Pre-Spring Break Fun!!

Who says that all of the fun has to wait until the end of school on the Friday of Spring Break week?! I just had to share these guys... I ordered a bunch of air dry clay (don't judge; I'm pregnant and taking a break from kiln firings) to create percussion pods, as suggested in a lesson plan promoting specific materials and brands; lesson learned! I realized after many trial runs that the materials just didn't jive to create percussion pods. SO, what do we do with prepped clay balls and some extra wire?! We make birds! We got out a bunch of bird images (many of the 4th graders have been raising chickens in their classroom so their inspiration was fresh) and had some great discussions on the many different ways we could sculpt birds as well as consideration of balance and materials for the final project. Today our first class added wire into the birds and I was BLOWN away! These amazing little artists problem-solved and figured out wire solutions after a very simple and quick demonstration. As you can see, some students chose to balance birds on feet and some chose to balance birds on their bottoms with decorative legs coming off the front. I cannot WAIT to see them painted!!

5th Grade STEAM Wire Art!

We had a blast with this one! Can't you tell? The 5th graders really did an outstanding job with this project... their sculptural, engineering, creativity and problem-solving skills were on full display! We got to use some familiar tools and some new tools; we enjoyed them all! At the conclusion of the production portion of this project, we did a self-critique and then a "traveling Post-it note critique" where the artists got to leave feedback to one another. When asked about doing more "traveling Post-it note critiques" the response was an overwhelming "YES PLEASE!" Looks like we'll be investing in a lot more Post-it notes!

Whooooo is excited about Fall??

WooooHoooooo! It's my favorite time of year! Apparently the kiddos are pretty excited too, as you can see in the sweet Fall owls. We got busy with the sponges, matboard, toilet paper rolls (yes, we are all about reusing), Q-tips, scissors, paint and construction paper to create these delightful owls. We finished these up right after testing with 3rd grade and it was the perfect testing relief! Enjoy!!

Art Show!!

It's my favorite night of the year!! Evening in the Garden is such a special night at our wonderful school. Ouside, the talent and hard work of our students can be seen in our school wide musical as well as the hard work and dedication that have gone into our beautiful gardens and grounds. Inside in the gym (in the air condition!), it's amazing to see all of the hard work and talent of our Ford artists on display all together for one night at the art show! The artists have each selected one piece of artwork which they are most proud of to be on display in the gym during our Evening in the Garden. The FRAMES will be on sale this evening (not the artwork inside of the frame; any unsold frames will be unloaded and the artwork returned to each student) and will benefit the art program as well as the Ford PTSA. The cost of the frames is $25 for the first frame and $20 for each additional frame. We hope to see you there! It is breathtaking to see each piece that was carefully selected by each little Ford artist!

Baby, it's still cold outside, but we're warming up the art room with Spring flowers!!

You'll get more information closer to time for the art show at which many of these amazing works will be displayed, but I thought I would go ahead and warm you up in this cold weather with some amazing flowers from our 3rd grade (Georgia O'Keefe inspired) and Kindergarten (wet-on-wet watercolor technique) artists!

Square One Time!!

I know that all of the fundraisers can seem endless, and here's another one. This one is very special to our art program at Ford as it is the fundraiser we depend on for almost all of our materials for the entire year (that's clay, paint, ink, wire, paper, tools, pastels, art pencils, paintbrushes, foam, markers, specialty glue, glass, etc, etc, etc). We do a LOT of different projects with a variety of mediums and it definitely costs more than the run-of-the-mill paper and pencil projects. And the cool thing about this one is that each child's artwork can come printed on a variety of items (including an iPad cover new this year)! Orders need to be completed THIS week, so make sure to get yours in. These items make FABULOUS grandparent gifts, too!

Cute Coaster! Imagine how a set of these would light up a coffee table!

Artists hard at work!

Adorable Pastel Resist Leaf from a Second Grade Artist!

Grades Grades Grades...

It's almost that time. Yes, THAT time. Grade time. Grades are changing up this year for 4th and 5th grades. Instead of our O,S and N grades, students will be graded with A, B, C, D or F. Kindergarten through 3rd grades will stay the same. We will be doing a lot more self-reflection and critiquing, which I am looking forward to! Below are the rubrics for 4th and 5th grades for the first 9 weeks of school. Below that is a beautiful blind-contour Coke bottle with Flower created with artist pen and tempera by one of our fabulous 4th grade artists (I had to put a happy photo in a post about grades!)...

