Happy Halloween! oooOOhhOOOhhhOOOHhhwwwooohh!

hahaha!
I have my costume, do you?  I know, you're going to say I don't need a costume when I'm scary without.  Very funny.  I found something you might enjoy:
http://www.origami-instructions.com/origami-halloween-pumpkin.html
use copy paper to try it.  I love how they have actual photographs.  Usually I have
a very difficult time with this, so that helps!

Well, today, in Elementary Art, we will start with a pictoral version of an acrostic about Thanksgiving with the 2nd
Grade.  I'm kind of excited to see how this works out.  You know, the ideas in my head are often different on paper! ha.

Tomorrow the 1st grade will continue their collages based on Eric Carle's books.

Wed. with the shortened class we won't be going crazy with something extravagant...We will be playing a color game based on fall objects.  It will be interesting to see if they can remember what the primary and secondary colors are!

The Art I gals are going to be working on Op Art pieces.  Based on M. C. Escher, Andy Warhol and other contemporary artists, they will be creating a piece of their choice.

Brandon P is busy learning the intricacies of Adobe Illustrator.  It's really fun to learn from him and for his enthusiasm to "rub off" on some of my afternoon class' students!  Thanks, Brandon!

Kady is still working on creating a painted masterpiece out of an old Apple computer.  It's interesting, to say the least!   She promised me she'd get her "Imitate Picasso" monochromatic pastel piece done this week...Here's Tessa's finished piece:

The idea behind this piece was to mimic Picasso's "Blue Period", but using their choice of subject matter and medium.  This is a more interesting way to learn about art history than the boring slide shows I was shown in College!

The Photography students made it through their first challenge!  Hopefully they gained some knowledge and will apply it to the next challenge:  Things that move!    This was done by posting an album on Facebook and having the student use similar parameters to create their own version and then post it so that we could do a class critique.  Their next project is one called "Photo Cubism" and it's due on November 12th.  If you'd like to see their work go to:

http://gthsphotography.wikispaces.com/

The Graphic Design students have so many options I only added one thing this weekend.  I challenged them with a "real" job.  Redesigning a logo, brochure and business card for a new chiropractor in Estherville.  We'll see who's up for THAT challenge.

Kayla is back from National Convention this week, and I'm sure will have interesting photographs to share and add to the yearbook.

Heather, has been out sick, but will hopefully finish her guitar this week.

To check up on the graphic design students, go to http://gthsgraphicdesign.wikispaces.com/

As for me, I'm preparing for our dance clinic on Nov. 13th, possibly working with the Show Choir, working on my TAG Internship, developing lunch seminars, and learning about Web Design.  You know, the usual.  No rest for the wicked!

Uh oh...

With all the craziness lately I realized I hadn't blogged.  BUT you can always check things out by going to my Wiki http://gthsart.wikispaces.com .

The weather is so gorgeous lately, that in afternoons if we open the door in my classroom it can be hard to stay focused.  I hope you are enjoying this gift of beautiful weather!

The elementary classes were so fun this week.  Yesterday the kindergartners and I drew people, after I found that they were missing body parts in pictures they were drawing in their classroom.

The first grade watched a video of the book written and illustrated by Eric Carle called "The Quiet Cricket" on YouTube and then used old watercolor pages and drawings to create a collage similar to a page from one of Eric Carle's books.

The Photography students were challenged to take 10 photos similar to ones Mrs. Farnum had posted to an album on Facebook.  They were taken around her home of various items.  The idea is to use the Ten Steps to Better Photography and the Rule of Thirds and "mimic" her album.

The Graphic Design students are beginning to learn Adobe Illustrator.  I posted numerous tutorials and assignments to my Wiki to aide in this endeavor.  Check out our student work on the site:  http://gthsgraphicdesign.wikispaces.com 

Kady is working on creating a masterpiece out of an old Apple Computer in Advanced Art, and in Art I is working on a monochromatic chalk pastel "ala" Picasso.  Tessa is done with her monochromatic oil pastel of a coke can.

Brandon Peyton is really working hard on effects and tools in CS5 and has interesting posts to his page.

Kristi Girres is working on editing photographs she took and Gabby Kerr is creating some very interesting "mice" from old computer mice.

This week I ordered dance tops and poms for the GT Dancers.  Looking forward to seeing what dances Laura, our choreographer, comes up with!

We have begun thinking about the theme for prom (April 30) and will be working on decorating ideas to present at the next meeting.

Well, I'll sign off for now...have a great weekend!

ARG, matey! It's LIFE in the Art Classroom and beyond...

