General Art News: Our school-wide "Best Self Project" is about to be displayed. Please enjoy viewing the children's portraits and their descriptions of themselves when they are being their very "best self "
Earth Day was great fun and all of that finger weaving we've been doing accumulated enough that we could give that CHS tree a great hug!
First graders spontaneously measure one piece of the finger weaving
which was donated to our tree hug on Earth Day! It was many, many "leaves long".
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Primary Artists continue to explore a variety of mediums in art class. In addition to celebrating spring with beautiful flower paintings, they explored dot painting and concentric circles with paint sticks. Most recently, these young artists wove on CD's, which was both challenging and rewarding. At this young age they are eager to stretch themselves and gain new skills. Their perseverance was amazing!
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Kindergarten Artists continue to explore textiles and recently learned how to finger weave. Finger weaving is pretty much a "right of passage" at CHS. Second graders came to the classroom to help them learn. Even Mrs. Arzt got a lesson! In addition to learning finger weaving, the students had several classes focusing on collage. Some projects were collaborative and some were individual; they learned about Matisse and his unique art created by "drawing with scissors" (cutting). They also looked closely at farm animals and discussed how to illustrate them through collage. What shapes make a pig? What actually makes a pig look like a pig? Is it their ears? Snout? Tail? Their imaginative animal collages are currently displayed in the main hallway. Most recently, the kindergarten students made colorful drawings based on their sketches from a nature walk. They were proud to share these vibrant drawings at Morning Meeting.
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First Grade Artists have been learning about Australia in the classroom. In art class they explored making Dream Paintings using Aboriginal symbols. They also made ceramic boomerangs. Most recently, in music class they made instruments out of recycled materials. Once the instruments were assembled, the students painted them in the art class. They enjoyed sharing their creations at Morning Meeting!
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Second Grade Artists worked very hard on their Dream Catchers. This project involved sewing and design skills, as well as perseverance! Dream Catchers are
one of the most fascinating traditions of Native Americans. The traditional
dream catcher was intended to protect the sleeping person from bad dreams,
while letting the good dreams through. The good dreams where believed to slip
through the holes and glide down the feathers to the sleeping person below. The
bad dreams would get caught in the web and disappear when the first rays of sun
struck them. The Dream Catcher
has been a part of Native American culture for generations. They are usually
created from a wooden hoop and decorated with beads and feathers. The reason
for the hoop used as its base is because many Native Americans of North America
held the “hoop” in high esteem, as it symbolized strength and unity. Second Graders made
their Dream Catchers with an embroidery hoop base, mesh, feathers, beads, shells,
embroidery thread, charms and ribbon. They learned some sewing techniques to
make holes and to attach their decorations. This was a wonderful problem
solving project!
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Third Grade Artists have been primarily working on their Shadow Boxes this spring. In addition to bringing in photos of their families and other personal memorabilia, they made shrink-dinks in the art room, painted, and decorated their boxes with handmade paper, mosaic tiles and word tiles. The boxes are visual personal statements about their identity and snapshots of their childhoods. They will be on display throughout the school very soon, and through Graduation Day.
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CHS Faculty Artists created their own ceramic pots! The staff had the opportunity to have an art class. They learned about clay and created a lovely collection of ceramic pots which will be displayed in the hallway once they are glazed.
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