Sixth grade
Triangular Clay Vessels
Students translated a three-side drawing into a themed triangular clay slab vessel. They chose their own theme and manipulated by experimenting with the application of building slabs, attaching clay, and carving away clay to create relief. Students critiqued each other during the process, as well as taking on the role of the teacher.
Students translated a three-side drawing into a themed triangular clay slab vessel. They chose their own theme and manipulated by experimenting with the application of building slabs, attaching clay, and carving away clay to create relief. Students critiqued each other during the process, as well as taking on the role of the teacher.
Blind Contour Drawing
What is Blind Contour? Blind Contour Drawing is done by drawing the outline of the subject without looking at the paper. Many artists use blind contour drawing as an warm-up exercise because it reminds the hand how to draw what the eyes see. If you think about what you're drawing too much, your logical brain (left brain) tells you what the subject "should" look like, as opposed to drawing from observation (right brain).
Students practiced drawing hands using the non-dominant hand to create blind contour drawings. By using the non-dominant hand, the process forces students to draw slower lines, to truly observe, and to create authentic drawings. Students are presently drawing shoes and will add watercolor. Students critiqued each other after each drawing for dialogue and feedback. Students were able to self assess with the following assessment:
Blind Contour Assessment:
Click on the following links to see what students explored in art class:
Blind Contour Shoes with Watercolor
Blind Contour: Students Drawing Hands
Ian Sklarsky, Chicago-based Blind Contour Artist
Blind Pilot
What is Blind Contour? Blind Contour Drawing is done by drawing the outline of the subject without looking at the paper. Many artists use blind contour drawing as an warm-up exercise because it reminds the hand how to draw what the eyes see. If you think about what you're drawing too much, your logical brain (left brain) tells you what the subject "should" look like, as opposed to drawing from observation (right brain).
Students practiced drawing hands using the non-dominant hand to create blind contour drawings. By using the non-dominant hand, the process forces students to draw slower lines, to truly observe, and to create authentic drawings. Students are presently drawing shoes and will add watercolor. Students critiqued each other after each drawing for dialogue and feedback. Students were able to self assess with the following assessment:
Blind Contour Assessment:
- 1 Continuous Line
- Slow Lines
- No Peeking
Click on the following links to see what students explored in art class:
Blind Contour Shoes with Watercolor
Blind Contour: Students Drawing Hands
Ian Sklarsky, Chicago-based Blind Contour Artist
Blind Pilot
Crumpled Paper Drawing
Sixth grade students were challenged to draw a piece of crumpled paper from observation. This exercise was to demonstrate rigor and to build powers of observation. Breaking apart paper visually into geometric shapes and following contour lines helps to see the parts of the paper to make it whole. Typically drawing a piece of paper from observation is an art school (college level) portfolio work as part of the application process. Sixth grade students truly stepped up to the challenge of college level work.
Sixth grade students were challenged to draw a piece of crumpled paper from observation. This exercise was to demonstrate rigor and to build powers of observation. Breaking apart paper visually into geometric shapes and following contour lines helps to see the parts of the paper to make it whole. Typically drawing a piece of paper from observation is an art school (college level) portfolio work as part of the application process. Sixth grade students truly stepped up to the challenge of college level work.
GCS Poster Contest
Representative Jay Case invited Goshen Center School Sixth Graders to create a poster about their town: What Does It Mean to Be From Goshen, CT? The winning poster was created by Sage. Rep. Case met with students at GCS and congratulated Sage in person. The poster was on display during the month of November at the Connecticut State Capitol Legislative Tunnel.
Representative Jay Case invited Goshen Center School Sixth Graders to create a poster about their town: What Does It Mean to Be From Goshen, CT? The winning poster was created by Sage. Rep. Case met with students at GCS and congratulated Sage in person. The poster was on display during the month of November at the Connecticut State Capitol Legislative Tunnel.
Fifth and Sixth Grade Study Wendell Minor and Norman Rockwell
Students have been describing and analyzing Norman Rockwell and Wendell Minor's illustrations in print and SmartBoard form. The process has involved "reading" and discussing the artwork orally and in writing. In describing artwork, students are asked to list everything they notice and then interpret the work. JMS and GCS students are traveling to The Norman Rockwell Museum to not only look and describe Rockwell and Minor's illustrations but also to experience American History and a historical art museum dedicated to top illustrators in the United States and around the globe. The image at the left, Ben Franklin, is part of Minor's tribute to the book Yankee Doodle America: Spirit of 1776 from A to Z.
The Art of Norman Rockwell, The Norman Rockwell Museum
The largest and most significant public collection of original works by celebrated twentieth century illustrator, Norman Rockwell, the Norman Rockwell Museum exhibits a comprehensive array of paintings, drawings, studies, photographs, and artifacts that reflect the evolution of the artist’s life and career. Norman Rockwell’s Four Freedoms paintings (1943), iconic images inspired by Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s 1941 State of the Union Address; The Marriage License (1955), a witty narrative inspired by an important rite of passage; and The Runaway (1958), a poignant reflection on childhood are among the Museum’s extensive holdings. In addition, rarely seen works from public and private collections are always on view.
