9/26/14

This past week, I have seen students really settle in to the routine and expectations of school.
The kids are calmer and it becomes easier for them to be more focused and productive.

Every two weeks I have an extra art period to share with a class. I would like to use it as a reward for self-control, cooperative and calm, focused behavior in my classroom.
The first half of September, the Mr. J's 4th graders won.

Today, Mrs.J's 1st. graders won the award!!! and were invited to come to art class for a free-choice time.
Congratulations to them. Good Job!

Pretty soon it will be hard for me to choose winners.

9/12/14

As Mrs. Wilson wrote our school has record numbers of children which means our class sizes are robust. This reality supports a very organized classroom, with calm expectations for behavior, even in the art room where students are traditionally more relaxed.  We still are relaxed, but are working to extend the calm focus of the classroom to the art studio.

Many classes are doing quite well with this expectation, and there is a reward.

The class that has the smoothest behavior in a two week period, reaching about 85% level of cooperation and personal responsibility, is offed a bonus art period, and the honor of hosting the
"Tribute- Polar Bear."
The bi-monthly first winner is:

4th graders Mr. Jayquiss' class

Tribute

Yay to them!

Hopefully Tribute will visit many more classes this year!

The week is half over! and we are already being productive in the art room.

Many grade levels are starting the year with a self-portrait. They are children and they grow and change, so none of us even get tired of getting a glimpse of how they see themselves!

I am madly trying to update the blog, with more specifics about their first assignments; and please check back in 10 days or so and see images of completed work.

My 2nd year at Capitol Hill is going to be even better. I feel so good knowing the students from day one and being overall more familiar with the community and how the school is run.

Some of the grade level projects will stay the same (within that grade level year) and there will be some new projects. It is no fun doing the same thing year after year, and there is always some new idea out there.

Thank you for your support last year and I hope you will feel your children are learning and growing as creative folks.
I believe in their potential! and I say that with honesty and sincerity.

Nancy Helmsworth

WELCOME BACK!

Welcome back to school!
Teachers begin preparing tomorrow (actually teachers think, plan, gather materials throughout the summer).

I think this is going to be a fun and productive year, as the second year of Visual Arts at Capitol Hill School. Last year the students were quite receptive to the new ideas and hard working. I expect the same quality work this year as well.

What is not to like?
I am happy to be back, connecting and reconnecting with the students, your children.

Sincerely,

Nancy Helmsworth

Feedback from Hillsdale Library Art Display

Hi Nancy --

This art show has been so popular! We have received many compliments from staff and the public. Whenever I am near the artwork, patrons comment on how impressed they are with the quality of the work. It's not unusual to hear "Wow!" and "How old are these students?" 

The Hillsdale staff and our Director of Neighborhood Libraries delighted in discussing the chameleons during our staff meeting.

Thank you for a wonderful show, and please pass our thanks along to your student artists!

--Barbara

Barbara J Head

Youth Librarian
Hillsdale Regional Library, Multnomah County

 

GREAT JOB STUDENTS!

Benefit of offering Arts in schools.
link to article in the Washington Post

"...In short, the arts can’t save failing schools — certainly not on their own. The focus has to be on academic fundamentals. Yet I ended my morning at Savoy more convinced that arts programs can be more than a gracious dollop of artsy noblesse oblige for poor kids; rather, they can serve as a building block toward academic success."

From my years of teaching and observations of students, I have seen first hand how a positive art experience can serve as a building block for academic success. A student gains mastery in art* and then confidence. That confidence then spreads into the other areas of his/her academic life and gives them the courage and belief in their potential for success. It happens!

*
(and all of my art curriculum is developmentally geared to practically guarantee student success)

May 13, 2014

As I wrote earlier, we have some opportunity to show student work outside of our school building. Selecting work is harder than you might think as there is really too much quality work to choose from and too many consistently dedicated students at Capitol Hill to honor.

Umpqua Bank in Multnomah Village-  the month of May

5th grade Action Figure Sculptures are on display. The bank graciously hosted an Opening Reception for the students on Friday May 9th. The work will be on display (using the extra space at their discretion) for the next couple weeks.
All completed sculptures were included plus the additional 2-D work of some of our most dedicated art students.
Congratulations 5th Graders!

Hillsdale Library - May 12- May 25


Yesterday I hung art work from many students in 4th, 3rd and 2nd grade at the Hillsdale library.

You will find some wonderful examples of the 3rd graders' paintings- Bridge - Abstractions in the foyer of the library.

A sampling of the 4th graders, 3-dimensional Backpacks are in the display case in the foyer as well. Some Backpack Paintings are in the meeting room within the building.

A collection of the 2nd graders compositional work "Chameleons are Cool" are hung in the meeting room in the SE corner of the library.
I am told that many public meetings are held in that particular room and giving us the chance to introduce many citizens to our student work.

I am pleased to share with the public, some examples of what the Arts Tax has brought to Capitol Hill School.