First of all, I would like to thank the G-T Board of Education and the Administrators for purchasing Adobe Creative Suite 5 for our students and staff!   It is an amazing suite of software that will allow us to do some very "real world" activities, like web design, photo illustration, and graphic design.  If you have never seen the program in action there are tutorials on YouTube.  Watch this video to experience it!  

Well, the Professional Development day was worthwhile and I learned how to "green screen", picture in picture and various other cool effects in iMovie!  I also "connected" with the Art teacher from Laurens-Marathon and he reminded me of a site that would be fun to use called Artsonia.  If you have time go to it and type in Laurens-Marathon to view over 1400 student works of art!

Today in the First grade class we will be tracing and cutting out our hands to make ghostly gouls, as we need fine motor skills honed in the Elementary classes.  We'll check to see if they know of a "classification" name for black and white.  (Neutral, is what I'm asking about...there are 6 neutral colors.  Can you name the other 4?)

Tomorrow the Kindergarten will continue to work on, and hopefully finish their torn paper pumpkins.  We'll see if they remember what the warm colors are as well.

In Art I the girls continue with their monochromatic (tints/shades of one color pastel drawings.  Kady is using chalk pastels on her bottle and Tessa is using water based oil pastels on her "Coke can" drawing.

The Photography students are working on posted assignments as well as a challenge to take the best 10 photos of "things" around their house.  They must use the 10 Steps to Better Photography and the Rule of Thirds!

The Graphic Design students should be so busy...there are so many assignments to choose from on the Wiki and I know there's something for everyone.  (http://gthsgraphicdesign.wikispaces.com)   If you go to the page and scroll down, you will see student pages and their work is uploaded for everyone to view.
We are also working on the 2011 yearbook and looking at various school websites to see what is "good" when we begin planning our own!

Advanced Art Students--Kady is working with the Creative Suite products and various projects.  I never have to worry about her being busy!  Kristi is attempting to finish her oil pastel of apple blossoms and an interesting "toast" project.  We should have some very interesting entries in the Conference Art Show this year!

We'll begin planning Prom this week...

Laura Fandel, recent graduate of ELC HS is choreographing 2 dances for our "Dance Club".
There will be a Clinic to learn the dances in the afternoon on November 13 @ 2:30pm.

As a "side note"...I am looking for students like Payton, maybe a little older.  I'd like to learn more about what other disabled children like him are learning and doing.  What systems they are using to communicate, what curriculum they are following and how they are being prepared for life after their public education.  If you know of anyone like that please let me know!  Thanks!

It came and we survived...HOMECOMING!

Arrgghh matey, it's over, and boy am I beat.
Didn't know I would basically have to help all 4 classes with their
golf carts in some way.  It sure was interesting.

Now it's time to buckle down and get to work!

Art I gals can finally take their quiz about the Art Elements, and continue to
"Imitate Picasso" by creating a monochrome drawing/painting.

Photography folks will have photos to edit, and an assignment of their choice
to complete.  I think they should do "Photocubism" or a Photo in 3D, which
was a favorite of the other instructors judging the Conference Art Show last Spring.

Graphic Design...we are all patiently waiting for our "REAL" CS5 licensed software,
so we can get truly on task.  Some folks still don't have the trial version and some
have versions about to expire.  If you go to that page you can see their work
by clicking on the student's name:  http://gthsgraphicdesign.wikispaces.com/
We will have some work to do on the newsletter, website, concert programs
and other exciting adventures soon!  The 2011 yearbook is now being contemplated.
We need to choose the cover and fonts soon.  Still waiting for the 2010 to arrive.
Trying to be patient...

Independent Students--Kady finished her screenprint, and is going to be choosing
a new project Monday.  Kristi had to put away her oil pastel before she burned it.
Sometimes that has to happen for awhile if you tire of a certain medium.  Maybe
we'll interest her in some of the graphic design assignments.  It would be good to
get her creative perspective!

K, 1, and 2 will be doing fall projects this week.  I'll be thinking about what this afternoon.
I know one class will be doing leaf printings.  It is fun and they all love it.  I'd like to
paint pumpkins, but with 26 in a class that'd get a little pricey.  So...maybe torn paper
cats or pumpkins, and spiders or bats.  Bats and spiders can be cute, unless of course
they are real and you find them in your bed (as I have...right mom?).
To see what the real plan is go to:  http://gtelementary.wikispaces.com/

So.  I'm still here, and I'm still at the same level of sanity as before it all started.
If you'd like to see my photos of the week go to my smugmug soon and they'll be there:
http://www.mrsf.smugmug.com

Well, have a great first week of October!
It's be-uuuuooooooooooo-tiful...
df