Saturday, December 21, 2013

Thursday, November 14, 2013

Fall Art at FBCS



It has been a while since I have updated what we are doing in art class so I have a lot to share with you.

Kindergarten listened to The Grouchy Ladybug by Eric Carle. 


We discussed if they have ever felt grouchy and things you can do to feel better when grouchy.  We considered Luke 6:31, “Do to others as you would have them do to you,” and how it feels when someone treats us badly.  Students then drew, cut paper, glued, and painted their own ladybugs.  I love how they all turned out with their own amazing ladybug personalities!







First through eighth grade students studied contour drawings by Henri Matisse. 

We practiced by observing the contour lines of pumpkins and by drawing quick sketches.  We discussed foreground, middle ground, and background as well as shading.  When the students felt ready they used black crayon to draw pumpkins and painted their drawing with tempera or acrylic paint.








When we finished our pumpkins, first through fifth grade students began a lesson on artist Pierre Alechinsky and his printmaking.


Students then created their own monochromatic sky and tree composition painting with various widths and lengths of cardboard rather than brushes.









Middle school students started a lesson on still life paintings by Jean Simeon Chardin and again discussed foreground, middle ground, and background as well as shading.


For this project we first looked for newspaper without color pictures.  Then we did a color wash with raw umber paint.


Next, students viewed one of Chardin's still life paintings, Still Life With Copper Cauldron and Eggs. We discussed his placement of the eggs, size, lighting, and shading.  Students then began composing their own egg acrylic compositions.  Here is a sneak peek at a few so far.















Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Congratulations Haley!

Great News!  Haley Handlen, has been selected as a finalist for this week's "Artist of the Week" award for the PreK-3rd age group.  The finalist who receives the most online votes between now and Saturday October 19 will be selected as the Artsonia "Artist of the Week."  

To view the finalists and cast your vote, simply click on the link below.  Voting is limited to one vote per computer per day for each age group!

    http://www.artsonia.com/aotw/vote/0/26268988

PLEASE VOTE!!!!!!!

Thursday, September 19, 2013

Kandinsky Color Study

Over the past couple of weeks students have been learning about artist Wassily Kandinsky, the founder of Abstract Art.  We viewed and discussed Kandinsky's painting, "Color Study of Squares with Concentric Circles."


Students are learning about color and creating their own color study.  Here are a few of their finished projects.







Thursday, August 15, 2013

WELCOME TO FBCS ART 2013-2014


What to Expect this School Year


I am looking forward to this new school year.  Over the summer I put together some fun and exciting lesson plans for the students.  My desires for this year include:  1) teaching students about various artists; 2) exposing them to various media techniques; 3) presenting art elements and principles; and 4) integrating Biblical principles into the lessons.  

I will once again be posting all of our art projects on Artsonia, which not only lets us share the Artwork with friends and relatives far away, but also offers FBCS a wonderful way to earn funds for the art room through customized keepsakes.  If you are new to our school expect an email with sign-in information. 
In addition, each student will have artwork on display at the annual FBCS Art Exhibit in February of 2014.  A selected team of judges will choose three pieces of artwork from each grade to be exhibited at the Regional ACSI Art Festival in May.

Our school art website www.brendamccullers.blogspot.com will keep you updated on art projects, art club, and art information.  I will be taking photographs of student’s artwork to post to this website.  You will be receiving a photo release form to sign and return.

Extra Activities



Art Club is offered for 5th – 8th grade. This year we will be having 2 sessions.  Session 1 is for Grades 5 & 6 and Session 2 is for Grades 7 & 8.  Space is limited so sign up is required.  You will be receiving more information soon.

FBCS sponsors a National Junior Art Honor Society chapter that meets periodically throughout the year.  NJAHS is made up of selected students grades 6-8, for “the purpose of inspiring and recognizing those students who have shown an outstanding ability in art” (from the National Art Honor Society website).

ART Grades



It is important to understand that at FBCS we do not grade children’s artwork, rather, we grade art progress.  I will be looking for growth in artistic expression, art knowledge, and skills mastered, as well as conduct and social behavior in art class.


K-3rd Grade
S” ” is given if the student has maintained an excellent attitude, exhibited excellent participation, put forth effort and listened well.
 “I” is given if the student has improved in attitude, participation, effort and/or listening skills.
N” is given if the student could improve on attitude, participation, effort and/or listening skills.
U” is given if the student needs great improvement in attitude, participation, effort and/or listening skills.

4th-8th Grade
A” is given if the student has maintained an excellent attitude, exhibited excellent participation, put forth effort and listened well.
B” is given if the student could improve somewhat on their attitude, participation, effort and/or listening skills.
C” is given if the student could definitely improve on his/her attitude, participation, effort, and/or listening skills.
D” is given if the student has a poor attitude, poor participation, little effort, and/or poor listening skills.
F” is given if the student has failed in attitude, participation, effort and/or listening skills.

ART Class Rules



Students are expected to adhere to the FBCS Student Handbook Rules.  During class I expect the following:
  • Students will have a good attitude toward teachers and peers.
  • Students will be considerate of others through words and actions.
  • Students will not talk back to teachers or intentionally break rules.
  • Students will work hard, complete work, and follow directions.
  • Students will talk at appropriate times and consistently raise their hands.
  • Students will help keep all work, art supplies and classroom area clean and in order.