April 6th-10th

Hello all,

This is what the Langston artists are working on this week...

Kdg.- Kindergarteners are learning about the mythical story of Sacred Dogs (horses) told in the book, The Gift of the Sacred Dog by Paul Goble. The classes have been listening to the story and learned about a Native American artist, Kevin Red Star. Kevin Red Star depicts horses in his works, much like the ones shown in the story. The students have been busy drawing their own fanciful sacred dog scenes with colorful details and backgrounds.

1st- First graders have been making their snake, bat, and worm headbands for the upcoming music program. After they finished their headbands, we have been learned about the abstract expressionist artist, Wassily Kandinsky. Now we're making abstract paintings using crayons and watercolors. The students are tracing their hands and overlapping them so the hands are abstracted, then filling in some spaces with lines and patterns. It's great seeing the students work together to trace each others hands.

2nd- Second grade students, like the 1st graders, have been making Dr. Seuss headbands for the music program. Aside from the headbands, 2nd grade has been learning about turtles in Native American culture and now we're making ceramic turtles-- I would have pictures, but my hands are covered in clay when we work on them! :)

A "Cat" hat. Great craftsmanship!

3rd- Third graders have been learning about the legend of the Blue Willow, which is a famous chinese folklore that is often depicted on blue and white porcelain ceramics that have been dated back to the Tang dynasty. Because porcelain isn't available, we've been using paper plates, sharpies, and tempera to make our own Blue Willow plates. The plates feature a design on the outer ridge, inner ridge, and a story in the middle. The students are really enjoying thinking of their own story!

4th- Fourth graders have been learning about the ancient Aztec Sunstone, which was created by the Aztecs and is thought to have been a calendar. Students have been creating their own woven versions of an Aztec Sun. The students picked a color scheme for their loom and yarn (analogous, monochromatic, warm, cool). Now that most of the kids are done with the weaving, we are placing our woven looms onto a paper mosaic background. They're coming along beautifully.

Its hard to believe this is a 4th graders work! 

5th-Fifth graders are finishing up their fantasy maps, and are beginning to start on the next project, Space Scenes. The fantasy maps are AMAZING. The watercoloring really pulled together the whole map and the students really enjoyed experimenting with color mixing-- so fun.

Not finished yet, but coming along so nicely! 

Such a fun idea for a compass rose.