Squash and Stretch Animations

Third graders made these animations. Each student designed a character and then drew squashed and stretched versions of the same drawings. When we photographed the drawings in the right sequence it gave the drawings the illusion of movement.

Greek Vases

Fourth grade students were very eager to share their prior knowledge about Ancient Greek culture when we did this lesson centered on Greek vases. Some students had Greek heritage and were excited to share family traditions, some students shared stories from the Percy Jackson series, some students where history buffs that loved to share their knowledge. It was great to hear the students voice their connections with ancient art. We took that excitement and dove right into making our own vases.

First we used oil pastels to create a colorful design. This was covered with a soapy India ink solution. 

The next step was to create designs and images by scratching away the India ink to show the color underneath. The Ancient Greek vases we looked at were presented as trophies to the victors of the Panathenaic games so some students scratched images of sports and activities in which they were champs while other students focused on making Greek inspired patterns. 

The final step was to create a pedestal in the style of a Greek column. We analyzed Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian columns so that the students could create an informed version of their own. This was a fun time. I really appreciate the energy my students brought to the lesson. Way to go 4th graders!

The first graders expressed their wild side to create these pinch pot monsters. They loved squeezing the clay and exercising their fine motor skills. It helped us learn about using shape and form to create expressive facial features too. First we patted our clay into a sphere which was then pinched into a pot. The students manipulated the pinch pot form to create an expressive mouth. Some students made their mouth look happy while others made it look sad, surprised, or angry. They then added smaller forms for eyes, ears, tongues, horns, and tails. We finished our monsters off with some color glaze. 

Haunted Houses

These haunted houses were inspired by Cincinnati Music Hall which is a great example of Victorian Gothic Revival architecture. Third graders learned how to draw three-dimensional forms for the buildings and used white bubble painting on dark paper for the starry background. 

Information for Parents

Hi everybody. My name is Matt Shifley and this is my second year as the Art Teacher at Wilson Elementary School. It is a privilege to make art with the students of Wilson every day. Feel free to look through the images of this blog to see what the students have been working on. Parents and guardians might be interested in a few of the items below.

Paint Shirts

Art can be messy. I have smocks, aprons, and paint shirts for the students to wear while they are in art class. These shirts are shared by everyone and are washed about twice a month. Students with severe allergies or other concerns may bring in their own designated paint shirt. If you bring in your own paint shirt, place it in a plastic bag with the student’s name on it. I will store it in the cubby area of the art hallway and I will make sure that only that student uses it. 

Donated Items

I am happy to take any donated materials as longs as they have not come in contact with food items. Examples of great donated materials include: colorful paper, art images from calendars, books with good reference images for drawing, paper towel tubes, and any art material. 

Art Show on January 28

It seems like a long way off but students will soon be working hard on projects for the art show. This year the Art Show theme will be the Renaissance and Medieval Times.

I am looking forward to a great year! Follow me on Twitter@ShifleyMatt. Feel free to email questions and comments to mattshifley@foresthills.edu

One Point Perspective

Fifth graders used one point perspective to draw a city from a bird's eye view. Perspective drawing can be challenging but this group of students did a great job! 

Masks

In sixth grade we have been sculpting with paper. These are masks made from layering papier-mâché on face molds. Students have also been exploring the artwork of Sandy Skoglund. We especially enjoyed her installation artwork entitled Radioactive Cats. Students created their own radioactive animals out of paper pulp and wire. 

Robots

4th graders learned about drawing three-dimensional forms and shading to invent these robots. We also looked at images from the pages of Leonardo's sketchbook for invention inspiration.