Get Artsy Over the Holiday Break

Any questions about the information below, please email: jhillman@cpcsschool.org.

7th Grade Social Action Visual Art Project

You asked to be first and you are receiving.  The Social Action Poster Project is going to be a big deal. So big that you need to start creating your thumbnail sketches for your design ideas.  What is the social issue you are interested in exploring?  What text will you include?  How will you make the text 'match' the theme of your issue?  What imagery will you use - collage? photography? drawing?  So many options…and the ENTIRE HOLIDAY BREAK to think it over!  Come prepared with 3 thumbnails and ideas for the layout of your poster.

Look at artwork that inspires you to come up with your own ideas.  Barbara Kruger's work (on the left) "Your Body Is A Battleground" is a photographer who uses text and color in her artwork.  Sheperd Fairey used his experience with street art posters to make powerful posters supporting Barack Obama when he ran for President.

8th Grade Graphic Novels

Morehouse & Spelman will earn their painting licenses into the New Year.  This is going to be useful for future art projects and could play a part in the upcoming Graphic Novel project.  Starting with the basics of drawing realistically, scholars learned about gesture drawing, contour line drawing and even dabbled in blind contour line drawings.  Then we moved onto contour line painting on a larger scale (enter the realm of the Painting Licenses), which will be gracing our hallways very soon.  Graphic novels and planning to add visuals to a narrative is going to be tricky, but we can and will do it!

5th Grade Sculptors

As we study the work of artist and toy-maker Alexander Calder, we are drawing from life from the best models ever…ourselves!  There will be a homework assignment over the break in which scholars will view a video Calder made of his 'circus'.  Stay tuned for updates coming soon.

Calder artwork.

6th Grade Designers

We have broken out the computers to start adding to our knowledge of the United States - not only facts about the states but attractions found in these states.  The classwork must be completed and homework must be completed well and on time.  We are designing our 'trip' to each state and will soon be designing so much more...

Modified Art Schedule - Dec 15-19

Regularly scheduled art classes will be on Monday and Friday, but Tuesday - Thursday will be very different due to the testing schedule.  ONLY 5th and 6th Grade classes will have ART Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday.

One of my favorite portraits from last year.
Katrell TRULY was looking!

5th Grade

Scholars who did not pass the Alexander Calder worksheet last week have until Monday, December 15th to make corrections and improve upon that grade.

This week, scholars will be looking closely at themselves and the artwork of Alexander Calder, who made line sculpture portraits.  No quizzes this week!

6th Grade

Geography in art class…yes!  Art classes nearly every day this week for Hampton & FISK provides us with a lot of opportunity to dive into researching the monuments, history and overall awesomeness of our respective states chosen for the design project.  You have to study the Northeast, Southern and Midwestern states because we MUST know where every state is located for this next project.  Click here for a preview of what we will be doing:  MAP QUIZ US STATES.  No vocabulary quizzes this week but if you had corrections to make on any of last week's assessments, it is due by Wednesday.  Missing work becomes a zero in grade book, so get that work to me!

7th Grade FAMU & Howard

7th Grade will only have art class on Friday, but I want you to come prepared for class with at least three different ideas for your social action project.  This means:  come with at least three social issues you are passionate about.  Have at least 5 facts about those issues (for example, if you are choosing gay rights as one of the issues, you could have statistical information about how a new bill in Michigan would let doctors and EMTs refuse to treat gay patients.  What would the VISUAL for that look like?  You will need your sketchbook and this homework assignment on Friday.

In the meantime, listen to this current SOCIAL ACTION SONG for inspiration.  If you can tell me the name of the song and artist, you will earn 3 Dojo points from me (Ms. Hillman).  No vocabulary quizzes this week.

8th Grade Spelman & Morehouse

Because of the testing schedule this week, only Spelman will have art class on Monday.  Come prepared:  study to PASS the painting license test, group contour line paintings continue.  BOTH 8th grade classes will have a minor homework packet to complete over the holiday break that has to do with our next big project: Graphic Novels.  No vocabulary quizzes this week but corrections are due  and any missing work is due by Wednesday or it becomes a zero…you don't have class with me, but it's still due.  Find me in between classes or at lunch time.

8th Grade Dojo Update

Earn as many points as possible!

