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TAB Demo List

– March 3, 2010

As I begin to think about making videos of my different demos… I decided to make a list and that list kept getting bigger and bigger…. But I will share as I go along.

These are all the things that I have done “demos” on thus far this year, or some in past years. Some of these have looked like larger lessons where numerous items are covered with in a 30 min class period. 

(keep in mind, I have my 6-8 graders everyday for 12 weeks, for 55-30 min periods, depending on if there is an assembly schedule. So days when the period is shorter, for an assembly or something else I tend to do the longer lessons, since there isn’t as much time for studio time anyways.) 

Some of these were just a spur of the moment, when I saw the need with a number of students. Some were the things I tell the kids when I open a center. Some were projects for kids that couldn’t get going on their own. And some I am just thinking of now, that I need to find a way to include. I have never done ALL of these demos with ALL of my classes!! 

Drawing Center

BASIC

  • Methods of shading (hatching, cross hatching, stippling, shading)
  • Colored pencil (care and handling; sharpening, proper stroke, blending)
  • Different Drawing pencils and value
  • Pastels (oil and chalk; blending) 
  • Using reference pictures
  • Using Texture mats
  • Using a triangle, ruler, protractor
  • Using Stencils

ADVANCED

  • Using a Lightbox
  • Using projection enlargement
  • Using Grid enlargement
  • Facial feature proportions

PROJECTS

  • 1 point perspective dream bedroom
  • 1 point perspective city street
  • How to make Flipbooks
  • Graffiti Words
  • Radial Symmetry Mandalas

Collage Center

BASIC

  • Different scissors (what do they look like, where are they, how to use them)
    • Basic paper cutting scissors
    • Special edge scissors
    • Fabric Scissors
    • Cardboard Scissors
    • Metal/Plastic Scissors
    • Wire cutters
    • Exacto blades
  • Cutting techniques
    • Cutting out of a magazine
    • Detail Cutting
    • Cutting in the center of something
    • Measuring before cutting
    • Scoring
  • Different glues/tapes (best uses and how to use)
    • Tupperware glue
    • Glue sticks
    • White glue
    • Wood glue
    • Tacky/craft glue
    • Hot Glue
    • Masking tape
    • Cello tape
    • Fancy tape
  • Gluing techniques
    • Tissue paper
    • papier-mâché
    • magazines
    • dealing with bubbles (brayer)
    • Glitter

ADVANCED

  • Composition “auditioning” collage elements

PROJECTS

  • Altered Books
  • Paper dolls with brads
  • Exquisite corpse spiral book
  • Food Faces

Computer Center

BASIC

  • Different programs available
    • MS Paint
    • Adobe Photoshop
    • Pivot Animation
    • Windows Movie Maker
    • GameMaker
    • Flash
  • Locating Files on the server
  • Proper Saving
  • Turning in to the Digital Inbox

ADVANCED

  • Different tools in Photoshop
  • How to create a character in Pivot

PROJECTS

Printmaking Center

BASIC

  • Ink Pad care
  • Rubber Stamp cleaning
  • Creative uses for rubber stamps
  • Mono-printing

ADVANCED

  • Creating your Own stamp carving
    • Reverse image
    • Tools for carving
    • Safety when carving
  • Inking and Block Printing

Paint Center

BASIC

  • Different Types of Paints
    • Acrylic
    • Tempera
    • Watercolor
    • Gesso
  • Color Wheel and Mixing colors
  • Paint brush care and cleaning
  • Different Paint surfaces and papers
    • Painting on plastic/metal or non-paper surfaces

ADVANCED

Sculpture Center

BASIC

  • Different scissors (see collage)
  • Different glues (see collage)
  • Attachment ideas
    • Folding tubes
    • Using tapes
    • Scoring cardboard

ADVANCED

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Surrealism

– January 16, 2010

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A gallery of student work from the 2009-2010 school year.

Surrealism:

A type of artwork that includes realistic images but makes them appear strange and dream-like.

Moods: •Mysterious •Humorous •frightening

Techniques:

  • Nighttime Scenes
  • Cool or Neutral Colors –Blue, green, violet –Black, Brown, White, Grey
  • Realistic Objects
  • Unrealistic placement of objects
  • Shadows
  • Use of Symbols (images that represent an idea)
  • Unreal Proportions

Long Term Project #1: Surrealism:

Due Date: January 19, 2010 Value: 100 points

Definition: A style of art developed in the 1920’s that combines realistic images with dream-like ideas.

Note: Surrealism is NOT the same as Fantasy, so dragons, fairies and imaginary creatures or outer space should not be part of your images.

Resources: Read Portfolios Textbook Pages 162-165 and watch Slide Show of Surrealism Samples.

Acceptable Media: Drawings in pencil or colored pencil; magazine collage; digital collage using Adobe Photoshop; Paint (Tempera or Acrylic) and Found Object Sculpture.

