Awesome 5th grade Photographers

Our 5th grade students never cease to amaze me with their photographic "eye." We talk about the difference between taking photographs to create memories and to create an artistic composition. The classes have had assignments such as TEXTURE, STILL LIFE, "HANDS", and EMPHASIS. In all, the focus has been on how to compose the image to best communicate an idea. Students have learned about simple manipulation of the images with color and cropping. This project seemes to rank right up there at the top of the favorite 5th grade art assignments!

2nd grade Working on "Cool" colors.

Actually, they are working on warm colors too! And emphasis. We have been talking about how color can make the viewer feel and why an artist might use a warm or cool color scheme. Our new vocabulary word is......ANALOGOUS - colors related to each other, located next to each other on the color wheel!

Art To Remember Questions and Answers

Art To Remember Project on the Way HOME!!!!



We have completed the Art To Remember Artwork and have them all stuffed in the envelopes, ready to head home. Included on the envelope, should be instructions on how to fill out the order forms so that you can receive all those fabulous items with YOUR child's artwork on them. This is really one of the greatest projects that we do because nothing is better than getting the artwork of a child, as it is fresh and honest. The following are answers to many questions you might have. If your answer is not there, my number appears on the sheet that is attached to your envelope. Give me a call.

What if my child did not finish their artwork? Well, that is not a problem. They are welcome to finish at home with whatever art medium you have available. Many were completed with crayon or markers, or a combination of both, so either of these would be fine.

What if my child did not do a piece of artwork? There were some students who were absent during several art classes or did not enter the school until after we were finished. They are welcome to do a piece of artwork. You can use a piece of copy paper but you must cut it down to 8' x 10 1/2". If you forget this step, I can cut it down when I get it. Make sure they put their first and last name, their teachers name, and Chets Creek, on the back. Have your child come to the Art Lab and get an extra envelope, which contains all the things you need to order.

What if my child does not like their artwork OR what if I would like them to draw something different? When we introduce this project to the students, we normally allow them (at least the older ones) to pick their own subject matter. We do stress the importance of choosing something that would be nice printed on one of these items. However, sometimes, the subject matter of the work is not necessarily something you would like to see on a coffee mug or a T-shirt. You are welcome to have your child draw another picture on a piece of copy paper (see above instructions) and send the new picture in the same envelope you received.

If I have another child that does not attend Chets Creek, can I have them do artwork and include it in the order? Absolutely! Again, just cut a piece of copy paper down to the size mentioned above and have them include their name on the back, their sibling's teachers name, and Chets Creek. You will have to get a seperate order form so that the company is not confused as to what artwork to print on what object. I should have extras in the Art Lab. You can put the artwork in the siblings envelope when your order is complete.

What do I need to return with my order? The order must have the original piece of artwork, the order form, and the payment.




How do I pay? You can pay by check Made out to CHETS CREEK OR by cash. A district change has stated that Duval Schools can no longer recieve checks for over $250. If your order is over $250, you could break it up into two checks.

Will I get my child's artwork back? Yes. If you make an order, the artwork will be returned with the items purchased.

When is my order due? Orders are due back to school by October 15th. I can send in ONE LATE ORDER on Nov. 5th. After that, we will not be able to send in any additional orders.

When are we expecting the orders to arrive? This year, we are looking to receive them before the Thanksgiving break. If not then, then right after we return. They will be here in plenty of time for the holidays, especially, if your gifts are being sent out of town.

What if an item I have purchased comes damanged? Not a problem. Send the damanged piece in to the Art Lab. ATR keeps student artwork, digitally, until June. We can contact ATR and they will replace it and send it directly to you.

What if I want to order more items at a later date? Again, if you have put in a previous order, the artwork is stored digitally with ATR and they can simply pull it up and print it on whatever you like. You can work directly with ATR at that point.

What does the ATR fundraiser support? All funds raised by this project go to support the Cultural Arts at Chets Creek by bringing in quality presentations and performances for all our students. It also supports our annual Cultural Arts Week, which is a week long celebration of guest artists and family workshops that allow students and families to enjoy different aspects of the arts. The Arts Extravaganza evening event is also supported so that families can come enjoy and participate in the arts together. Finally, these funds help support the resources at Chets, allowing them to purchase special equipment and/or supplies for our students to enjoy.

