Imaginary Aerial Perspective Landscape - 8th grade

For this project we started by looking at a variety of images of mountains through out PA and VA. Using the see-think-wonder thinking routine to observe the qualities in the pictures. Then we discussed how artists don't always complete a picture in one day, that sometimes art takes time and steps. We worked through many steps following the concept of Aerial Perspective, where the furthest mountains are the lightest and grayest and then each ridge becomes darker and darker. This gives the impression of depth. We took the time paint in the sky, let it dry and then slowly paint each ridge of mountains. I believe the students struggled the most with the idea that art doesn't happen all at once and sometimes one simple piece can take days or patience. 

Rubric: Students should be able to complete these things by the end of the project.

- I can pre-plan my project in my sketchbook (MI standard: ART.VA.II.8.7)
- I can use the wet on wet technique to apply the watercolors in an emerging level. (MI standard ART.VA.I.8.1)
- I can apply the paints using a lighter and grayer hues  to create the affect of distance aerial perspective (MI standard ART.VA.I.8.3)
- I can pay attention to the final details of the assignment and reflect on what else needs to be completed (MI standard ART.VA.II.8.5)

8th Grade Fingerprint self-portraits

For this project I really wanted something for the students who struggle to see themselves as amazing. I really started looking at work like this when I had a student who was out last year and I needed to write projects that could be made at home but I also wanted something for the student that left and impression for them. Something he could work on that made an important impact on who they are. As middle school students I sometimes feel that they focus a lot on them self but that they don't actually see all of the good things. In this project we focused on hundreds of attributes that describe a person. I then had them highlight their most favorite these would be used in their piece in a way that stood out for everyone to see. We then looked very closely at our own fingerprints. I would suggest printing the print on a balloon and blowing it up for all to see the details but we made do without that accommodation. After studying our fingerprints we sketched them and then redrew them for our final design. Once all of our lines were drawn in we traced them using our attributes and then added color.

Purpose of the project:
 - To teach students that words can be used to create art (typography)
 - As a reflective tool for students to observe their personality qualities and what attributes describe themselves.

 - To highlight their best attributes and shine a light on how amazing they truly are.

Students were graded on the following criteria:
 - The student has used words to create a line

 - They have included personal attributes that describe them self and have highlighted their certain attributes in a creative and unique way.

 - The student has a design that resembles their own fingerprint 

 - Craftsmanship: Make sure that their picture is done neatly.
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This year I decided to try this project with my 7th grade students. It worked out nicely and we had some really nice and successful images. As happens every year I found that the students really struggled to think of things to say about themselves but eventually we able to come up with plenty of positive things. As always we had many awesome projects.

3-D Name Designs 8th Grade

Well I am back from my week long hiatus with my sick son. He is doing much better but we still struggle every night and he is definitely worn out by the end of the day. I am definitely looking forward to the days of finally being able to sleep through the night.

I am proud to post these wonderful 8th grade pictures of their 3-D pieces and apologize for not getting them posted sooner.

For this project we made the letters in our names look 3-D. The inspiration for this project was from this video on YouTube How to Draw 3D letters. Then we carefully copied the process using our own names. This proved to be a difficult experience and took many sheets of paper to finally get the perfect letter.  Here are some of the students who worked tirelessly at getting their name perfect. I am impressed with how well they did. Every student should be proud of their work on this project as it was a hard one to start the year with.

   

Students were graded on the following criteria:
  - Did the letters look 3-D, were the lines drawn correctly for the illusion
  - Craftsmanship (was it done neatly)