Day 2 in the Classroom

Totem pole paintings

Today was my second day observing at S. Elementary! Today's groups were different than last week's, as the school's schedule rotates (A days, B days). 2nd grade worked on finishing up their totem poles today by painting them with tempera paint. The students were required to use colors that would be found on totem poles, such as brown, black, white, red, blue, and orange. Mrs. M talked to them about mixing colors and told them to use small paintbrushes for details, and large paintbrushes to color in large spaces.

4th grade is continuing to work on their leaf prints, but are now exploring warm and cool colors by

Adding a warm colored
background to contrast with
the cool colors in the leaves.

adding paint to the leaves that are either warm or cool, and painting the background the opposite of what they chose for the leaves. Mrs. M showed the students how to do this in a demonstration, and she used a sponge to make a stamped background of the opposite color used in the leaves. As she did her demonstration, she reviewed with them what they had previously learned about warm and cool colors. After the demonstration was over, the students got supplies out for other tables and then got to work either finishing their leaf prints, or stamping the background and leaves. Students who finished the project were able to sketch in their sketchbooks before class was dismissed for the day.

Finished clay cave drawing

3rd grade continued to work on their clay cave drawings. They used clay tools to create texture and designs on their clay slabs. There was a student who was physically impaired who had an aid help her draw designs onto the clay, and helps her move her hands. Through this project, students are learning about texture, repetition in design and symbolism, pattern, and line. Once they finished drawing their designs, they sketched in their sketchbook. Next time they come in, the clay slabs will be fired and they will glaze them.

 My partner and I have decided to spend about 3 hours at the school each week, so we left shortly after the 5th grade class came in. They started their unit on Ancient Egyptian art, according to the art history timeline Mrs. M follows in her lessons.