Week of 2/17/2025 - UTK, Kinder and 1st grade - Week 1

 This week UTK students created art inspired by "Dhurries" which are rugs from India!

We looked at a few examples and had a great discussion about what students noticed. It is always nice to hear students using  art vocabulary confidently at this point in the school year. There is more engagement with multiple students raising hands to answer which is lovely to see!!

 We first created 3 vertical and 3 horizontal lines on a 11" X 14" brown poster board using a pencil. Students then colored each shape that was formed in a variety of colors using paint sticks. They then cut construction paper of different colors and glued them inside the boxes.

 

Kindergarten students created art inspired by the story "Go Away Big Green Monster" by Ed Emberley. We read the story first and I love the simple text and the  bold illustrations! Once done, students cut the ears that I have pre-drawn for them with pencil. This step usually takes them about 8-10 minutes as the poster board is thick compared to construction paper or card stock that we typically use. Once done, students draw a variety of lines using a pencil and color the areas using paint sticks. Then they cut circles and add 1-4 eyes using white construction paper and a mouth using black construction paper. After this, I give students white paint to add patterns on the monster's body and triangular teeth to complete their work.

1st graders created book illustrations - I love this lesson as it incorporates writing with art!

I first pick out a book and ask students what they notice on the front cover - title, author and illustrator name and an image. We talk about why this information needs to be included on the front cover and then the purpose of the spine and back cover. I read the story after which I tell students they are going to become book illustrators and if they could design the covers and spine, what would that look like?

I give each student a poster board that has the spine drawn with pencil. We first use a chisel tip black Sharpie to write the title bold as this is what people first look at. We then illustrate the front cover after we discuss who/ what was the main character(s) in the story. Then we write "By" followed by the students name. Students also write the title on the spine, illustrate the back cover and use color pencils/ crayons to color their work to complete it.

 

5th Grade Legacy Mural

 It’s 5th grade Legacy Mural painting this week!!

We have a beautiful design created by our awesome 5th graders!! I am so proud of how students responded to the prompt “what has been your favorite memory of Zamorano?” using the Sketchpad website.

14 images were selected, students created 3 final designs in small groups out of which the final design was selected.

I stayed back after work the Friday before until 7:30 and traced the design 6 pm on wards. I am so glad it gets dark quick and I can use the projector.

A few things I have learned the last 3 years -

1. Giving myself enough time for students to work on the individual and final design.

2. Submitting the paperwork to the school district for approval (this is a requirement) at least 2-3 weeks in advance.

3. Requesting our custodian to clean and hose down the wall.

4. Checking to make sure the projector is working, getting the extension cord from the supply room and making sure it reaches the wall where the design needs to be drawn, making sure the multiple plug outlet is working and keeping admin and custodians on board about when i am staying back after school to draw the mural design.

5. I use a fine point Sharpie to trace the design and also have my phone to look at the design to give me more clarity.

6. I have a large cart to carry supplies including paint, brushes, a container with soapy water for used paintbrushes, rags, wipes, paper towels, paint rollers, tarp, painter's tape, pencil and eraser for any corrections of the design.

7. I also send out a schedule to the 5 5th grade teachers about 3 months in advance just to make sure there are no conflicts and if they do, I work around it. Teachers send 5-6 students per group for 30 minutes. 

With each group, we look at and discuss the final mural design - I make several color print outs so students can see what the area they are painting needs to look like. I also add dots in the color the wall needs to be painted. 

 We discuss the paint which is exterior semi-gloss house paint and how students need to wipe their fingers on a wipe/ paper towel right away. Each student is given a section to paint. I first demonstrate how to dip the paint brush into the paint, hold it sideways and move it to create outlines and then fill in the inside areas. I instruct them to step back every few minutes to see what areas of the wall the have missed and go back to fill it in. We talk about only moving the wrist to paint and cover small areas at a time and not the arms that most students want to do!

 We talk about safety - students that get up or down on a ladder do so with their hands free so they can hold on to the sides and climb. I give them their paint and paint brush once they are up and I hold it when they come down. They also need to be mindful of who is painting near them and not wave their arms.

Here are photos and the progress from day 1 to completion on day 5!

 

 Annndddddd here is the finished 2025 5th Grade Legacy Mural!!