Announcements Week 38 (15-19 June, 2009)

Exams are over! This is it, the last week of school before Summer Break. Enjoy these last few days and drop by the Art Room to collect any of your stuff that might be there.

Grade 6
I am still taking Sock Monkey portraits. When they are posted on Facebook, you should go and tag your monkey as well as write his/her name underneath their picture. They are all fabulous!

Grade 7
If you have not picked up your Flipbook 2, come and get it.

Grade 8
Some of you still need to come and pick up your folders and Development Sketchbooks. If you have not taken them by the end of the week, they will be "recycled".

Flipbook 4

by Çiğem Kökenöz

Announcements Week 37 (08-14 June, 2009)

It is exam week, all regular classes are done for this school year. We will still be seeing each other for afternoon study hall etc. I will be posting some Sock Monkey updates as well as Sock Monster information for those of you who have asked for it!

Grade 6
The Sock Monkeys are beautiful - make sure a photo is taken of your monkey by the end of next week. If you are still sewing, the Art Room is open during first break and lunch - there are always kids here sewing, so come!

Grade 7
The second Flipbook challenge is done. Come and pick up your Flipbook 2 from me this week along with your grade for this final challenge. They look good!

Grade 8 IGCSE candidates going into Grade 9, we have a meeting on Wednesday, June 10 at 12:45 to go over your summer assignment and for me to answer any last minute questions you might have. The IGCSE Summer Blog is up and running - bookmark it, it is is your reference for the 12 Variations assignment. You should also bookmark Ms. Krugman's blog which you will be using in high school next year.

All Middle Schoolers
Please remember to come and pick up your Development Sketchbooks as well any other art that is still here in the art room.

Announcements Week 36 (01-05 June, 2009)

All Middle Schoolers are invited to enter into the Global Community Project, In Peace Together, if you are interested read the link that I posted and then come and see me if you have any further questions.

Grade 6
This is the week that the Sock Monkeys really come together. Most of you will finish them this week. You have torsos, tails, arms, and ears ready. Some of you have even made hearts. Get ready to do some serious sewing this week.

Grade 7
I posted two examples of the sticky-note flipbooks, scroll down and take a look. Everybody is now working on their larger, loose-leaf format with nice heavy weight paper, which will be bound using a bull-clip. These are all due this coming Friday, June 5th - our last art lesson together!

Grade 8
One class left. Last week you were challenged to make a sticky-note flipbook like the 7's had been making. I posted two examples of student work just below - take a look. One challenge left, for our last lesson together. See you bright and early on Monday morning!

Flipbook 3

Yo-Yo by Çiğdem Kökenöz

Announcements Week 35 (25-31 May, 2009)

All Middle Schoolers are invited to enter into the Global Community Project, In Peace Together, if you are interested read the link that I posted and then come and see me if you have any further questions.

Grade 6
Many of you completed your torsos last week and have started on tails. The sewing is looking fabulous and I am excited to see the monkeys begin to take shape.

Grade 7
You completed your first flipbook using a sticky-note pad. Those of you who did not hand them during class on Friday are expected to deliver them during the first ten minutes of your first lesson with me this week. This week you will begin working on your second flipbook, which will be completed on larger cut paper and bound with a bull clip. Remember that I am expecting to see a story, and that your flipbook will need to be at least 30 "frames" (pages) long.

Grade 8
Two classes left. You will complete two more in studio challenges before the end of this school year. Come ready to strain your brain!

Flipbook 1

Cut out Flipbook - The most popular videos are a click away

Your next assignment is to create a Flipbook. I have asked you to think about what you might draw. The best thing to do is to choose an object that you want to see move, that you also know you can draw with relative ease. Then you should write a short description of what you want to see happen in your book.


For example, I might want to draw:
A dragon setting light to a pile of sticks while sitting in front of her cave

Things that I might then think of are:

• Exactly what my dragon looks like and can I draw her again and again? And then...
  
• She is sitting, while she is trying to light the fire
  
• I imagine in my head that I will have to draw her lowering her head towards the sticks, puffing up her cheeks, and blowing through pursed lips
  
• She might try several times and then a small flame will appear
  
• The flame will not quite reach the sticks at first
• Her head will pull back before she leans down to try again
• Suddenly the sticks catch fire
• The dragon will lean back and sits contentedly watching her fire burn

Or you could choose something much more simple, but just as enjoyable.

In class you will be creating two Flipbooks; one using a sticky note pad and another using art papers.

