Japanese-Inspired Art

The first grade classes at my current school recently completed a gorgeous cherry blossom project. It had some similarities to one I'd done in the past, with both 8th graders and preschoolers. I came here to look up the pictures and realized I'd never posted them! When I dug them out, I came across a happier surprise - the last time I did the cherry blossom project, I displayed it with a printmaking project I came up with on my own - and really like, as it teaches students about three different types of printmaking, requires the students to take care in their craftsmanship, and can be done without a ton of special printmaking supplies. 

Back to School!

I've survived the first week back at Saint Ann School.  I'd forgotten how nice it is to be a second-year teacher - you go in and already know the school, the faculty and staff, and most of the kids.  I failed in last year's goal of remembering every child's name, so we started with a name tag project that I hope will help get me off on the right foot this year.  I'm also looking forward to starting an Artsonia gallery for the school, taking a fall field trip to the Met, and possibly scheduling a school-wide art show.

But in the meanwhile, have some art from last year...

 

 Stained Glass Windows, Our Lady of Angels 5th Grade

Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening

Whose woods these are I think I know.   

His house is in the village though;   

He will not see me stopping here   

To watch his woods fill up with snow.   

My little horse must think it queer   

To stop without a farmhouse near   

Between the woods and frozen lake   

The darkest evening of the year.   

He gives his harness bells a shake   

To ask if there is some mistake.   

The only other sound’s the sweep   

Of easy wind and downy flake.   

The woods are lovely, dark and deep.   

But I have promises to keep,   

And miles to go before I sleep,   

And miles to go before I sleep.

-Robert Frost

*Lesson by Joan Sterling, Feb. 2009 ed. of artsandactivities

Outer Space Watercolor Resists

This is a great two-class project that I'm doing with 3rd-5th grade at both my schools.  The artwork below is by the 5th grade class at Our Lady of Angels.

Monochromatic Self-Portraits

Click to see a larger image.