Hopefully, your question has been answered. If not, you can leave a comment with a question and then check the blog for the answer in a day or two. OR you can call the number on the information sheet attached to your envelope. Let me THANK YOU for your support of and through this project. I KNOW you will be WOWed by these objects with your child's original art. It make the item that much more special.






Labels: ArtToRemember, childsart, fundraiser, questions

First Project of the Year - Art To Remember

Once again, we are starting our year with the Art To Remember Project, an art fundraiser for Cultural Arts at Chets Creek. You get to purchase items with your child's artwork beautifully presented for all to enjoy. We raise funds to help bring in quality guest presenters, local artists, and put on special events like our Cultural Arts Week and Arts Extravaganza. Funds can also go to purchase special supplies for the various resources at Chets Creek, to enhance your childs experiences in Art, Music, and PE.

Begin looking for your childs Art To Remember envelope to come home at the first of October. With the Holidays coming up, these beautiful works of art could make wonderful gifts for family. We encourage everyone to order at least one magnent to help support Cultural Arts.

Please contact me at 993-6390 x 108 with any questions.

Thanks so much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ART LAB "TREASURE" LIST........

There are many different items in your home that you may consider trash, that the Art Lab would consider a "Treasure". The following are things we are collecting:

small green soda bottles (rinsed)
water bottles (rinsed)
styrofoam egg cartons
clean soup/veggie cans
wood scraps
metal scraps (not sharp)
small game pieces
toilet paper and paper towel rolls
buttons
beads
old calendars
any crafty items
cardboard
old cd's and dvd's
ribbon
old broken costume jewelry
silk flowers and plants
material scraps
anything that might be fun to glue into an art project

If you are not sure whether or not we can use an item, send it in and let us have first dibs. If we can't use it, we will throw it away for you!

ART LAB WISH LIST....

Below are several items that could be used in the Art Lab this year. Any of these donated items would be GREATLY appreciated!!!!!

HEAVE DUTY ALUMINUM FOIL
WAX PAPER
WOODEN CRAFT STICKS
TOOTHPICKS
LIQUID STARCH
LIQUID DISHWASHING DETERGENT
BARS OF IVORY SOAP
CELLO SPONGES
COPY PAPER
PHOTOPRINTER INK (HP 02 ALL COLORS - CYAN, LIGHT CYAN
YELLOW, MAGENTA, LIGHT MAGENTA)

Thank you thank you thank you!

Cultural Center offers Adult and Student Classes

The Cultural Center at Ponte Vedra Beach is offering art classes and workshops for both adults and children. Visit their website ( www.ccpvb.org ) or call them at (904) 280-0614 and see what they have to offer. Registration ends September 8th, so hurry up and have fun with art!!!!

PLEASE READ.....

http://blog.futureofed.org/index.php/2010/06/26/robert-redford-myths-and-the-future/
(if you can't get there from this link, click on "Please Read" and it will take you there.)

The Above link is a VERY INTERESTING read about where we are and are heading. Daniel Pink hit it right on the nose. Looks like the Creative mind will be what will keeps us a float as well as keeps us sane as we travel quickly through the 21st century.

Tell me what you think!!!!!

I got a job!

I just wanted to share the good news that I have been hired on in Davidson county! I have been working very hard as a substitute teacher this past school year. The job hunt was tough, but I am so fortunate to have been hired on at my top choice school!

