Art at Talahi

The purpose of this website is to communicate with my students and their families. I will update it each month with a blog about what is happening at each grade level and any important art related events. On the right are MANY links to different art related websites for creating art, learning about art, and going to see art. Thanks for visiting!

Art Times - September

I can't believe the new school year is already here! With the new year brings a lot of review and practicing. I use a lot of strategies from the Responsive Classroom approach in my classroom so our first month will include discussing expectations and creating art room rules, establishing hopes and dreams for the art year, and reviewing common procedures in the art room. These things are spaced throughout the first month along with creating sketchbooks (except in kindergarten). A sketchbook is an important tool for every artist so we will discuss the importance of this tool and include some art history with the learning. Every student in grades 1-6 will keep their sketchbook in the classroom to use throughout the school year and at the end will take them home and be able to see their progress and learning from the year. Below is more about the type of art incorporated with the sketchbook at each level.

Kindergarten – The first few times in the art room is very exciting so we have to move slow for our youngest artists. We will begin by using guided discovery to explore the many things in the art room. Then, we will begin learning about art by using the Elements of Art as our guide (Line, Shape, Color, Value, Texture, Form).
First Grade –We'll use the sketchbook as a way to dream about what they want to be when they grow up.
Second Grade – We will learn about paper marbling and the covers for their sketchbooks will be marbled.
Third Grade – Third graders will focus on radial design as they create their cover.
Fourth Grade – Book binding is the focus in fourth grade. The students will bind their sketch book and learn some history behind book making.
Fifth Grade – Fifth graders will focus on op art and create an illusion on their covers.
Sixth Grade – The sixth grade gets to have some fun with collage as they create a cover that represents themselves using magazine clippings and an assortment of paper. They may also bring in pictures from home to use!

Art Curriculum

Our curriculum comes from meeting the District 742 Art Standards which are based on the National Art Standards. On the back of almost every artwork that goes home is a small label with the standards that were met and a list of the objectives or goals of the lesson to help answer any questions about the project. To the right in "art resources" is a link to the District Art Standards. We may meet some of the standards several times throughout the year and some only once. Since there is not an established curriculum, I continually try to create my own curriculum plan that meets all of the standards while integrating reading, math, science, and social studies and focuses on Discipline Based Arts Education: art making, art criticism, art history, and aesthetics.

Art at Home

"Never stop learning" is a saying I have on the wall in our art room and the students love it! I think it so important for their learning to continue outside of the classroom which might mean sitting at the kitchen table and drawing fruit, sitting outside and drawing trees, or laying on the floor and drawing whatever comes to mind. First graders through sixth graders create their own journal/sketchbook the first day of art. I believe having a special space to create is very important for every art student to develop their skills. Having a special place to sketch at home is also very important and it can be as simple as a notebook. We use a variety of art materials in our art room. Most of the materials we use can be found at Michael's or Crafts Direct. Target, Wal-Mart, K-Mart, Shopko, and even some of the dollar stores also have a small art supply section. If you are ever curious about the materials we are using please feel free to ask!

Art at Talahi

Welcome!

Art Times - September

Art Schedule

Art Curriculum

Art at Home

Happy Birthday!