For my new students and families of 6th and 7th grade students - welcome to the BMS Art Department Blog. 8th grade students and families - thank you for continuing to read. 😀 I post a new classroom blog about every two weeks. This is a chance for me to brag about my students and showcase the work they are doing.
6th Grade
6th grade students started off the quarter by creating their own sketchbook covers to be used for their Bell Work assignments. They were asked to focus on color and texture while they painted and added a piece of plastic wrap to the covers. Once the paint was dry, the plastic wrap was removed revealing a really cool texture. Super easy!
Their first project of four for the quarter is a Positive and Negative Cityscape. Students learned about space and how artists use this in their work. They also learned a little bit about color theory by using cool or warm colors. We just finished these projects last week and I am very pleased with the effort and positive attitudes put forth. It shows in the overall quality of work. You should have seen the smiles on their faces as they finished!
6th grade students working on their cityscapes.
7th Grade
7th grade students also took the first few days of class to design their sketchbook covers. They used art paste, acrylic paint, and various tools to make texture on their covers.
The first project for 7th grade is to create a Pop Art Self Portrait. After much groaning and complaining about having to take a picture of themselves 😏 students got to work. They learned about the Pop Art Movement and various artists such as Andy Warhol, Jasper Johns, and Roy Lichtenstein. Students used bold primary colors, Ben Day Dots (just ask them), and an onomotopoeia in their portraits. They will be finishing these up early this week and move onto everyone's favorite medium - CLAY!
Pop Art Portraits being created.
8th Grade
My 8th grade students AMAZE ME! The bat house project was a huge success! After Mr. Burr's class finished building them, my students created some beautiful images on them using woodburning. All of the houses are sold and I even have orders already placed for more this spring. I think students enjoyed the presentation given by the DNR bat biologist as well. The fruit bat was impressive!
Students are now working on building a personal story pole modeled after Native American totem poles. Students will be creating 5 clay objects that represent themselves and 3 beads incorporating wire and glass beads. These beads and objects will be stackable forming a story pole. So far, the creativity is flowing....
A sample of some of the finished bat houses.
Intervention
During my day I also teach intervention to a combined class of 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students for 20 minutes. This is an enrichment class for students that are at their benchmarks for reading and math. I chose a small project that is near and dear to my heart working with the Columbia County Humane Society (I have 4 dogs, 3 are rescues).
Students were able to choose an adoptable dog or cat from the CCHS's website for their project. They have been working on making portraits of these animals from paper collage. Once the artwork is complete, they will be giving these to the new owners of the pets upon adoption. Columbia County Humane Society has also agreed to feature the student artwork on their website. What a great opportunity to pass on a little kindness.
Intervention students working on their rescue collages.
Art Club
There have been three Art Club meetings so far this quarter. What a fantastic group of students! This is a really big group with 35 students and everyone seems to enjoy being in each other's company. On Saturday, December 9th look for Art Club members in the Portage Living Windows event downtown. Art Club will be decorating gingerbread houses and stringing garland all dressed up in Victorian era clothing. There is also another event for Art Club member this month - a bead workshop at Prairie Beads. Students will be able to create a "tree of life" using various metal and beading techniques. There will be more opportunities like this throughout the school year.
As you can tell I am a really busy lady, but as I told my students, there is nothing I would rather be doing.
Your Enthusiastic Art Teacher,
Mrs. Doro
