I am sad to say 1st quarter is coming to a close. I have enjoyed teaching your students so much I hate to let the 6th and 7th grade students go (8th grade students have art for a semester). I have had the pleasure of creating with some outstanding individuals!
6th grade students will be finishing up their Upcycled CD Mandalas this week. (Thank you Mr. Kibby for the donation of CDs!) Students worked hard creating radial symmetry with line, shape and color while doing a bit of upcycling to keep used CDs out of the landfill. As I walked around the classroom I was amazed by all the unique designs I saw taking shape.
6th grade CD Mandalas
7th grade students have been very busy creating sculptures, glazing pottery, and working on one point perspective. I have put a lot of thought and time into developing the art curriculum for 7th grade students. The projects are beautiful, but very time consuming.
The Aboriginal Abstract Sculptures are on display in the showcases throughout BMS. These are some of the best displays of art I have ever seen! The dedication and effort many students put into their pieces really shows. 👏
The last 7th grade project for the quarter is working with one point perspective to create a cityscape of skyscrapers. Students are learning about vanishing points, parallel/perpendicular lines, and orthogonal lines. They will continue to work on these this coming week.
7th Grade Abstract Aboriginal Sculptures
Onto 8th grade! Usually, 8th grade students work with more complex materials since it is an elective class. The current project in no exception. Each student will be using wood burning to decorate their own bax house. Mr. Burr's 8th grade tech. education classes built 40 bat boxes as part of their mass production unit. They did a fantastic job. Thank you Mr. Burr and all of his students. We were fortunate to have some of the building material donated by Portage Lumber and the Lake Delton Home Depot. Thank You! My art students have been practicing their wood burning skills on scrap pieces of wood the past week and are ready to tackle the bat houses.
Each bat house will hold about 40 bats and are for sale for $20.00. Half of the money will go to the tech. ed. department and the other half will go to the art department. Students' families and friends get first chance to purchase a house. Many have already been sold. 😀
We will also have some visitors at Bartels on November 17th. A representative from the Wisconsin DNR will be giving a presentation to 8th grade tech. ed and art students explaining the importance of bats in our community. She will also be bringing her live brown bats as well as a couple of fruit bats to share with the students. VERY EXCITING!!!! If you are interested in purchasing a bat house please let me or your art student know. 👍
8th grade students preparing their bat boxes for wood burning.
This spring the first Annual Bartels Art Show will be taking place. I am determined to have at least one piece of art displayed from each of my students. Because of this show, not all student work will be handed back at the end of quarter. After the spring show all artwork will be returned. A date for the art show will be determined soon.
Art Club will be starting 2nd quarter. A letter was sent home with all enrolled students with a list of dates. There is also a list of meeting dates posted outside my classroom door. Art Club members will have an opportunity to participate in the Living Windows on December 9th in downtown Portage. I have also spoke with the owner of Prairie Beads and we are planning 3 mini field trips to her shop to make a project after school. More information will be available soon.
Congratulations to Naomi Saalsaa!!! She was chosen as Art Student of the Month for October. She is a well deserving candidate for this award.
Your Enthusiastic Art Teacher,
Mrs. Doro
