Mrs. Art's Blog

Kinder Snowmen

2009-01-15T10:26:00.000-08:00

Kindergarteners are also making some clay snowmen! We are using white ceramic clay. When they are finished, we will paint them. Snowmen should be coming home right around the end of February!!

SECOND QUARTER: SNOWPEOPLE CLAY RATTLES! 4th, 5th, and Upper El. Montessori classes

2009-01-15T10:05:00.000-08:00

Students have designed creative snowpeople that will be transformed into clay rattles.
These little guys are not only cool, but useful as well! The bodies, which are the rattle part, are being constructed this week, and next week, the transformation to snow dude (or dudette) will be complete!

SECOND QUARTER: Inuit Art and Magic Owls: 2nd, 3rd, and Lower El. Montessori Classes

2009-01-15T09:04:00.001-08:00

Our study of North American Indian art is taking us to a very cold place (yes, even colder than Holland, Michigan!)--BAFFIN ISLAND, a large island that is northeast of Hudson Bay, and almost to the Arctic Circle.
There, many Inuit Indians make beautiful works of art in their fine traditions of soapstone carving, drawing and printmaking. Our Star Artist, Kenojuak Ashevak, was born in an igloo, and through the years, besides having fourteen children, became one of the area's most well-known artists. Students are inspired by her magical owls to create their own.

FIRST GRADERS MAKE SPACE BUGS!!!

2009-01-15T07:40:00.000-08:00

Wow! Take a look at these weird insects! First graders are doing just that in art class--and using them as inspiration for some very weird "Space Bugs"! We are constructing these bugs out of paper and other materials.

First Quarter, fourth, fifth and Upper-El Montessori!

2008-10-14T16:29:00.000-07:00

The first unit of this year is dedicated to "things that make you go, hmmmm"...visually, that is.....the study of optical illusions, or what happens when your brain is having a disagreement with your eyes! Dutch artist M. C. Escher is featured during this first nine weeks, during which we explore illusions of line, shape, length, color, depth.... this week, a look at the idea of metamorphosis, or the transforming of an image into another one. Tricky to look at, even trickier to do!
Enjoy the Illusionary Images and do some research: the more you look, the more amazed you will be!

First Quarter, Second, third, and lower-el Montessori Students!

2008-10-14T15:19:00.000-07:00

We recently looked at some nonobjective art featuring the art element of line, and discussed the differences in its expressive quality in a painting by Franz Kline and another by Piet Mondrian. As you can see, Mondrian makes very organized compositions and uses very straight lines, while Franz Kline paints quickly, intuitively, and with a feeling of playfulness and spontaneity. We used pairs of words to illustrate the differences between the works. Students explored line through drawings using oil pastel, marker and colorstick.

Our study of color included artists Helen Frankenthaler, Morris Louis and Mark Rothko. We used opposite words to discuss these paintings....words like "moving" and "still", and "light" and "heavy."

We also took a look at some shapes through a beautiful quilt made of diamonds and triangles, and paintings by Victor Vasarely and Hans Hoffman.

Our next project was a mixed-media collage of a City NIght, inspired by Yvonne Jaquette's gorgeous paintings of New York City at night. We are finishing them this week and they are fabulous!

First Quarter, kinders and first graders!

2008-10-14T14:24:00.000-07:00

Dear Students and families,
It is hard to believe that we have already been back in school for six weeks! It is great to be back with all of you and I look forward to seeing your smiling faces in class, in the halls and around town.
We are off to a great start in art, and I will now fill you in on our first units of study!

Kindergarteners I am thrilled to have kindergarten students again this year, though my predecessor Laurie Worley, kinder art specialist, did a great job for several years. Waukazoo specialists now have all grade levels at our school.
A great way to introduce kindergarteners to art is to allow them opportunities to explore different media and learn how to use common art tools, such as scissors and paint brushes. Kinders have art on Fridays for 30 minutes, and instruction revolves around the art elements of line, color, shape, pattern and texture. I frequently use children's literature to enhance lessons, and we stick to topics that are familiar to small children and their lives. Another part of the art program is looking at works of art-teaching children to keep improving their visual perception, learn to focus closely, and to develop their opinions and ideas about what they see. This is a good way for students to develop their vocabulary and to begin to build a sense of aesthetics. At this age, it isn't appropriate to provide much guided instruction to kids, who express themselves as a natural way of communicating and storytelling. Kids vary greatly in their abilities, coordination and interests at this age. We will be playing with beautiful fall leaves next week, doing rubbings and prints of them. Encourage your children to collect leaves and other natural things around your yard and make rubbings from them. Newspaper and peeled crayons work well for this.