Requirements:

  1. MUST fit the definition of Surrealism and have a story/ meaning behind the art.
  2. MUST use 2 or more techniques of surrealism (example: cool and neutral colors; out of proportion; unrealistic placement of objects; nighttime scenes.)
  3. MUST complete a rough draft and have it approved before moving on to final draft.
  4. Final Draft must represent at least 4 hours of dedicated work time.
  5. Final Draft must have a written reflection/artist’s statement attached.
  6. Must have a title that adds to the understanding of the artwork.
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10 Best Image Sources

– January 16, 2010

I am always trying to work with my students to use copy right free images when they are creating their digital work, or even when they are just looking for reference images to draw. This great post at the Teaching Pallette has a wonderful list of sites. A few of these are still blocked at my school and will never be unblocked. I was very glad to see Morgue File on the list. I have been both a contributor and a user of this site for years. I did manage to get my District IT gods to unblock this one for me.

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Recycled Sculpture

– October 30, 2009

7th graders are wrapping up their Recycled Sculpture Projects. Here are a few of the finished projects.

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We learned about the different type of sculptures, ways to use glue and tape to hold things together, and all the different types of special scissors that can cut different materials. We looked at lots of recycled art from artists around the world. We collected items to create our works of art. and we worked in partners to complete our creative visions.

Here is our power point of inspiration and assignment guidelines. recycled art

Art Room Scavenger Hunt

– September 12, 2009

The first week of school was a whirlwind of setting expectations, helping new kids find their way around and getting to know names. I love this time of year but struggle sometimes how to get things started right. This is my 10th year teaching and my 6th in this same school. For the first time in a long time I get to teach all art. I have taught a combination of computer tech one trimester or period here or there along with art for the past several years. But this year we have a full-time computer teacher so that has been placed in her hands. I am a little sad, since I do like teaching that, but happy to focus on art for a change.

The first day kids stay with their morning class for several hours while the school citizenship program is taught and overall school expectations are set. In the afternoon, we have an all school pep assembly that sets school spirit for the fall sports. That leaves the middle of the day for kids to fly through their other 6 periods at a blinding pace of 15 minutes in each class. Since they have already been sitting listening to a lot of talking for the citizenship program, and I can barely begin anything in such a short time frame, I did something compleltely new this year. We started the year with a Scavenger Hunt! Better than me giving a tour of the room and the art centers, they had to go around looking at the posters and the centers to figure out some simple but important things! “Where are the scissors kept?”  “In which center can you find the yarn?” and about 20 total questions. I told them they could help each other, look at anything in the room (but not to touch supplies yet) and they could ask me too if they needed help with finding something. The hunt was set up on a gameboard style worksheet that I found on the internet. (That link and my version I will add to this post at school next week!)

It was so fun and exciting for me to just stand back and watch as the kids explored the classroom. AND useful, as it came into play the very next day. “Teacher, Where are the scissors?” I am asked. “Remember where you found them during the scavenger hunt?” I answer. ”OH, yes!” eyes gleaming as they dash to the main supply center. I am sure had I done my usual thing of walking around the room and pointing things out, they would have forgotten. The additional sensory clue of the kids actually walking around the room and finding the items themselves made a bigger impact. It was also the perfect short activity for that odd 15 minute class.

We have a high turn-over in our school too so I will have new kids complete this same hunt with a classmate when they join my class throughout the year.

I REALLY love when you do something new and it works so perfectly!

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Wire Statues ala Giacometti

– July 22, 2009

Giacometti was a Swiss sculptor, painter, draftsman and printer. His trademark statues are long and stretched out to look like they are never ending. You can learn more about this artist here, and how to make a cool sculpture here. YES I have all the supplies for this project, so just ask!

 

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Stuffed Patchwork Dog Pillow

– July 20, 2009

Did you find some small scraps of fabric and need a project to use them? Here is the pattern and directions for a totally cute patchwork doggie pillow. This is an intermediate project, not for total beginners.

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All these links were screened and found acceptable for middle school students, however since most of them go to outside blogs there might be other material on the blogs that is not acceptable. Please notify me if the link is broken or the content is no longer school appropriate.

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Friendship Bracelets

– July 11, 2009

CraftJR is a great website for KIDS that has picture step-by-step tutorials on hundreds of projects. It is also connected to a bunch of other KIDS sites that are fun and safe.

My students are always asking how to make friendship braclets but I can’t remember from my kids days… so I was excited to find this step-by-step tutorial.

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Visual Puns Paper Animation

– July 10, 2009

Starfish Animation Example

In Digital Video Arts, students will receive a visual pun and in a small group they will animate the concept using paper. Students create a storyboard first, then cut out backgrounds and characters. Then using a digital camera on a TRI-POD (this is very important) they take frame by frame images of their movie, moving the paper a little bit at a time. After the filming is done the pictures are uploaded into Windows Movie Maker. They MUST adjust the “options” to reduce the time that each picture shows before adding the pictures to the timeline. This is one of the most common errors, so remind them often!

This is my super quick example that I put together in about 5 minutes. But my students too several weeks to complete the project.

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Fabric or Paper Flowers

– July 8, 2009

This step-by-step tutorial shows you how to fold papers or fabric to create fun 3-Dimensional flowers that you can hang or wear as a pin.

All these links were screened and found acceptable for middle school students, however since most of them go to outside blogs there might be other material on the blogs that is not acceptable. Please notify me if the link is broken or the content is no longer school appropriate.
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