The Art of Wendell Minor, The Norman Rockwell Museum
Wendell Minor's Website
Award-winning illustrator Wendell Minor drew his way through childhood in Aurora, Illinois, inspired by America’s heartland and the richly illustrated magazines that were so much a part of life at the time―from nature-themed favorites like Outdoor Life and Field & Stream to the vastly popular Saturday Evening Post. Determined to forge a career as an artist, he sold his beloved 1955 Chevy to pursue his studies at the Ringling School of Art and Design in Florida, and moved to New York in 1968, with little more than his portfolio in hand. Since then, his striking visual narratives and elegant designs have appeared on nearly two thousand book covers and more than fifty children’s books, nuanced reflections on who we are, where we have been, and what we aspire to become.
Wendell Minor’s America celebrates the artist’s four-decade career, highlighting his twenty-fifth anniversary as a preeminent illustrator of children’s books, each inspired by his love of history, art, science, and the natural world. More than 150 artworks gleaned from his expansive visual chronicles, and commentary reflecting on his collaborations with our nation’s most prominent authors, scientists, and historians, showcase a quarter-century of unforgettable picture book art. Original artworks, artifacts, and references for Reaching for the Moon and Look to the Stars by Buzz Aldrin, Sitting Bull Remembers by Ann Turner,Abraham Lincoln Comes Home by Robert Burleigh, and Arctic Son by Jean Craighead George, among others, will be on view. The exhibition is accompanied by a catalogue featuring essays by many of the noted authors and editors whom Minor has partnered with.
Students have been describing and analyzing Norman Rockwell and Wendell Minor's illustrations in print and SmartBoard form. The process has involved "reading" and discussing the artwork orally and in writing. In describing artwork, students are asked to list everything they notice and then interpret the work. JMS and GCS students are traveling to The Norman Rockwell Museum to not only look and describe Rockwell and Minor's illustrations but also to experience American History and a historical art museum dedicated to top illustrators in the United States and around the globe. The image at the left, Ben Franklin, is part of Minor's tribute to the book Yankee Doodle America: Spirit of 1776 from A to Z.
The Art of Norman Rockwell, The Norman Rockwell Museum
The largest and most significant public collection of original works by celebrated twentieth century illustrator, Norman Rockwell, the Norman Rockwell Museum exhibits a comprehensive array of paintings, drawings, studies, photographs, and artifacts that reflect the evolution of the artist’s life and career. Norman Rockwell’s Four Freedoms paintings (1943), iconic images inspired by Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s 1941 State of the Union Address; The Marriage License (1955), a witty narrative inspired by an important rite of passage; and The Runaway (1958), a poignant reflection on childhood are among the Museum’s extensive holdings. In addition, rarely seen works from public and private collections are always on view.
The Art of Wendell Minor, The Norman Rockwell Museum
Wendell Minor's Website
Award-winning illustrator Wendell Minor drew his way through childhood in Aurora, Illinois, inspired by America’s heartland and the richly illustrated magazines that were so much a part of life at the time―from nature-themed favorites like Outdoor Life and Field & Stream to the vastly popular Saturday Evening Post. Determined to forge a career as an artist, he sold his beloved 1955 Chevy to pursue his studies at the Ringling School of Art and Design in Florida, and moved to New York in 1968, with little more than his portfolio in hand. Since then, his striking visual narratives and elegant designs have appeared on nearly two thousand book covers and more than fifty children’s books, nuanced reflections on who we are, where we have been, and what we aspire to become.
Wendell Minor’s America celebrates the artist’s four-decade career, highlighting his twenty-fifth anniversary as a preeminent illustrator of children’s books, each inspired by his love of history, art, science, and the natural world. More than 150 artworks gleaned from his expansive visual chronicles, and commentary reflecting on his collaborations with our nation’s most prominent authors, scientists, and historians, showcase a quarter-century of unforgettable picture book art. Original artworks, artifacts, and references for Reaching for the Moon and Look to the Stars by Buzz Aldrin, Sitting Bull Remembers by Ann Turner,Abraham Lincoln Comes Home by Robert Burleigh, and Arctic Son by Jean Craighead George, among others, will be on view. The exhibition is accompanied by a catalogue featuring essays by many of the noted authors and editors whom Minor has partnered with.
The Sketchbook
Students personalized their sketchbook covers with reflection of self. The sketchbook will be used for brainstorming sessions, written reflections, sketches, class exercises, and artifacts. At the end of Sixth Grade students will be able to take their sketchbooks home, as well as most of their class work.
Zentangle
Students created collaborative Zentangles with a partner while listening to music. They explored the Art Elements of Line, Shape, and Texture within a formal doodle.
Questions that are ongoing through the Zentangle process:
Students personalized their sketchbook covers with reflection of self. The sketchbook will be used for brainstorming sessions, written reflections, sketches, class exercises, and artifacts. At the end of Sixth Grade students will be able to take their sketchbooks home, as well as most of their class work.
Zentangle
Students created collaborative Zentangles with a partner while listening to music. They explored the Art Elements of Line, Shape, and Texture within a formal doodle.
Questions that are ongoing through the Zentangle process:
- How does the music impact your drawing?
- How does your partner’s drawing impact your drawing?