Integrating Literacy in Art: The Color Monster

First graders at Alimacani Elementary learned about the emotions of color as we read the most entertaining pop-up book by author Anna Llenas, The Color Monster.

 After a lively conversation about the feelings featured in the book, students recreated their own versions of the color monster in a variety of emotions. 

Studying Science Through Art

In science class, second grade students learn humans continue to explore the interactions among water, air, and land. Air and water are in constant motion that results in changing conditions that can be observed over time.  Because they are learning to identify common weather patterns associated with each season, 2nd graders will create a fall landscape this month in art class using both collage and painting techniques. They learned how to create depth in their art by overlapping and by placing smaller objects in the background and larger in the foreground. 

 

After a classroom discussion about the changes we see in leaf colors in the fall and how animals get ready for cold weather, they drew animals that were preparing to hibernate or migrate.  They drew the animals using shapes they already knew.

 

Fifth Graders Learn Science Through Art

Alimacani fifth graders used their observational skills to draw shells from the shores of Florida.  Students studied each shell, compared the textures and imagined how they served as homes to the many sea creatures found off our coast.  In fifth grade science classes they learn to observe plants and animals and recognize how they are alike in the way they look. 

Science Integration in Art Class

Arts & Science is the theme this month as art students at Alimacani practice their skills of observation by drawing creatures of nature.  

Forth graders reviewed the parts of insects learned in prior grades allowing them to sketch  anatomically correct insects in a pleasing composition. Scientific knowledge is based on observation and inference; it is important to recognize that these are very different things. Not only does science require creativity in its methods and processes, but also in its questions and explanations.

Alimacani Art Class Update: 3rd Grade Tutti-Fruity Still Life Paintings

Alimacani 3rd graders are studying still life paintings this month.  They learned about still life paintings from famous artists around the world then put their creative minds to work. 

They showed their knowledge of adding depth to their art by overlapping. 

Getting to Know You: Art Classes Begin at Alimacani Elementary

Students at Alimacani have visited the Art Classroom at Alimacani and learned all about the Rituals & Routines in Mrs. Woodlief's art class.  Below is a video created to introduce them and get them excited about all the projects and art learning that will take place!

Art Teachers LOVE Summer Learning!

For many teachers, summer is a time for rest, relaxation and recovery!  For me and my art teacher friends, that lasts about two weeks then we're ready for some summer professional development! 

Each summer, I travel to a different  country with Jacksonville University’s International Education Program.  In this study abroad class for art educators, we traveled to the United kingdom to study the art & architecture of London.  

Tate Britan Museum

We meet before the trip to research artists, movements, monuments and architecture.  Once in London, we meet for class at a different art museum each day then present our research.  We also traveled to the ancient city of Bath to visit the Roman Baths and traveled to see Stonehenge, a 5,000 year old manmade circle of standing stones.  

Stonehenge

The Roman Bat

My favorite part of the trip was a visit to a British Primary School!  We observed an art class in Hackney, outside of London.  We brought art supplies from the United States as a thank you to the students for allowing us to visit.   The school visit has made me so excited to return home to Jacksonville to teach my own students about the art & architecture from around the world!

Visit to a Primary School Art Class

Students are learning to mix flesh tones 

Afternoon English Tea at Fortnum & Mason

Art teachers after riding the London Eye

Beautiful flowers everywhere!