A New School Year...Arty Things to Remember

Leaky plumbing? No problem! Art goes traveling into classrooms with a variety of media! We hope to be back in our usual digs soon:)

As the new year begins, DON'T FORGET:

• to wear old or dark clothes on art days as some media stains even though it claims to be washable
• 4th and 5th graders can spend noon recess in the art room at "Open Art" most days and that younger students will be allowed to join us on an as needed basis to finish classwork
• parents are always welcome to come spend time with us but I'll probably put you to work!!! Contact your class art room contact person to volunteer!
• I'm always looking for extra pairs of hands to assist with matting art and other art room tasks (training provided:) Please drop me a line!
• to check the art room blog, the art room newsletter (on the HSA website) and the Tuesday Bulletin for current art room news!

Dark colored shirts on art days ensure happy launderers!
Last year's 4th graders explore the skeletal system through ART

Art, Books, and Creativity... Summer Inspiration

 Teachers are creative,  passionate people... I spent last week in an intensive and rewarding institute at the Museum of Women in the Arts with 25 of them from around the region. It was inspirational and tons of fun! We delved deeper into Visual Thinking Theory (VTS) and explored the art of the book and ways to integrate both into the rest of the curriculum through the Arts, Books, and Creativity (ABC) curriculum. 

Art under a chandelier at the UMWA!

The NMWA museum educators are deeply committed to providing fabulous teacher education and a rich museum experience for all of us... and what a special place to spend our week!

Yours truly in her happy place surrounded by art materials!

 A possible new fun culmination to our 2nd grade "faces and color show emotion" unit

One of many project ideas: a tunnel book depicting the rainforest...
others explored DC architecture, the solar system,
and habitats of early Americans through this same medium


My deepest thanks to all my fellow educators who shared their ideas and passion, and to the workshop leaders who kept us exploring and challenged and creating and talking about art all week long!

Greek Art, Literature, History and Theater... What a Rich Experience!

As I was going through photos this summer, I remembered one of our end of the year informances that knocked my socks off and that I wanted to share here! The 4th grade team, lead by Judy Fratto and Kathy Echave, delved into a juicy unit on Greek myths and celebrated their learning with a captivating and polished Greek shadow puppet show. 

I felt privileged to collaborate by assisting students in creating the stunning Greek vase drawings you see on the curtains behind their stage production. We were able to extend our learning about the proportions of the human body as we drew our Greek figures in the form of Gods and Goddesses, olympic figures, and people performing everyday tasks. 

We also learned about the lip, neck, shoulders, body, and foot of a pot. And of course, we had a discussion on contrast and balance and the importance of the art of the Greek vase in our understanding of Greek life and mythology! 

It's a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood!

The last week of school found us outside sketching what our eyes can see (finding the trapezoids and rectangles, details and textures of the houses on Broad Branch Road) and playing with shaving cream finger painting style (which had the added benefit of scrubbing our art room tables fresh and clean!) Thankfully the weather cooperated and a good time was had by all!

Lafayette Artists Enjoy Kudos From the Greater Community

The richly colored Underground Railroad Code Quilt assemblage created from the digital artwork of 15 Lafayette 5th graders, was auctioned last week to benefit the DC Ed Fund and raised $3,250!!!

The Justice Department has requested a similar piece for an upcoming art exhibit commemorating the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Civil Rights Act.

And today, some of our talented 5th graders received ribbons and prizes as winners of the DC division of the Jr. Duck Stamp Contest during a joint ceremony with the Maryland winners at the Patuxant Wildlife Refuge.

One of our 3rd place winners holding her ribbon in front of her artwork.
First, second, and third grade artwork will be touring for the next 6 months.

Send Them Onward, Send Them Upward, Send Them Home… What a Lot of Goodbyes!

Yesterday we said goodbye to our student teacher Ms. Johnson in an assembly where we presented her with a Lafayette t-shirt and an apron signed by all her students. We serenaded her with "Happy", and danced and celebrated our thankfulness that she was in our lives all school year! Some of us also made cards, paper chains, paintings, and sent her off with words of wisdom. We will miss her dearly!!!

Ms. Johnson in her Apron amidst singing dancing children:)

This week we also sent work to two citywide art shows: at Reagan National Airport and a fundraiser at the Pepco Building to benefit the DCEd Fund (a group Underground Railroad code quilt assemblage that will be auctioned to the highest bidder this coming Tuesday, May 6.)

And finally, PORTFOLIOS are making their way home as I say goodbye to the masterpieces your children have created and they choose their selection for ARTS NIGHT! (A few final pieces and their matted Arts Night work will come home the last week of school.)

Lafayette Students Get a Little Silly For IMAGES!

Pre-K through grade 5 had their photos taken this week for IMAGES 2014, Lafayette's beloved art and literary anthology. Want a book that includes photos of the cutest kids in town, the most engaging stories and poems, and the most charming illustrations? Come purchase IMAGES at Lafayette's ARTS NIGHTS May 8 and 22!

Here's a SNEAK PEAK!