Week of 9/12/2022 - Line

 2nd graders created line sculptures this week! We read Lines that Wiggle by Candace Whitman - it is a great book that talks about a variety of lines with great illustrations. We practiced drawing a variety of lines on paper first. Students were given 1"x12" neon colored paper strips and cardboard. I showed students how to fold a paper strip on each end to make "feet", use glue stick on the feet and press them on the cardboard and hold them for 10 seconds. We made a curved line, zigzag line and diagonal lines together after which I had students look at their paper where they practiced lines and create their own. Students were completely engaged and came up with interesting works!

I encouraged them to explore overlapping lines, turn their sculpture in different ways to see if there were empty space where they could add paper and also join strips to create long lines.

3rd grade students combined lines to design their own motifs and used them on their paper weaving. We first practiced drawing different lines and I demonstrated how to combine 2 lines to create motifs. Each student designed 4 motifs and picked 2 of their favorite. I had implemented this lesson last year with construction paper - some students had a difficult time weaving and the paper faded very soon. This year I used card stock  and could see the paper was stiff and helped students weave better. They had more control with the paper during the over and under process.

 Our local news channel NBC 739 visited my classroom this week and filmed my teaching and interviewed Russ Sperling, the VAPA director for San Diego Unified School District, my principal Derek Murchison and me. This was regards to Proposition 28, a November ballot measure which would guarantee funding for arts education in California.

 

I had the opportunity to present Kolam art at the Arts Empower Mega Conference organized by the San Diego County Office of Education this week. Participants created Kolams with rice flour and received resources on how to teach this lesson from kindergarten to 5th grade as well as combine works to create a collaborative Kolam.

I also had the chance to attend artist Rafael Lopez's session - he is a brilliant muralist in San Diego and a children's book author. Some of his books include "Just Ask", "Maybe something beautiful" among many others. He demonstrated his process for designing and painting murals and answered questions we had.