4th and 5th Grade Sketchbook Assignment!

All 4th and 5th grade students are required to keep a sketchbook for art this year. The purpose of this is for the students to practice their drawing skills outside of art class, and it allows them to draw things that interest them. I gave them a list of drawing ideas, “I didn’t know what to draw” is no excuse for not completing the required drawings each trimester. Students can pick an idea from the list or they are welcome to come up with their own ideas.

Below is a copy of the assignment sheet the students received in class. Report card grades will be based on a combination of each student’s sketchbook and class assignments.

4TH AND 5TH GRADE SKETCHBOOK ASSIGNMENT

Requirements:
· 10 sketchbook drawings are due each trimester.
· Select an idea from the list or get creative and make up your own.
· Spend at least 20 minutes on each drawing. Take your time and add lots of details.
· Draw during free time in class or at home, just don’t forget to bring it back to school!
· Sketchbooks will be checked randomly during art class and graded each trimester.

Sketchbook Grades:
4 = Student completed more than 10 drawings on time. Drawings are detailed and it is obvious that student put a lot of thought and time into each drawing.
3 = Student completed 10 drawings on time. Drawings are detailed. It is obvious that student took time to complete.
2 = Student did not complete required amount of drawings and/or sketchbook was not turned in on time. Drawings that were done looked rushed, and do not include much detail.
1 = Student did not complete or did not turn in sketchbook on time. Drawings look rushed and/or incomplete.

Sketchbooks will be collected and graded these dates:
Tuesday, November 24th
Friday, February 26th
Friday, May 21st
(All sketchbooks that are in the art room on the due date will be considered on time.)

Welcome Back!

It’s that time of year again and I can’t wait to get started! I am so excited to see how the students have grown over the summer and to meet the new kindergarteners.

One of my goals this year is to keep this blog updated. Throughout the school year you will be able to check in here and read about what you’re student is up to in art class. I will include a little info about artists and concepts we discuss in class and hopefully you will continue the discussion at home.

In the top right corner, you will see a link to ArtSonia where you can view student artwork. You can always look back on what your child has created in years past, as well as see the artwork they are doing this year. It is also possible to purchase items (like t-shirts and mugs) from the website printed with your child’s masterpieces. They make awesome gifts and are a great way to preserve your favorite artworks.

Check back soon!

A little about me...

As some of you may know, I grew up in Oak Park and went to Irving School when I was a kid. I also attended and graduated from Julian and OPRF. I always knew that I wanted to be an artist and work with kids. I studied art at Columbia College for three years, then transferred to Northern Illinois University and became an Art Education major. After lots of studying and a semester of student teaching, I graduated in December of 2007 with a degree in art education. Then I began the job search.

In the spring I did some substitute teaching in Berwyn and taught ceramics for the Park District of Oak Park. I could not believe it when I heard that Ms. Johnson (my old art teacher) was retiring and that Irving was looking for a new art teacher. I knew that I wanted to teach elementary art so I applied for the job, and you know the rest.

I am so excited to be teaching art at Irving this year! I have had a great start of the school year and have enjoyed getting to know the students and the rest of the Irving community. Everyone has been very nice and welcoming.

Online Art Museum

If you have not already heard, I have begun publishing student artwork in an online art museum. The website is called ArtSonia and it is a place where you can go to view your child’s artwork and browse through artwork by students all around the world. You can also register yourself as a parent, which allows you to write comments about the artwork and view comments written about your child’s art.

ArtSonia also has a gift shop where you can purchase items with your child’s artwork printed on it such as T-shirts and mugs. 15% of all the purchases for Irving School go towards the art program for materials and supplies.

Click the link on the right to go to ArtSonia and view artwork now!