Space Art!

A little something different this year seeing as I'm teaching them Science as well, let's throw that into the art lessons!

Today was Peter Thorpe, an artist known more for illustrations but has become loved for his rocket pictures which have that 50s comic book feel. I like being able to give the kids an artist name to make the lesson more personal, but I always encourage them to let their own style shine through. 

I had the kids combine Star Patti's chalk galaxy lesson over at Deep Space Sparkle along with Peter Thorpe's style of rockets. We thought about the bold colours we'd use to create that futuristic atmosphere but mostly we focused on light and shadow, thinking where our sun would be and therefore where the shadows would be cast on the planets and rockets. Very interesting, this is almost a science assessment activity in itself, seeing what they understand. 

Enjoy! We certainly did!

First week back...

...two days in and I'm toasted!!! My Christmas holidays must have been relaxing!

I've come across some new and super lesson ideas this week, most likely to be tweaked for me and my ways. The art teacher community has helped me build a much more varied and fluid curriculum for the school and I am lucky that I have the freedom to do so. I'm already liking to keep things fresh and new every year, for the kids' benefits as well as mine. And to vary the corridors from term to term, year to year.

 

Today I had my lovely Year 4s, both classes. As it is an incomplete week being the first week back and all, I don't start big projects as kids are still on holidays. Go figure. That'd be nice. Anyway, it's too much hassle and catch-up. 

So I had a cool and fun activity from Goddess Patti at Deep Space Sparkle, one of her 45 minute ones. 

http://www.deepspacesparkle.com/2011/04/04/robot-line-drawing/

 

Doing this today and following my evaluation I've been inspired to build a block of focused lessons across the key stage on line. Some of year 4's line creation and control was rather dubious and concerning so I thought, across the board, line work should be practised at the start of term, or any time I guess, to get their eye and hand back in after the holidays. A possible block for after Easter so nobody misses out.

Year 4 also learn a little about Wasily Kandinsky and his passion for music and painting. We have fun with music seeing how it motivates us to create shape and line at the end of the summer term but this could be spring, again to keep their hand in.

Originally from http://www.artsonia.com/museum/gallery.asp?exhibit=698199

Year 3 can have a go at line drawing Vincent van Gogh's Starry Night. We do a lesson on mark marking that ties in with Van Gogh so this would work together.

Originally from http://www.artsonia.com/museum/gallery.asp?exhibit=741877

 I could even make use of this Pin: 

http://pinterest.com/pin/24136547976922989/

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Architecture in Primary Art

I've been having a look at the draft curriculum plans that are due to be bought in in September 2014 in England.

I'll be honest, I'm only coming up to my second year teaching art and so haven't really absorbed myself in any great number of art curriculum documents. Technique and skill have been my focus much like Patty over at Deep Space Sparkle. She feels that, like me, her job is to bring the art world to children, get them being creative and developing their skills at the same time. She doesn’t grade or follow standards and she is not reviewed. She uses the word ‘organic’. I feel I have been allowed that capacity by my school as well. As was always the case when I started teaching, developing self-esteem and confidence, this time in art (mine as well as the kids!) has also been my drive.

The point I'm getting to is that I am not familiar with any previous art curriculum besides that which was incorporated within the various cross curricular frameworks (yay...) as it's not been forced to be my main focus, for which I am thankful.

Was architecture a big feature in previous curriculum incarnations?

I jigged the year 5's Victorian art programme up a bit last year and we all loved it so I want to stick with it. We became architects for the day and studied and designed a Victorian house or building. I want to incorporate a Victorian architect's work and give some personality to the theme.

This summer, I took a purely-educational-and-for-research-purposes-only trip to Alton Towers. From the heights of the Runaway Train, at varying angles on Nemesis and Air and using an interior study of the ride 'Hex' I was able to study the beautiful yet striking Alton Towers house itself (for no other reason, I remind you! Killing Zombies in Duel, going 100kph in 2.5 seconds at 4.7g on Rita and having my stomach removed from me on Thirteen whilst my daughter laughs hysterically next to me was all in my break ;-) ).

Alton Towers itself is an imposing yet beautiful Victorian Gothic building designed by Augustus Welby Northmore Pugin, a rather busy and productive man of his time who actually died of exhaustion at 40 years old.

 

 

He was the architect behind the new Palace of Westminster/Houses of Parliament in London, completed in 1847. Pugin is said to have made over two thousand drawings for furniture, wallpaper, soft furnishings, tiles, woodwork, and metal work for the House of Lords.

There isn’t really anything on him for kids yet he designed many British landmarks. I suppose this is where I remember my kids are primary...maybe there is more to study at secondary level…

But then I remember that we teach them about the great artists so why not the great architects? Of which there are just as many. (Incidentally apparently I'm related to Sir Christopher Wren...I do still need to research this...but it was my Nan's claim to fame I think!). I was taught to be a science specialist with the belief that the children I am educating are future citizens, constructors, designers and engineers of our world and therefore need to start questioning and querying and prodding and understanding the world around them NOW. Why not do this in Art too? A fun look at architecture in Primary school could just spark something in one of those gorgeous minds.

