4th/5th Grade

February/March 2020

4th graders recently learned a few clay techniques in art class, first experimenting with Crayola Model Magic and then using real clay. They made cupcake containers out of white Model Magic, working the color in with marker ink and adding embellishments such as sprinkles or cherries. Then, we got out the real clay and made stacks of pancakes! These sculptures are also little boxes with removable lids. Making the coiled containers out of clay was a much harder challenge: students had to roll even coils and attach each piece securely. The clay pieces are being fired this week at Space One Eleven downtown and we will paint them next week! We are proud of your hard work and persistence, 4th grade! 

January/February 2020

5th graders discussed C.S. Lewis' inspiration for his imagery in  Prince Caspian, then brainstormed images to use for an original relief sculpture in clay. They learned clay techniques, experimenting with the coil building method before trying slab building. Each of these relief sculptures is amazing! I am so proud of our 5th grade students for their enthusiasm, energy, creativity, and commitment to excellence! 

5th grade

September 14, 2019

For the last few weeks, students in 4th and 5th grades have been learning all about the elements of art, building something out of nothing, and how to look at something and draw from observation. We have also been discussing the fruits of the spirit as we draw platters of fruit! Students were advised to draw very slowly, quietly, and spend lots of time looking at the shapes and relationships between each part of the still life. They were challenged with matching their drawings as closely as possible to the platter of fruit! After finishing their drawings, the kids outlined with black and added details in the background. It was so much fun to see the ideas they came up with! We will be painting these drawings next week. 

5th grade

 4th grade drawings

4th grade drawings

5th grade drawings

 5th grade drawings

5th grade drawings

4th grade paintings

4th grade paintings

4th grade paintings

 5th grade paintings

 5th grade paintings

5th grade paintings

Students received a Creativity Challenge: make 10 different imaginary creatures or aliens by using the same five elements in a drawing! The elements could have been lines, shapes, or textures, used repeatedly in new ways to invent a robot, an underwater creature, or a space alien. The kids picked their favorite "friend" to draw on a larger sheet of paper and then created an environment for them according to the rules of space. Students used overlapping, size, and placement to create a sense of depth in their drawings.  The kids also experimented with several different media: they tried adding plain water to areas of marker and then used watercolor paints during the next class period. 

5th grade

 4th grade

 4th grade

4th grade 

4th grade

5th grade

4th grade drawings

5th grade drawings

Standards for Weeks 3-5:

4th Grade

Investigate, Plan, Make

1. Individually brainstorm multiple approaches to an art problem.

Examples: Create lists, sketches, or thumbnail-sketches.

3. Generate ideas and employ a variety of strategies and techniques to create a work of art/design.

4. When making works of art, utilize and care for materials, tools, and equipment in a manner that prevents danger to oneself and others.

5. Document, describe, and create real or imagined constructed environments.

5th Grade

Investigate, Plan, Make

1. Combine ideas to develop an innovative approach to creating art.

2. Demonstrate the methods of the art-making process, including brainstorming, sketching, reflecting, and refining, to create a work of art/design.

3. Communicate personal ideas, images, and themes through artistic choices of media, technique, and subject matter.

4. Demonstrate proper care and use of materials, tools, and equipment while creating art.

5th Grade Name Designs

August 23, 2019
During the first two weeks of school, we brainstormed many ways to design our names in an original, creative way! We also learned about the 5 basic types of line (horizontal, vertical, zig-zag, curving, and diagonal) as well as using line quality in these designs. Students were encouraged to vary the boldness or thickness of their lines before adding color to finish the drawings. Finally, after learning about craftsmanship and persistence through a class discussion and video clip, students participated in Creativity Stations at the end of the second week. This open-ended class time allows students to choose, build, and create with a variety of 3-dimensional art materials.

(This year, 4th and 5th grade students will attend Art class for one hour twice each week.)

4th Grade Name Designs

Online Resources for Weeks 1 & 2:

Class Dojo; Perseverance 

Katie Discovers the Dip; video

Climbing Out of the Dip; video

The Big Show; video

Tape Installation - Dimensionalizing the Hall at the Torrance Art Museum

The Lines Song; Art Songs; Scratch Garden

Standards for Weeks 1 & 2:
4th Grade
Investigate, Plan, Make
1. Individually brainstorm multiple approaches to an art problem.
Examples: Create lists, sketches, or thumbnail-sketches.
3. Generate ideas and employ a variety of strategies and techniques to create a work of art/design.


5th Grade
Investigate, Plan, Make
1. Combine ideas to develop an innovative approach to creating art.
2. Demonstrate the methods of the art-making process, including brainstorming, sketching, reflecting, and refining, to create a work of art/design.
3. Communicate personal ideas, images, and themes through artistic choices of media, technique, and subject matter.

Alabama State Course of Study, Visual Art

4th Grade

The overall goal of the fourth grade visual arts program is to promote artistic challenges for students to express their life experiences. Fourth grade students are primarily concrete learners, but are also intrigued with more abstract modes of solving artistic problems. To nurture these interests, the fourth grade classroom environment promotes the active engagement of students in their learning through independent and group projects, including opportunities for self-assessment. Although the visual arts content for Grade 4 continues to build upon the elements of art and principles of design, new concepts, techniques, and media provide opportunities for students to explore alternative solutions for self-expression.

5th Grade

The overall goal of the fifth grade visual arts program is to increase cognitive, emotional, and social development. Students become more aware of their immediate surroundings, and interest in the expanded environment begins to emerge. Students recognize the benefits of assessment by teachers and peers as well as self-assessment when connecting, responding, presenting, and creating works of art. To accommodate these developmental changes, the fifth grade visual arts classroom provides a positive learning environment that encourages students to think creatively, communicate thoughts and ideas, understand the opinions of others, and expand technical skills. Greater awareness of the elements of arts and principles of design in the process and production of works of art is achieved through the objectives set forth in these standards. Students begin to manipulate ideas, media, and techniques, becoming more respectful of others’ ideas and works of art.