Circles, Circles Everywhere!

A sample of the students work by Itala, Melanie, Alex, Mitch and Rafael

The second graders have been experimenting with paint over the last several weeks. I challenged Mrs. Huffman's class to create a painting with as many colors and circles as possible. It took us 3 weeks to finish, but our paintings are absolutely beautiful!

by Mitch

Students started off by using the primary colors (red, yellow, and blue) to fill their paper with as many circles as they could using tempera paint. Next they used the color wheel to guide them as they mixed the primary colors together to create secondary colors (orange, green, and violet). The fun part came in when they were given colors that we don't normally use like neon colors, pearlescent colors, and glitter colors. The finishing touch was adding small dots and dashes to the paintings when the entire paper was filled.

by Aurelia

This lesson taught us how variety (using as many colors and kinds of circles as possible), pattern (creating circles within circles), along with balance and space(filling up our paper). We also discussed mood, and felt that most of the paintings were happy and energetic. You can tie the lesson into math if you try to count and sort the amount of circles on each painting.

by Daniel

Try and make your own piece of art creating a mood by just using circles!

Color Mixing

First graders at Cumberland have been very busy learning and experimenting with colors. For the last 3 weeks they have been mixing Primary colors together to create new secondary colors, just like we read in the book Mouse Paint by Ellen Stoll Walsh. You can watch a video that tells the story here.

Mouse paint video.

The first week we mixed the 2 primaries together of yellow and red. We painted orange circles.

The second week we mixed the 2 primaries together of yellow and blue. We painted green squares.

This past week we mixed the 2 primaries together of red and blue. We painted purple triangles. There are so many kinds of purples to make as you can see in the photos. Some are more red, and some are more blue.

Later in the year we will use these painted papers to make other art projects!

Monster ABC's

Please enjoy this ABC book written and illustrated by Cumberland School 1st Grade students.

First graders in Mrs. Polson's class and Mrs. Mullane's class each created a page in an ABC book in Art Class recently. This is how we created our story:

1. Students drew a letter from a hat.
2. Students created a sketch of a monster.
3. Students named their monsters starting with the same sound as the letter they were given, and included the character in a sentence.
4. Students glued the letter onto an 12"x18" paper, wrote their sentence, and drew a picture of their monster.
5. All pages were collected, while students helped to place them in alphabetical order.
6. The story was recorded and narrated by me, Ms. T.

Day of the Dead

Today and yesterday (November 1st and 2nd)  are holidays in Mexico, and other countries in Central and South America as well as parts of Europe. This holiday is filled with colorful art work, music and food. It is a happy celebration of the lives of loved ones that have passed. Alters are built, food is set out, and sugar skulls are made for the deceased to enjoy.

The 5th graders at Cumberland created colorfully decorated skull prints in the style of Day of the Dead. Students were given a skull image to start with. They adorned the image by adding shapes, lines and patterns. These designs were transferred onto a piece of styrofoam which made a printing plate. Each student made 2 prints of their skull with white ink onto black paper. They used oil pastels and Crayola color sticks to draw details and add color to their prints. The final step was adding glitter if they chose to do so.

What Color Crayon Are You?

Cumberland Staff made their own Halloween costumes this year. Each teacher picked their color and created a crayon costume. When we came together we were a box of crayola crayons of all colors.

If you would like directions for how to make your own crayon costume feel free to email me:
todorovichhartongj@d62.org

Happy Halloween to all!

It's Starting to Look Like Halloween

Cumberland is starting to look very Halloween-y! These adorable pumpkins made by our ELS classes are greeting visitors by the office door. They look fantastic nestled in the colorful autumn leaves made by our 2nd graders in Mrs. Huffman's class.

Below is a link to a fun video we've been watching with some very opinionated jack-o-lanterns. Enjoy!

Jammin' Pumpkins

We Love Monsters!

It is my goal this year to have every grade level make some kind of monster creation. These awesome monsters were created by the 4th graders. They looked at step-by-step instructions to help them draw their monsters. They enlarged them onto slick paper and added patterns to create texture.

Each one has it's own personallity! The students created "monster profile" sheets to incorporate literacy, and further develop their characters. We had a lot of fun doing this!

Celebrating the Arts in Des Plaines

The Des Plaines Arts Council is hosting a visual arts competition at the Des Plaines Public Library on October 19, 20, and 21st.

You must live in Des Plaines and sign up at the library. The first 20 applications in each category will be displayed. Cash prizes will be awarded to Best in Show and People's Choice.

