Rise Rally

Well...it's only taken me one week to get off track already, lol.  So....one day late, but here's this week's update!

All of my classes are currently working on their Art to Remember projects!  I'll have a little more information regarding A2R in late September, although I have a feeling many of you might already know what it is.  In any event, all of my classes have had the opportunity to select one of three projects to work on and complete for Art to Remember.  We'll take a look at some of the artworks next week.

The big highlight of the week was our first Rise Rally of the school year.  Students were introduced to the Creekview RISE Habits of Mind (Respectful, Innovative, Supportive and Excellence) from our Commitment to Excellence winners from last year.  It's always a great and fun way to kick off the year.  

Everyone enjoy your three day weekend!  Talk to ya next Friday (...unless I forget again which means I'll talk to ya next Saturday, lol...)

WELCOME TO THE 2019-2020 SCHOOL YEAR!!!

After a LONG hiatus...I'm dusting off the 'ol art blog with the hopes of keeping up with Friday updates!  So...welcome to the 19-20 school year AND...welcome to the CIS Art Room!!!

Things are just getting started in the art room!  This week all first trimester classes learned and/or reviewed the art room rules and expectations before beginning their first projects of the year.  Here's a sneak peak at some VERY early work on some final drafts.  

The school year is going to be full of fun and surprises!  Hope many of you will come back each week to see what's shaking in the CIS art room!  

The 2019 CIS Student Art Showcase

Congratulations to the following students whose artworks have been selected to take part in the 2019 Student Art Showcase at the Houston House.  The Showcase will feature nearly 100 student works from this year's Creekview fifth and sixth graders.  The Showcase will be held on Saturday, April 13th from 10am-3pm at the Houston House located at 264 West 5th Street.  All are welcome to come celebrate the artistic achievements of these young artists.

6th Grade Drawing Projects: Austin Bennett, Emily Wright, Olivia Gratz, Natalia Alessi, Aiyanna Warrick, Lauren Colopy, Pranshu Jahagirdar, Sara Beckwith, Boston Burkhardt, Montana Hoyt, Ellery Brandenburg, Amy Baker, Alexis Corbett, Kiki Melms, Kaylie Smith, Kai Brown, Katherine Collings, Zoe Cords, Shekinah Tuazon, Allee Forrider, Elise Gilsinger, Courtney Parrish, Thomas Diep, Javion Double, Lauren Niekamp, Vivian Avink, Ella Wood, Lyla Tabor, Ryan Chen and Quinn Peterson

5th Grade Drawing Projects: Madison Surwill, Mercy Ward, Layla Baker, Madison Corbett, Jackson Melish, Braden Gadd, Hannah Bury, Aiden Hamilton, Valeria Primera-Tapia, Nyla Baumbarger, Emma Diers, Avery Shaw, Katherine Heap, Jovie Traucht, Keilana Ferguson, Emma Wing, Kate Golla, Connor Zehnder, Mack Weithman and Jackson Snyder

6th Grade Painting Projects: Kylie Andrews, Aurelia Inskeep, Lillyan Hammond, Eliana Borjas, Ocean Speicher, Klaire Rocazella, Heaven Sergent, Carli Stratton, Bailey Gross and Kelsey Altizer

5th Grade Painting Projects: Sarah Kossick, Zach Ervin, Andy Burkholder, Hailey Korzan, AJ Strong, Aubree Scior, Rylee Henson, Camden Zehnder, Keaton Sanford, Rylee Lopez, Alyssa Ball, Tyson Barker, Delaney Hill, Zoey Snyder, Chloe Miller, Isaac Heller and Natalie Fair

6th Grade Collage Projects: Brandon Martin, Jenna Parrett, Ellie Esh, Lillian McKinney, Lilah Brennan and Avery Dundon

6th Grade Ceramic Projects: Will Nuspl, Emily Ingle, Linnea Olofsson, Reagan Stromp, Skyler Canfield, Evie Walcutt, Savannah Moore and Paige Mobley

5th Grade Ceramic Projects: Katie Hammersmith, Mary McCarty, River Tornberg, Kayla Ellington, Cleveland Duggins, Paige Barnett, Sara McNamara, Aav Taylor, Alyssa Nangle, Hannah Fulmer, Josie Calhoon and Rylee Drope

6th Grade 3-D Painting Projects: Xaverri Brunswick, Maddie Levy, Kenda Hicks, Sienna Hutchins and Vivian Kidd

A LOOK AT THE UA GRADING SCALE

One of the most asked questions regarding the Unified Arts at Creekview revolves around grades.  For example...if your student is getting a 78% in art (or any of our UA subjects) do you know that he or she is actually working at "Grade Level"?  Today I'd like to take a closer look at our grading scale and help explain any confusion that you may find yourself having.

