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Today was the day the GLITTER BOMB hit the art room!!!!!!

Today I made a great discovery teaching 5th grade art... I will always have a "Glitter Day" the last day before the students get out for the holidays!!!  I really don't know when I have had more fun and I have our Lower School Art Teacher, Marilyn Mullinax to thank.  Marilyn  provided the extra glitter needed to put the 5th grade "Glitter Machine" into full swing!

There was no doubt about what was happening in the art room because all the trails of glitter throughout the Middle School lead to the room where I teach 5th grade art!

 

 Today was glitter magic thanks to my 5th grade students, along with others who showed up the art room because they followed the trails of glitter.  Today was the day there was a shiny glitter explosion of Middle School creativity!

 Hmmmmmm, tonight Roger said I still have some glitter in my hair.... Can you imagine?

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A surprise visit with the grandkids!!!!!

Lucky us!  Roger and I got to take Lily and Charlie to see the award winning CCES Middle School Tree at the Hyatt House, part of the Annual Festival of Trees event. The CCES Middle School tree was inspired by THE LION KING JR and honored Maggie's School in Africa. It was decorated with awesome clay african animal ornaments created by the 5th grade in our art class.  The MS Arts Guild then wove their special magic into the tree by adding some of the costuming from THE LION KING JR. To say that the tree is amazing is an understatement!!!!

Gathering 100's of acorns and painting with watercolors in my studio were the other highlights. Charlie also did a drawing of our family holding hands.  It is delightful!  Do you recognize me on the far left????  

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THANKSGIVING 2016 at our house!!!

Thanksgiving at our house this year included drawing, of course, making things in clay and wood, cleaning the pond (again), turning my greenhouse into a playhouse and a fabulous meal together as our family gave THANKS for each other and for the day. This was celebrated with a toast of Champagne and mimosas for the kids, completed by clinking of glasses! 

The sun was out and the light was streaming through yellow maple leaves still hanging on to the trees, our stomachs were full, the dogs were having a blast welcoming the new puppy Enzo into the family.  Most of all, we were all together...  It was a perfect moment in time and I am truly THANKFUL....

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Part II - 5th grade Leaf Project

The students chose leaves of different types, looking carefully to see if the leaf they chose "had character", in other words any distinguishing characteristics such as a tear or a bug bite.  In order to give the leaves the random appearance of being blown in the wind, I suggested they drop their leaves onto the paper and then draw them.  They could do some tracing but ultimately would have to move their leaf aside to finish their drawing.  One leaf had to be drawn larger than life size and some overlapping for the appearance of space had to be incorporated.

Students used leaves, pencils and heavy watercolor paper for this part of their leaf project.

I think the results so far are quite impressive! This is my biased and my unbiased opinion!

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When looking becomes seeing... Part 1 of OBSERVATION DRAWING

Each quarter my 5th grades are rewarded with a special project outdoors.  Students were directed to find individual leaves in an area behind the Middle School and do giant Georgia O'Keefe style portraits of them.  They started with a contour line, letting their hand draw while their eyes follows the contour of the leaf. Then they are free to add their own creative approach to adding color, line and pattern. Signatures were added at the end.

Everyone did an awesome job and enjoyed working in the "pleine air" of a beautiful, clear, fall day...

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Jane's extravagant and exuberant dahlias!!!

They make my heart sing...

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Festival of Trees will be here before we know it!

My 5th graders are making clay tree ornaments inspired by their favorite African animals for the CCES Middle School Christmas tree this year.  They are starting with a drawing of their favorite animal that will be transferred onto clay.  To be continued....

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