The Imagination Station Headquarters!

The Imagination Station Headquarters!

Thursday, January 23, 2014

1st and 2nd, Intro to Patterns/ Pattern Fish

Sadly, this year I only see one First grade and one Second grade one time a week...another words, 45 min a week! Trust me, that is not much time to work with them!
Soooo, this month we learned/reviewed patterns in nature. The students were introduced to ocean life through the non-fiction book Coral Reef and the fictional book The Rainbow Fish. Next, I gave a demo for them to understand how to create patterned fish like the ones we read about. They started by tracing a fish template, then cutting it out with scissors. Next, I showed them how to "block" off the parts of the fish using various line and shape patterns from the review. Next of course came color, being sure to create a very bright friend! After the first book and demo, they finished one patterned fish to take home. I popped a hole and added string for them to hang at home. The following week we read the next book, reveiwed the process and off to work they went. While they were working independently, I cut out a large blue sheet of paper for a mural. I used old scrap paper to whip up some colorful coral, then as they finished we taped them down with old faithful, mr. ductape. This way, they can take them back in the future. This is one of two animal patterned projects, so stay tuned!


PK-Kinder Jan. 2014: Van Gogh Sunflowers

For this lesson, the students in Pre-K and Kindergarten were introduced to the artist Vincent Van Gogh.  At this point of the school year, the kids know about line, shape and colors which we have been studying since September. Now, it is my goal to teach them how to combine these elements to make recognizable and meaningful work. The students began by watching a video about Van Gogh on Brainpopjr.com. Afterwords, they were read a book about his life and work. Now the demo's begin! I used oil pastel to show them how sunflowers can be drawn with circles and curved triangles for leaves. Next they used green to draw the stems, ovals and curved lines for the vase, and a horizontal line from side to side to create the table. This makes the picture grounded, so that the flowers are not "floating" on the page. The next day they are given a demo on basic watercolor technique and off to work they go! So uninhibited, they love the bright colors and easy access to numerous color choices. If they go over the lines, oh well, the oil pastel shapes still stay strong. Great job to the many artists! As certain children finish early, I handed out a floral coloring sheet by famous artist, Claude Monet who also worked with sunflowers in 1881! Enjoy!


Tuesday, January 14, 2014

Something Extra: Tour and Workshop at The Bronx Museum of Art

Throughout the last 5 years, The Bronx Museum of Art has been very good to the students at my school. They have given us many guided tours and workshops without the hefty price tag many other institutions require. The last two years we have been led through the museum by Ivan and Fatima, two exceptional guides. Last week I took 4 classes, which were separated into two groups. We were brought throughout the current exhibition which hosts two contemporary artists, Paulo Brusky and Tony Feher. Both of the artist's have amazing work, but the opportunity for the students to stop and interpret the meanings are priceless. They began with an introduction of "What is art, What is it good for?" led by Ivan. This was actually a question posed by Brusky during one of his performance pieces. The students had an opportunity to make a mixed media collage after the tour, which always makes them happy to come home with a prize! Enjoy the pictures and please take some time to visit this great museum, whether in person or online! Mac