This spring, second graders embarked on a true PBL (project based learning) experience.
I was inspired by this Mrs. Knights Smartest Artists' Pet Portraits. Check out her lessons here!
When it was time to tackle our clay model magic lesson I knew my grade 2's would love it!
I started out by printing pictures of cats and dogs available for adoption from two local animal shelters, The Northeast Animal Shelter and the Cape Ann Animal Aid. Click on their links to learn more about their animal adoption.Students created animal sketches based on these images.
Following the sketching process, students began sculpting with Model Magic. Student's learned to push and pull and manipulate their clay to capture their animals best features!
The next step was to paint.
Painting was divided into 2 layers over 2 days, the background and the details.
We also experimented with using a spot of white for the reflection in the eyes and noses.
I loved seeing their rescue animals come to life with color.
They did such a great job - take a look!
Finally, to make this a true project based learning experience, students learned about the importance of adopting rescue animals from former Middleton student, Molly Wogan. Molly is such an amazing young woman. She started her own organization working and volunteering with many local Animal Shelters. Click here to learn more about the wonderful work Molly does with PAWS New England.
We were so fortunate to have Molly come and talk to the 2nd Grade about her volunteer work.
To prepare for Molly's visit we had a drive and collected donations for the Cape Ann Animal Aid; used linens, treats, newspapers, toys, and gift cards.
We loved hearing how important it is to help animals and adopt a pet!
2nd grade artists used Molly's presentation as research for their persuasive arguments about "Why you should adopt a pet." Finally, they used Chatterpix to make their special arguments!
They did such a wonderful job on their Chatterpix arguments.
This year, grade 2 artists dove into architecture and designed their own buildings.
We explored all sorts of different residential structures,
like free standing houses, town houses, and city buildings.
We examined roof lines, window details, doors, porches, and types of siding.
Students started out using a ruler to draft their building designs.
They then used crayon and marker to add color to their drawings.
2nd graders also learned to increase crayon pressure to show value in their houses and make them appear more 3-dimensional. Finally student's mounted their buildings on cardboard using varying layers of small cardboard squares behind each building to create a work of art in relief.
I loved seeing the whimsy come out in their finished houses!
Here's a few second grade artists showing off their work at our annual Flint Library Art Show!
The last surprise part of this project was tying in the green screen.
Each 2nd grader wrote an artist's statement, where they analyzed and reflected on their work.
Thank you to our Technology Specialist, Dierdre Baker who, filmed each student reading their statement and used Do Ink Tweets to put each student inside of their work.
Check out each group's performances - I loved how they turned out!
The last 2 months got away from me and I fell way behind with posting the secret artists for April and May. That doesn't mean we had any shortage though! In fact, we had students focusing even more than ever to ensure they were the week's secret artist. Take a peek at these eager young artists:
April's Secret Artists: Week of April 23 - April 2
Picture Group: Mia V. (1EH), Ayla J.(1S), Haik C.(7K)
Sticker Group: Julia B. (KO), Haddie D. (KM)
May's Secret Artists: Week of April 30 - May 5
Picture Group: Zach M. (1T), Marco I.(2M), Kip C. (2L), Ryan M. (2L), Alex C. (2L),
Noelle P. (1K), Nikola P. (2K) Sticker Group: Mira M (KM)
May's Mystery Artists: Week of 5/7-5/11
Picture Group: Christianna P. (1KH), Ava L. (1T), Gianna Z. (1K), Olivia B. (2K)
May's Mystery Artists: Week of 5/14-5/18 Picture Group: Jack L. (2B), Robbie W. (1KH), Anthony C. (2K) Sticker Group: Mia C. (KN)
May's Secret Artists: Weeks of 5/21 to 6/1 Picture Group: Colin T. (2B), Nick Y. (2M), Abby M. (2K), Kaylee A. (2B) Sticker Group: Ryan D. (1K), Logan C. (2M), Isabella R. (2L), Sophia E. (2L)
Early this year I found myself engaged in a conversation with one of the most creative teachers I know, Barbara Deeley (4th grade teacher). We had just learned about STEAM Carnivals taking place in schools around the country and asked eachother, "would it be crazy to try to do this ourselves?"