I will be teaching K-4 at Hickman Elementary. I have my own art room with 2 sinks, shared storage and 2 kilns with the second art teacher at the school. I am very excited to start my career, its a great school! The principal is very nice and values the arts and I am so pleased there is already a second established art teacher that can deal with all my first year teacher questions :)

It was my very first interview with a principal and I beat out 4 other candidates! The principal was very impressed with my rich portfolio, that I couldn't have put together without the wonderful help and guidance of Mrs. Snead. Thank you so much for taking sooooo many pictures of me in action and helping me create such awesome lesson plans! Mrs. Snead is the most talented art teacher I know and I am so glad to have worked under her wing because I feel confident in tackling my first year! I start August 9th :)

Up and Coming Graphic Designers

This was a fun project where the students had to design a wrapper for a new candy bar. What they had to think about was how the wrapper would attract a potential buyer. How could they design it so that a customer would choose their candy bar over the rest of the selection. It was quite challenging! With the little bit of time left over, they designed a magazine advertisement about their product. We discussed how advertising had to capture your attention in a glance that lasts a second or two. They were able to share their candy bar and advertisement to the class using the document camera. What fun! It is definitly a project I hope to spend more time on next year.

HUGE Congratulations

A very HUGE congratulations goes to all students who had their artwork submitted to the Florida Art Education Association Digital Art Show. You can view all 10 entries in a post below. ALL 10 STUDENTS RECIEVED TOP RATINGS AND RECEIVED AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE for their works of art. I am very proud of all of them and hope this will inspire them to continue working hard in the arts. GREAT JOB!!!!

Another Great Summer Art Activity

Atlantic Potters is offering classes for kids and adults this summer, so check out their website and take a look. You might find something that would interest the whole family. Go to classes@atlanticpotterysupply.com and have some fun!

Summer Art Activities

Visit the Cultural Center at Ponte Vedra Beach website for some wonderful summer fun. They are offering art classes and workshops for ages 4 years old to adult.

Go to http://www.ccpvb.org OR click on the title of this post, and see what fun you can find!

Portside Mural - What Fun!

Three if us, Kristy Sappington, Karen willett, and myself, had a wonderful opportunity to work together on a mural for a very special project. ARC and Chets Creek have joined up to open an Academic Resource Center in one of our local neighborhoods called Portside. This center will allow the students to have a place to work on computers, view their displayed artwork in frames, check out books, and attend storytime sessions. And that is just the beginning. ARC donated two rooms for this center, one of which, the story time room, we painted a mural of the seashore. As you watch the slideshow above, you will see the transformation from gold walls to a day at the beach.

I was such fun working with Karen and Kristy not just because they are wonderful artists, but our styles seemed to meld together so well. Plus, it was just a lot of fun. The pictures don't do justice to this project, so you will have to make plans to see it in person.

I know there are other plans for this room to even take it to the next level. May 19th will be the grand opening, so come take a look.

Arts Extravaganza was a Hit!!!!!!

WOW! What a wonderful finish to a fabulous week. Arts Extravaganza was full of art experiences through guest artists, hands on activities, and a huge, school wide student artshow! There was a large turnout for this special event and fun was had by all! Thank you to all the faculty, staff, and parents that volunteered to make this a perfect evening!

Cultural Arts Week is Really Rocking!!!

We are having a BLAST this week with all our guest performers. Monday we had SUGAR AND SPICE who entertained us with puppetry - very funny! On Tuesday we had a small group from the Synphony come and play for us as well as teach us about the instruments - beautiful! On Wednesday we had Glenis Redmond, "Miss Poetic" share her wonderful poetry in a very dramatic style - captivating! On Thursday we had ORISIRISI entertain us with the stories and drums of Africa - exciting! On Friday we have the Banjo Man from the Listening Project allowing us to experience the county - knee slapping! On Friday Night we have ARTS EXTRAVAGANZA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The big finale! This is TONS of fun. Guest artists, hands on art activities, school wide student art show, food, and the PTA basket auction. Make sure to be there to experience this awesome event.

Click on this blog post title and see all the wonderful photographs of our week's activities. Thank you, Melanie, for documenting for us, through photographs!

Kids Art Fair had an Awesome turnout.

On Monday and Tuesday evening we hosted our Kids Art Fairs so our parents could come purchase their child's artwork matted and framed. It was beautiful!!!!! I almost wish we could keep the work up all year long, right there in the lobby, because it makes such an incredible impact when you walk in the school. We had a wonderful turn out on Monday and Tuesday nights, with all attending amazed at the talent our children possess.

