The First Quarter is in the Books
7 11 2008I just finished grades last night, and we are moving forward with all new projects right now.
The 3rd graders are working on symmetrical aliens. They have learned the terms balance and symmetrical balance. The aliens they create will have to be completely symmetrical with some asymmetrical parts. It does allow them to be very creative with how they decide to make their alien. Mr. Brown and I are looking forward to seeing the results.
The 4th graders are beginning a project that will last until winter break. For the past 6 years, I have worked with an organizatin called Chicago Arts Partnerships in Education (CAPE). CAPE asks teachers to create arts intergrated projects that they will implement in their classrooms. Over the past 6 years, I have worked with Jessi Walsh from the Hyde Park Art Center, and this year is no different. Every year we have done a difference project, and this year the students are going to make screenprinted propaganda posters. This week, we looked at the word propaganda and its definition. Then, we looked at propaganda posters from World War II and how thyey were used to persuade Americans to support that war. Next week, we will continue to look at propaganda and prepare the students for the posters they will be creating. We also wanted to let you know that two sheets are going to come home soon. The students already got a photo permission sheet. As part of this projects, we will be taking video and pictures, so we need permission from parents to use those images. Also, we are taking a field trip to the Hyde Park Art Center at the end of December. That trip slip will be coming home soon.
The 5th graders began working on a weaving project this week. The students created their looms and began weaving yarn this week. The students learned how to weave, and we talked about some of the things they need to watch out for. The process is not difficult, but if the students do not concentrate and pay attention, they might make a lot of unnecessary mistakes.
Finally, the 6th graders began working on their embroidered pillows this week. Each student should have gotten a letter this week to bring home. The letter is also here. The students will need to learn many different processes in order to correctly make these pillows. This week, we just had enough time to explain the project and start working on designs. In the next week or two, the students will begin embroiderig their pillows.
Enjoy all the time off and we will see you on Wednesday for conferences!
