Welcome

Welcome to the JRB art blog! If you are a parent, I hope seeing what we are creating in class will help you discuss your child's artwork with them!
If you are another art teacher, feedback is welcome! Whoever you are, please leave a comment!

Friday, December 30, 2011

Ugly Sweater Contest!

We all had a great time celebrating with our ugly sweaters!
 Thanks to Mrs. Wright for judging!

Thank You!

I just want to thank everyone for the wonderful gifts
that were shared with me for the holidays.
You are all so gracious and thoughtful!
I hope you had a spectacular holiday and will see you in the New Year!
Happy 2012!

Kindergarten Keith Haring/Mondrian Figures

Come in after vacation and take a peek at the Keith Haring figures drawn by our kindergarten classes. Many have finished designing hats and mittens in the style of Mondrian, and the rest will be finishing this week. Lots of fun going on!

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Thank You Volunteers!

I just wanted to take a moment to send a HUGE thank you out to my art room volunteers. I do not know what I would do without you. I have had such wonderful individuals joining me in the classroom, helping with students and preparation. It has been a tremendous experience getting to know everyone. So, from the bottom of my heart, thanks for everything!

Friday, December 16, 2011

Happy Holidays!


Wishing everyone a holiday filled with joy, lovingkindness, friendship, and family!
Stay safe and get some rest! See you next year!!!

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Children's Book Illustrators

Check out all of the new links I have posted of different children's book illustrators. Many of them have fun interactive aspects designed just for kids! Enjoy! :)

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

December Newsletter



During the month of December all students will be finishing pattern projects from November and reviewing the concepts we have learned so far this year.

Through the theme of winter and holiday art, students will review line, shape, and pattern, combining the concepts into one piece of art. Artists such as Mondrian and Monet will be studied. As always, check the art blog for updates and images.

Hopefully you all enjoyed viewing the artwork in the lobby as you visited for parent-teacher conferences. The Gratitude Tree will remain in the lobby through the first of the year for everyone the peruse. It is such a beautiful reflection of our school community! I hope you have enjoyed reading the hands as much as I have.

Thank you so much to everyone who ordered from the Square 1 fundraiser. Products will be arriving soon. I am so excited to see the children’s art reproductions!

Lastly, I would like to hearken back to my English teacher days and share a Robert Frost poem about winter. It is a famous one, so I’m sure you’ve read it before. Take some time to appreciate the season, both literally and figuratively. Wishing you all a safe and happy holiday season!

Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening
by Robert Frost

Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village, though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.

My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.

He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sounds the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.

The woods are lovely, dark, and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.

 

Sunday, December 4, 2011

Pattern Projects in Progress

First Grade Trees of Life inspired by Gustav Klimt

 




Third Grade Frank Stella-Inspired Sculptures:




Fifth Grade M.C. Escher inspired Tessellations:





The Gratitude Tree

Another beautiful addition to the JRB lobby has been the gratitude tree. It is a school-wide work of art that I am hopeful you have been able to peruse throughout the last few weeks. The tree will remain up until Holiday Vacation, so be sure to take some time to read the beautiful thoughts of our school community.

Did You See Our Walls?

The lobby walls of JRB are a'changin', so I thought we should take one last look at the beautiful line and shape work of our students. I am so proud of all of you!


Tuesday, November 22, 2011

WANTED: Cotton balls, Bottle caps, and Coffee cans, oh my!

I am looking for some donations of cotton balls, colored bottle caps, and coffee cans for some upcoming projects. Anything you can donate would be greatly appreciated!



Friday, November 11, 2011

Pattern Project Posters

Here are some of the projects students will be undertaking over the next few weeks:




 

Thursday, November 10, 2011

November is PATTERN Month!


What are you thankful for?

This is the question J.R. Briggs students and staff are answering as they create hand-shaped leaves for our gratitude tree hanging outside the art room. Come on in and take a peek!

