Art
Classroom Highlights
Teacher:
Mrs. Nancy Arnot
2007-2008
“Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to
keep.” –
Scott Adams, American
cartoonist
While we spend
our time in art class learning specific techniques such as drawing or mixing
colors, we are also learning such skills that include visual-spatial abilities,
self-criticism, reflection and willingness to experiment and learn from
mistakes. We see our projects as part of the larger art world, past and present.
Our students have been inspired by changing seasons, famous artists and cultural
traditions.
Our youngest minds, Kindergarten, are finishing up their “Art Books” which
contain learning examples of each art element. Cultural diversity was explored
with African “Griot” storytelling hats and Chinese New Year fans. Grade 1 have
discovered the very first artists, Cave Art, and are exploring many artistic
styles – real, abstract and surreal. Grade 2 has discovered monochromatic color
schemes with the themes of sailing, seals and snow. Grade 3 has planned jungle
and winter “landscape” paintings, modeling clay and fiber arts with loom
weaving. In grade 4 we cut out “action” figures a la Matisse after a few live
dance sessions in class. We are now exploring Native American history through
clay petroglyphs.
We are
excited about our annual “Read Across America” bookmark contest sponsored by the
PTA. All class bookmarks, plus past winners, will be on display during the
first 2 weeks of March. An outstanding array of messages from grades K-8
focuses on “the importance of reading”.
Grade 5 has been
inspired by the patterns of Gustav Klimt as they draw themselves tucked under
their own quilts. 3-D masks also decorated our hallways. Grade 6 has been
weaving baskets, painting watercolor “reflections” and branching out with
“caricatures” of prominent community members. We’re now working on figure
sculptures.
Come visit us to see our exciting,
colorful world!! Student work is displayed in the lower hallway and on bulletin
boards. One student from each grade level 1-8 is also featured each month
as a “Student artist of the Month” in the art room. We are busy!
“Anyone who has
never made a mistake has never tried anything new.”
– Albert Einstein
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Hope
Township School