Well, we do look a little crazy!
6 months later we had recruited a group a teachers who were
crazy enough to take a chance and join us.
And like that, the first ever Middleton STEAM Carnival was born!
We started out by researching fun but achievable STEAM challenges. We found so many it was hard to limit ourselves. With the help of our fellow teachers, we selected a group of activities that teams of teachers were excited about taking on.
Check out our line up!
The week of the Carnival arrived and we worked tirelessly to tie up all the loose ends. Supplies were gathered and organized, student volunteers were recruited, sample projects made,
and festive decorations drawn and created by eager student artists.
As the night approached, I was excited but also worried. What if no one came? I convinced myself that however small the turn out was it would be ok. After all, it was our first time.
If fifty people showed up that would be good.
I was not prepared for the turn out we had. Throughout the night family after family came into the gymnasium. Each booth had a stream of participants visit and work through the challenges.
It was so much fun and there was such energy in the room.
I loved seeing families learn from each different station and share in our excitement.
In the end we had close to 300 visitors! I think we can safely call this a success.
The special WHMN News segment on the STEAM Carnival
gives you a peek on what the night was all about!
Hope to see you next year - we look forward to this being an annual event!
I have been working with children in the arts for almost 15 years!
In that time I have come to realize that art is definitely not for everyone.
There will always be the kids that are an art teacher's dream, they love every project! For everyone one of them, there are also the kids that begrudgingly come to class and kind of do their work.
At the end of the year, it seems even harder to get everyone on board.
No better time than now to dive into challenges!
I have actually introduced a few challenges throughout the year. This first one was inspired by a wonderful blog by Angela Watson, thecornerstoneforteachers.com. I love how she emphasizes the important role of challenge tasks in developing problem solving and creative thinking skills.
I started off the year with a Brown Bag Art Challenge in my Artovation classes. It was a way for me to introduce what Artovation is all about and get students hooked, engaged, and thinking creatively...
To get ready for Dot Day, I presented a dot themed brown bag challenge.
(Challenges are also a great hook right before vacations!)
Another favorite challenge is the Building Challenge: Lego Edition! I printed out these Lego Task Cards (thank you to A Few Shortcuts Blog!). Each student was given a task card, each table a Lego bin. Let the building begin! I loved seeing how different students interpreted the same task in a different way. I also saw collaboration and camaraderie. Kids would yell out if they had a Lego piece someone else was looking for. Students spontaneously joined their creations.
As you can see they loved it! I think I will need to revisit this one again ts year!
What are some of your students' favorite challenges?
This past week at Fuller Meadow student's embarked on a week of glow in the dark STEAM art.
It was an incredible week and our young artists were engaged and enthralled!
Each grade level had a specially designed art lesson featuring glow in the dark paint
and a special science connection.
Kindergarten: Magnetic Attraction
Young kinder artists experimented with magnets and explored how they can both repel and attract. After trying out a set of magnets they got to work using magnetic attraction to create marble paintings. Kinders loved using their magnetic marbles to create works of art
and loved watching their art glow!
1st Grade: Bioluminescent Sea Life
1st grade artists kicked off their art in the dark by learning about bioluminescense
and how scientists are creating the ability to glow in things like plants and trees.
Check out the video we watched to learn all about this incredible science.
Following this Ted Ed talk, students got to work on their own glowing bioluminescent sea creatures.
This lesson was inspired by artist Michelle Guieu. She has created some incredible work!
First graders used images from iPads to observe and capture their creatures in pencil.
1st graders then used fluorescent stickers to bring their sea creatures to life!
2nd Grade: Centrifugal Force
2nd graders explored this concept through the magic of spin art - and the LOVED it!
They explored how centrifugal force works by examining amusement park rides, cooking techniques, and a spin on an experiment I saw on Mr. Wizard's World.
We then used these examples to make predictions on what would happen if
we put paint in the center of a salad spinner.....
2nd grade artists learned that the paint will be forced away from the center of the spinner.
Put that together with glow in the dark paint and you get an amazing splatter of art!
These Fuller Meadow Artists' had so much fun this week.