First Graders: The first unit fits right in with our fall holiday featuring monsters and things that go bump in the night. My favorite children's book, WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE, by Maurice Sendack, inspired this unit on Wild Things, during which we make character puppets, huge and hideous Group Monsters, and hear stories about brave children and monsters who aren't so monstrous after all. Mr. Lyon's class is featured at right in the slideshow of Wild Things puppets. As you can see, there was much roaring, clawing and eye rolling during this class--it is a good thing Mrs. Art was brave enough to take pictures! :)

GREETINGS FROM CHICAGO!

2008-07-30T10:00:00.001-07:00

LAST DAY OF SCHOOL!

2008-06-06T04:29:00.000-07:00

Hello, Dear Students,

What a year it has been!

Now it is time for summer vacation!

I will see you at the beach, at Summer Arts Camp, at JPs, at the park, at the grocery store....

have a great summer. I will be blogging throughout, and you can email me of course:

hayeshagarc@westottawa.net

love,

Mrs. Art

HOPE COLLEGE SUMMER ARTS CAMP 2008!

2008-05-25T18:55:00.000-07:00

Dear Waukazoo and Sheldon Woods families,

Once again this year, Hope College and the Holland Area Arts Council will be presenting a wonderful opportunity for kids to dive into the arts with our Summer Arts Camp. Yours truly, Mrs. Art, is the director of this camp, and Mrs. Kearns is our music leader. We also have an acting coach and a dance teacher. This year, our camp will have a theme of recycling and how we can do that with ideas and connect all of the arts, including some creative writing!

Join us for a great week of collaboration and creation as we explore the arts together. We are more than an "arts and crafts" camp-once you come you will want to come back!

check this link to sign up: http://hollandarts.org/education_youth08.php

or call Andrew at the Holland Area Arts Council to sign up. I HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!!

Scholarships are available~call me at 786-1894.

Creatively yours,

Mrs. Art

HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY, EVERYBODY!

2008-05-25T05:44:00.000-07:00

SEAHORSE PICTURES!

2008-05-15T12:36:00.001-07:00

We read the Eric Carle book, MR. SEAHORSE, and drew Seahorse families in our sketchbooks.
This week, we are painting our clay fish!

CLAY SUNS

2008-05-13T10:06:00.000-07:00

FOURTH AND FIFTH graders are making cheerful clay suns to light up their homes over summer vacation!
Here are some examples of Mexican-style clay suns!

FIRST GRADE FISHIES!!

2008-05-13T09:54:00.000-07:00

FIRST GRADERS are making fish out of modeling and earthenware clay. Here is a gallery of some of the awesome fish!

WILD AND WONDERFUL HOUSES!

2008-05-13T09:50:00.001-07:00

CREATIVE HOUSES!

2008-05-13T09:35:00.001-07:00

weird and wonderful houses!

2008-05-13T09:03:00.000-07:00

Second and third graders are designing wacky and wonderful houses that would be just perfect for them!
Here are some more houses that will make you say, WOW!

2008-05-05T11:28:00.000-07:00

HAPPY CINCO DE MAYO!!!!!!!!!!!!

BEN'S BLOG

2008-05-01T10:35:00.000-07:00

Check out Ben Snoek's awesome blog....

copy and paste this into the addy bar!!

www.http://ben49424.blogspot.com

love,
Mrs. Art

Wednesday Apr 30: Web Album!

2008-05-01T09:07:00.001-07:00

Check out Wednesday art kids at work by clicking on this link:

http://picasaweb.google.com/claudacious/Wednesday43008

Enjoy!

