Dry Ice Bubble

INST MPEG Streamclip Assignment:

Dry Ice Bubble Experiment

Elephant Toothpaste

INST MPEG Streamclip Assignment:

Elephant Toothpaste Experiment

Coniferous Forest

Tundra

Tundra

Biomes #3

Deciduous Forests

Deciduous Forests

Rainforest Biome

Rainforest Biome

Biomes #2

Freshwater Ecosystem

Saltwater Ecosystem

Freshwater Ecosystem

INST Picasa Assignment: Biomes of the world

African Grassland

Grasslands

The Biomes of the world

Art Project #16: Batik

What a fun project. This was a fun activity that could easily be done at home. There are so many neat designs and patterns that could be done. I think my design turned out really neat. I like my color choices. If I could change anything I would expand my design to cover more of the shirt. When designing my shirt we were assigned to do a repeated pattern or something. I chose this floral design and I think it turned out pretty cool. I really want to look into Batik more because I think it is really neat. I recently got into the hobby of doing Henna tattoos and this is kind of similar but this happens to be on a shirt. With christmas coming close I think this would be a original and unique gift to give. I really enjoyed this project.

Art Project #15: Maps

To be honest this was probably my least favorite project. I didn't enjoy going to the art museum and didn't get the point or most of what she was talking about. When we were given this project I contemplated forever about what I could possibly do. I thought about where I am right now and what has been going on in my life. I am a college student living in an apartment with room mates. Thinking about small things then the ideas started to spark. I thought about the good and bad things and what my map is in my mind. I enjoy lots of color and flowers so I experimented and this is what turned out. I like to travel and miss the ocean so I tied bits of that in there. I think what she was trying to get us to understand or what I got from the lesson is that we all have a map of our individual lives. She wanted us to relate to our surroundings and make a connection. So I did the best I could to relate and think about my life as a map and here is the finished product.

Art Project #14: Special Wire Sculptures

It is always important to think about those special students that you may have in your classroom and plan accordingly to accommodate their needs. I have worked with special needs youth in the past and let me tell you they truly are special and wonderful people. Art can be a wonderful tool for them where they can make and escape from their disability and explore new things through creativity. I was a deaf person for this activity and this truly helped me realize how blessed I am to be healthy and hearing. Other people sitting at my table were blind and I could see their frustration and struggle doing even the simplest of tasks like cutting with scissors. Being deaf I could see what I was doing and was able to move accordingly but others could not so it became my job to help those who were blind. It was very tedious to go back and forth cutting wire and grabbing materials, I found myself getting a bit frustrated with those people. Because I was running around doing things I did not concentrate on my own project and felt that it didn't turn out so well because I was frustrated by the end and didn't want to try my best to work on it. After I realized that if these people were really blind should I have let myself get as frustrated and distracted as I did. Even though I do enjoy working with special needs children I don't think I am patient enough to work with them full time. But it is important to realize and know that I will have special kids in my future classroom. It is helpful to not just learn and know about them but really experience what it is like for them. This was a great activity and truly helped me think about and understand what these people go through everyday. I started my project with this awesome reindeer sculpture in mind. But because I got distracted too much from my project and became frustrated it turned out to be a swan. But the point of this activity was not to create a masterpiece sculpture it was the experience that mattered most and I came to a new realization. 

Art Project #13: African Masks

I love traveling and learning about different cultures. This among many other projects would be a great one to do with kids that also involves them learning about the world. There are so many fascinating art forms around the world to discover and explore. I think researching looking at examples and learning about the history behind these masks helped with creativity and discovering what to do for your own mask. It is amazing how a simple thing like color have such different meanings. I wish I could have done research before doing the project to get better ideas. I think I would change the mouth on my mask it looks a bit odd and also the shape and height of my eyes. I would have likes to add less color and more symbols and research it to make it have meaning. All over this was a neat and creative project that can be done in so many different ways.

Art Project #12: Coil/Pinch Pots

I have done ceramics and made pots in the past but most were done on a wheel. Not working with clay in a long time it was very difficult to get used to and shape. I found this project a bit of a challenge. When it comes to art I am more of a visual drawing and painting type of person. Working with clay making sculptures or doing anything 3D is out of my element. This would be a neat project for kids to do that they would really enjoy. It can also be a soothing/stress relieving activity just molding and working with clay. But on the down side it would also be a messy activity and may be one to do with older kids. I would change the these by making the edges more defined and smooth they are fairly crooked. Also when doing the stamps I did some with a lot of detail and the ones with less detail seemed to turn out better because they were simple and printed in the clay better. I also would work on the glaze making it smoother and even thicker. 

