February Vacation Week Art Activities

Need something to do this vacation?

Have no fear...I've compiled a beginning list of activities and outings to help boost creativity, 

connect as a family, and stop that age old statement...I'm bored!

Take a family field trip!

MFA School Vacation Week Activities: drop in all week for art making activities, family tours, story telling, musical performances and more!

Peabody Essex Museum Maker Lounge: There's all kinds of activities and things to see at the PEM including art making workshops and nature exploration.

Check out the Artery's list of vacation events - especially Family Day at MassArt happening this Sat. Feb. 24! I might even need to check this out out myself!

Be creative at home!

Art Hub for Kids: Visit this website for tons of tutorials and art making activities.

Try making one of these simple machines on my Rube Goldberg Hyperdoc ... comment below and tell me what you made!

Of course you could also research February's Mystery Artist!

Hope you have a fun and creative week!

Fuller Meadow Secret Artist vol. 14

We're kicking off February Vacation week with a fresh batch of Fuller Meadow Secret Artists!

This group of artists stood out to me this week for their 

kindness toward others and dedication to their artwork!  

Great Job! 

Picture Group: Bella Y. (1EH), Cameron F. (2M), Aiden P. (1KH), Ryan L. (2B), Janessa F. (KH), Ella B. (2L), Genevieve H. (1K), Haley M. (2K), Alexander C. (1S)

Sticker Group: Sanya P. (KM), Mackenzie F. (KM), Emily K. (KL)

Fuller Meadow Secret Artist Vol. 13

Extra, Extra, Read All About It! 

Here is our mighty group of Secret Artists for the week of Feb. 5. 

These artists made great choices this week both behaviorally and artistically.

Congrats Secret Artists!

Picture Group: Teagan M. (1KH), Brycen B. (KO), Ella C. (1EH), Natalie W. (1S), 

McKenzie S. (KL), Anthony C. (1K), Brinley M. (2K)

Sticker Group: Tonio O. (KM), Makinley P. (2B), Eric B. (2L)

Guided Winter Animals in Grade 1

It's hard to decide which of these animals I like better, the rabbits or the foxes,

 they all came out so dang adorable!

I have never done a guided lesson before and I found value in it that I hadn't anticipated.  I think its important to have lessons where children can feel success.   Almost every student felt good about their animal and were able to produce a work they felt good about.

My first inspiration for this lesson was on this blog, Mary Making. I then developed the drawing tutorials based on Art Hub for kids for the fox and then piecing together other tutorials for the rabbit. 

Art Hub has so many great drawing tutorials for kids, it's worth it to check it out!

We started out learning to draw these two animals step by step together as a group.

First graders learned how to take a guided drawing directive of a 

fox and rabbit and add their own artistic touches.

 Next class we choose one animal and perfected it in a final copy.  First grade artists learned how to layer and blend oil pastels to bring their animals to life.

 To create the backgrounds, we talked about perspective and how hills and trees way in the background would be smaller.  Their animal would be big and in the front because it is closer.
I used this lesson from Mrs. Knight's Smartest Artists for inspiration!

 Finally, they cut and glued their animals into their background paintings.  

The finished products were so adorable, I'm so proud of their work!

Were you able to choose which animal you liked better?

Fuller Meadow Secret Artist vol. 12

Announcing the latest group of Secret Artists for the week of Jan. 29! 

This students stood out to me this week for their focus on their work and 

their commitment to getting their job done!

Picture Group:  Enzo B. (1KH), Ibrahim A. (2B), Maeve N. (KO), Eliana M. (1EH), Brady M. (KM), Ava L (2M), Gino F., (1S), Madix C. (2L)

Not Pictured (Sticker) Group: Charlotte O. (KN), Mia S. (1T), Ayla I. (KL)

February Mystery Artist

This month Mystery Artist celebrates Black History Month!

Mystery Artist Facts:

I am an American illustrator, born in 1939 in Philadelphia.

I struggled with dyslexia as a child, and my artistic skills caught the attention of my teachers and peers.

My illustrative work often incorporates African American motifs.

I was the first African American recipient of the Caldecott Medal for my illustrative retelling of Asoep's Fable, The Lion and The Mouse.

Submit your guess in the envelope at school or in the comments section below! 

* Include your first name, last initial, and class code ONLY for online guesses (ex. George S., 5Ha)