As you can see below, we have begun working on our bottle cap mural! The only problem, which is a big problem, is that we do not have enough bottle caps! Please help us finish our mural by saving and sending in any bottle caps you might have. The kinds that are on milk jugs, water bottle, pop bottles, gatorade, juice, laundry soap, etc. etc. are the kinds we need. We need many, many, many more! Thank you for your help!
Jan. 9, 2012
Message From State Superintendent Christopher A. Koch, State of Illinois Board of Ed:
"We put so much focus on Math, Science and English Language Arts and unfortunately sometimes neglect areas that are not tested. I believe the arts are every bit as important to a student's education as algebra, biology or composition. As educators we all know that valuable lessons are learned and creativity is fostered through a student's participation in the visual and performing arts. In some cases, participation in the arts may be the necessary spark that keeps a student from dropping out."
Thank you Superintendent Koch for stating what we art teachers have always known: art education is vitally important to the education of our students!
I am embarking on a new project that will use bottle caps: plastic or metal. Any kind! Any color! I am talking about caps from bottles of water, milk, juice, etc. I am hoping to create a mural using these caps, so I will need lots and lots of them. If you would please save them for the art room and bring them to school in a bag marked "art" or "Mrs. Newman", I would be so appreciative. Thank you in advance of helping us make a very cool art project!
August, 2011
Dear Students and Parents,
We welcome back all Preschoolers through 8th graders to our art program. I have many great projects in mind and I am excited to begin another year of creativity!
Most students will have art class every other week, alternating with library. The goals of the program are to allow each student to be expressive in their art work and to tap into their creative mind. We will explore different art media and techniques. We will examine artists past and present for inspiration and appreciation. We will also tap into certain subject areas by connecting an art project with something they are studying in the classroom.
We will continue "Artist of the Week", displaying outstanding works of art near the office by the school's entrance, and in the art room. All the students' artwork will be on display throughout the school on a regular basis. We will be creating works of art for our annual auction at the end of the year that showcases beautiful art works by our students.
Art education provides powerful educational benefits by developing students' creative problem solving and critical thinking skills while it emphasizes sensitivity to beauty, expression and order in our world. When students connect learning in other subject areas with an art project, research has found that they retain that information much longer. And a good art program allows each student to feel good about himself/herself through creating and exploring. I am committed to giving our students not just a good art program but a great one. I feel art is not an "extra" but a vital part of our students development. Art education allows them to learn about themselves as well as the bigger world around them. I am blessedto be at Saint John Fisher School where the arts are alive and well!
Thank you for your support of our art program. We are looking forward to a great year!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Patricia Newman
P. S. Any fall cleaners out there? If so, please remember the art room with anything like fabric, buttons, yarn, plastic containers, cardboard tubes, or anything you think we might be able to use for an art project. Remember, your junk is often our treasure!
I give letter grades to 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th grade students. The students are graded on effort, performance in class, following directions, and finishing the project. I never grade on talent. I feel I provide projects for the students that everyone can feel a sense of accomplishment, even if they feel they are not "good artists". Most projects have rubrics that breakdown what they were supposed to do and what was actually done. The art projects in the upper grades all stress a certain art element that should be evident in the art work.
All art classes meet every other week, which amounts to two times per month (sometimes less if we have days off). Since I do not give homework, I expect the students to come in and work on the given project. When this doesn't happen, the student then falls behind. I do understand some students work slower than others; that is why I always tell the students I am here before and after school if they were absent or just need to catch up on a project. When they don't do this, I have to grade accordingly.
If you have questions about a grade, feel free to contact me.