There are 3 categories:

5-12
13-17
18 and older


For more details please visit the link below.
http://dppl.org/des-arts/

2012 Winter Greeting Card Contest

 Looking for a creative challenge? This year's District 62 Winter Greeting Card Contest has just been announced. Try your hand at drawing/ painting an image that reflects the winter season. See Ms. Todorovich for paper for your project, and let your imagination run wild! Designs are due October 29, 2012.

Rules:
-must be no larger than 5"x7"
-have a winter theme (not religious)
-include a parent / guardian release
-handed in to Ms. T or Mrs. Scheiber by October 29

click below to see the official link:
http://www.d62.org/resources/VirtualBulletinBoard/VbbFlyers/VBB100112/D62_WinterCardFlyer.pdf

Parent Technology Night at Cumberland

Tonight is Parent Technology Night at Cumberland School! Mrs. Dooley-Taylor and I are presenting "Free Websites for Parents"

One of the coolest websites I've found is xtranormal.com! You can make your own video animation using their animated characters speaking the text you type. This could be really fun for you to try!

Click on the link below to see what I made (in less than 10 minutes)!

http://www.xtranormal.com/watch/13734868/tech-night

There Was An Old Monster

First graders in Mrs. Mullane's class have been begging to paint since the first day of school. They got their chance this week when we read and illustrated the story "There Was An Old Monster" by Ed, Adrian, and Rebecca Emberley. This also connected literacy ideas such as rhyming, and sequencing with student art.

You can listen to the song that accompanies the music here:
The Old Monster Song

Art Is Freedom

Getting ready to start some great new learning experiences in the art room. This video shows some famous art in a fun new way!

What to put in your art journal

 My junior high students are expected to keep an art journal while in art class. They are asked to create at least one drawing/ painting/ collage/ creation per week. The independent project could be of anything as long as it:

     - has color or shadow
     - includes a background
     - takes at least 10 minutes of time to create
     - is created during free time, or at home

              I told the students that I like to start a fresh book out with a picture of my hand, as you always have one with you to observe and draw. Here are some examples of my 7th and 8th graders creating a picture of their hand in a unique way.       

Some other ideas include:

       

• draw your room
• color a drawing with non-realistic colors
• copy or enlarge a comic strip
• redesign your favorite album cover/ brand logo
• create a monster
• sketch out your favorite outfit
• draw your favorite vehicle
• cut out pictures of what you ate for dinner
• create a coat of arms for your family
• use alternate supplies to paint/draw with (tea, coca-cola, berries, make-up)
• self-portrait
• draw or paint your pet
• cut out a picture of a face, and draw the body and background to complete it
• cut out half a picture of an object and draw the other half
• draw yourself in a video game
• make a flip book
• finger print value drawing
• create a perspective drawing from an interesting view point
• sketch where you are
• turn your name into a design
• draw with tape
• glue fabric scraps to paper to create part of an image
• illustrate poems or quotes
• create a zentangle
• find textures from around you and apply them to new things through drawing or rubbings

Be Prepared to Get Messy!

We're getting ready to paint at Cumberland. Please Bring a SMOCK, or OLD T-SHIRT in from home so that you don't ruin your clothes. We're planning a paint-filled year starting soon. Please be prepared.

Why Is Art Important?

All of the classes at Chippewa and Cumberland throughout the first week of school have been answering the question, "Why is ART important?

Good question with an infinite number of answers. Some of our solutions include:
     -It lets you express yourself
     -Everyone is different, and it shows in your art
     -It is all around us
     -It teaches us to use our creativity
     -A world without art is a world without color and shape
     -It expresses your feelings
     -It explains things
     -It helps you understand the world better
     -It makes me happy

I can't wait to see our combined efforts displayed on bulletin boards for all to ponder.

Welcome Back Cumberland Cougars

I'm getting ready to start school. After a trip to Cumberland yesterday, I was telling Mrs. Scheiber about how I've spent the summer painting almost every day. She mentioned that it would be nice to have a painting in the office. I thought it was a great idea, so I made this cougar to hang in the office for all to enjoy.

You can see more of my paintings that I have made here, or click on the side under my pages to see what I've been working on.

See you soon!

Proof That You Can Draw Anything and Make It Amazing!

Summer is winding down, and I've been busy painting ALOT! I've painted 36 paintings since the end of June! I will be sharing them with you soon.

Here is a fun video of an artist drawing the shadows he created when crumpling a paper. I love to watch artists work. I hope you do too!

