We are reaching the end of the first quarter and so much has happened! It always amazes me the number of things that get done and happen each and every day here. The kids are working well and we are tackling our learning with gusto. The initial "Take Flight" project is hanging in the foyer, and we are on to so much more. As always, feel free to drop me a note if there is anything your child needs that I can help with. Here are some updates about current class projects: Grade 6: If your child flails their arms and recites a list of words beginning with "Point, Line, Shape..." please know it is not a Tik-Tok dance. This is how we learn the Art Elements, the basic building blocks of everything we see. By knowing this group of "ingredients" we can develop artwork to be more detailed and expressive. Our current project is one I've done for a long time (but still really like and think works well.) "It's Element-Tree" in which artists begin by using a two step brainstorming process to develop an idea, and then develop a more complex final composition through revision against the Elements list. As always, results will be on Artsonia! Grade 7: After the "Take Flight" project, artists were taught the grid drawing system to give them a concrete strategy for drawing in proportion. Most students were able to draw using this method, while some struggled with giving up their current (successful) drawing strategy of seeing the whole image at once. It is so interesting to see how the brain works while drawing in 7th grade. The ability to "see" reality and perspective varies a lot from artist to artist, and over the course of the year, will physically develop. Please encourage your kids to draw as much as possible - however they want to. This is students' last year of required art in Reading Public Schools and if they aren't seeing progress, they might just give up and become one of those adults that say "I can't draw a stick figure..." And we don't want that! In addition to grid drawing, we have completed a quick little "Element Fish" project in which students illustrated their understanding of each art element in the construction of a cut out and embellished fish. This project included locating and documenting internet resources, too. Art Studio 6: We began by stepping into the land of dreams and examining the art of Marc Chagall. We focused on creating compositions of personal dreams that have a "unreal" feel through the way the scene was organized and choices of representation. So many fun discussions happened through this project! Next we explored our physical environment through an abstract painting built from found shapes using a method pioneered by artist Ingrid Calame. We collected shapes that represented humans interacting with their environment on tracing paper, then painted, learning about color theory. Next, we are jumping into a fun project that uses our Cricut cutter to celebrate Halloween. Students are designing haunted houses using the Design Space software that we will cut out of a single sheet of paper. It is so fun watching the amazement of kids' faces as the machine creates their virtual image in paper. Coming soon to Artsonia! Art Studio 7: Moving right along through a series of projects during this course that will have students thinking about how they use imagination and observation. I base several projects in this class on the abstraction of Picasso, and how the technology of his time influenced the art he made. New technology is influencing the art made and appreciated now and I'm hoping kids will be able to make connections. We have just finished a drawing of where we live, learning colored pencil techniques along the way. They came out really well and are a beautiful example of how the 7th grade mind sees familiar spaces. Art Studio 8: A student approached me a month ago and showed me the art he has been making using A/I (artificial intelligence). I hadn't seen this technology in a long time, and couldn't believe how much it has developed and wanted to use it with the kids. We experimented with the Wombo Dream software to create a computer generated image from a word prompt. Then, students were challenged to create a physical art object based on their A/I image. They had to choose what to keep, what to not use, and what to change. Defending these creative choices results in interesting discussion about what originality is in art, and how A/I will effect our art world in coming years. Really interesting art! Digital Art: The digital artists have tried their hands at creating a few different ways already. First we used Piskel to make short animated gifs, learning about resolution and basic digital drawing tools. Next we played with Google Sketchbook to freehand draw and paint. We looked at the art of Abstract Expressionist painters of the 1950's and tried making our own abstract compositions. It is not as easy as it seems like it would be. Following this, we used the same program to create observational drawings of a small toy. This is extremely challenging to do with a mouse and trackpad, but kids did really well with it. Next up kids will explore digital photography for a couple classes and then render their favorite image using Google Drawings. This is a super skilled bunch of artists and I am always amazed - hope you will be too! Collage and Mixed Media: We began with a photomontage project in which artists created a new world using existing photos. Next we began Altered Books. These are discarded books that are painted and drawn in, transforming the book into an art object. After we complete a couple page spreads together, this book will be going home for kids to use as a journal / sketchbook and shared periodically in class. Next up will be a printmaking unit using our amazing gelli plates!
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All of my classes have started the year with a little group project in which I ask kids to learn from each other instead of directly from me. It is based on simple origami. Students were asked to think of a goal they wanted to focus on for the upcoming year, and write it on a piece of paper. Next, they could decorate the paper with colored media, and then choose an origami form to make from the paper. Here's the big catch - I am not highly skilled with origami, and had to learn along with the kids on this one. I gave them three levels of challenge with bird origami forms, and they were able to successfully teach me the first two. The theme of the project is "Taking Flight" with the class being a "flock" that had to ensure each member's success with at least one bird. Bad "dad jokes" aside, this got the kids working together and talking about goals and sharing skills. Each student was asked to make at least two birds. They were asked to donate one to a group exhibit (now being assembled -- so many paper birds!) and take one home as a visual symbol of their goal for the year. This was a fun wat to encourage collaboration and sharing to get the year started on the right note. Photos to come!
In other fun events, our adorable comfort dog Rusty came down to art and met Hapi, the less cuddly but just as adorable parrot that I share with my classes. While Rusty released several uncharacteristic booming woofs at the poor bird, Hapi just leaned into him and made kissy sounds. A relationship begins! Hello Parker Community! As we begin the 2022/23 school year, I want to thank everyone for the opportunity to work with you all as we learn, play, and create amazing artwork in Art Room 1! This is the spot I will hopefully use to post updates and anecdotes about the classes I teach. There are many different classes and not every post will update you of the happenings in every class, but I will try to share as much and as often as I can. Hapi has been asking to "Go to school?" already, so he must know what time of year it is! I am looking forward to a fast paced year filled with a variety of activities that touch on 2D, 3D, and digital media. Please keep in touch if you have any questions or concerns. Email is the best way to reach me as our phones don't ring in our classrooms, and sometimes phone messages go astray. Please let me know anything that you think will help us all have a successful year. What kids need for my art classes: I'd love it if students could bring a pencil to every class. Doesn't sound too challenging, but you'd be surprised.! Artsonia: All of my classes will be using Artsonia again this year - I can't imagine not using it! Students are assigned a screen name (their first name and a number) to represent them safely on the site, and each of their artworks are added to their own online page in the school's gallery. Students will be asked to craft short Artist Statements about their artwork, which helps reinforce learned topics and gives them a chance to further their expression. Parents/Guardians can sign up to receive an email every time a new piece is posted. Tip: If you do not want "Artsonia Spam," I have heard of parents who created a new email just for this purpose (often named "Theirname_artsonia@...") This way any annoying ads / emails will not be intrusive and can be checked every now and then. Art Club: The After School Activities will be starting up soon, and we have an Art Club. This is an open studio setting that will let kids make things they think up and design themselves, with my support. We usually have a large group all year long, and it is a great way for kids to socialize with others while doing something they enjoy. Off we go and hope all of our families are doing well! |
AuthorHello All! I am Ms. Ropple, the full time art teacher at W.S. Parker Middle School in Reading, MA. I teach four sections each of Gr.6 & 7th General Art, Semester long Art Studio classes for 6th,7th,and 8th grades, and three semester long 8th grade art electives each year. I love every minute and especially love the most creative kids in the world - our students! Archives
October 2022
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