This blog is for parents, teachers, and others who are interested in finding out what's happening in the Art Department at Alimacani Elementary School, Duval County, Jacksonville, Florida.
Alimacani students continue to learn virtually in Mrs. Woodlief's Virtual Art Studio. In this recorded lesson, students learn about the science and history of botanical drawing. Travel into Mrs. Woodlief's front yard in search for the perfect specimen to draw a botanical drawing of a plant. Students learn that long ago, before the invention of photography, scientists relied on artists to draw accurate drawings of the plants they were studying. Each species was carefully studied, drawn and cataloged for documentation. The video below shows students the steps to create their own a botanical drawing.
Yes, things are changing! With the outbreak of Covid-19, we are practicing social distancing. As a result, we have a new way of learning art at Alimacani Elementary -
in Mrs. Woodlief's Virtual Art Studio.
Art Teachers around the world are taking their lessons online. Teaching art from home is a challenge but my goal is to teach meaningful and inspiring lessons that keep my students engaged.
In the next few posts, I will document some of the art teaching taking place in Mrs. Woodlief's Virtual Art Studio.
This video leads my students through the steps of mixing colors using what students might have at home in the kitchen.
Mrs. Woodlief & Arturo
This hands-on lesson allows students to experience the magic of color mixing. They also practice recording their data like a scientist.
Ever wonder how blind kids make and share art? 4th grade students at Alimacani had an unusual experience - creating art while blindfolded to experience how it might feel to make and share their art with no or low vision.
My objective was for students to learn about how people with low/no vision create a portrait using materials that blind art students might use. Using their background knowledge from observing their own image in a reflection, they created that image using these unusual or unconventional art supplies. They were actively engaged in the process of creating, interpreting and responding to art.
My secondary objective was for my students to learn about and to honor others in worlds in which we live, this time in a world of darkness experienced by people who are blind. As an unexpected outcome, students acquired empathy and experienced a sensitivity to the ideas of others.
Here's a video that gives my students background knowledge to create art while blindfolded.
Origami (折り紙, Japanese pronunciation: [oɾiɡami] or [oɾiꜜɡami], from ori meaning "folding", and kami meaning "paper" (kami changes to gami due to rendaku)) is the art of paper folding, which is often associated with Japanese culture. 4th grade students at Alimacani practice math and learn about Japanese culture by creating origami then creating a radial balance collage.
Alimacani art students learn about math in art class as they create a radial symmetrical collages using fractions of two geometric shapes. They were instructed to use whole, halves, and quarters of circles and squares.
Watch this instructional video to see how they did it!
Much thanks to the many wonderful donors who supported the Alimacani art program by contributing to the purchase of our new, big screen. Now students who sit in the back of the room can see all my demonstrations and instructional presentations with ease. Now, "My Students Dont Need Binoculars to See the Screen!"
Core subject (math, science, social studies and language arts) integration is my passion! When I incorporate these subjects in my art teaching, everybody wins! I win as my students already know the content, the classroom teachers win when I reinforce their core subjects, and, most importantly, the kids win by making valuable connections with what they are learning in their classroom.
Add caption
Students paint using their choice of warm and cool colors. Next up: create a symmetry collage!
MAFS.4.G.1.3 Recognize a line of symmetry for a two-dimensional figure as a line across the figure such that the figure can be folded along the line into matching parts. Identify line-symmetric figures and draw lines of symmetry.
ontent Complexity:Level 2: Basic Application of Skills & Concepts