		Grade 4   1st  9 weeks Teacher Rubric
Standards:	A		B	C	D	F
Creates artwork based on experiences and selected themes using a variety of media and technique VA4PR.1, 2, 3	Creates successful artwork through an understanding of art elements and principles.		Creates artwork through an understanding of art elements and principles.	Creates artwork through an understanding of art elements OR principles.	Rarely creates artwork through an understanding of art elements OR principles.	Does not create artwork and does not show an understanding of art elements OR principles.
Explores and critiques art through personal, interdisciplinary and/or real world applications VA4AR.2 VA4CU.1, 2 VA4C. 1	Explores the importance of the critique process through active engagement.		Explores the importance of the critique process with assistance.	Explores some important elements of the critique process with assistance.	Rarely explores any elements of the critique process.	Does not explore the critique process.
Actively plans for the creation of artwork VA4MC.1, 2	Demonstrates active and detailed planning throughout the entire creative process		Demonstrates active and detailed planning for the preliminary creation of artworks	Demonstrates some planning for the creation of an artwork	Demonstrates minimal planning for the creation of an artwork	No evidence of planning

		Grade 5   1st  9 weeks Teacher Rubric
Standards:	A		B	C	D	F
Creates artwork based on experiences and selected themes using a variety of media and technique emphasizing individual expression. VA5PR.1,2,3	Creates and demonstrates successful use of art elements and principles emphasizing self-exploration.		Creates and demonstrates use of art elements and principles emphasizing self-exploration.	Creates and demonstrates use of art elements OR principles emphasizing self-exploration.	Rarely creates and demonstrates use of art elements OR principles emphasizing self-exploration.	Does not create OR demonstrate use of art elements and principles through self-exploration.
Explores and critiques art through personal, interdisciplinary and/or real world applications in order to convey and communicate meaning VA5C.1 VA5MC.3 VA5AR.2 VA5CU.1,2	Explores individually the importance of the critique process through active engagement.		Explores individually the importance of the critique process with assistance.	Explores individually some important elements of the critique process with assistance.	Rarely explores individually any elements of the critique process.	Does not explore individually the critique process.
Actively plans for the creation of artwork using explorative methods VA5MC.1,2	Demonstrates active and detailed planning throughout the entire creative process with emphasis on creativity		Demonstrates active and detailed planning for the preliminary creation of artworks with emphasis on creativity	Demonstrates some planning for the creation of an artwork with emphasis on creativity	Demonstrates minimal planning for the creation of an artwork with emphasis on creativity	No evidence of planning

2014-2015 School Year... Full S.T.E.A.M. ahead!!

I am so excited about S.T.E.A.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, ARTS, and Math) at Ford! We'll be doing a lot of our regular fun art projects and processes but we will be doing a lot of integration of science, technology, engineering and math into much of what we do in the art room this year. Stay tuned for a great year filled with S.T.E.A.M.!

Our first graders did a fantastic job with a one day sculpture project using recycled cardboard (we had a TON of that from packing boxes from summer construction!) as well as reusing paper scraps from some of last year's projects. The results are beautiful! Our bulletin board has officially gone 3D! Thanks to our first grade artists creating some great sculptures for a fabulous display!

Welcome 2013-2014 School Year!

Welcome to the 2013-2014 school year! We are VERY excited to be transitioning to a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts & Math) program here at Ford. What that means is that we'll be doing a lot of the traditional fun projects in art (drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpting, etc) as well as projects that integrate two or more of the other elements of STEAM. Paint canister rocket abstract art, anyone?? It's going to be a FUN year of creativity, learning and discovery!

IT'S ART SHOW AND EVENING IN THE GARDEN TIME!!

The students of Ford Elementary have come together to create artwork for a

spectacular art show celebration! Every student has their own masterpiece

framed and on display. You do not want to miss this!

Tuesday, May 7 @ 5:30 - 7:30pm -- Gym

Framed Artwork $25 & $20 for each additional purchase

Cash or Check

Thank you Gallery 4463!! We were thrilled to have five of our fabulous Ford Artists represented in the student exhibit this month! The show will be up through April 28th (this Sunday!). Check out the amazing art with a very beautiful and well-deserved ribbon displayed with each of our Ford masterpieces.

Printmaking!!

WOW!!! The 5th grade artists at Ford are doing an AMAZING job with our "trace monotype" printmaking project. I think that I can speak for all of us when I say that we had a BLAST with this project! It tickles me pink when students love a project enough to inquire about how they can do a certain project at home on their own. So, enjoy these fabulous pictures and if anyone wants to 'brave' a black ink printmaking project at home, here is a materials list (ink can be found at www.dickblick.com, other supplies can be found locally or at Dick Blick)...

- Plexi Glass (find it at Home Depot in small sheets)

- Metal File (optional for edges of plexi glass but it saves young hands and brayers from damage!)

- Akua WATER BASED Ink (see photo)

- Rubber Brayers (one small, one large preferably but 1 large would work)

- Sharp Pencil

- Thick "Sulphite" type White Paper (or other printmaking paper)

- Tape

- Dishwashing Soap

I was tempted to tell this amazing artist that it HAD to be Coke (that's the southerner in me!) but the artist in me let him express his love for Pepsi. And it does look very cool!

Square One Orders Due on Friday, November 16th!

