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.

8th Grade Hidden Identity Cube

Identity can be an illusion. The face we wear on a day-to-day basis may be covering up our true identity. Students created 6 optical illusions to symbolize things they hide about their identity and or misconceptions others may have of their identity.

8th Grade Eye-Dentity Projects

8th Grade worked through an eye study and medium practice to create an eye project. The eye design is supposed to represent something that influences them. I love how serious the students took this projects and think they captured influential symbolism quite well!

7th Grade Paperboyo Art Challenge

I stumbled across a Facebook post about a street artist name Paperboyo this summer and fell in love with his work. It wasn't until we were in the beginning stages of figure drawing in class that I decided to incorporate his art into the classroom. I decided to create a Paperboyo Challenge to utilize a block period of 85 minutes.

Each student selected a landscape themed calendar image (Thanks Dollar Tree) and then created a figure silhouette to interact with it. I think the silhouette aspect of the project made drawing gestures a little less intimidating for the kids. I feel like the challenge was a success and it was a great way to gauge skills while inspiring ideas. Check out the results!