K/1s Begin Self-Portraits

Careful observing

Annually all Parker students in grades K-8 draw or paint a head and shoulders self-portrait. It is wonderful to see them all displayed in the hall and to notice the developmental differences through the grades. The portraits are then turned into the next year's school calendar. The K/1s begin this lesson by looking in the mirror and noticing the shapes they see and where their features are in relation to one another. They first draw their image and then add tempera paint.

Painting the background

Finishing the portrait

Careful color mixing

4/5 Jazz Collages

Putting the different collage elements together

Placing the center of the composition

Drawing the trumpet

Some final details

Working on a drum

Nearly complete

Making it jazzy!

The 4/5s have been listening to jazz and learning about the collages of Harlem Renaissance artist Romare Bearden. Bearden portrayed many jazz musicians in his numerous collages. Using his art as a jumping off point the students began their work by drawing instruments such as drums, saxophone, guitar and clarinet that were brought into the classroom. Then these were worked into collages using brightly colored paper. Accents were added to create the mood of that energetic style of music.

K/1 Make Maasai Necklaces

Coloring the rectangular bottom piece

Coloring the disk

Finished!

Group finished!

Gluing the bottom piece on with care

As the K/1s began their unit on Africa they learned about the Maasai people of East Africa and the flat collar, beaded necklaces that they craft. Noticing the geometric patterns that the Maasai design, the students drew and colored their own patterns, adding the rectangular bottom piece with beads hanging from it.

2/3s Make Dragons

Sketching dragons

Another dragon emerging

Building the armature

Adding layers to the dragon

Checking that it stands

Looking like a dragon

The 2/3s spend the spring studying China. Tied into this, the 2/3s have learned about the mythology of Chinese dragons, their role in acting as protectors, and how they can be fierce or friendly. They sketched out an original dragon idea, and then built their dragon out of paper mache.

This one grew very large!

A coat of orange

Painting one of the large dragons

Making those legs pink!

Final touches

Careful details

Coating the dragon with ModPodge

A finished beast

And another with many spikes

Dragon with wings and a fin

Spikes and wings on this dragon

Middle School Students Plaster Their Faces

Tucking the hair out of the way

Applying the plaster

A closer view

Group work

Ready to remove

Almost done

Spanish visitor getting his face plastered

Three visitors working on one mask

Another brave soul from Barcelona

And another trooper

Almost ready to remove

Our new friends pitching in

The middle schoolers are beginning a mask-making project. They each have their faces covered in plaster impregnated gauze (after applying a layer of vaseline) and then use this cast as a base to begin their creative expressions, taking this assignment in many possible directions. By adding cardboard shapes and more gauze and plaster, the mask can become anything they envision. This project requires a huge amount of teamwork and cooperation and the students have been exemplary!
Much to my surprise and delight, several of our friends from Barcelona wanted to join in and have their faces plastered. They'll take their masks home when they leave us at the end of the week, and hopefully always remember their time with us.

Adding small details

Lots of hair and braids

Very careful painting

Thoughtful final touches

Beautifully smoothed out