Second Grade: Practice Sketches of Pigasso and Mootisse

These are great for just being practice sketches! We read the book When Pigasso Met Mootisse, based on Henri Matisse and Pablo Picasso. Through our drawings, we are learning about portraits, geometric and organic shapes, abstract and realistic art, color groups and line types. I can't wait to see the final drawings!


























Carolyn J. Braden
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First Graders Are Awesome!

My first graders blew me away today with their amazing fish drawings. I did a guided drawing of The Rainbow Fish. Their fish drawings were better than mine!



This first grader said his dad taught him how to draw so well. Way to go dad! He sketched his fish like a professional artist.



This fish looks exactly like the Rainbow Fish. Maybe this student should be an illustrator when she grows up!

Carolyn J. Braden
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A good idea from Kroger

In a recent mailing from Kroger, there was a section about how to connect with your children. Here is an idea they had for making an "artistic connection."

It's All In the Presentation
"It doesn't take a lot to make school-produced illustrations look terrific. Go to the local craft shop and get some matted frames with protective glass. 'Display your children's work like it is great art,' says Pablo Solomon, an artist/designer who also has degrees in psychology and sociology. 'Some of it is remarkably good. Picasso was often quoted about the need to recapture your inner child's openness and freedom as an artist.' "

Keeping it for Life
"By the time children leave the nest, you're going to want to have these items on hand. Take photos of the artwork and transfer to files for your digital photo archives. Remember to do a "Save As" on the best of the computer generated essays and tuck them into a desktop file. Keep original on-paper work in a nice album that will protect it from dust, moisture and sunlight."

Hope you like these ideas! The suggestion to take pictures of your children's art is great. Take a picture of their art with your cell phone (make sure there is plenty of natural light for a great photo) to share with family and friends. 

First Week of School!

Here are some of my students first works of art for this new school year. We read a book called The Dot by Peter Reynolds. The book is about a little girl named Vashti who didn't think her art was good. Vashti learned to believe in herself and her talents when she realized her art teacher believed in her. I love reading it to my new students because I want them to know that I believe in them and their artistic talents. My goal this year is to make sure my students know art is a part of their everyday lives. Art is everywhere from the house you live in (architecture), the television shows you watch (performance art, costume design, set design, etc), the clothes (fashion design) you wear and more. Ask your student to point out as many art related things they see today. When you really think about it, artists are truly an important part of all our lives.












Carolyn J. Braden
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Ms. Braden's Back to School "Virtual" Newsletter

Dear Schaffner Parents/Guardians,

I will be giving your students a newsletter the first week of school. Here is my "virtual" version of it. I'm looking forward to meeting your students!

Welcome Back

My name is Carolyn Braden and I am so happy to be joining the staff at Schaffner Traditional Elementary. This will be my 8th year teaching visual art. I plan to excite your student about all the wonderful things art brings to our world.  Bookmark my virtual art room, http://bradensartstars.blogspot.com, on your computers. Throughout the year, I will periodically take photos of your student’s artwork in progress and upload them to this blog site. I also blog about upcoming projects. Thank you in advance for your support to make this year a success! If you ever have any questions, feel free to contact me. You may call me at 485-8217 or e-mail me at carolyn.braden@jefferson.kyschools.us.

Art Class Rules

Be Safe, Be Motivated, Be Respectful, Be a Leader

Behavior Information

My discipline procedures/consequences for the art room:

1: REMIND, Student will receive a warning. (Three strikes).

2. REST, Student will be moved to a time out location and have a verbal reflection with an adult.

3: RESTORE, Student will be moved to a time out location in the classroom with a constructive assignment (Written Reflection), phone call home.

4:  RESTRICT, Student will move to a time out location, receive another constructive assignment that will be sent home for them to complete and it MUST be returned to me the next school day signed by a parent or guardian, phone call home.

5:  REFERRAL, School referral, phone call home.

Grading

For all students, projects are graded based on these guidelines:

1. Uses art media, processes, and techniques carefully.

2. Applies the Elements of Art and the Principles of Design to their artwork

3. Identifies characteristics and purposes of artwork from different cultures and time periods.

Grades 3-5 will take art quizzes and will complete writing assignments after completing projects.  Grades K-2 will have grades based on participation and following project guidelines.

Theme

I like to start each school year out with a theme. This year, my theme is "Just be you!" I will be encouraging the students to be true to who they are and to celebrate their uniqueness. I want students to realize how special their talents are to the world. 

Please send an old shirt (an oversized t-shirt works best) with your student to wear during art class. Our projects are sometimes messy and the shirt will protect their uniforms. 

Carolyn Braden Wove a Basket!

I went to a professional development at the Kentucky Museum of Art and Craft today and I learned how to weave a basket. I am so excited! I've always been interested in how baskets are made and today I did it.





































Carolyn J. Braden
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone