artwork for last minute art exhibits and contests!

Thursday, September 4, 2014

Cereal Box Bouquets

If you follow my blog you may remember my cereal box sketchbook lesson that I did with my students. This project went so well, that I decided to have my fourth grade students make them again for their sketchbook for this school year.

Yesterday, I had my first fourth grade class.  Those that took summer school were very excited about getting the opportunity to make another cereal box sketchbook, and the students who missed on the opportunity were very excited once they saw my example.  I informed the students that I needed their help in bringing in cereal boxes.  We needed roughly 78 cereal boxes by next week, and even though I eat cereal, I can't eat 78 boxes over the weekend by myself.

I joked with my students that when they bring me a cereal box, it is like bringing me a dozen roses.  It is one of the best gifts I can receive.

Today, I had 3 fourth grade students bring me 14 (dozen roses) cereal boxes.  I was overjoyed!  I can't wait to start on our sketchbooks!  To all my students that have given me cereal boxes so far...THANK YOU!  Keep them coming, they make me so HAPPY!

Mrs. Allen with her cereal box bouquets!