We are still selling the artwork through Friday Night at our big Arts Extravaganza. If you have not purchased your child's work, it is not too late.

Thanks to all who helped volunteer during the event!

Two Opportunities to Show Off Our Young Artists

Coming up VERY QUICKLY is the ELEMENTARY LIBRARY SHOW for the 2009-2010 School Year. It is a part of our celebration of the Arts during Youth Art Month (YAM), even though, this year it will be up April 1st (not an April Fools joke :-). On that planning day, art teachers from around the county will be installing this show at several libraries around the county, with beautiful works of art from their schools. Chets Creek's work will be displayed at the Pablo Creek Library for about two weeks after instillation. Make sure to go visit the Library and see the exquisit work by our students.

The second opportunity we have is the FAEA (Florida Art Education Association) Digital Student Art Show. For this show, student artwork is photographed and sent in to be JURIED. Our Chets Creek Cultural Arts Committee will pay the $5.00 per work entry fee required for these entries. Once Selections are made for the show, a digital powerpoint is produced that is shown during the FAEA Conference in the Fall AND to tour Florida for a year. From these piece, jurors also choose certain works for special awards. We have had the opportunity to send in several pieces for this show. Good luck to all students whose work was entered.

What Color is our Future?

An interesting question with the current conversations in our State Senate and House of Representatives. What color will our future be?????? It might be bleak in shades of gray as our students will be without much that they need in their immediate future. With more and more money, time and talent being pulled away from education, and that I mean a WELL ROUNDED, COMPLETE, education, our children have very little to look forward to in terms of jobs, income, and ability to survive, much less succeed, in the years to come. NOW IS THE TIME TO BEGIN CONTACTING YOUR REPRESENTATIVES AND LET THEM KNOW WHAT YOU WANT!!!! After all, they ARE supposed to represent you.

It is also vitally important, that to survive in the 21st century, that students be well able to create, to make connections, to discover needs and to invent. This comes from using the creative side of the brain that helps us to see the big picture. These abilities are taught and experienced in the Arts. They are not a frill or fluff. They are essential to the education of our students. MAKE SURE OUR DECISION MAKERS, who, in many cases are NOT educators, know that the arts must remain a vital part of our students education.

What is YAM???????????

What is YAM, you ask??? Why it is Youth Art Month and it happens every March. This is the month where we celebrate the arts and the impact it has on our children, our students, our schools, and our community. According to the Council for Art Education, the purpose is....

1. To direct attention to the value of art education which develops divergent and critical thinking; multicultural awareness, and technical communication, and expressive skills.

2. To increase community, business and governmental support for art education.

3. To recognize art is a necessity for the full development of better quality life for all people.

4. To expand art programs in schools and stimulate new ones.

5. To increase community understanding and interest in art and art education through involvement in art exhibits, workshops, and other creative ventures.

6. To provide additional opportunities for individuals of all ages to participate in creative art learning.

7. To encourage commitment to the arts by students, community organizations, and individuals everywhere.

8. To recognize art education as a viable component in the total education curricula that develops citizens of a global society.

9. To reflect and demonstrate the goals of the National Art Education Association that work toward the improvement of art education at all levels.

If you have not stopped by Chets Creek and walked our upstairs gallery, then you are in for a treat, as we have displayed spectacular works by our students for all viewers to enjoy.

DID YOU SEE THE SUPER BOWL????

As I sat with the majority of the country, watching the Saints and the Colts battle it out, I found myself anticipating the commercials. I actually heard it said that many people were really excited to see the commercials during the game, with some watching the game mainly for that purpose.. My thought was "THANKS TO THE ARTS" and the creative minds of the graphic artists that put all those together. Not to mention the field design, uniforms, banners, equipment, advertisements, logos, cameras, Jumbotrans, architecture, just to name a few.
Amazing how much art is integrated into the SuperBowl, as well as everyday life.