Mrs. Art

Two Awesome Teachers

2008-05-01T08:36:00.000-07:00

On the top is Mrs Gundrum with her new friend, the Library Lion, Herbert! What an awesome guy he is!
The other picture is of our fabulous Kindergarten Art Teacher, Mrs. Worley.
Let's hear it for both of these awesome and talented ladies!!!

artists at work at waukazoo

2008-04-30T03:43:00.003-07:00

On Tuesday, I got the camera out to record the hard work and creativity of my student artists at Waukazoo. As you can see, there is not only the production of great work--there is the great joy of it!

Fourth and fifth graders are making scenes of Holland, Michigan, inspired by the Amate Bark Paintings of Mexico (in honor of Cinco de Mayo and Tulip Time.) Tulip Time is again honored and celebrated through our Dutch Canal House project. Second graders study Communities in Social Studies, and third graders visit Dutch Village and study Holland History.

The Arts help us understand who we are and who other people are; how we are alike and different, things we have in common. Understanding each other is the first step toward peace on earth, in this art teacher's estimation! :)

to see the complete album of pictures, please click on this link:

http://picasaweb.google.com/claudacious/Tuesday429inTheARtRoomAtWaukazoo

Have an artful day-

love,

Mrs. Art

artists at work at waukazoo

2008-04-30T03:43:00.001-07:00

MRS. ART GOES TO THE GRAM!

2008-04-27T18:50:00.001-07:00

Hi, Kids,

I went to the new Grand Rapids Art Museum this weekend! Wow, it is a beautiful place, and they have a show about a famous artist named Andy Warhol there. He did some very cool and creative paintings, prints and sculptures in the 60's and 70's. I thought I would share some pics with you. The lady in the pink dress is Martha Graham. She was a very famous dancer.

The other print is a self-portrait of Andy Warhol. The photograph is of the GRAM. I hope all of you can go there someday! Check out their website:

www.gramonline.org/

See you at school!

FIRST GRADE FISH!!!

2008-04-23T10:36:00.000-07:00

awesome fish!! some beautiful and some UGGGGGGGGGGGGGly!!!!!!!!!!

2008-04-23T09:11:00.000-07:00

MORE AMATE BARK PAINTINGS FROM MEXICO!

Check out the Gables!

2008-04-23T09:07:00.001-07:00

left: Museum in the Netherlands

right: an old drawing of Holland, Michigan

below: Windmill Island!

Friday, April 18: Back to Normal!!

2008-04-18T18:09:00.000-07:00

HI, School families and friends!

I have just finished my first full week back at work since my surgery two months ago, and I can tell you that it was a wonderful week and it was great to be back with my students and friends at my two schools. Thank you to many students for the beautiful drawings and cards and presents that you brought to me this week! Camille and Marisela, thanks for the glittery butterfly that is now hanging in the window! Thank you also to Courtney and Kayla Leonard's cool grandma Alice for the gifts from Africa- Alice, it sounds like your missions trip was incredible. I am deeply touched by all of the love and concern you all have shown me and very grateful for your warm welcomes as I returned to this job that I love so much.

We started new projects this week: fourth and fifth graders are making Amate Bark Paintings inspired by the ones made by Mexican artisians; second and third graders are digging in to Dutch Architecture (don't forget to check out those gables downtown, guys)

and first graders?--SWIMMY!

It is definitely feeling like spring, and I feel like all around me things are blooming, and I am glad that winter and my illness are all behind me now. Stay tuned to the blog for pics of student work next week!

love,

Mrs. Art

A Great Double Portrait

2008-04-03T04:16:00.001-07:00

Dear students,

Benny is a friend of mine. He is my children's half-brother. He is seven and is in first grade in Lowell, Michigan. He came over the other night and we talked about the Detroit Tigers and also about art. He drew me this picture. His dad, Mark, is on the right. I used to be married to him, and he is Jon and Annie's dad. I thought I would share this awesome picture with you.

Have a great spring break!

love, Mrs. Art

A Drawing

2008-04-03T04:14:00.001-07:00

Good morning!

For Christmas, my kids Jon and Annie gave me a bamboo pen! You dip it into the ink and then you draw with it!