In Peace Together

THIS GLOBAL COMMUNITY PROJECT LOOKS TO THE CHILDREN OF THE WORLD TO JOIN TOGETHER IN THE EXPRESSION OF WORLD PEACE

We invite children the world over to participate in the creation of an enormous global peace puzzle.

To all Middle School Students,

You are invited to create a picture that represents your idea of PEACE. Your picture should be 30 x 30 cm in size and submitted to me, Ms. Lacoste, no later than Friday, June 5, 2009

"This celebration of peace is designed to allow children a means of contributing to a brighter future.

We are asking children around the globe to paint a picture of peace. We will then mount these pictures onto puzzle pieces here in Canada and assemble an enormous, global peace puzzle. So far the response by the children has been incredible. We are inviting your students to take part in this inspiring project. Please visit www.inpeacetogether.com for details on how to participate."

See me if you are interested in participating. I will explain the details to you and help you get your artwork submitted on time.

Ms. Lacoste

Announcements Week 34 (18-24 May, 2009)

Grade 6
You have started actually sewing your Sock Monkeys! After what seemed like forever, learning how to back stitch, everybody got off to a great start on their Sock #1 - the torso and legs. Looking good, nice sewing everybody. This week we continue...

Grade 7
The Haiku Prints challenged you to make a leap from judging process and not product. The printing was an imperfect scenario due to challenges with the materials, but the most important thing was for you to complete 3 prints in the given time and to understand the process - not for them to be the most amazing art that you have ever made, which, let's face it, they weren't! Good work on the timed challenge.

Grade 8
The Abstract water colours based on a photograph of your from Ephesus were hugely successful. We will be assessing them this week and then moving onto our last few lessons together this year. Time is flying.

Announcements Week 33 (11-17 May, 2009)

Grade 6
Last week you learned how to back stitch as well as completed a full description of who you imagine your Sock Monkey will be when s/he is completed. This week we get down to the real challenge of sewing.

Grade 7
Your Haiku print is designed and this week you will complete a series of prints.

Grade 8
I am finishing the Efes Blog this week, if you have not submitted your pictures then you will need to make an appointment to see both Ms. Helmer and I.

This week for the Abstract project you will be:

1. Handing in your 3 sketches as well as sketch paintings
   
2. Completing a presentation quality final
   
3. Handing everything in with your completed rubric
4. Taking your Art Work down from the walls and taking it home with you
   

Haiku 3 - The Print

The final piece in your Haiku trilogy is a print. You will be creating a simple print based on a line drawing that represents your haiku. In class you will be using simple Styrofoam plates to create your prints.

Picture 1 - The Sketch

The first step is to draw your image. Something to keep in mind when drawing: Each line will become "negative" space in your print. What you see as dark in your drawing will become white in your print.

Picture 2 - The Plate

The second step is to transfer your drawing onto your printing plate. Remember this: If you want your image to print in the same orientation (view) as you drew it, you will need to transfer your sketch onto the printing plate in reverse. Compare picture 1 and picture 2 (picture 2 is in reverse).

Picture 3 - The Print

The third step is to print. You will be using a acrylic paints and fine art paper for your actual prints.

Materials needed:

• Pencil
  
• Paper (for sketch)
  
• Styrofoam Plate
• Pens, Nails other like objects (to etch with)
  
• Art Paper (to print on)
  
• Acrylic Paint (print medium)
  
• Acetate (print palette)
• Paint Roller
  

Announcements Week 32 (04 - 10 May, 2009)

This will be our first uninterrupted week in a while, so hopefully things will move along smoothly...

Grade 6
If you have not already, bring socks and a needle.

Grade 7
The Haiku print is the last in your series of Haiku illustrations, you will design and complete a series of prints this week.

Grade 8
As you have now all seen in class the Efes Blog is looking great. Make sure that you get your pictures to me this week if you have not done so, that way we can talk seriously about publishing a book.

This week you be:

1. Finalizing your Abstract of your photo
   
2. Painting it as a watercolour that is presentation quality
3. Completing the rubric and handing it in with your final work
   

Announcements Week 31 (27 Apr - 03 May, 2009)

Tuesday the Student-Led Conferences are happening make sure that you have your Dev Skbks for your Portfolios. There will be no access to the Art Room during the day on Tuesday.

Check out the Efes Blog that is developing. It has photographs with captions that the 8th Grade took as well as pictures they did not take...

Grade 6
Bring Socks...CLEAN socks :)

Grade 7
You will start designing your Haiku Prints this week.

Grade 8
The Efes Blog is looking beautiful so go and make sure that you check it out. We will be talking about printing a book in class...

