Bump it up

"Bump It Up" is the term we use to describe how student can reach the grade level outcomes in each subject.  Arts education marking is very subjective and depending on the teacher's arts education philosophy, a data driven class is difficult to understand.

This year I have introduced pre-assessments in basic drawing skills and subject matter.  Each unit will have a pre-assessment on a portrait, still life or landscape observation artwork.  Students are assessed based on their stage of drawing development.  This is a valuable tool to assess the classroom skills and what needs to be focused on in their drawing skills.  Grade 6 is working on Portrait, Grades 1 and 3 are working on landscapes, and Grades 2 and 5 are working on still life/ observation skills for Term 1.

Here are some examples of our pre-assessments.

New school Year

Welcome back to Davison's art room for a new school year. There are many exciting things that will be happening this year.  Choice based art instruction is still my classroom focus for grades2-6 this year. Grades 3-5 will be using modified choice, where students get a few choices in media for assignments. Grade 2's will be introduced to centres in openings then modified choice after Christmas. Grade 6's will experience full choice studios with their focus being on the studio habits of mind. I am very thrilled to bring these experiences to our students at Davison school.

Night at the Museum

Davison school
May 29, 2014  6:30-8:30

Everyone is invited to a Come and Go Evening of arts highlighting the artistic talents of Davison students.  Artwork and presentations from each student will be displayed around the school.  Come in, enjoy the exhibits, then make your way to the gym for live performances running every 15 minutes.

Exhibits include: Artist Studies, Popular Culture Museum, Melville Past, Present, and Future, Storybook Creations.

Passports will be available in every classroom, and when completed can be turned in for a door prize draw.

Refreshments will be served in the gym during performances.

 

Live Performances:

6:45—Gr. 1 Zoo Dance

7:00— Gr. 2 Melville Dance

7:10 Pow Wow Demonstration

 

7:15—Gr. 4 Northern Lights Dance

7:30— Gr. 5 Pop Dances

7:45—Gr.3 Creature Dance

8:00—Gr.6 Legend of Sedna/Dark Horse dance

Interactive Artwork in Courtyard.

 

Kingdom feuds

The grade three's are in two kingdom groups, Melville and Canada.  They are working on shields, flags, castle designs, and protection models that represent their Kingdoms. Next the students will be creating a mock marketplace with all citizens in their feudal system roles.

Legend of Sedna/Dark Horse

Grade 6 are exploring the Inuit legend of the Sea Goddess Sedna through dance using Katy Perry's "Dark Horse".

Family portraits

We are busy artists in grade one creating family portraits from observing our photos.

Gr. 5 pop art exploration

Grade 1 patterns

Math and Art Integration

Math and Art don't usually get mentioned together but in my classroom integration is top priority.  Grade two used creative pictographs to establish similarities and differences and how they can use the information to make friends.

Exploring Fall

Today the grade 1's were exploring fall movements using John Jacobson's music express magazine and read Lois Ehlert's "Leaf Man".

Free time exploration

After students have completed an assignment they can always move onto a free choice.  Right now the drawing centre is open as well as construction tools. These two boys are quite proud of what they explored during a free choice!

Marking Element Unit work

I have been busy marking all the element of art work our classes have been doing and a little pet peeve is emerging!  First I have started a no name bin which is holding about 50-70 papers that have no name.  Secondly students that have taken homework home but don't bring it back.  My homework rule is Take it home, Do it, Bring it back.  If any go these 3 steps are not done I can't mark it.  So students are receiving an ED on their Element work until their homework is returned, then their work will be marked.  If it is not turn in before Term 1 mark cutoff the ED stays.

Colour Dance

Grade 4 explored their movement ideas based on Ann Jonas' book "Color Dance".  We added scarves to increase our understanding of the dance element of "relationship".

What a busy first few weeks!

Grades 1 & 2 are working on colours and farm drama.  All other grades are working on colour and protests.  Look for upcoming drama and dance class videos. Mrs. Kitch

Back at it!

Okay, I really will update this more this school year!!!
Glad to be back, watch for these exciting things this school year:
CLUB M.A.D
Remebrance Day surprise
Robo Identity
New Choice centers (puppets, fashion, firing clay)
Christmas Concert Musical

Construction Center

The construction center opened as a choice in January and once the procedures for work was established students went straight to work.  Grade Sixes created structures that represented parts of the cultural identity, Grade Fours created Boreal Forest dioramas, and Grade Threes made things that inspired them from the constructed Environment.

No Luck with Videos

I am not having good luck posting videos to this blog.  I tried to post my groups PLACE video twice and the Grade 601 Monster Mashup dance and both come back with errors.  I am hoping to figure out the glitch and get those posted soon.

Wow, what a week!  PLACE (Proffessional Learning Across Community Experience) from the University of Regina had its finale today.  3 Days of Arts Integration and Exploration of our community culminated into this afternoon's performances.  Everything from soundscapes to martial arts inspired dances were performed for Davison and Miller school audiences.  I am so proud of this project and after 7 years, hope that it still continues.  The students, pre-interns, and staff all benefit in different ways throughout this project.  My group explored the heritage museum and created a video showcasing their learnings.

PLACEment

It has been a busy week.  Our University of Regina Pre-Interns spent the week around Davison honing their teaching skills and filling our classrooms with innovative arts ed. lessons.  It is always such a rewarding experience for both staff and students during this week.  In the Art room, students created pop art, community creatures, Saskatchewan landscapes, and rhythm patterns.
Miss Becker and Mr. Eberts will be back with Mrs. Kitch for PLACE, along with the rest of the pre-interns, in November 14-16.

Meet the Teacher Night

I invite all families to be sure to check out the art room and say hi to me on September 18th at 6:45p.m.  I will be avaliable to show our school community what's happening in our Arts Education program.