8th Grade Light Painting

8th grade wrapped up the Trick Photography unit with Light painting- the ULTIMATE team building activity. We use only smart devices for this activity. Two apps that were most successful included PABLO and Slow Shutter Cam. If you haven't tried this yet, wait no longer! Get some glow sticks, a dark space, and download those apps!

7th Grade Homeless Micrography Portraits

 Oh My Goodness. I am really overwhelmed with the level of empathy the 7th grade class has demonstrated through this extensive portrait project based on the Sacramento Homeless.

This project was inspired by Sacramento Loaves and Fishes, Doug Winter, and the words from the stories of these unsheltered people.

8th Grade Words in Nature Photography

Leading into winter break, nothing beats an outdoor photography project. This year the weather was crisp and clear and I thoroughly enjoyed being outdoors! Check out these amazing words the students created from images they took around campus.

8th Grade Forced Perspective

Nothin makes me happier than taking the kids OUTSIDE of the classroom for some teamwork and collaboration. Forced perspective if one of those projects that simply forces students to problem solve together, and it's fun, too!

November/December

Expressions Charter Chat: November/December 2018 from Jenell Novello

7th grade Humane Society Collages

The Humane Society was the first advocacy project that the 7th graders took on. Students chose a specific fight to represent with an animal collage created in the style of Deborah Shapiro. Once collages we created, the were published using their hashtags to advocate for each fight. So proud of these collages!

#StopHorseSlaughter
 

#EndFactoryFarming

#EndAnimalFighting

#StopPuppyMills

8th Grade Digital Interactions with Animals in the Wild

8th grade kicked off the Trick Photography Unit is this "wild" project inspired by Schoo Middle School Art Department. Although the uses GIMP, we opted for using a couple free apps on the iPad. This was a fun, 2-day project. :)

8th Grade Embroidered Skulls

I am so proud of the 8th grade class and their stitch work with this project. Sewing is one of my favorite things to teach because there are SO MANY applications of this life-skill.

8th Grade Plaster Sugar Skull Masks

It's always amazing to see the progression of growth mindset students experience when it comes to the process of creating plaster face masks. Understandably, there is fear of the unknown, and the anxiety that comes with that runs high. Trusting another person with your face and breathing capacity is no joke. However, the students more than prevail and feel a huge sense of accomplishment that shines brightly on their completed masks!

7th Grade Skull Prints

These skull prints created by the 7th grade are so cool! I gotta add another printing project to the 8th grade curriculum. Printing is such an engaging process and I would love to have the kids revisit it again.

8th Grade Skull/Van Gogh Mash-up Portraits

What do you get when you combine the Day of the Dead, and Vincent Van Gogh? You get THIS!

Science Calls, Expressions Delivers!

Ms. Neary decided to have students participate in a wacky planting experiment in Science using all of her excess Cheeto dust (she has a Cheeto problem :)). She decided to plant Marigold since students are also studying The Day of the Dead in Expressions- YAY!!!.Therefore, the 7th graders created skull planters in Expressions to be used for the planting experiment in Science. Perfect activity for an Art Challenge Day!

September Artsonia Newsletter

Expressions Charter Chat: September 2018 from Jenell Novello

8th Grade Identity Mastery Project

After an intensive Identity Art Unit, students synthesized their thoughts about identity into mural designs that were applied on ceiling tiles. These are display in the classroom. Nice work, class of 2023!

7th grade Interactive Gesture Drawings

7th grade worked with a calendar landscape to create a gesture drawing to interact with the scenery. After drawing the figures, they applied shading techniques using ink to create a visual contrast.