Art Update December 8 - 12th

8th Grade INFO & Art Classes

**Scholars who met the Class Dojo incentive by the end of day on Friday, December 5th will receive their passes on Monday.  Dress Down Passes must be approved by an 8th grade teacher the day PRIOR to when you want to use the pass (because certain days cannot be dress down).  Hang on to the passes…new ones will not be reissued!**

And now for ART CLASS INFO:

Scholars are learning drawing basics:  Contours, gestures and blind contour drawings.  It's difficult but it is vital that they stick with pushing through when things get difficult.  The culmination of these mini-lessons are heading towards a larger project involving designing a graphic novel, which will continue in their ELA classes with Mrs. Andrade.  

VOCAB for this week (10 words).  Quiz coming soon so be prepared!
Form
Shape
Space
organic (in regards to shape)
geometrical
cropping
still life
negative space
positive space
dialogue (in regards to 

7th Grade Collage Project - The Last Part

The "Challenge I Overcame" collage was completed this past week.  The finishing touch is to write a one and a half page (1.5 page ...minimum) paper about the challenge that is the subject of the artwork.  I PREFER ALL PAPERS TYPED, DOUBLE-SPACED, TIMES NEW ROMAN FONT SIZE 12.  If that is not possible, the written work must be legible, be WRITTEN IN PARAGRAPHS WITH PROPER GRAMMAR.

Touch on the following aspects in your writing:

- Give credit line information about your artwork:

"Title"

Artist Name, Year

Materials used

- What the challenge was that you used in your artwork.

- What made you choose this particular challenge for your art class? 

- Explain what is happening in your artwork and use vocabulary words - (describe it as if you are explaining it to someone who cannot see your artwork)

- What would you do differently if you had to do this project again?  Why?

- What was the challenge in making your artwork?  What do you feel was successful?

6th Grade Geography/Art Class!

Scholars are learning about the US States for their next project, which is a design project that will incorporate what they have learned about the states AND The Line variations!

Students must make corrections on their tests and return to me ASAP for an improved grade.  

Vocabulary for this week:

Know the States and their Capitals in the Mid-west and how to spell them correctly. 

5th Grade Artists

Alexander Calder created kinetic artwork using wire and line.  Our scholars are going to know the ins and outs of this artist and how to use line in a 3-dimensional way!  The worksheet on Calder is due Monday (Xavier) and Tuesday for Tuskegee.

Vocabulary for this week (some are found in the Calder worksheet) - 5 words:

kinetic

sculptor

sculpture

resource

contour line

The DecemberARTists

This week in Art Class

Culture Night IS FRIDAY, DECEMBER 5th @ 6 p.m.
YOUR ARTWORK IS GOING TO BE ON VIEW!  YEAH!

VOCABULARY HAPPENS in ART CLASS

Grade 5

Vocabulary is due Monday, December 1st (for Xavier) and Tuesday, December 2nd (for Tuskegee).  The assessments for this week will occur Wednesday (for Xavier) and Thursday (for Tuskegee).  Do you work and you will do fine on the test!  

Grade 6

Completed US Maps are due this week during regularly scheduled art classes.  FISK (Monday) and Hampton (Tuesday).  The Study Sheets started in class must be handed in so I can grade them.  Vocabulary tests will be given later this week as well.  Follow the information given in the previous Vocab Vocab Vocab posting.  

Grade 7

This is the very last week to complete the "Challenge you Overcame" collage.  We will have a formal art critique and a chance to participate in new ways!

Grade 8

New vocabulary words will be distributed later this week.  Morehouse vocabulary test corrections are DUE for a chance to increase your grade.  Bring your SKETCHBOOKS to class.  You must be prepared for class with a sketchbook and pencil for every art class this week.

QUESTIONS ABOUT ANY OF THIS?  Email Ms. Hillman: jhillman@cpcsschool.org

Pre-Thanksgiving Art Classes

Only TWO Days of School This Week?

You are NOT dreaming…it's true, but there is still work to be done and here is the breakdown:

5th Grade

Xavier and Tuskegee Scholars get ready for Vocabulary.  Quizzes are coming your way.  We will go over the expectations in our classes this week so you can be articulate students.  Don't know what "articulate" means…go get your dictionary RIGHT NOW!  You are going to need it for the rest of your art education with Ms. Hillman.

6th Grade Pop Artists

Diversity Day happens on December 5th and the mounted, completed artwork we worked on during Quarter 1 will be unveiled.  Join us!

In the meantime, we are learning about the states in America.  WHY are we learning about that in ART CLASS?  Well, aside from the fact that Art spans ALL subjects, we are working on a long term, deeply involved project that will deal with design techniques and geography!  That's why.  Start studying up on your states and capitals.

Let's ALL get to know this map.

7th Grade will not have Art Classes this week.