I made this drawing with my new pen. I was looking at beautiful orchid flowers that a friend gave me. I hope you like it!

love,

Mrs. Art

Check out that Eye!:)

2008-04-03T04:07:00.000-07:00

Hi, School Family,

Isn't this a cool picture? This is my new eye and it was photographed by Annie the day after I got it, which was March 21.

As you can see, it is a bit more ( or a lot more!) realistic than the temporary eye I am wearing in my picture with Michaela. I am going to have Mrs. Gundrum take a new picture of us to post on the blog so you can see the "before" and the "after."

My first week back full time has been so wonderful! We are getting our square one art ready to mail out, and I am smiling from ear to ear being back with my students and friends. It feels so good to be back! Having work you love to do is a very big gift. So, my dear students, remember to choose work for your lives that makes you happy, that makes you excited. Otherwise, you will be spending a looooong time wishing you were doing something else!

I love you guys.

Mrs. Art

Pictures from my first day back: St Patrick's Day!

2008-03-23T16:35:00.000-07:00

Mikaelah was born with two different colored eyes. She is the one who gave me the idea to have my new eye painted a little different from the other eye! In this picture I am still wearing my temporary conformer. Notice how white it is! Yikes!
My first morning back at Waukazoo with Mrs. Coughenour's class. Look at all the leprauchans!
This is my Mrs. Van Dyke's class at Sheldon Woods. I am drawing on the board, telling my students about the process of getting an implant and a prosthetic eye.
We spent some time talking about my experience and getting caught up a little!

I GOT MY NEW EYE!!!

2008-03-23T16:11:00.000-07:00

If you look carefully at the closeup of my eye, you can see the turquoise and gold specks that Mike added! Isn't it beautiful?

This picture was taken by Annie on Saturday. I think that it is hard to tell which eye is my natural one, and which one is my special new one! Sometimes it almost seems like I can see out of my new eye!

This is Mike painting my eye very carefully. Below is his palette, where he mixes his colors. Notice how many different colors he used to paint my eye! We all have many colors in our eyes, even though we may call them " brown" or "blue." MIke uses special maginifying glasses so that he can see what he is doing. Jewelers and hobbyists also use glasses like this. In front of him are the pigments. or special paints from which he mixes the colors.

Above, you can see his " toolbox"--see the little "iris buttons" inside? He makes these ahead of time, and then custom paints them for people. Mine, he made from scratch, because of the unusual way I asked him to paint it!

Mike is a very talented artist, and he is also a knowledgeable scientist, and a very special person. He likes to help people like me who have lost their eye. Because of Mike, I feel that I look like a normal person again. He has given me a great gift! THANK YOU , MIKE!
Below, I am waiting in Mike's exam room while he adds paint to my new eye!

2008-03-12T18:19:00.000-07:00

Hi, WO Gang! Here I am feeling almost like my old self again. I get a new eye on Friday, but it is just a temporary one, not the final, custom made eye that will have the turquoise touch to it! I am very excited to get my new eye. I am getting very used to just seeing out of my right eye. It is weird how your brain sort of adjusts when stuff like this happens. It doesn't hurt anymore, but I still get headaches sometimes. I am getting used to doing many things with one eye-driving, cooking, reading, art....I am finding out that it isn't going to be a big deal at all!

I miss you all and will be back part time next week so I will be able to see you all again soon.

Love you all, Mrs. Art

My visit to Waukazoo

2008-03-02T06:58:00.000-08:00

Hi, All, Here are the pictures from my visit. It was SO FUN AND WONDERFUL to be there with you. I can hardly wait to start teaching again!

Sunday March 3rd

2008-03-02T06:51:00.000-08:00

Hi, Everybody!

It is a beautiful sunny morning! Bella and I just went for a long walk. It felt so good to be outside!

I have been missing being active and I am now feeling like I can start getting back to normal.

It was so wonderful to see many of you on Thursday. I will post the pics Annie took so you can see.

I am going to be out of school for two more weeks. This is what is recommended, even though I wish I could come back sooner, because I miss you guys so much. This means that I plan to be back on Monday, March 17-St. Patrick's DAy!! Keep your fingers crossed for me!

