K & 1: "Wild About Lines"

K & 1 Wild Things

Markers flowing, scissors cutting, and imaginations running WILD...this is what's been happening in the art studio these past two weeks! And while my custodian might not be the happiest human right now (due to our developing cutting skills)...I have been filled with joy to have witnessed the creativity sprouting in my kindergarten and first grade classes! I had the students give their "Wild Thing" a name, and create a short narrative about what kind of creature they have created. The names and stories brought millions of smiles to my face!!

Here are a few examples of work in progress:

...and those were all kindergarten examples...WOW!!

I then decided to create the "land of the Wild Things" for our little friends to live, dance, and play in...(a bulletin board) which also showcases our unit on line!

My "Wild Thing"

Hand Painted Background

Land of the Wild Things

We're Wild About Lines

Awesome Craftsmanship

I hope you enjoyed following my artists as we learned about line!

Miss Miller

4th & 5th Grade: Hip Hop Shoes & Contour Drawings

In 4th and 5th grades this week, we have been reviewing types of lines we already know (straight, curved, wavy, thin, thick and broken), and learning about new types of lines such as edge and outline. We reviewed/learned through the interactive game,  The Artist's Toolkit (Edge & Outline). I told the students that our first project would be creating drawings of our shoes using a contour line for the shoe, and using other types of lines to create an interesting and visually stimulating background.

...and this is when the fun began. I introduced the students to one type of art career: design. We headed on over to the Converse Shoes website, where we chose and designed different types of shoes. The students had SO much fun designing! Next week we will be starting a drawing of these shoes using contour lines.

Here are the links to create your own shoes---you can even buy them after designing them...how fun!!

Converse

Adidas Men   Adidas Women

Nike Kids


UPDATE**

We have finally finished up with this unit on line! Here are some great examples!

I think these turned out fabulously :)
...what do you think??

Miss Miller

2nd & 3rd Grade: Continuous Line Drawings

This week in 2nd and 3rd grade we have been learning and reviewing different types of lines: straight (horizontal, vertical, diagonal), curved, wavy, zigzag, thick, thin, outline, and broken. We started out reviewing these types of lines using The Artist's Toolkit. Students were able to come up to the board and practice finding these types of lines within different works of art. We then, as a class, created an artwork using these types of lines. After learning about these lines, we read the book "Follow the Line to School". This is an awesome book that uses only ONE line to create many different images in the book. The line carries us through different rooms within the school, and asks students different questions about each classroom.

Next week, we will be creating our own work of art that will be made up of three images using only one line. Keep on practicing identifying these different types of lines using The Artist's Toolkit (click the link above)!

UPDATE**
We have finished our unit on line. Here are my examples of student work throughout the project!

practice day

work in progress

work in progress

work in progress

I was elated to see that so many of my friends chose art as their favorite part of school!! :)

Miss Miller

K&1: "Wild Things"

This week in Kindergarten and First grade, we have been exploring different types of lines: Straight, Curved, Wavy, Broke, Thick and Thin. We started exploring these types of lines through the interactive Artist's Toolkit using the smart board. Students were able to go up to the board and find these types of lines within different works of art. We then created our own work of art using these types of lines. After we learned about types of lines, we sat on the rug and read "Where the Wild Things Are". This is one of my favorite childhood books, and the students "roared their terrible roars and gnashed their terrible teeth and rolled their terrible eyes and showed their terrible claws" along with the book! While we read the book, students were able to point out different types of lines they saw in the book. 

"Find the Line" Activity

Line Design

Next week, we will be creating our own "Wild Things" using the different types of lines we learned about this week! Pictures to come :) 

Miss Miller

P.S. Go play with the Artist's Toolkit  and practice finding and using lines...it really is so much fun!

Take a TOUR of the FCE Art Studio!!

This year I was fortunate enough to be able to move the art studio to a different, brighter portable that was previously used as a fifth grade classroom. I am so happy to be in a room with numerous windows and tile floors (easier clean up for those messy paint days)! Here are a few photos from around the room:

Much of the room design was inspired by my favorite author and illustrator, Eric Carle. I used Eric Carle bulletin boarder, rules, and color display.

Our class rules

Eric Carle Animals/Colors

Eric Carle Animals/Colors

Each table has a hanging mobile of a designated artist. I use this for calling the students to the rug, picking up supplies, and lining up at the door: "Will my Monet's please push in their chairs, and line up at the door." Some classes also played a fun "line" game this week, using mini whiteboards, and each team was named after their artist.

Table 1: Claude Monet

Table 2: Faith Ringgold

Table 3: Andy Warhol

Table 4: Salvador Dali

Table 5: Pablo Picasso

Our "Word Wall" is where the vocabulary words and essential questions for each grade level are posted. Right now, we are learning and reviewing different types of lines.

Word Wall: Grades K-5

Art Objectives: Grades K-5

During the last five minutes of class, students will complete an "Exit Slip". Exit Slips help the students to reflect and process new information while practicing their writing skills, and they help me to check for students' understanding. A new question is posted each week; students will answer the question, and post their answer to the number that correlates with their seat number (found on the back of their chair).

Exit Slip chart

In the art studio, if students choose not to follow the rules, they are given one warning. If they continue to not follow the rules, they are expected to sign the behavior folder. Each class has a folder with their classroom teacher's name on the front. They will write the date, their name, and what rule they were breaking. 

Behavior Folders 

I also like to reward my classes that follow the rules. If no more than two people in a class have to sign the behavior folder, the class will receive a "fish sticker" for their class treasure map chart. When a class has earned 5 fish stickers, they will get to participate in a "Free Art Day", or in other words, art of their choice. Also, for each grade level, the class that receives the MOST fish stickers on their maps, will get to partake in a special "Art Party" at the end of the year!! My little artists are trying their hardest to reach that goal!

Positive Behavior Treasure Maps


This year our theme is "Setting the Course for the Treasure of Knowledge" (which further explains the treasure maps above). Here is our pirate themed bulletin board, which will display student work.

I am also so blessed to have two computers AND a Smart Board in the art studio. We will be using these for centers, and to enhance learning through interactive art games!

Thank you for stopping by, and taking a look at the Fort's Art Studio! I hope you enjoyed seeing where your little artists will be exploring their creativity this year!!

Miss Miller

Welcome!

Welcome to the Fort Caroline Elementary School art blog!

My name is Ms. Miller, and this is my first year here at the Fort! I have been getting to know each and every one of my smARTest artists these past couple weeks, and I am THRILLED to be working with such an amazing group of young, enthusiastic students!! It is my goal to create a place in which my students can develop a sense of awareness for their skills and potential as artists and individuals.

This year, I will be seeing every class once a week! This is a big change from previous years. I have so many exciting things planned for the year, not only including art projects (of course), but also planning art activities that will strengthen the students' skills in other content areas, such as reading and science.

I will be using this blog to update parents, family, and friends about all of the tremendous learning and fun that is happening in our art studio. I will be posting pictures of student work, what we are learning, and links to various art websites we use in class!

If you have any questions or concerns about your student, please feel free to contact me at Millers7@duvalschools.org. Thank you for stopping by, and I am looking forward to a wonderful year!

Ms. Miller