Self Portraits

Technology in the Art Room

“Teachers value digital media as instructional resources that empower them to engage student interest promote creativity and differentiate instruction.” 
– PBS Grunwald & Associates 2011 Survey


This year I am so excited about exploring ways to integrate technology into the art program.  We are lucky enough to have a brand new SmartBoard in the art/music room, as well as a new iPad cart.  The possibilities are endless!  I have started a page of technology resources, which I am excited to draw upon and add to!  

Blind contour drawings

Fifth and sixth grade artists learned about blind contour drawings. The biggest challenges for them were keeping their pens on the paper and not peeking at their artwork. After making several blind contour drawings with different partners, students chose one to color. They looked for closed spaces within their contour line drawings and colored the spaces with colored pencils. This is preparation for working on self portraits. I am trying to get students to draw what they see instead of what they know. Hopefully this exercise helps students draw more freely.

Art room expectations

Fifth and sixth graders chose key word or phrases from our classroom expectations to make into posters.  We used crayons, liquid watercolors and sharpies. I am excited to have these beautiful reminders decorate our art room! 

Our classroom expectations fall into four categories:

Respect yourself and others

Respect materials and surroundings

Be safe

Do your best!