Yay for Clay Day!

Many grade levels are working on a clay project this week in the Muddy Brook art studio.  First graders are sculpting community members for their collage town, third graders are making miniature food or revisiting the mirror project for another go.  Fourth grade learned about contemporary artist Kimmy Cantrell and made textured mask like faces. 

We are using up old clay that has been in the kiln room longer than I have been teaching here (six years).  The clay needed to be reconditioned and softened and I've been working on that since the winter.  It's a lot of work, but worth it to see how excited artists are about using earth clay.  All the work areas need to be wiped down constantly to keep the dust under control and keep our studio healthy.  We also like to run our fantastic electric kiln only when it is absolutely full, as I am mindful of energy use. 

Most of these projects will be finished with alternatives to glaze, as our glaze color palette is limited and students will need many options to realize their big plans!  I predict many ceramics will be on display in the upcoming art show May 28th - may 31st.

 First Graders made figures for their community.

 3rd Graders were extremely creative with their miniature food!

Pre-K's creatures

 Fourth Grade masks, each one is unique!

Hello Dear Blog

Hello Dear Blog!
I haven't visited the blog to share the great learning happening in the studio for too long!  Instagram has become an easier way to share art studio happenings.  You can follow our studio learning adventures and my art teacher life at @Aliteachesart.  I never post pictures of kid's faces without parent permission, but I DO post pictures of my pets occasionally. So much is happening in the art studio.  Artists are in the middle of building skills and perseverance with sewing in the older grades and younger students are exploring big ideas.  I am amazingly proud of the problem solving and creativity of our Muddy Brook artists!  This year I have focused on teaching solving problems and knowing that an artist's vision doesn't happen immediately, and artists embrace failure as part of the process of creating.  Artists experiment, ask what if? and artists make plans and change their plans.  Along with building skills and having fun with learning, students are embracing the creative process!

 1st Graders are adding a playground and park to their "Collage Town".

 Sewing with sharp needles is tricky to learn and 3rd and 4th graders are persevering!

 Look at these pillows!

 

Our youngest artists build skills each week by creating at open-ended studio centers.

"Cut and Glue Collage is a favorite of many!

Ceramics and Heart Art

Greetings from the art studio!  Students have been busy bees learning and creating ceramics projects and now we are doing some heart themed skill builders, which always look so festive in February.  Follow me on Instagram at aliteachesart as I am more apt to add a photo or two on Instagram rather than update the blog.  During clay and paint days we do whole class instruction, so I forget to capture images.  The littler artists have teaching assistants, that's why I take more photos with those classes!  All classes are doing great work!  Scroll down for some quick pics of student work, and stay warm today!  Brrrrr!  love, Ms. B

 First Grader Heart Art with tints and shades.

 Second Grader Ceramic Fish Sculptures, corner backgrounds folded and ready for display.

 The kiln is ready to be unloaded!  PK Hearts and wall hangings, 1st grade pockets.

4th grade coil pots waiting for the kiln.

Winter Workshop Art

I can't believe it's been a month since my last blog post!  Artists have been busy little winter elves in the studio since Thanksgiving break.  Classes have choices of smaller sized art projects filled with problem solving and skill building based on winter themes.  Many students incorporate the holidays that are on their minds right now.  Cookie kids, snowmen, evergreens, snowflakes, stitching and faux stained glass artworks are challenging, yet fun to make and maybe give to friends and family.    We have missed quite a few classes here and there, so the Winter Workshop art will be coming home this week or next week, depending on schedules. 

This artist illustrated the Hannukah story that her friend shared with her on the bus. 
Art gives children time to think deeply, own learning and share their ideas visually.

An artist admires his ogee shaped paper ornament.

Many artists choose winter themed art, but not all!  Mooki Bets is popular at MBE!

Keep an eye open for a gift bag filled with artist made goodies! 

Reflecting on Art

This week in the studio artists are looking through their artwork and reflecting on their art and the process of making it.  The artists are using age appropriate criteria to decide which pieces are most successful and selecting their best to keep at school for display.  Their other amazing works of art, skill builders and learning experiments are going home.  Please take a few minutes to ask your children about their art.  What was difficult, what problems did they need to solve while making it, and what they would do differently if they were to make the piece again.  Thinking and talking about artwork takes practice and is an important part of the learning process. 

Finished pieces wait for artists as they work in the studio.

3rd grade artists discuss two pieces, giving feedback to the artist.  (He chose the print for display.)

First Grade Sculptures on Display in Great Barrington

 First Graders have artwork on display at the Mason Public Library in Great Barrington until November 26th.  Please take some time to look at the work on your next visit to the library.  

You can learn about the learning project below:

photo credit Kathy Plungis, Mason Library

First graders at Muddy Brook Regional Elementary were inspired to create these wonderful sculptures after reading Maurice Sendak’s classic picture book Where the Wild Things Are.   Students sketched their creatures, then they made a final drawing on Scratch Art sparkle paper (on display at school).  It was challenging to create a three dimensional version of their monster from the Model Magic sculpting compound.  The children have shared information about their creatures.  Their delightful and creative spelling shows their emerging strengths as readers and writers.  We love sharing student art and learning with our community!  Love, Ms. B.

Mass MoCA Museum Bag Wow!

Greetings from the Art Studio!

We have an exciting opportunity to visit a world famous art museum for free!  Muddy Brook has a family pass to Mass MoCA available for check out from the main office!   The Mass MoCA bag includes art story books, museum information and activities, art materials and a journal.  Sign out the bag or send a note in with your contact information asking for the bag with your child. 

Return the bag and pass the following school day after visiting the museum.  This is a wonderful opportunity to spend an hour at the museum if you are up North for an appointment or sporting event, or make a special trip to spend the day on a weekend or school break! 

 I'd like to remind everyone with an EBT card that you can visit the museum with your card and pay only $2.00 for admission (regular adult admission is $20.00)  also local libraries have passes you can take out to visit the museum as well.  Kid Space in the museum is always free.

 Mass MoCA Fall/Winter/Spring Hours are 11am–5pm, closed Tuesdays.  You can learn more about the museum and the exhibitions here.

I look forward to hearing about your adventures at the museum, Artfully Ms. Benton