The UA Grading Scale Looks like this:

90%-100% - ADVANCED (working ABOVE grade level)

60%-89% - PROFICIENT (working AT grade level)

0%-59% - LIMITED (working BELOW grade level)

It's difficult to look past that 'percentage grade' you may see when looking at your child's grades in Schoology especially if you see something in the sixties, so hopefully this helps ease some of that confusion.  Grades are simply in place so that I can see how your child utilizes key concepts taught within each project or activity.  The ultimate goal is to simply provide a meaningful art experience to your child.  

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions!  Thanks!

WEEK 1 IN THE BOOKS!

So...I've met nearly 400 new art students over the course of our staggered start days...said hello to nearly 400 returning art students...and now it's the weekend...just in time for me to forget ALL of the names I just learned!
Everyone have a great weekend!  

THE RETURN OF THE BLOG!!!

After more than a year in hiatus...THE CIS ART BLOG IS BACK!!!  Over the course of the coming school year, I'll be sharing a variety of information and artworks being created in the CIS Art Room.  So, with that...welcome to the 2017-18 school year!!!  I can't wait to get things started!

2016 CEILING TILES

All of this year's ceiling tile paintings are complete!!!  As always, they look fantastic and are a welcome addition to the myriad of tiles now located in the art room!  Enjoy the completed work!  Congrats the this year's winners!!!

Still Life Abstracts

Fifth graders have recently completed their unit on Still Life Drawing.  I added a twist to the idea of drawing still life objects, allowing kids to only draw a portion of several objects, 'fusing' them together to make some form of abstract composition.  Have not done this project in a very long time...and seeing the results, I'm glad I brought it back this year!!!  They look amazing!!!

Students drawing with their eyes and not their brains to draw still life objects.

Top row artworks created by: Caroline Cloud, Ava Storch and Taylor Bustamante
Bottom row artworks created by: Emily Stokes, Emerson Trapp and Aiden Kersten

SHOWCASE

I just LOVE putting new artworks in the CIS art showcases.  Today I filled it with LOTS of 6th Grade Independent Painting Projects.  

It won't be long before I have to shuffle some of these projects around to make room for the hundreds of ceramic projects currently in the process of being fired, glazed and painted!

THE MR. WELLER COSTUME!!!

Converse?  Check.

Blue Jeans?  Check.

Plaid Shirt?  Check.

Gray Beard?  Check.

Paintbrush or pencil in ear (or in this case hair)?  Check.

Yep!  That's a Mr. Weller costume!!!  :)  

ART TO REMEMBER!

This week, students who have art during the first semester will be bringing home their Art to Remember order forms for the annual Creekview Intermediate Visual Arts fundraiser.  All money raised from the fundraiser goes directly to the CIS art room for materials and supplies such as ceramic clay, paintbrushes, or technology items like iPads and Art apps.  There is no obligation to participate, but I do very much appreciate your support, should you choose to order anything.  Here are the three options for you to choose from when looking through your envelope packet:

Option 1: Fill out the order form on the back of the envelope.  Place the money for your order inside of the envelope (checks made out to Creekview Intermediate) and have your student return it to the art room!!!  Orders due by Friday, October 30th!!!

Option 2: Go online and log onto ArtToRemember.com; click the green "Shop" button and enter your student's individualized Online Order Code.  This code is located on the back of your student's envelope.  Order and pay for your items online, and return nothing to the school.  Online orders due by Friday, October 30th!!!

Option 3: If you wish not to participate at this time, simply discard your envelope.

If you have ANY questions regarding the Art to Remember program, please feel free to contact me at your earliest convenience.  I'll do my best to answer any and all questions you may have.  Thanks so much for your consideration into this wonderful fundraising program.  Your student should have their envelope for you to browse through by the end of this week.

FINALLY...an UPDATE!!!