Don't cry, CPCMS Collage artists!  Next week we are completing the collage project and moving on serious vocabulary and a new project!  Happy Thanksgiving!

Seniors

Kevin B. killed this project.   Great work!

Morehouse & Spelman scholars listen up!  Bring your sketchbooks to class from now on!  You are SUPPOSED to have them, so bring them to class.  Prepared scholars will earn DOJO POINTS that you will be able to use as bidding $ on the auction.  

Independent Weaving projects with untraditional/unorthodox materials was due last Wednesday.  Every day it is late decreases your point value.

Morehouse you have your vocabulary quiz on Tuesday. STUDY.  Let me grade them during independent work and while you hone your gesture drawing skills and get your AMAZING Grades before you leave for the very long weekend!

Questions about any of this?  Email Ms. Hillman @ jhillman@cpcsschool.org.

VOCAB VOCAB VOCAB!

Art Class + Grammar = A Well-rounded & Successful Life

Well, that statement is MORE RIGHT than WRONG, so let's get started!  Weekly vocabulary tests are coming to CPCMS in the second quarter.   Parts of speech, proper usage and understanding of terms (art-related words and non-art-related!!!!) leads to deeper understanding across all content areas.

As we ease into this new realm of arts and assessment, take your time, but meet deadlines.  Late work will not be accepted. Use a dictionary or online sources like artlex.com to locate the definitions.

THIS IS WHAT SCHOLARS WILL HAVE TO HAND IN:

Write out the vocabulary word - (part of speech in parenthesis) 1. Definition.  If there is more than one, scholar should write out the definition that is art-related.

Write out the vocabulary word in a sentence and it must be in proper context. (Do not write a sentence like this: "One of the words I had to write a sentence about is 'contour line drawing.").  

skip a line

Here is a real-life example, 8th graders, you're welcome:

Warp (noun) - In weaving, the vertical threads attached to the top and bottom of a loom, through which the weft is woven.

I had a difficult time with the first weaving project because the yarn kept coming out of the loom, but after securing the warp with tape, it worked out fine.

8th Grade Vocab Words for the week of November 17th (10 words)

textile

loom

weaving

warp [in regards to weaving]

weft [in regards to weaving]

gesture drawing

untraditional

unorthodox

contour line drawing

blind contour drawing

7th Grade Vocabulary Words for the week of November 17th (WE DID THIS IN CLASS but did you do all of them??????)

Collage

background

middle ground

foreground

horizon

adhesive

horizon

6th Grade Vocabulary Words for the week of November 24th (10 words)

font

design

typography

texture

diagonal

length

width

degree of curve

geography

5th Grade Vocabulary Words for the week of November 24th (6 words)

contour line

portrait

self-portrait

silhouette

sculpture

3 dimensional

ART ALERT! 

8th Grade Fiber Artists Get Center Stage

8th Grade Weaving Project…so far!

That's right!  The 8th graders spent most of the 1st quarter working on a fiber arts project learning how to weave.  The bulletin board outside of the S.T.E.A.M. room is showcasing the work RIGHT NOW.  But don't take my word for it…come and see for yourself! 

Scholars are also working on an independent project that is due NOVEMBER 19th, which will be the first graded project for the second quarter.  Students will create a loom and use at least 9 unorthodox/untraditional materials to create a new weaving project.  Check up on them…ask them what materials they are using and encourage them to make the deadline!

FAMU & Howard

Scholars are diligently working on their paper collage projects about a challenge they overcame.  The criteria is simple but the process is not.  Students must think about how they want to render this event (no matter how big or small it may seem) by thinking in shapes and then adding each and every detail to their work using ONLY paper, glue and scissors.  They must include themselves in this visual in some way.  7th Graders are progressing very well in this project and have been working with the properties of paper during the entirety of the first quarter.  Ask your scholar about their challenge and the process for creating their collage.

POP ARTists Have Taken Over 6th Grade

It's true.  No longer do we have regular scholars…each one of them are practically Pop Art experts.  Not only can they tell you about the Pop Art movement, but they have created their own Pop Art Self-Portraits.  Andy Warhol would be proud!  The work is going up this week and when we are done showing off the portraits @ CPCS, they are ready to be hung on the walls at home.  

Xavier & Tuskegee Line Experts In the (CPCS) House

When you hear "Line Experts" you probably didn't realize there was such a thing.  If you know a 5th grader, however, you are in the company of greatness.  There are 5 kinds of lines and 5 line variations and 5th grade scholars have been working with these lines for ALL of the first quarter.  The hallways are filled with proof of their knowledge.  Come see for yourself on November 19th.