New Eyes

There are many ways in which we can show respect.  Words, thoughts, actions.
There are many ways we can show respect as artists.  The idea of re-purposing or re-using materials to create something new pushes us to see familiar objects in new ways.  We see with the eyes of an artist; we see  lines, shapes, space, textures and forms.  
And all the while,  new ideas arise, new connections are made. 

Exploring Big Concepts in Art...Respect

First Grade Artwork

K-5 is exploring the concept of Respect.  

We started with the central idea being:

As artists, we can show who or what we care about through the art we create. 

We first looked at some Winslow Homer pieces and the students came to their own conclusions 

as to what he may of respected or cared about.  Some responses were:

nature

children

the idea of play

peacefulness

art

the ocean

We then made a connection to ourselves by having conversations and asking questions:

What do you care about and respect?

How do you show you respect that particular thing?

Can we only respect people?

Can we respect objects, places, ideas?

Each student then created a piece based on respect. 

I respect astronauts because when they go to other planets the come back and help
us learn about them

I respect learning about dinosaurs, I learn  a lot about them

My mom, I use kind words with her and we help each other

My fish,  I feed her everyday

My family

The mountains

I respect a tree

My toys, I follow the directions and put them away in the basket

My family

My friend Adekunle, I treat him nicely

I respect trees, they are alive like humans

I respect my sister because she makes me think I can do anything in the world...

Rhythm and Sound

My Movie 8 from let there be art! on Vimeo.

Each student designed a block print thinking particularly on creating movement with the lines, colors and shapes.   Once the block print gets reprinted various times a visual rhythm occurs.  The next step was to gather in groups to create a collaborative piece of artwork.    Thinking about how each image would sound, they  composed an instrumental piece of music.  The sounds change as your eyes travel through the piece.

My Movie 6 from Gabriela Elizalde on Vimeo.

My Movie 7 from Gabriela Elizalde on Vimeo.

Play and Puppets

We've been discussing change in art. Do people change? How?  What else changes?    Can an artwork show change?  In what ways and how? 

...

 Have you ever worn a costume or a mask?  What happened?  Did you feel or act any different? 

Did you change? 

Students created a puppet by thinking first of the personality they wanted it to portray.  Will he, she or it be shy, outgoing, a girl or boy, a villain, a hero?  Now the costume must  come into play.  How can you design the costume to match the personality?   What about the background, the name, the story and so on.   

All in all, through play, kids developed an engaging narrative about their characters. Next time, everything will be pulled together to put on puppet shows.  

Change

Day and Night- Light and Dark
Kindergarten

In what ways do we experience change?  Do we see change? Can we feel change?    How can an artist show change? These questions were considered for this art experience.  By comparing artwork of day scenes and night scenes, we understand how the element of color comes into play.

My Movie 4 from Gabriela Elizalde on Vimeo.