Architects Design a New Building for the DC Scene

Third graders have begun creating their architectural models... Our buildings celebrate the relationship between Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass (their DC Theater Cafe theme.) We have libraries, museums, memorials, universities, institutes, and even a homeless shelter! Our models will be on display at the DC Theater Cafe in May!

Arts Integration Workshop... Always Something New to Learn

I spent my sunny Saturday yesterday soaking up the artwork at the Phillips Collection and experiencing the Phillips in a way Duncan Phillips would have embraced; by exploring the collection through "experiment stations" and though arts integration strategies with other DC teachers.

A Story of 9 Year Old Ingenuity

Check out this link to the heartwarming story of a 9-year old boy who made a whole series of arcade games out of cardboard and set them up in his dad's east L.A. used auto parts shop. The games even dispense tickets (he crawls in the back of the box and pushes them through a slot) which can be redeemed for prizes. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=faIFNkdq96U&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Action Jackson and THE FORCE

Jackson Pollack moved like an athlete to spread his paint... and he "swooped and leaped like a dancer." First graders explored gravity, the incline plane and the force of moving air to spread their paint in marble paintings, drip paintings, and straw blow paintings.

Sending Home the Masterpieces!

Over the next few weeks, more portfolios from 1st and 2nd grade are making their way home. Missing will be the ARTS NIGHT selections... each child has chosen their own. Also part of the process are photos taken of artwork I consider "calendar worthy" (just in case the HSA decides the Lafayette Calendar is a project that should be funded for school year 2013.) Here is a charming storytelling collage inspired by Jacob Lawrence and created by a first grade student... don't you just wish you could read the delightful stories and poems this collage would illicit from our talented Lafayette students?