African Masks- Nov. 15th

• When researching African Masks and looking at all the vast and unique designs I found it interesting how old these masks are. There are many different tribes and beliefs in Africa and each tribe has different characteristics. Although each tribe is different many are alike in that they use masks. They may use them for spiritual beliefs and ceremonies. They use different colors, patterns, symbols, and designs to represent different things in their culture. 
• Masks are usually worn in three different ways: vertically covering the face: as helmets, encasing the entire head, and as crest, resting upon the head, which was commonly covered by material as part of the disguise. African masks often represent spirit and it is strongly believed that the spirit of the ancestors possesses the wearer.
• During celebrations, initiations, crop harvesting, war preparation, peace and trouble times, African masks are worn by a chosen or initiated dancer. 

This information was found on: (http://www.rebirth.co.za/African_mask_history_and_meaning.htm)

Here are some masks that I found to be really interesting and neat:

Reflection #9: Using technology in the Art Classroom

“Many people warn of the possible harmful effects of using technology in the classroom. Will children lose their ability to relate to other human being? Will they become dependent on technology to learn? Will they find inappropriate materials? The same was probably said with the invention of printing press, radio, and television. All of these can be used inappropriately, but all of them have given humanity unbounded access to information which can be turned into knowledge. Appropriately used—interactively and with guidance—they have become tools for the development of higher order thinking skills.” (2)

Here are some clever ways to use technology in the classroom: (1)

• Having kids photograph their artwork and create digital portfolios
• Teaching photography techniques
• Creating an online art gallery
• Making a blog/website where students can participate and share their ideas and work
• Researching modern artists
• Using the internet and media is a wonderful source for learning just about anything. You can search artists and see images of their work and learn about their technique. The information is unlimited.
• There are many art museums and neat places to take fieldtrips
• There are many places to visit and discover and you don’t always have to stay in the classroom. Use local events, schools, shops as much as possible it is easy to take what is near for granted and why waste a great learning experience.
• Teach about careers in digital art
• There are many career opportunities and ways for kids to be creative. From photography, being an artist, sculpture, and graphic designers.
• Create artwork about technology
• Kids love their computers, ipods, music, movies, and media. These kids are so technically advanced, take what they know and like and incorporate it into art. Look at Andy Warhol for example and his media images.

Resources: 

1. (“Using Technology in the Elementary Art Classroom”, Becca Swanson, June 2010, www.associatedcontent.com)
2. (“Technology in Education”, www.newhorizons.org)
3. (“Emphasis Art”, Frank Wochiak and Robert D. Clements)

Art Project #11: Scratchboard

I greatly enjoyed this project and really got into it. I think there are so many different creative ways to do this project. This gives the student an opportunity to be creative with their colors and design because they can do it themselves. I am glad that we were able to create our own scratchboards because I think it turned out really neat. I would do this project just for fun at home because I enjoyed it so much. You could change it by having students use their names or use spelling words or even do shapes. The ideas are endless. I like how it was also more of an open ended project and we could be creative with our letters and design. Each person's personality and style really shines through their picture.

Reflection #8: Age Appropriate Activities

• Planning on age is an important thing for children’s learning. As an art teacher you want to keep open communication with the regular teacher and keep up to date on their curriculum and subjects being taught. There are so many resources and ways to incorporate everyday learning into art projects. 
• Each state core curriculum (the rainbow chart) is very useful in knowing what each grade and age should be able to accomplish and learn.
• Integrating the lessons is also something very important so you can provide the children with the best lesson that meets their learning needs. Preparation is important in an art class and each lesson should be thought out and planned to provide the best success for the class.
• Each age group is different in their knowledge and what they are capable of doing.  Providing an activity at the children’s skill level may be challenging at first but once you become aware of what the children are capable of you may think of better ideas to challenge them.

Mrsbrownsart.com has been a very useful website for me when creating these lesson plans. She gives great examples of age appropriate activities. I chose to do this lesson on 5^th grade. This seems to be a more challenging grade because they are getting to be fairly advanced in their psychomotor skills, cognitive and affective. They have had many psychomotor skills developed and things like; drawing, creating things, and putting things together seem to easier for them and their creations are more advanced. It is important to improve and work on those skills because they still can be better. They have progressed enough and understand enough that they can create and do many things on their own. They are more creative, imaginary and independent and begin to develop their own unique styles.

Mrsbrownsart.com has a clever project the 1–point Perspective City. Students learn about horizon line which can be used along with the vanishing point to create a more accurate image depicting space. Students will create a series of triangles. Then they create a horizon line behind the rectangles. Then they chose their vanishing point somewhere along that line. Using rulers they complete their drawings and even add small details to make it more realistic. This project is more advanced and suit the fifth grade level. It looks at depth and contrast and space where when younger they just draw on a flat surface. Children at fifth grade level will be able to determine the differences in perspective and drawing what is more realistic based on their knowledge.