We are so grateful to have such support from our Ford families and parents for the Square One fundraiser! It is one of two fundraisers during the year which makes it possible for us to do all of the fun messy things we do in the art room (sculpture (with clay, metal and paper), glass, painting with a variety of paints, drawing with pastels, printmaking (with foam, matboard and plexiglass) and so much more!

When you make a purchase through Square One not only are you getting a fabulous product(s) with your little artist's precious artwork, you are making our art program possible! Plus, the timing is right to check off many of those "hard to shop for" family members during the Holidays! The potholders and ornaments are my personal favorites. :) Check out our awesome projects by grade below!

 

Kindergarten Rooster

 

 

1st Grade Peacocks

 

 

2nd Grade Pastel Resist Leaf

 

 

3rd Grade Koi Fish

 

 

4th Grade Insect

 

5th Grade Animal

Happy National Anthem Day!

We celebrated National Anthem Day today at Ford. The students have been having a blast learning about and singing the National Anthem in music class. We decided to create "National Anthem" American Flags in 2nd and 3rd grades. Check them out; they turned out beautifully!

Welcome 2012-2013 School Year!

We have had a terrific start to the new school year. Here is a glimpse of one of our favorite beginning of the year projects:  Kindergarten Tear Bears! The kindergarten artists talk about shapes, fuzzy edges and learn about using "just a dot, not a lot" with the glue during our Tear Bear project. Stay tuned for our Square One art fundraiser coming this fall! The artwork is already in progress and everything is looking fantastic!

Last week we mailed off over 750 GORGEOUS pieces of artwork for framing in anticipation of our favorite event of the year: Evening in the Garden and the Ford Elementary Art Show!! Here are two amazing pieces prepped and ready to go.

The show will run from 5:30-7:30pm in the gym on Tuesday, May 1st. Please remember that the kids' artwork is not for sale (it already belongs to the kiddos!); the frames around the artwork are for sale. Any frames that are not purchased the night of the art show are unloaded and the artwork is returned to the school. If you choose to purchase the frame, the first frame is $25 and the second frame (if you have more than one student or just want to buy an empty matching frame for an extra piece of artwork) is $20.

We appreciate your support! It is through your support of fundraisers such as this one that we are able to purchase art supplies throughout the year (clay, glass, paint, ink, equipment, etc).

Smith-Gilbert Gardens Partnership!

We are so excited to have a new Partner in Education with Smith-Gilbert Gardens! To celebrate our new partnership, Smith-Gilbert will be displaying 30 fabulous outdoor and nature-inspired pieces of artwork from selected Kindergarten through 5th grade Ford Elementary artists. Our 2nd grade "warm color" Chihuly will also be on display during business hours from Saturday March 10th through April 15th. Please feel free to visit; Smith-Gilbert Gardens is an amazing treasure in our community!

Here is a stack of art being matted for display at the gardens; we have SUCH talented artists at Ford!

11 Alive!!!

We were honored to have Donna Lowry with 11 Alive News in the art room filming yesterday for the Class Act segment! Keasler's 2nd grade class created their amazing clay pinch pot fish with Donna Lowry (yes... she created one, too!) and for "King Bruce" behind the camera. It was a BLAST and the kiddos did an awesome job! It will air on Monday (Halloween!) on 11 Alive at 6:40am, at the noon hour and then online after that. Please watch our lil' Ford artists on TV!

Reflections 2011

In its more than 40-year history, the Reflections program has encouraged millions of students across the nation and in American schools overseas to explore their artistic talents. The program offers students the opportunity to create works of art for fun and recognition. Students in preschool through grade 12 are encouraged to submit works of art in six arts areas:

•Dance choreography

•Film production

•Literature

•Musical composition

•Photography

•Visual arts
Reflections Theme - "Diversity Means..."
Each year, the National PTA Reflections Program challenges students to create art inspired by a specific theme. Themes are selected from hundreds of ideas submitted by students in the PTA Reflections Program Theme Search Contest. Past themes have included "Exploring New Beginnings," "If I Could Give the World a Gift...," "A Different Kind of Hero," “I Can Make a Difference by…” and “Wow!” and "Together we can." The 2011-2012 theme is "Diversity Means..."

For more information, please go to
http://www.ptareflections.org/cs/about_reflections
or
http://www.fordptsa.com/awards.htm

WELCOME 2011-2012 SCHOOL YEAR!!!

It has been a great first three days of school! The kids and I have had a blast diving into our projects on the first day of art. We REALLY don't have a minute to waste!

We have been asked to participate in the Cobb EMC Holiday Card Contest so we're having winter in August / September in the art room! I wonder if our snowflakes in the art room will cool the weather down outside?
Square One is also coming up shortly! We have to have all of our beautiful projects ready by October so that we make sure that you can order products with your kiddo's gorgeous artwork by the holidays. More info will be coming soon!

Thanks for your support of the art program at Ford!