We just completed the first 2 months of school and students are settled in a working productively.
An interesting idea arose a few weeks ago, when a mom told me that her child felt bad that he/she couldn't draw realistically at age ~8.
As a teacher I am clear in my appreciation for realism and desire to have students develop the focus and perseverance to try to build skills for accurate rendering.
BUT when children work at drawing from a still life or realism, their work has a certain charm. Children hone in on certain details and "interpret" the object, often with a strong drawn line and bold style. Their work is great to look at and interesting in its inclusion of some detail, and absence of other features.
I love it.
Please know that photographic realism is never the goal with children; not only is it not a reasonable expectation developmentally, but would be missing the beauty of the childrens' interpretations of the world around them.
Sunday, November 9, 2014
Sunday, October 5, 2014
Capitol Hill shows student art at BESC (pps headquarters)
Friday after school I took some of our students' art work to BESC and hung it on the bulletin boards across from the main auditorium. The work will hang for the month of October.
As it is a large space, but still not big enough to hold work from our 460+ students, I had to limit the show.
Included is work from 3rd grade and 2/3 Merrill, 4th grade and 5th grade. Even this is only part of each classroom.
As I was hanging the work, people stopped to complement the quality and as one person said "I wish my son had that depth of program at his school."
Yep...me too!
Here are some pictures of the display.
As it is a large space, but still not big enough to hold work from our 460+ students, I had to limit the show.
Included is work from 3rd grade and 2/3 Merrill, 4th grade and 5th grade. Even this is only part of each classroom.
As I was hanging the work, people stopped to complement the quality and as one person said "I wish my son had that depth of program at his school."
Yep...me too!
Here are some pictures of the display.
 |
| 2/3 rd grade Lichtenstein Self Portraits |
 |
| 5th grade Fauves |
 |
| 4th grade Symbolic Self-Portraits |
 | |
| 3rd grade Lichtenstein Self Portrait |
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| 4th grade Symbolic Self Portrait |
 |
| 5th grade Fauves |
 |
| 3rd grade Lichtenstein Self Portraits |
Saturday, September 27, 2014
We are all just shades of brown!
This year I purchased a class set of "multi-cultural" markers. Any of
us who have tried to lead a self-portrait lesson using regular markers
knows it is a challenge to find a correct skin color.
My experience working with children and using other types of crayons, construction paper or paint, know that kids are uninhibited by any social convention about their choice of skin color.
First and second graders used these markers for their particular self-portrait lesson at the start of this school year.
I set the markers out organized on the front table with sample cards. Students used the cards to match their skin color and chose their marker to complete their drawing.
They did a great job and hopefully they reflect the variety of students we have at our school.
My experience working with children and using other types of crayons, construction paper or paint, know that kids are uninhibited by any social convention about their choice of skin color.
First and second graders used these markers for their particular self-portrait lesson at the start of this school year.
I set the markers out organized on the front table with sample cards. Students used the cards to match their skin color and chose their marker to complete their drawing.
They did a great job and hopefully they reflect the variety of students we have at our school.
Friday, September 26, 2014
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.
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.
Friday, September 12, 2014
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:
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!
Thursday, September 4, 2014
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
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
Monday, August 25, 2014
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
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
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