Tie Dye PBIS Celebration!!!

RES kids have been hard at work tie dying all week in art class. Student earned this celebration by respecting themselves, others, and their school environments. 

Every child created either a yellow or purple tie dyed shirt. We began by learning about how tie dye works and then jumped right in to get to work on our own shirts.

Each class learned a different technique to fold, twist, or crumple their tee shirts. Then, they added rubber bands to hold the shirts in formation during the dying process. 

 After preparing their shirts for dye, each child prepared him or herself by putting on a smock and gloves.

 Children took turns using dye bottles to apply two differing shades of their color to the shirts. 

I saw so many students being kind and cooperative, helping peers, waiting patiently, providing support and encouragement to one and other. 

When students were done dyeing, they placed their shirts in the bucket and moved on to some well deserved choice time. 

Tee shirts had to soak in the dye for 12-24 hours and then get rinsed out and washed. I have had so many wonderful parent and teacher volunteers in the art room over the past few days. A BIG thanks to all of you--I truly appreciate the help!! 

You can look forward to seeing these wearable works of art around RES this year!

Still Life Drawings and Time Lapses!

Over the past few weeks, the third and fourth grade classes have been working on still life drawings. After viewing three famous still life works, we brainstormed at circle what a "still life" may be and why artists may choose to draw them...

We began the project by carefully observing the flower arrangements and noticing as many details as possible. Students then sketched the flowers using pencils--making sure to include all those wonderful details.

The following week, students checked their work to see if they had created "balanced compositions." Some children decided to add other details in their works to add visual interest and balance to their work.  Then, they traced their pencil lines with black glue to create a bold, slightly 3D effect. 

 This week, the children began coloring in their works using oil pastels. As a lesson launch we had watched a time lapse video of a professional artist using oil pastels to draw a pear. We observed some techniques she used and then tried them in our own works. Below are a few time lapse videos taken of students working. Enjoy!

Clay clay clay!

First and second grade students have been learning all about clay. Where it comes from, what things are made from clay, and how we can make things out of clay. We are now working on building some awesome chili bowls that will make an appearance at the Harvest Festival in October!

Kindergarten students have also been learning all about clay. They were very happy to dive right in and get their hands dirty. I challenged them to form their one piece of clay into a ball, then a snake, then a snowman, and lastly (their favorite) a pancake!

Here is one of those poor snowmen squished into a pancake!

Free Lantern-Making Workshop for the River of Light Lantern Parade

On Saturday November 21st, 2015 Smilie Memorial School (2712 Theodore Roosevelt Hwy, Bolton, VT) will be hosting a special one-day lantern-making workshop in preparation for Waterbury’s River of Light Community Lantern Procession which will be taking place on Saturday December 5th in Waterbury VT.

Workshop:

Date: Saturday November 21st 2015
Place: Smilie Memorial School
Time: 10am-3pm to include an hour break for lunch

– Workshop is free to attend
– All tools and materials will be provided. If you have a pair of hand-held
 pruning shears, please bring them along, you’ll find it useful to have a 
pair of your own.
– Children under the age of 8 must be accompanied by an adult. This 
activity is not suitable for children under 6.
– There will be a limit of 20 participants.
– Donations will be welcome.
– For more information or to register please contact Gowri Savoor at info@gowrisavoor.com or visit https://ariveroflightinwaterbury.wordpress.com/

Beautiful Sketchbooks!

The kids were so excited to "shop" for their sketchbook covers today in art. They got to choose from a wide variety of gorgeous papers made by all ages in our school community. What wonderful things we can create when we work together!

Community Art!

The year has gotten off to a great start in the art room! We have been learning about community art. The students deduced that community art does two important things: it gives the community members a chance to work together and it makes the community look "pretty."

SO, we worked together to create art to make our school community look even more beautiful!

Each child decorated one quarter of a circle. Students were able to decorate their piece in any manner they choose. Many children viewed the quarter circle as something representational; from a piece of pizza to the Earth, there was an amazingly wide variety.

The completed works are hung in the hallways. Please come check out our beautiful community artwork!

Welcome Back!

I am here in the art room *almost* all ready to begin the new school year  Looking forward to meeting all the young RES artists over the next week! I will be at RES Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesdays. 

We will begin the school year working together to create community art!