What is art?

Art is a language that artists use to express ideas and feelings that everyday words cannot express.
Throughout time, the arts have been essential to human existence. When people create in images, they discover ways to shape and share their thoughts and feelings with others. The arts enrich quality of life. All students deserve access to the arts through creation, performance and study. The fine arts are fundamental ways of knowing and thinking. In addition to their intrinsic value, the arts contribute to children's development.
Works of art are some of the highest achievements of civilization. In school, students learn the language of the arts and how to interpret visual images. Because the arts are both universal and culturally specific, they are a powerful means of increasing international and intercultural awareness. Through the arts, students gain a greater understanding of their own cultural heritage, as well as a sense of the larger world community.
Source: isbe.net

Sunday, September 22, 2013

Art at Irving Elementary School

I'm very happy to be starting this fall at Irving Elementary School in Oak Park, covering for Mrs. Tague while she enjoys her maternity leave. Here is a look at some of the fun projects the Irving students have been working on so far:

Third grade student began the school year creating painted paper. We spent one class period making lots of beautiful papers that would be cut out into the shapes of boats. 

During the next class period, students learned how to blend oil pastels and use watercolor washes to create a lovely seascape.

Second grade students started out with a self-portrait painting inspired by Pablo Picasso and the Cubism movement. Using black oil pastel, they drew their faces, then added non-realistic color with watercolor paints.
After completing their self-portraits, the 2nd grade students worked on a torn-paper collage of zebras in a natural habitat. We started by drawing zebras from observation (using photos, of course!) in black crayon. Then the children tore pieces of black construction paper and glued them to their drawings to make the stripes. Paper scraps and collage techniques were then used to create a place for the zebras to live. 

The fourth grade students began the year with a challenging drawing and painting project. After looking at photos and discussing the characteristics of tropical birds, children drew a variety of birds in a natural setting. When drawings were complete, they were painted with tempera paints, and students were further challenged to mix a variety of new and unique colors with the paints.


Fifth graders were excited to start the year off working with clay - a favorite of almost every student. We took inspiration from Aztec sun stones and created wall hangings of terracotta suns. First the students mapped out their designs on paper and then transferred that design to the clay. The suns are almost finished drying and will go in the kiln at the end of this week. Then the glazing begins!




And I also want to thank everyone who made it into the art room for the Irving Open House night and contributed to our community circle painting. The project was a big hit with kids and adults alike, and together we created a fun and colorful mural painting. 




Stay tuned for more photos and details about kindergarten and first grade projects, coming soon!
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1 comment:

  1. Ms. TagueSeptember 23, 2013 at 9:52 AM

    Wow! Looks like you've had a great start to the school year! I love the painting for open house, what a great idea!

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