City Skylines

Daisy • 5th Grade

Estacia • 5th Grade

Karina • 5th Grade

Sierra • 5th Grade

 Valentin • 5th Grade

Still Life

Last week it snowed (a lot) and the after-school program was cancelled most days. I really wanted all grade levels to try out the Kaleidoscope/Radial Design Project because I thought it was so fun. The 4th Grade Class needed something special to try, so I set up a Still Life of all the Red Objects I could find and told them to start by drawing what they saw, but then mix in some imagination into their drawings. Needless to say they drew for a little while but then really wanted to play with the objects. I attempted to go with the flow and try to get them to make up some sort of performance, but that didn't work to well. HOWEVER... I had my first successful critique. I grabbed all the drawings and got the boys to talk about them. When we were cleaning up the room, I asked if they learned anything and one boy said, "Yeah, I learned that a drawing can tell a story." Success!

Eduardo • 4th Grade

(The boys liked this one the best)

Erix • 4th Grade

(I liked this one the best)

Tanya • 4th Grade

(Collectively this one told the best story)

Kaleidoscopes & Radial Designs

As an after-school art program, I want the children to learn while having fun in a non-pressured environment. I brought in kaleidoscopes and allowed the children to play with optics while I explained how they worked and then I discussed patterning and mirror images. We then made radial designs on paper. Once finished I handed the kaleidoscopes back out to look at the designs they had made.

I thought it was a fun activity to do, especially with the overcast, snowy days we've been having. The addition of Kaleidoscopes really amplified the experience.

Erix • 4th Grade

(Erix took a lot of time and care on his)

Eduardo • 4th Grade

(The other kids liked this one because it reminded them of food)

Juliana • 4th Grade

((((Juliana told me she was making vibrations))))