Synthia Saint James

The 8th grade class reproduced art in the style of Synthia Saint James using color theory and acrylic paint. This is one of my favorite modern-day artists to introduce to the kids because her style is vibrant in color but simplistic in form. Because if this, students are drawn to her work but not intimidated to sketch it on paper.

Medieval Knight Unit

Medieval Knight is unit of curriculum developed to create a culminating event to support Social Studies Castle Project. To make the viewing and judging of castles more of an event, Expressions students will perform medieval dance and medieval music played by recorders. Each student will also make a clay gargoyle and shield with their family crest to decorate the front of each castle.

I Have A Dream

It's time to pull the reins and direct kids toward the visual arts. We begin the Black History unit mid-January and it'll carry out through the end of February. Last week the kids read the "I Have a Dream" speech by MLK. Only a few hands were raised when I asked if anyone read or heard the entire speech. The lack of insight indicated a need to do a piece on figurative language and symbolism. It also gave me an idea to add speech analysis as part of the Public Speaking curriculum- but more on that later. Here are some pictures of the I have a Dream oil pastel.

Pillow Craze

Here are some pictures of the BODY pillows kids sewed this past week and finished today. What motivates me to get them graded quick is the fact that they take OVER my room plus the kids ask me every 5 minutes "Can I TAKE MY PILLOW HOME YET?!"
They are pretty proud of their achievement and should be. The pillows are carefully hand sewn including a zipper enclosure.