Resources:

1. ("Emphasis Art", frank Wochiak and Robert D. Clements)

2. (www.mrsbrownsart.com)

3. The Utah State Art Core Curriculum- Rainbow Chart

Reflection #7 Art Vs. Craft

Art Vs. Craft

ART:

• Art is both traditional and contemporary(1),(2)
• Generally about aesthetics rather than function(2)
• Whether the artist consciously or subconsciously has ‘something to say’, it is there within the finished piece(3) 
• Art has more emphasis on process and the result of exploring and experimentation with materials(3)
• For Kids:
• Children’s art projects are more kid directed and focus on the process
• The goal is for the children to express an idea or emotion in the final outcome(4)

CRAFT:

• In Craft, one employs learned skills to accomplish something. Technical knowledge is used to arrive at an optimal outcome (2)
• Craftwork is skilled work: any kind of craft must involve the application of a technique.  A craftsman has tools at command (3)
• Crafts traditionally were about using a handmade process to achieve an end result. It’s a leisure activity rather than a means to an end (2)
• For Kids:
• Children’s art projects are more kid directed and focus on the process. The goal is for the children to express an idea or emotion in the final outcome (4)

I think that both art and craft are important but feel that art is more important for the child's creativity and learning process in school. Craft seems more instructional and more for the kids to mimic and follow directions which can be used for things like holiday activities. Craft is also considered something you master and become very good at later in life but not as children quiet yet. Art is about expression and creativity which is what is focused on in an art class and when doing integrated work in the classroom and should be tied into curriculum. Both arts and crafts should be incorporated but for the most part art should be the main focus.

References:

1. ("Emphasis Art", frank Wochiak and Robert D. Clements)

2. ( "The Difference Between Art and Craft",  (2008), tanglecrafts.wordpress.com)

3. (" Art vs. Craft: Teacher Art Exchange", (2000), www.getty.edu/education/teacherartexchange)

4. ( "The Difference Between Kids Arts and Crafts", (2010), Tony Kummer, www.ministry-to-children.com)

Art Project #10: Stary Night From My Window

I am a huge admirer of Van Gogh's. Not just for his fame and popularity I have always loved his unique style and interesting brush strokes. His work is truly moving and beautiful. When we were assigned this project I was very excited to do it. I chose to use the view from my home in Pleasant Grove's window. I have the most lovely view of the mountains and the sky especially at night. I tried to experiment and sort of mimic Vincent's style when drawing the stars and the moon. The way he paints gives the painting so much life and texture so I tried to do the same and exaggerate what is reality like he does. I like the way my stars turned out with swirls of color. If I could change anything it would be the moon I would give it less color because the pastels blended too much and made it look a bit messy. I would figure out a way for the moon to stand out above all else but without almost looking like a sun. I would also when using watercolor make it much darker so it looks more like a night time sky. This was probably my favorite project so far and I really had fun creating and experimenting with Van Gogh.

Art Project #9: Watercolor Taste

I think this project was a fun and clever idea. We all brought snacks and were asked to paint with watercolor the emotion of what the food taste like with color. For chocolates and rich foods like brownies I painted deep rich dark colors like blues and purple. For candy I painted lighter more vibrant colors. For salsa I painted a mix of bright colors like green, yellow, pink, and red because of the mixes of flavor. If I could change one thing I would experiment more with different ways of texturizing the watercolor and would try different foods to show more expression. Overall this was a fun assignment. 

Reflection #6: What motivates me as a learner

When I was younger I didn't always like school. I struggled greatly in reading and felt discouraged and frustrated with my self.  But in fourth grade I had the most amazing teacher who truly cared for me and wanted me to succeed. She made that extra effort to help me learn and grow. She was truly passionate and enthusiastic and strongly believed in what she did as a teacher. She knew she had the power to influence someone's life and help them gain a love for learning for their future. I can not imagine what my life would be like if I still struggled and did not learn to overcome those trials. Without her compassion and love toward me I know I may not be where I am today in school. 

Half way through junior high a light turned on in my head to work hard in school and do the best I can. I motivated myself to do my best and I was a happier person because I worked so hard and challenged myself.  What motivates me now as a college student learner is my will to succeed and do the best I can in life. I am here in school to work hard and make something for myself and for my future. I think because of the people who supported me and helped me is what made me have motivation and want to be a teacher. I want to be one of those teachers that shows such love and compassion shines for those little minds of my future children to grow and gain a love for knowledge.  Also to help those children discover themselves and their uniqueness. I want them to find importance and know what they are good at and help them in things they struggle. I truly believe that you can influence someone's life for the better and especially children at a young age to gain a love for knowledge and discovery.

We are all inventors, each sailing out on a voyage of discovery, guided each by a private chart, of which there is no duplicate. The world is all gates, all opportunities.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Art Project #8: Color Wheel

We were asked to paint a color wheel using only the primary colors mixing them to make the rest of the colors. I think this project will be a great classroom resource that I would like to hold onto and I think that was Maele's intention when assigning this project. I think each color had emotional value and things that represent it. I chose for the primary colors to paint a design that represents those colors. I think the more eye catching and colorful it is the more likely people will pay attention to it. I added some simple definitions explaining; primary, secondary, tertiary and complimentary colors.