This week you need to:

1. Bring a photo to class from the Ephesus trip, one that you took
2. Print it on regular bond paper at A4 size in colour.
   

You will be learning about how to abstract a picture à la Mondrian, more about that when I see you.

Announcements Week 30 (20-26 Apr. 2009)

Grade 6
Your Concrete Poems are looking amazing - this week you will be adding the finishing touches and putting them all up on display in time for the Student-Led Conferences.

Grade 7
Our week is being cut short, some of you will be revisiting the watercolours for your Haigas - you know who you are! :) And some of you will be helping me with the Children's Day Celebration decorations

Grade 8
This week I am grading your Efes Albums on Facebook - If you have not created one yet and messaged me to go and get it off of your profile, you need to do that: YOUR GRADE IS DEPENDENT ON IT. Thanks guys...

Haiku 2 - The Haiga

Continuing your exploration into how to illustrate your haiku poems that you wrote in English class, we are going to look at the idea of Haiga. You have just completed an "edit" series of your haiku which entailed creating three illustrations, one for each line of the poem, much like a comic strip. Now you are going to be challenged to consolidate your imagery into one evocative picture to represent the entire poem, first in the form of a Haiga and then later in the form of a print.

The characteristics of a haiga are: ink-brush or watercolor painting, a poem and calligraphy, usually all combined in an image that appears to be quite spontaneous and free flowing.

Announcements Week 29 (13-19 Apr. 2009)

Grade 6
You have started your Concrete Poems with your Project Planning Guide - this week you will all book appointments with me to talk about your ideas/concepts for your poems.

Grade 7
Your Basho Haiku illustrations were quite wonderful and so this week you will start working on your own poems.

Grade 8
Back from Ephesus, we will be talking about how to develop and plan for your book.

Haiku 1

our bowed heads reflect
on spirals; brittle bodies,
floating question marks

Simon Clarke on Flickr

As a collaboration with Mr. Kattsir's English class the Grade 7 is exploring how to illustrate Haiku poems. Things we talked about this week in class were:

A haiku is a form of poetry that is usually about nature and emotion, it originated in Japan, it can be somewhat open-ended and it does not need to rhyme. I told you the story about Sergei Eisenstein (Russian filmmaker) who was inspired by the haiku to develop montage (editing) in film. Based on this idea I gave you the following poem by Matsuo Basho (1644-1694):

An old pond!
A frog jumps in -
The sound of water

I then asked you to draw 3 frames in your Development Sketchbooks and to create an illustration for each line of the haiku. Almost like a comic strip, you illustrated the poem and told the story without words. Your drawings had to be black-line only, no shading, no colouring, just varieties of line. The second haiku that you drew was also by Basho:

In all the rains of May
There is one thing nor hidden -
The bridge at Seta Bay

Announcements Week 28 (06-12 April, 2009)

Sorry that I am late posting this - Last night was the Art Show and as you know, we have been busy getting everything ready. Thank you to all the students you mounted, tagged and tabbed all their own work over the past two weeks. The halls look amazing and I think that you should be very proud of your work.

This week in Art:

Grade 6
We are starting Concrete Poetry in collaboration with Ms. Kemp's English class I will be helping you create your displays for your poems. Come with ideas and be ready to do some creative problem solving.

Grade 7
Also together with English class (Mr. Kattsir's classes) we will be creating prints to illustrate your Haiku poems that you have written. I will be talking to you in class about Haiga.

Grade 8
The Grade 8 departed for Ephesus this morning (boy, are the halls ever going to be quiet!) and they should be thinking hard about photography.

Announcements Week 27 (30 Mar - 05 Apr, 2009)

Welcome back from Spring Break, this week we are prepping the Art Show. Each student will be choosing 3 pieces to display in the Art Show. As a class you will be making sure those pieces are properly mounted, tagged with your name and ready to exhibit.

Grade 6
Each student will be choosing their art pieces for the show and making sure that they are ready to be displayed.

Grade 7
The Grade 7 has quite a lot to accomplish this week in order to be ready for the Art Show:

• 701 - Finish Painting the Time Line this week
• 702 - Mount your Line Drawings, complete the Friendship Wheel with or without the epoxy AND move Ceiling Jesus
• 703 - Complete your Shadow Boxes

Grade 8
On top of getting prepped to exhibit your work we will also be going over some Photography tips for you to think about while you are on your trip to Ephesus next week.

Announcements Spring Break

Enjoy this week with your friends and family, eat, sleep, watch movies, maybe have an adventure and then eat and sleep some more.