Throughout November, we will be studying pattern and repetition in art. The Massachusetts Arts Curriculum Frameworks states that, For pattern and symmetry, [students should] explore the use of patterns and symmetrical shapes in 2D and 3D works, identify patterns and symmetrical forms and shapes in the environment and artwork, and explain and demonstrate ways in which patterns and symmetrical shapes may be made.”  In order to meet this goal, we will be studying and creating a variety of works that focus on this concept.

Kindergarten will be learning about ways to make patterns with shapes, colors, and even people. They will explore textural patterns through creating rubbings, and identify patterns in the environment.

The work of Gustav Klimt will be studied by the first graders, as they create a “Tree of Life”, based on Klimt’s famous painting. I have posted a link on the website to a slide show students will see on Klimt’s work. However, Klimt does have work that is not appropriate for younger viewers, so please do not blindly Google his name; stick the resources I have provided.

Second grade will continue studying abstract art through looking at the works of Victor Vasarely and Bridget Riley, two artists famous for their “Op Art”. Op art  creates optical illusions for the viewers through the use of different patterns.

Frank Stella, an artist still working today will provide inspiration for the third grade as they learn to turn a two-dimensional drawing into a paper sculpture.

Fourth grade will take a break from realism and explore the work of Andy Warhol and Laurel Burch, two very different artists who use pattern in their work. Through combining styles, children will explore colors and repetition.

Another artist known for his work with pattern and repetition is M.C. Escher. Fifth graders will be challenged to create a tessellation drawing. Tessellations are also supportive of the math curriculum.

During this month of gratitude, I want to be sure to thank everyone for their support of the art program through Square 1 Art. I was thrilled to see the students beautiful work displayed on the complementary stickers. Your support is very much appreciated.

Lastly, I want to make sure everyone has taken the time to visit the art blog. I have spent time during the last month posting new resources and websites for you and your kiddos to peruse. Take advantage of the fun! Stay Creative! :)


Monday, November 7, 2011

Don't Forget Your Square 1 Art Order!

Orders for Square 1 Art are due this
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 9TH!
Don't miss out on your chance to order!
Thanks again for all of your support!


FamilyFun Magazine is Looking for Submissions


FamilyFun Magazine is launching a new, super cool kid’s magazine called Disney’s FamilyFun Kids! It’s an ad-free, creative, can-do magazine packed with easy crafts, puzzles, games, art pages and more! And, they need your help…

FamilyFun Magazine is looking for submissions for two fun sections of their upcoming issue. If you have students or children between the ages of 6-12, here are two ways they can get involved with the magazine:

1. Make something weird out of chewing gum and googly eyes and send FamilyFun a picture.
2. Have kids take photos of any other really cool projects they’ve done such as crafts, games, recipes, artwork and more–and briefly explain what the project is, how it was made, and what makes it so cool.

Parents or teachers should email their kid’s ideas/photos to: Jordan.L.DeFrank@disney.com


If FamilyFun uses your idea in the magazine, they will send your child this cool t-shirt!

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

SQUARE 1 ART IS HERE!

Everyone should have received their complementary Square 1 Art stickers as of today! I looked through some of them, and I think they are wonderful! I cannot wait to see how they products come out! Thank you in advance for all of your support for the art program! Your support helps us do great things with your children! ENJOY! :)

DON'T FORGET TO SUBMIT YOUR ORDERS BY NEXT THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10TH!

Sunday, October 23, 2011

Finished First Grade Line Projects


Shape Projects in Progress

Here is a look at the beginnings of our shape-themed projects:





Kindergarten Shape People

This past week, kindergarteners learned that a shape is a closed line, and we discussed different types of geometric shapes. They then used these shapes to create geometric shape people. Here is what some of them came up with:




Kindergarten Keith Haring Fun

This week the Kindergarten will learn about Keith Haring and have some fun through movement!

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Shape Project Posters

Check out the poster images below for more details about the upcoming shape-focused projects!

Kindergarten Shape People