Mr. Mills Blog

We are finishing up some very exciting projects and starting some exciting projects in fine arts this week. The 3rd graders are putting the finishing touches on their movement pictures. I’m very happy how they have applied what we have learned in class about movement to their pictures. I have had some great conversations with the students about their drawings, what they like about them, and what they would change.

The logos the 4th graders created on Windows Paint look great. The students had to write how their logo represented them. We also started the project with CAPE that I described last week. I’m very proud how the students handled the discussions we had in class. During the first class this week, we looked at a couple pictures and the students tried to attach a story to the picture. For example, we looked at the picture below:

We asked the students, “Why is this car decorated this way?,” “Who would do this to their car?,” Where do you think they took it?,” and “What is the story behind this car?” The answers were truly astounding, and they began to write some excellent stories about this car. We also looked at a selection of 6 pictures and asked the students to attempt to tie the pictures together into a story. We are preparing them to take their own pictures in the following weeks and eventually write a story.

The 5th graders finished up their weaving this week. Once again, they really did a great job learning the process and focusing on their work. Next week, we will be doing a project I have never done before that uses the work of one of my favorite artists, Chuck Close. I’m very excited to see how the students will react to it.

The 6th graders finished up their embroidered pillows this week. Many should have come this week, but we are still trying to finish up a few. It is difficult to get 30 students to use only one sewing machine. Next week, I am collaborating with the world language teachers to have the students create world language/math games. Games are one of my favorite subjects, so I’m looking forward to beginning the project next week.

And finally…da Bears…