2nd Grade-Glazing!

6th Grade Art at Julian (and Brooks)

Dear 5th graders,

You will soon be making choices about what classes to take in middle school next year. I have really enjoyed working with you in art this year and, some of you, since kindergarten! You are all creative and have made some amazing works of art over the years. I hope that you will all consider continuing with art in 6th grade.

Here is a description of the year-long 6th grade class:

Art Foundations is the 6th grade course offering for the visual arts. This class will meet daily for the entire school year and will offer a sampling of the three art courses available here at Julian/Brooks. One trimester will be dedicated to each of the following: Fine Arts, Applied Arts, and Arts & Culture.

Students will gain a strong arts foundation by engaging in studio art experiences that challenge their creativity, give them opportunities to explore different art tools, materials, and processes, and help them gain understanding of the significant role that culture plays in the lives of artists.

While not required, it is recommended that students take Art Foundations in 6th grade if they intend to continue with art courses in their 7th & 8th grade year.

Kindergarteners Try Choice

This week the kindergarten students had their first choice day. The drawing, collage, and painting stations were open and many students worked in more than one station. They did very well getting out their own supplies and cleaning up when they were done.

Instagram

Follow the eaglesneststudio on Instagram! Check out pictures of the studio and student artwork.

Student Art Exhibit at the Main Library

Opening Reception: Saturday, October 4th 

Oak Park Main Library, Children's Section 

MORE PHOTOS HERE!

The artwork will be on display through the month of October. If you didn't make it to the opening reception I hope you can find another time to stop by and see the artwork!

Self Portraits

This year, all of the students created a self-portrait during their first art lesson. In class we looked at examples of self portraits created by different artists. The students could see that every artist has their own artistic style. Before drawing their own portraits, we discussed facial proportions and how to draw different types of hairstyles. The students chose how much of their body to draw and from what point of view. We also discussed how to find the most realistic colors to color skin, hair and eyes. Students did their best to make their portraits as realistic as possible.

For the background, they drew a place that describes something about them and what they like. Some students drew real places that they've been or would like to go; other students drew imaginary or fictional places. The goal of a self-portrait is for the viewer to learn something about the artist, in addition to what they look like.

View student self portraits on Artsonia.

What's new about Art this year?

NAME THE STUDIO

This year the art room is transforming into an art studio. The idea is that a studio is a space where artists can go to work on their art and express their own feelings and ideas. Students have been helping me think of a name for our studio. I'm collecting all the ideas and in the next few weeks we will vote on a name.

CHOICE ART

The studio is arranged in different stations, one for each type of art the students will learn about this year. This week the Drawing station was introduced and as the year goes on students will have the opportunity to work in Collage, Fiber Art, Construction, Painting and more!

As each station is opened, specific instructions will be given for working with the new materials and skills will be taught through required art assignments. Once the students have completed the required assignments and have shown they understand each skill, they will be able to work on their own ideas using those materials.

4TH and 5TH GRADES

Students in 4th and 5th grade earn a grade for art that is a part of their report card. This year they will be graded on the required assignments they complete in class that demonstrate their understanding of each skill taught as well as WOW projects they will complete at the end of each trimester.

What is a WOW Project?

• a Wonderful, Original, Work of art
• Students will come up with their own ideas for their WOW projects and complete them using the materials available each trimester. In designing their project, they will need to incorporate at least one of the skills taught in class. By the end of the year, all the stations will be open and the students will have free choice of materials to use for their projects.