My son Jon and my daughter Annie are designing eyes for me---take a look!

love, Mrs. ARt

TO MS. KOVACS' CLASS!!!

2008-02-25T08:53:00.001-08:00

HEY, Guys,

Thanks for the note. I really really miss you too! You are such a fun class. Did you know that your cityscapes are hanging up at the Arts Council? Some are also at the Administration building. They look awesome! The other art teachers put them up for me.

Yes, my eye does feel like part of my body now. At first, it felt strange, and it felt like it was wiggling around in a funny way. It made me nervous! But now, it feels just like my other eye.

The eyeball itself is made of stuff that is sort of like coral. My eye muscles were attached to this eyeball during my surgery. There are six of them all together. By now, the muscles are all attached really well and they make my new eyeball move with my other one. It feels normal!

Of course, my new eyeball is white. I have a clear contact lens thingie over it. It looks sort of pink now. The next step is to get my fake eye prosthesis, which fits right over this eyeball.

HOW COOL IS THAT. Some of you might grow up to be doctors and scientist AND ARTISTS

who help people like me who need some help getting back to looking like they used to!

I hope all of you are well, and I should be back at least part time next week. I still am learning to drive with one eye but I can read and draw and paint and everything else.

My right eye does get tired sometimes so I rest a lot!

Love you guys.

Give Ms. Kovacs a hug for me.

Mrs. Art

Monday, Monday

2008-02-25T06:48:00.000-08:00

Good morning!

This is a picture of me and my sister-in-law, Deborah. She came and stayed with me for two weeks and took good care of good old Mrs. Art before and after my surgery. She cooked, cleaned, took care of our little Bella, shopped, gave me my medicine and kept me company. She taught me a new game called Quiddler and we watched Milo and Otis together. We had so much fun and I am very grateful to her for being such a wonderful and caring friend. If she went to Waukazoo, she would definitely follow the Zoo Rules !!

LOve,

Mrs. Art

to MRS. BARAJAS' CLASS

2008-02-24T19:14:00.000-08:00

Hi, You Guys!

Thanks for the lovely note. I miss you so much. I love being your teacher and I can hardly wait to be with you again. I will see you in a couple of weeks! Pretty soon the Ocularist will start making my cool new eye! It doesn't hurt anymore and I am getting used to seeing with one eye. don't worry about me because I am healing fast and your prayers are really helping.

Thanks for everything and I will see you very soon.

Love,

Mrs. Art

to MRS. DEVINE'S CLASS!!

2008-02-24T19:00:00.000-08:00

HI!!

Mrs. Art here with a big thank you to you guys for writing to me. It is great to hear from you!

I MISS YOU VERY MUCH! I can hardly wait to get back to school and be your teacher again. I am painting pictures and reading books and resting. I have Bella on my lap all the time. I love you and want to thank you for your notes, cards and prayers. They are lifting my spirits very much!

See you very soon!

Love,

Mrs. ARt

to ALLYSIA M!

2008-02-24T18:58:00.000-08:00

Hi, Alyssia (Peanut!!!)!!

I miss your big smile. I am glad you still think I am beautiful! Thank you! I feel so much better and pretty soon I will be back at school and we will get out the clay. Mr. Newton says you guys are doing great. I wish I were there!

See you soon!

love,

Mrs. Art

TO MRS. TELMAN'S CLASS!

2008-02-24T18:54:00.000-08:00

Thanks for the comment! I am sure going to try to get in to your class room before Koby moves to Kansas! I am healing fast and my eye is getting better every day. I love hearing from you all and I miss you very much. I miss teaching you and seeing the wonderful cool art work you make. Mr. Newton said you are doing a greaT JOB!!

I love you guys!

Your art teacher,

Mrs. ARt

YOU ARE THE BEST!

2008-02-24T18:07:00.000-08:00

Dear Waukazoo and Sheldon Woods artists and families,

I have so much to be thankful for as I write this post to all of you!

First, I have received many class books in which you have made cool handmade and computer art and written encouraging and caring messages to me. They are all wonderful, and make me feel very special. I feel so very lucky to be your teacher, and part of our school family, and I just can't wait to be back in the art room with you once again.

