5th Grade final portraits

The 5th graders did a phenomenal job on their split face self portraits.  One side represents how they look and the other side represents something of interest to the student.  I think they are stunning.

From Drawing Animation to Realistic -HB

Me 1/2 -JV



-IZ

-PM

My Creativity -LP

How to make a realistic face -KGF

-EL

Me, myself and abstract -DB

It's a Creeper -NJ

RK

Self Portrait -CH

PLAY dough!

My face during playdough making

This year, in addition to teaching 4 classes, I am also running an after school art club called the Community Art Team (C.A.T.).  C.A.T. is made up of 5 to 8th graders who work on independent art making as well as special skill building. For a fun kick off, we made play dough using a simple recipe I found online:

1/2 cup of salt

1/2 cup of water (I used a little less)



1 cup of flour
oil, as needed (I used about a tablespoon of canola)
food dye (for color)

It was so much fun! The entire 2 hours were filled with kids showing me mixing bowls with sloshy watery goop, crumbly floury dreck, and few great successes where the mixture was perfect.  We mixed and mixed until we used up all of the ingredients and I was so busy I didn't get to take a single picture of what my students made.  It was a blast!  We also were able to use natural food dye which was donated (free!!) by a friend at Whole Foods.  The natural dye produced muted colors but it did not color our hands and washed off our bodies and clothes.  Thank you Whole Foods!

One note for other middle school teachers, the students needed more help measuring than I anticipated.  Next time, I would definitely make a more clear station for each ingredient so that each student gets the correct amount and we do not waste any materials. Definitely a fun activity!

Works in Progress

About half of 8th grade students are making fantastic tessellation designs.  I'm hoping these examples inspire the rest of the 8th grade to get on board!  Here are some works in progress

On Display

My work was featured on the Phillips Collection Blog this week!

Here is the link if you want to leave me a note:

http://blog.phillipscollection.org/2012/09/19/staff-show-2012-ellen-stedtefeld/

It is always nerve wracking showing art in public (especially work that has a personal connection)  and I definitely appreciate all the positive feedback I've been getting.  This link was leaked by a friend at work to my boss who rallied the entire school to show their support which is overwhelming!

Additionally, I stopped by the Phillips Collection this morning to lead a permanent collection tour.  While there, I noticed not only in the Ryder Dead Bird on display currently but there is an entire gallery of Morris Graves works featuring bird imagery on display as well.

My next tour is next Sunday and then I will take a break until late October.   The staff show comes down October 9th.  The official reception for the Staff Show is next Thursday.

Congrats to Free Minds!

Free Minds Book Club and Writing Workshop was honored last week with the Mayor's Art Award for Outstanding Contribution to Arts Education!  Congrats Free Minds you deserve it!

Next Tuesday will be our next Free Minds Volunteer Write Night. If you are a blog reader in the DC area, you should come!

SCRAP DC

I made my first visit to SCRAP DC this weekend.  My 5th grade students are going to begin an identity assemblage in the next few weeks and I thought I would pick up some fun extras at SCRAP to jazz up their artworks.  It was a great experience.

SCRAP is located at 52 O St NW as part of the O St Studios (which I'll save for a whole other blog post).  The idea is that people can donate items to SCRAP, then teachers, crafters, hoarders, whomever, may come in and purchase materials for a low price.  It has kind of odd hours so I would check the website if you are trying to go.

What I picked up: stencils, maps, stationary, wallpaper samples, calendar pages, beads, pom poms, corks, buttons, yarn, reams of tracing paper, foam shapes, the list goes on and on....

Be inspired

One of my classroom walls is dedicated to things that inspire us.  I never asked for their work, my students just started bringing me artworks they made at home or in other classes to fill up my wall.