Enjoying Summer Break!

I hope you are finding your summer break to be relaxing, fun and inspiring. I am! I am painting a lot, and want to invite you to my personal blog for painting.

http://paintingtodorovich.blogspot.com/

By clicking the link above you can see how I am challenging myself this summer. In July I will be trying to create a small painting a day. Right now I am researching and organizing in preparation for this endeavor, and would like to share my journey with you. I will be posting almost everyday, so check in often to see more paintings :)

Tomato 1, June 20, 2012 8"x10" Jelena Todorovich

Happy Mother's Day!

First Graders made beautiful flower pins for their mothers this week using fake flowers, fabric, and jewels. To make the pins you need the following:

-Fake flower petals of different colors, shapes and sizes
-Assorted fabrics
-Jewels
-Pin Backs

1. Select fabric and 3 different sized flower petals (Small, Medium, and Large).

2. Draw circles onto the fabric approximately the same size as the flowers, and cut out.

3. Place the Large fabric circle under the Large flower petal, Medium fabric under the flower petal, and small under the small.

4. Stack the layers with the largest being on the bottom, then medium, then small.

5. Have an adult hot glue the layers together. Add a jewel to the center of the flower, and a pin to the back.

6. Wrap and give to Mom :)

Books can help us!

Sometimes its a good idea to look at books for techniques. Sixth grader Darius drew this dolphin with the help of a book on shading techniques. Great job Darius!

Journal Idea- Draw your favorite video game

If you love to play video games, why don't you draw a scene from them in your journal? This is an example created by 6th grader Conner M. He drew the video game classic Pac Man. He chose to use shading in his drawing instead of color. The background is filled with details from the game as well. Nice job Conner!

Prairie Lakes Art Exhibit 2012

Cumberland School has 14 young artists representing the art program on display at Prairie Lakes Community Center. The work will will be on display until April 19, 2012. Congratulations to the following young artists:

Alexandra S.
Aileen O.
Suzanna L.
Diana E.
Agatha T.
Julie C.
Marisela M.
Joanna S.
Haley K.
Milo S.
Ryan R.
Konrad R.
Grant M.
Alexis J.

Save the Planet

The 3rd and 4th graders at Cumberland are putting on a musical program tonight about the importance of recycling. In art class we made recycled collages and stenciled the recycling symbol onto t-shirts that will be worn during the performance.

Gallery 62

Vidhi Patel is representing Cumberland School in the Gallery 62 program this year. Gallery 62 artists were honored last night at the D62 Board of Education meeting. One piece of art is selected each year from every school. The work goes on display for a year at the Forest Board room. It then is returned to the student's home school until their 8th grade graduation ceremony, where it will be presented back to the student. Congratulations Vidhi on your accomplishment!

Metra Safety Poster Contest 2012

Metra is sponsoring a Safety Poster Contest for all students Kindergarten through 12th grade to participate in. Work must be drawn on paper the following sizes, which you can get from me in the art room if you need some.

14"x 17" wide
11"x17" wide

Please see the link below for all rules, prizes and information.

http://www.metracontest.com/rules.php

Gotta love Elmo!

I'm Elmo and I Know It. Check out this fun video!

Yeah look at these crayons..........I make Art!

Art Display at the Forest Board Room

Cumberland School has work on display at the Forest Board Room for the month of February. Students that have work on display are:

Sage S. 2nd Grade
Anthony B-P. 1st Grade
Nikolina V. 4th Grade
Kaya S. 3rd Grade
Ashna T. 5th Grade
David L. ELS
Tara T. 4th Grade
Kevin L. 4th Grade
Valerie E. 4th Grade
Regina S. 3rd Grade
Kayah P. 5th Grade
Janejira N. 3rd Grade
Angelina T. ELS
Aseret G. 5th Grade
Summer Y. 3rd Grade
Brendan Y. 4th Grade
Shane A. ELS

Congratulations Artists!

African Masks

Mrs. Pantelin's 3rd Grade Class created African-Inspired masks today in their art lesson. After looking at examples of art and masks from Africa, students created masks. The class used their knowledge of symmetrical design that they learned in Math class to create the features in the masks.

One of the questions that I like to ask my students in junior high is, "What would the world be like without art?" This video demonstrates all the ways that art affects our world and our lives!

http://vimeo.com/21956232

Keep Drawing!

Here is an awesome video that shows different drawing styles. When you link different pictures together it creates animation. Hopefully it will inspire you too!

http://vimeo.com/31956969