6th Grade Ceramics Projects...the long and tedious drying stage...

I love working with clay and having the kids create clay projects, but it is SO time consuming that the blog has kind of been a 'back burner' item for a few weeks.  My fifth graders are starting clay this week, so I may be hit and miss for another week or so.

Anyway...sixth grade ceramics projects for the first semester are complete!!!  I taught the kids how to make a clay coil, and a variety of techniques on how to build with coils.  The kids then had the creative freedom to make/sculpt/build anything they wished...as long as everything started out as a coil!  I love watching the kids create art as they go through that process of solving their own art making challenges.  It's such a thrill and I wish there were more time in the year to do more clay.

These projects will dry for about two weeks to allow the water to fully evaporate from them.  I'll then 'fire' them in the kiln at 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit at which point the kids will choose to either paint or glaze their projects (...of course we'll let them cool off for a bit before handling them, lol...).

My fifth graders are making "Dr. Seuss Houses" which I haven't done in YEARS.  But just after the first day, I'm already loving the excitement and creativity!!!  Pics of those coming soon...

Happy Wednesday!!!

6th GRADE CLAY WEEK!!!

They may not look like much now...but by the end of the week these bags of coiled clay will be wonderful student masterpieces!!!  My 6th grade students will spend the next two art classes enjoying the process of creating ceramic sculptures of whatever they wish...as long as it is all built with coils!  I taught a semi-extensive lesson on several types of coils...and now we'll see what interesting creations they come up with.

CLASSROOM HELPERS!

It's nice when kids stop by the art room to ask if I need any help.  Today, these two wonderful sixth graders helped clean up paint, color pencils, paintbrushes and then help set the room up for the first sixth grade clay day by passing out clay mats and clay tools.  They spent their entire recess in the art room...just helping out.  It was very nice of them, and I'm so appreciative to have such caring and thoughtful students!

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND EVERYONE!!!

Ya Say It's Your Birthday?!?

The lesson of the day is this: If you come to the art room proclaiming it's your birthday...you'll end up wearing some form of ridiculous head gear for the remainder of class.  :)  ...love birthdays in the art room!!!...

FINISHED PIXEL MAGIC!!!

Pixelated Batman by Mrs. Taylor's class

Pixelated Pacman by Mrs. Latham's class

Pixelated Donkey Kong by Mrs. McDaniel's class

Pixelated Mario by Mrs. Bentz's class

Four of the eight pixelated characters are done and hanging in the hallways!!!  They are SOOOO AWESOME!!!  I'm so proud of them and so proud for how well the kids completed them!

I'll have the final three coming soon...

MORE PIXEL MAGIC!!!

Mrs. Taylor's Pixelated Batman...work in progress...

..can you tell I'm SUPER EXCITED about this project?!?!

PIXEL MAGIC BEGINS!

So, last Thursday I introduced you to an idea that I came up with over the summer after watching the movie "Pixels"...

...and then seeing these incredible Post-It Note artworks!!!  I simply decided I must do something like this...and we have begun!!!

Last week, each of my fifth grade classes received a random pop culture character (most were from video games...with a Minion thrown in for good measure).  Today we began to collage on the grid that they made last week and man...am I EXCITED to see this project being done.  It's taking a TON of prep work on my end as I have to cut each 1 1/2 inch square on my paper cutter before the classes come in, but it's going to be totally worth it, I can tell!

Mrs. Hutchinson's class hard at work on their Mega Man Pixel Magic project!

Eventually I'll be able to show off some finished work and trust me...they will be posted right here on the blog when they're complete because this project is going to ROCK!!!

BATMAN...I mean...SUPERHERO DAY!!!

I love spirit days at Creekview...just LOVE THEM!!!  For today's Superhero Day I decked myself out in my Batman hat, mask, shirt, belt, cape, socks and shoes and tried to take as many pictures with other "Batboys/Batgirls" as I could!!!  I mean...he's clearly the greatest superhero ever created, right???

I even found a ROBIN!!!

And had a fun DC vs. Marvel confrontation!!!

All in all, spirit days are a great way to have some fun with the kids and get to know them a little better then just through making art.  And hey...we did our artworks as well...and we'll showcase those more again next week!  But today...belonged to the superheroes!!!

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!
GO BUCKS!