Sleeping under the Stars

FIRST GRADE SLEEPOVER.......what a fun day, filled with all kinds of activities dealing with SPACE..............THE FINAL FRONTIER! It started with a flashlight studded parade complete with aliens and a storm trooper. Then they broke off into stations, all dealing with space. In the art room, we did

12th Birthday Candle up

Once again, Chets Creek celebrated its birthday with the addition of a new candle. This years theme is "Orchustrating A Symphony of Student Success" so the candle was all about different musical genres. I have to admit, I think it is one of my favorites. My question is......after this wall is filled.......where will we go next??????? The world may never know.

Mrs. Snead goes to School

This past November I had the opportunity to attend a Portrait Workshop with Ann Kenyon, an internationally known artist, at the UNF Campus. WOW! Did I ever learn what I didn't know about painting portraits in oils!!!!!!! This was an all day workshop and I must say, I was exhausted at the end. On interesting point was I experienced some of the frustrations the kids feel when they are tackling a challenging project with me. Many times, I will tell them to look at their work and figure out what it needs. They tend to look at me with blank stares and say "I don't KNOW what it needs." Well, I was feeling their pain during the production time. I would look and know that my portrait definitly needed something but I could not figure out what. I was having trouble getting the right color mixed with the paints and ......well, I could go on and on. Ultimately, I did paint a portrait that looked like a human being, however, it did not do justice to the beautiful model I was painting. BUT, the great thing was the EXPERIENCE! I know I have a lot of work to do to be successful at Portraiture, but I know that I was motivated to do the work and get better. What a wonderful experience!!!!

LIME GREEN... the color for 2009-2010

Have you noticed that new artwork has FINALLY begun to fill our frames and cases on the 2nd floor? Well, if you are not sure, look for the lime green tags and you will see fresh work. We are framing 2-D work and are replacing old 3-D pieces with new ones. Make sure to look around when you are up there. We have some fabulous artists here at the Creek!

PTA REFLECTIONS "VISUAL" PARTICIPANTS

This year's entries for the PTA Reflections Visual Arts Exhibit are ready to compete! We had some very nice art pieces as well as photographs. These student's work will compete locally. Those selected at the County level will then compete at the state level. If they are selected at the state level they will then go on to compete at the national level. Congratulations to all these students and good luck!!!!

Another Great POW WOW!

Every year our Kindergarten classes study about various Native American tribes for two to three weeks, in their classrooms. I try to have the students work on a small clay piece when they are with me to teach the importance of that medium to these people, as it was used to create vessels, bowls, everyday items necessary to life, ceremonial items, as well as items with which to barter.

To culminate the entire unit of study, the whole kindergarten class participates in a huge POW WOW, including Native American music and dances. The resource team is responsible for running the various centers that the students visit throughout the day. My job is to talk about natural dyes and paints made by the early Native Americans and then let the students experiment by painting with beets, paprika and tumeric. Always fun! The students really have fun playing with food, but they also learn a lot about having to be resourceful with what you have available.

FAEA Conference Report

I can't believe how much time I DON'T have to post info on my blog. It has been forever!

Just wanted to say the FAEA Conference was wonderful as always. It seemed I was really in "collage" mode as most of my workshops dealt with collage techniques. One was particularly interesting, as it dealt with layering digital images ( on a very wide variety of papers) to create a collage. I am thinking I need to think about doing this with some of my 5th grade classes.

My other workshop was about different collage techniques, using a large variety of media. It was fun and refreshing. I had done something like that before BUT we can always use a second time around reminder.

I attended the District Workshop and was amazed at the art advocacy and activities going on around the state. We came back with some wonderful ideas for DATA to think about.

One workshop I attended was a lecture on how one school created large mosaic murals. I am thinkin'.....I am thinkin'............

The big thing that happened was I was elected to the FAEA (Florida Art Education Association) board as the Elementary Chair for the state of Florida. WOW! I start officially in January. Now I can really get great ideas from around the state.

I will try to blog more often so I can share all the wonderful things happening here , and now, around the state.

Miss Fravel Moved to Music City

So it has been almost 6 months since I completed my internship and graduated from UNF. Amazing how it only seems like yesterday I was teaching the students about maps and helping with the Kids Art Fair Fundraiser!

