The Ratner School Art Program

We had a quiet week in school with the middle school field trips last week. The change in energy was noticeable and I am glad to have everyone back at school this week.  Work continues in the art program up until the very last day of classes and each grade level has begun a new series of projects. I am running many classes out of the Maker Space at this time of year and the students are enjoying the change of scenery in art. I love seeing the pride on the faces of the students as they develop understanding of the tools used in the shop. It is a powerful moment when something works exactly as they planned. Each year the student work grows in complexity in the Maker Space and I love seeing their skills continue to grow. 

Photo by Nan Zito

Kindergarten Art

We began our Humanities study of Earth Day and Jane Goodall this past week. We focused on the Earth Day portion of the studies by talking about the art work of Andy Goldsworthy. We discussed how he used natural materials to create his art and why he chose to create his work in nature as well. Students discussed what natural materials they may be able to find on our school grounds to make art with. We went outside to gather a container of materials for each student to create a radial collage on white and black board. They designed their piece using grass, twigs, mulch, stones, leaves and flowers. Many students were able to complete two pieces and enjoyed using unusual materials in their work.

1st and 2nd Grade Art

We began a sculpture project using several different styrofoam shapes and wood sticks last week. Each student had the same number and shape of forms, but could construct their sculpture in any combination and arrangement they chose. I did ask that the forms be abstract so they could begin to see the relationship between the shapes instead of trying to make a recognizable form. This proved difficult for some students, but they all kept trying until their sculptural form was balanced, looked interesting from all sides and was abstract. The next phase of the project involved covering the forms with layers of plaster cloth. This was messy and fun. They showed patience getting the form smooth and applying several layers for strength and stability. We will begin painting the forms this week.

3rd and 4th Grade Art

It was wonderful to see so many parents at the Poetry Slam last Thursday. I enjoyed working with the students on the backdrop and was impressed with their ability to see perspective on a large scale and their ability to paint textures, shading and details. The backdrop really helped "set the stage."
We began a wood project in the Maker Space last week and the students learned how to match the correct size drill bit with wooden dowels to make a connection without nails or screws. They are constructing a found object sculpture using only that method of connection. Each student had a lesson on how to use the hand held power drill and they are showing their ability to work carefully in the shop. We may finish out the year in the Maker Space depending on how the project progresses.

5th and 6th Grade Art

The students are doing a great job working in the Maker Space on their found object dowel joined sculptures. They are growing in confidence using the tools and are showing great care with each power tool. Please know that if a student is not using a tool safely, they will not get a warning or a second chance. Each student has been given lessons on the proper use of each tool and they are fully aware of my expectations in the Maker Space. So far, every student is on track and doing a great job with the use of the tools and are moving safely in the space. I believe we will finish out the year on this project.

Found object sculpture by Leslie Hilling

7th and 8th Grade Art

We had no art classes this past week due to the field trip. We are continuing work on the History projects for the remainder of the year.

The Ratner School Art Program

It was wonderful seeing so many parents at the Gala last night. I am always so amazed and appreciative of the tremendous support you all give to our school and am grateful for the continued support of the art program and Maker Space funding. We have an incredibly creative group of students at the school and it is in no small part because of the funding for supplies and tools that they continue to grow creatively. Thank you! 

We continue to begin new projects in each grade level and are working around the many field trips and extra experiences the students are participating in. As the school year draws to a close, look for art work to begin coming home, I am doing my best trying to get it to you safely and intact! 

Kindergarten Art

The students finished their work on the Calder portraits 2 weeks ago and the results were very successful! I was so impressed with their inventive methods of creating facial features with wire and they enjoyed working in the Maker Space using hand tools to make their art. This past week, our focus was the art of Walt Disney. They created a watercolor background and several animation cells to create the illusion of characters moving through their background. The work came home with them after class and I did not get a chance to photograph the results. I hope your child shared their work with you, they really enjoyed having their own cartoon characters. 

1st and 2nd Grade Art

We began a new short term project this week based on traditional Aboriginal artwork. The students looked at a few examples of dot paintings and observed a real boomerang decorated in the traditional style. They drew their design on a large black sheet of paper and began applying color using Q-tips as their brush. The process takes patience and careful application of the material, but they all seemed to enjoy the work. Many students wanted to create several pieces and truly enjoyed the repetition of  the paint application. The remainder of the year in art will be comprised of several shorter term projects exploring different methods. 

3rd and 4th Grade Art

The students designed, sketched and painted a backdrop scene for their Poetry Slam that is taking place this Thursday. They enjoyed collaborating on a large scale project and loved learning about some of the scene painter tricks like drawing and painting with a long stick. Each student practiced writing and drawing with a pencil attached to a long pole. It worked better than they expected and they all seemed to enjoy the process. The cafe scene will be installed in their main classroom on Wednesday to "set the stage" for the event on Thursday. Parents are invited to hear the students present their poems on Thursday at 2:30 in their main classroom! I hope to see you all there, your children are very excited to present their work to you. 

Painting the backdrop like a professional scene painter

Every cafe needs checkered tablecloths

5th and 6th Grade Art

I hope all the portraits arrived home safely. The students will be bringing home more art as the year draws to an end, so keep your eyes open for the rolled up tubes of work! The landscape project is now hanging in the front foyer and 1st floor of the school. Many people have commented on how much they enjoy the work and I hope you will all get an opportunity to see the work. 

We have started our final project of the year and will finish up the semester working in the Maker Space. The students have all signed safety contracts and have had lessons on the drill press, the scroll saw and the belt sander. They will be constructing a free form, found object sculpture using dowels to attach the different elements. This is a new project for me to present, so I am curious what the outcome will be. The students are off to a solid start and are controlling their movements and focusing well on their work. 

7th and 8th Grade Art

I hope you have all enjoyed using the jelly bean dispensers and your child has explained the building process with you. I was very proud of the care and attention to craftsmanship most of the students exhibited in building their dispensers. There is nothing like the learning that occurs when students are building in the Maker Space. I am thankful they have the opportunity to create and build. 

The remainder of the year will be dedicated to the large history project. Each student has started their research on their individual topic and will be working in art constructing, painting, drawing or building the art element to support their research topic.