I have also gotten letters and cards in the mail from many of you and I will keep them always. Thank you so much for your thoughtfulness.

I love your blog comments too, and I hope you will keep writing those!

I was very scared before my surgery. It sounded so terrible to lose my eye. But now, I know that it was not so bad after all, and my new eye will be very cool, and it will look like a normal eye (a little more artistic, though :))

It hurt a lot the first week, and my eye looked like I got punched hard-very black and blue and some other colors, too! But now, you can hardly tell, and it only hurts a little sometimes. I have to put medicine in my eye three times a day to keep it healthy. I have to rest a lot. I can't do any work but when I heal up I can do anything I want, even drive my car, read, and do art, thank Heaven! AND BE AN ART TEACHER. hoOOORAYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I will start coming back to school next week, and before you know it, I will be back all of the time and it will be just like it used to be.

Mr. Newton is telling me what a good job you are doing and I told him I wasn't surprised, because YOU ARE THE BEST ART STUDENTS IN THE WORLD!!!!!!!!!

love,

Mrs. Art

Wow!

2008-02-15T07:01:00.001-08:00

You should see all the valentine's I got! I got a bag as big as me. I got so much chocolate I have a tummy ache. I got a poem from Mrs. Mendel's class. It is very cool. I got books from lots of classes with notes - they made me laugh. Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, my wonderful students. I don't know how one girl could get so lucky.

I miss you so bad!

Love,
Mrs. Art

Picture

2008-02-12T20:04:00.000-08:00

Hi, kids! I wanted to post this picture of me and my doctor from the day after my surgery. I am doing very well, and I miss you all!

2008-02-12T05:56:00.000-08:00

Dear students,

This is Annie, Mrs. Art's daughter. I want to let you all know that her surgery went very, very well, and that she is feeling pretty good. She also wants me to tell all of you that she appreciates your e-mails and cards and goodies and can't wait to see you again!

I will post pictures soon!

Love,
Annie & Mrs. Art

my family is coming

2008-02-07T20:51:00.000-08:00

Hi, Gang,

My family is coming tomorrow and they will be here for my surgery. My dad is a a good dad and a good doctor! He will be a big help as I recover. My sister in law Deborah is coming tomorrow and will be here for two weeks! Also my son Jon is coming on Saturday. I also saw Mrs. Gundrum, Mrs. Thornhill and Mrs, Kearns today. We watched a funny movie, played pinball and ate tons of popcorn.

Wasn't it a beautiful day today? I hope you looked at the snow-covered trees! I hope you got to go sledding or build a snowman. I will post a picture of a tiny snowman Annie and I made today.

Talk to you soon....I am thinking of your smiling faces....

rhythm

2008-02-07T17:06:00.000-08:00

Today, Annie and I went to JP's, and the music inspired us (to act silly)...

Beautiful flowers

2008-02-07T06:51:00.000-08:00

Hello, Waukazoo,

Thank you for the beautiful plant! It is called a Cyclamen. It has dark green leaves and beautiful coral flowers that pop out of the top. They are beautiful and remind me of springtime!

I am lucky because I work at the best schools and I have the best kids.....

love,

mrs art

2008-02-07T06:43:00.000-08:00

SNOW DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

HURRAY!!

Good morning, Kids,

How is everybody today?

I miss you!!!!!!!

love,

Mrs. Art

2008-02-06T05:53:00.000-08:00

Good morning, Everybody!

No snow day today after all....I was rooting for you! :)

I hope you like the pictures I posted for you. Thanks for your posts and emails. I love them so much. Tell Mr. Newton I said hi, do your very best and remember you are loved.

Mrs. Art

Welcome to my blog!

2008-02-05T13:22:00.000-08:00

You read about me on MIKIDS.com and heard about me from Mrs. Gundrum and Mr. Newton!

Here is where you can ask me any questions or tell me anything that might be on your mind right now. I miss you so much and I want you to know that I am OK!!! My doctor is awesome and I am going to be just fine. I will be able to do everything I did before, especially my favorite thing to do, which is to teach art to the best kids in the world (you guys).

love,

Mrs. Art