Incidentally, in my research so far for the new curriculum for the UK, if that's what floats your boat:

“…the department published proposals to reform the national curriculum so that it is slimmer, focused on essential subject knowledge and which, especially in the core subjects of English, mathematics and science, compares favourably with the curriculums taught in the most successful education jurisdictions in the world."

“... the current system of ‘levels’ used to report children’s attainment and progress will be removed.  It will not be replaced. We believe this system is complicated and difficult to understand, especially for parents. It also encourages teachers to focus on a pupil’s current level, rather than consider more broadly what the pupil can actually do. Prescribing a single detailed approach to assessment does not fit with the curriculum freedoms we are giving schools.”

“The new programmes of study set out what should be taught by the end of each key stage.  We will give schools the freedom to develop a curriculum which is relevant to their pupils and enables them to meet these expectations.”

"Schools will be able to introduce their own approaches to formative assessment, to support pupil attainment and progression. The assessment framework should be built into the school curriculum, so that that schools can check what pupils have learned and whether they are on track to meet expectations at the end of the key stage, and so that they can report regularly to parents." 

Some useful links outlining the timescale and pathway of the UK curriculum, with particular focus on Art and design of course!

The main link:
http://www.education.gov.uk/schools/teachingandlearning/curriculum/nationalcurriculum2014/a00220600/draft-national-curriculum-programmes-of-study

Art and Design’s Programme of study:
http://www.education.gov.uk/schools/teachingandlearning/curriculum/primary/b00198792/art/ks2
No mention of architecture…only in KS1.

The old Assessment system:
http://www.education.gov.uk/schools/teachingandlearning/curriculum/primary/b00198792/art/attainment

It looks like they’ll be removing that as it is too confusing for parents. Well, I got the hang of it after 4 years, why can’t they? J

Art and Design before the new Curriculum comes in:
http://www.education.gov.uk/schools/teachingandlearning/curriculum/primary/b00198792/art

“…no longer statutory…” “…free to develop…” in preparation for the new curriculum. Sounds great. Ooh, I’m allowed to do that already!

Draft Art and Design curriculum from September 2014…
Can’t find anything on the gov.uk website, I just get sent to the ICT development committee. Dull. ;-) 

I continue my search. In the meantime, I’ll stick to my freedom to develop the art programme for my KS2ers. Even the government says it ok. Happy days. 

Preparing for my new job.

It's been quite a contented holiday so far...I've had a huuuuge list of jobs to do but they have been non-essential bits and bobs that I haven't had chance to do whilst working. But time is still going past so quick. I've been preparing for my new job too so I am hoping that our holiday in August will be just that, a holiday.

I wasn't sure where to start with the prepping. I've gone through plans left to me by by predecessor. So really, I could go straight into the job with just a little bedtime reading. However, I just feel a bit of a flutter when I realise I could really try and make this job, this role, my own. I could really set up my own lesson plans to fit the curriculum...my god, there are so many gorgeous, fun and exciting ideas on the internet that i could get quite carried away.

So many super art teaching blogs I have subscribed to; Deep Space Sparkle, Mrs. Brown's Art, Art is Basic, Pink and Green Mama, Cassie Stephens (love this girl, I WILL make her rock guitar apron!)...

And there are the standard topics each year is covering so I will try and vary those a little.

I've been really into the research and collation of  projects and standalone lessons that it's just occurred to me that I am going to have to be a teacher as well! Must remember my skills!

Maybe I'm being a little optimistic and over-excited (it's been known...)...maybe I should just take a deep breath and just find my feet first.

Oooh, and I've discovered my GCSE Art folder! What great fun was that, looking through all my coursework. I loved art at school, I remember. And I think I did a good few pieces. I might put them up in my Art office to remind me of how much I enjoyed art at school and how I'd love to inspire these children.

James Rizzi

I am LOVING the prospect of being an art teacher. I am starting to discover some great art and art teaching blogs and sites.

One I was recommended for my Art and Crafts after-school club was Deep Space Sparkle. From here, so far, we have emulated Eric Carle and my neeeeeew favourite, James Rizzi who sadly died last year.

(from the Guardian)

The Heart of The Big Apple 2008

Take the A Train to Harlem 1989

It was so successful that I'm going to do it again in my own class as an end of term activity. I had super fun prepping the paints, mixing the colours and getting the right watery consistency. And it was just as much fun watching the children design their piece, figure out how thick to draw the lines (pretty thick!) and shout out "Miss! The paint doesn't like the oil pastel! It's falling off!" A science lesson too!

This 9 year old girl has a clear talent for art. I wonder...I hope...

I have some very big shoes to fill in my new school...the previous two art teachers were fabulous; the corridors were always alive with colour and texture...things I've strived for in my current class. But maybe it's becasue I have been a class teacher and my attentions need to be divided in so many ways. I can't just focus on one thing - whereas I will be able to from September. Insha'Allah, as they say here.

Does anyone have any tips for newbie art teachers setting out?