The ZooMobile

The girls had a great experience yesterday afternoon when the ZooMobile came with four different animals and some fun activities. They learned about the relationships and the components necessary to create an exhibit for an animal.  Ask your daughter if she was a polar bear, a zookeeper, or a visitor - they all need different things! 

Art: We Are All Artists!

Every student started the year by making a small 3x3 inch self-portrait. There are quite a few inherent challenges using small paper and black pen that help the girls get comfortable right way with the art quip: "Turn your uh-oh into an ah-ha."  The girls were encouraged to make a clear choice in their work and to be bold. The works are on display at the entrance of the art studio with the following questions to guide their observations: Which portraits show that the artist used line variation? Which portraits show that the artist made a discovery about herself, her art, or her materials? Which portraits show that the artist tried the blind contour technique to record her observations without looking? Which portraits show that the artist made a clear choice about line, shape texture, value, or space in her work? In art this year we will make art, look at art and talk about art! We are all artists! 

Art: Winter Landscape Collages

First graders are learning about how deep space can be created in a landscape, and how texture can add interest in a collage. We have looked at the paintings of Grandma Moses as well as illustrations from children's books. The girls are making collaged winter landscapes with a foreground, middle ground, and background and are showing deep space by changing the scale of objects such as trees. First graders have had some lively discussions about activities they like to do outside in the winter, and have made connections with their classmates over the topic. The final step will be adding action to their winter landscape. 

Art: Clay Coil Vessels

First graders are making coil vessels out of clay. They learned two ways to roll a coil, as well as a technique called "score and seal." Ask your first grader what tools can be used for this method of working. A way we remember what score and seal means is with this rhyme: scratch it and attach it! This makes the clay become like Velcro, and makes places where two coils meet stronger. Girls focused on building a strong base for their vessel first and then will begin to make more personal choices as they build higher. 

Art: The Important Thing About Me

 First grade has begun a project inspired by the book "The Important Book." After reading the book together and making predictions based on the illustrations, girls examined works of art to figure out strategies or tricks artists use to make the important thing look EVEN MORE IMPORTANT!

First graders have several challenges in this painting: showing the important thing about themselves, using artist strategies to make the important thing look even more important, and covering all the white of their paper. 

Art: Monotypes with Shapes

First grade is practicing finding shapes in their surroundings, using their iPad cameras. They will be using these found shapes to make prints inspired by their environment. 

We practiced making monoprints with pre-inked Mylar shapes. Students discovered that the ink was dry on the plastic, but when placed on top of wet paper the ink came "back to life" and transferred to the paper! They each made two prints. Ask your child how she made a "ghost print." 

First graders used a special tool called a barren for printing by hand.

Art: Material Exploration Abstraction

First graders familiarized themselves with a variety of materials (crayon, colored pencil, and marker) and explored the marks they could make with each tools. Then they used materials of their choice to complete a guided abstraction, following verbal instructions using line and shape vocabulary. For example, they each drew a straight line that touched two edges of the paper. The girls made predictions about how the different materials would interact with watercolor,mans then used watercolor to transform their compositions. Afterward, students compared their artworks, and hypothesized about the source of commonalities and differences. One of the things they discovered is that while their work was guided with verbal instructions, the limited choices they did have resulted in a large variety of expression. Ask your daughter how the materials she used interacted with watercolor, and if it was what she expected. 

Art: Exploring the Studio

First graders explored the art studio, and used their iPads to document their findings. They searched for geometric shapes, different kinds of lines, and things they wondered about or had a question about, and then shared their findings. Here are some of the collections that the girls were curious about:

Many asked questions about the spinning wheel. Here is a video of of a spinning wheel in action you can share with your first grader.

Lastly, first graders learned that since the studio is their shared space, it is also their responsibility to keep it in working order. Ask your daughter about her responsibility this month!

Art: A Portrait of the Lower School

To begin the year in art, every girl in the Lower School drew a self portrait in pen. Using this permanent medium allowed students to practice resilience by changing an "uh-oh" into an "ah-hah!" The results are impressive,  and can be viewed just inside the studio. Ask your first grader about how she makes decisions and changes in her drawings.

Art: Connections

Each grade in the Lower School focuses on a certain theme in art. The theme for first grade is "Connections." First graders reflect on how our creative choices reflect us as individuals and connect us to others.