Teachers' Field Trip

Last week on my day off, my brother, his wife and I, after a great breakfast at Marston's (a charming little restaurant in a house-like setting) went to the Huntington Library in San Marino for the day (along with a few busloads of kids on a field trip). As former teachers they appreciated the free feeling of NOT being responsible for the hoards of kids!! This day was actually a gift to my brother to go and see the exhibit of Sam Maloof, the master furniture designer/builder. A number of years ago my brother, who builds beautiful furniture himself, had the opportunity to meet and visit with Sam at his home and this was an exhibit showcasing many of the furniture pieces that had been in the family home -- so it was a special visit!!

It was an uncharacteristically beautiful "77° summer day" in January in Pasadena and we had a wonderful time. Thought I'd share some of my photos of the exhibits and the grounds. I had not been there since I was a child and went on a field trip to see "Pinkie" and "Blue Boy" in the European Collection!! Sometimes it does the soul a world of good to take a day off from "real life" and just soak in some beauty!!

This was a great chair -- hand painted with a peacock feather in the back. Wouldn't I just LOVE to have something like this!!

This is by Helen Frankenthaler.

Here is one of Sam Maloof's signature rockers.

The former "main house" houses the European Collection. Wouldn't you love to relax with a cup of tea on this over-sized porch?

I can remember seeing this as a child on our field trip here!

Calder/Hundertwasser Results

Of my 4 fifth grade classes, two finished their kinetic sculptures today. Here are some of their works:

The other two classes are still working on theirs. This is definitely a two-session project for the average class. Next time I'll plan differently. I actually wasn't planning on having to review things 3 times -- like "put the cap on the glue stick so it doesn't dry out" and "remember to draw on the fold so that when you cut you don't end up with 2 separate circles." Ah, well....

Next week, the kids that finished up will be starting our long awaited Rizzi inspired project. Can't wait!!!

Calder Meets Hundertwasser

I am SO excited to get to school tomorrow to start this week's project because I had such fun playing with the idea at home!

Last summer I went to a cool exhibit of Alexander Calder at a small museum in Newport Beach. As a result, I was determined to have at least one of my classes experiment with kinetic sculpture. As soon as I got home I started playing with wire and matt board -- what fun that was!! Until last year, I had not heard of Friedensreich Hundertwasser and I also wanted to incorporate some of his style with circles into a project. My collection of donated matt board (black on one side and white on the other) finally has grown to the point that I have enough to create our sculpture, so 5th graders will be starting this project this week.

We'll spend a little time observing and discussing works of Calder and Hundertwasser with a Smartboard doc. that I created. Next, they will start with 2 pre-cut pieces of matt board. I am asking them to make line designs on the white side of one of the boards to increase the impression of vertical height of the piece. They will notch each of these pieces to make them stand.

Kids will be using the color wheel to help them create circle designs with complementary colors. The circles that will be attached to the edges of the board are hinged by drawing their edge on the fold of the white paper. That way fronts and backs will match up when glued.  I am asking students to make a minimum of 3 of these hinged circles and as many single sided circles as they like.

The kinetic part of the sculpture will be created with another 2 hinged circles and a piece of 24 gauge wire. They will use a push pin to create the hole for the wire.

To stabilize the base, we'll cut a narrow piece of black card stock to glue on the bottom and then the whole structure will be glued to a 6" X 6" piece of board. I hope to have them ready to post later this week!!!!

Circle Paintings Cut Apart!!

From time to time, many of us have commented on how we divide murals or cooperative artwork. A while back our 4th graders worked together to create acrylic circle paintings (on 18"X24" paper) see here for details.  They knew that ultimately their original paper would be cut in fourths and that each of them would get one fourth.

I loved the way the original wall looked, with all the large paintings mounted side by side, but I think I even like the cut-up artwork better! I started cutting this week and here are a few of the first examples just set out on the rug.

Each turned out to be a really colorful abstract with cool elements of design. I am anxious to return them to the kids and see their reaction!!

Thiebaud Inspired Cakes

5th Graders finished up their cakes modeled after Wayne Thiebaud's collection this week. Our focus was tints and shades and I think they turned out pretty yummy looking! It is always interesting to me how difficult angles can be (even for older kids).

What To Do With Extra Foil??

School doesn't start until tomorrow for us, so I have this extra time on my hands. I also have this box of foil left over from a previous project and some great illustration board that is adhesive on one side. So I started thinking about how we could use it.

Note: You get 500 sheets in this box!!!!!!!!

I LOVE that the foil is pre-cut to a manageable size so that neither I nor the kids will have to cut it. I got it at our local Smart & Final store for about $10. I also love that with the peel off adhesive backed board we won't need glue!! Both of these are time savers since I'd like a project that can be finished in one 40 minute session.

I cut some yarn and made a design, just pressing it gently on the the adhesive board. Next, I carefully pressed on the foil sheet, starting from the center and working out so I wouldn't tear it and I could press it into the folds of the yarn.

Last step was to choose 2 colors of permanent markers and make designs with dots and stripes. I could have used acrylic paint, but didn't feel like getting them out just now. This is a quick lesson that could be used for lines/patterns/texture/color theory, etc. I think it would be great to have on hand for a substitute teacher!!

Happy New Year! and Back to School!

Well, I just finished putting all the Christmas stuff away so I can welcome the new year clutter free (sort of).

I started getting things ready for 5th graders this coming week. We'll be taking a look at Wayne Thiebaud and decorating some cakes using oil pastels.

I want to start with a little talk about angles and math:

Then, depending on time factors, we'll use foil for a platter. I have a large silver platter for the kids to use as a still life prop.

Then we'll be creating and shading the cake, cutting it out and gluing on the platter.

Last, a little border decoration for the platter with permanent markers and shading of the platter with oil pastels (including under the rim for depth) and the cake is ready!!

Not sure about the background, but if we have time we'll do something with that, too.

Looks good enough to eat for a New Year's snack!! Check back later in the week for the kids' results:)