After graduation I looked for jobs in Florida, Georgia, Maryland, and Tennessee. I saw more jobs for art teachers in Nashville then anywhere else, so I made the decision in May that I would move to Nashville, TN.

However, they have a strict policy to not see anyone for interviews unless they have a TN teachers license, I started the long paperwork process as soon as I graduated, first needing a FL license, then needing to apply for an out of state teachers license in TN. The good news is I just got my TN teachers license last weekend! The bad news is all the jobs have been filled at the moment.

I moved in August, now living with one of my best friends and her family. They have helped me adjust to the new environment and shown me what an exciting town Nashville can be! There is a lot of support from the community to keep art and music in the schools since it is Music City, and there is a growing art scene here. I am very excited about how much they seem to love art here, and the new superintendent is really doing a lot to improve the school systems here for students and teachers.

I start substitute teaching next week, which will be a great way to improve my classroom management, as well as learning more about the schools and students around the area. I have also been doing some volunteer work in the area as well through a great organization known as Hands on Nashville. Volunteers can participate in many different kinds of activities in and outside of the schools, so far my favorite volunteer work has been going bowling with the blind.

I certainly miss Jacksonville and can only hope my experiences in the schools here will be as wonderful as Chets Creek, but I feel I am off to a great start experiencing the town and getting involved in the community.

Here's a picture from the park downtown, Cenntenial Park, its a very large and beautiful park, there are always people there jogging, picnicing, painting, and enjoying the outdoors. There is a giant Parethenon replica which you can see in the picture in the middle of the park.



And here is a picture from the Opry Hotel, which is one of the largest (or maybe it is the largest) hotel in the country and its right next to the Grand Old Opry (one of the big tourist attractions here). Inside the Hotel are lavish gardens you can walk through.


I hope everyone is doing well and having a great school year so far!

WELCOME TO STEVE TAMBURRINO!!!

Many of you who walk the halls of Chets Creek Elementary have heard the name Tamburrino plenty of times............as it pertains to Music Teachers. Now you are going to hear it twice as much because MR. TAMBURRINO will be teaching Art, two days a week. We are very excited to have him and can't wait to see him rolling through the halls on his way to our students' classrooms. Welcome, Mr. Tamburrino, we are all glad you are here!

THE VALUE OF ART!!!!!!

You may have seen this on other art blogs, but it is important enough to repeat here, as well. If you ever wondered WHY it is important to teach art to ALL of our students on a regular basis, you might want to read "10 LESSONS THE ARTS TEACH." This is by Elliot Eisner and was sent from the National Art Education Association.



1. The arts teach children to make good judgments about qualitative relationships. Unlike much of the curriculum in which correct answers and rules prevail, in the arts, it is judgment rather than rules that prevail.



2. The arts teach children that problems can have more than one solution and that questions can have more than one answer.



3. The arts celebrate multiple perspectives. One of their large lessons is that there are many ways to see and interpret the world.



4. The arts teach children that in complex forms of problem solving purposes are seldom fixed, but change with circumstances and opportunity. Learning in the arts requires the ability and a willingness to surrender to the unanticipated possibilities of the work as it unfolds.



5. The arts make vivid the fact that neither words in their literal form nor numbers exhaust what we can know. The limits of our language do not define the limits of our cognition.

6. the arts teach students that small differences can have large effects. The arts traffic in subtleties.

7. The arts teach students to think through and within a material. All art forms employ some means through which images become real.

8. The arts help children learn to say what cannot be said. When children are invited to disclose what a work of art helps them feel, they must reach into their poetic capacities to find the words that will do the job.

9. the arts enable us to have experience we can have from from no other source and through such experience to discover the range and variety of what we are capable of feeling.

10. The arts' position in the school curriculum symbolizes to the young what adults believe is important.

SOURCE: Eisner, E, (2002). The Arts and the Creation of Mind, In Chapter 4, What the Arts Teach and How It Shows. (pp. 70-92). Yale University Press.

Pretty cool!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! There is a lot more going on in the Art Lab than meets the eye!