Year End Wrap Up

Wow-Not a single post since March! April and May got super busy and completely flew by so beware as this post may be long as I try and catch up with some highlights from our final quarter:
(You'll definitely want to scroll all the way to the bottom for two very creative ideas!)

Automata Projects-6th Grade

Students learned about simple machine elements like cams, levers, and linkages to create whimsical cardboard mechanical structures.

City Creations - 5th Grade:

A fun project inspired by 5th grade, students got an opportunity to group-up to research, brainstorm, design, and build a 3D cardboard mini-city made up of different towns from the different groups. Upon completion of the project, the students each wrote up a description of their towns and buildings  and gave them fun names. The city was on display in a corner of the room until the end of the year until it was dismantled to be taken home by the students who created the different parts. 

Spin Art (Tops) - 6th Grade:

Students added a new purpose to salad spinners by add colorful abstract designs on round, cardboard discs and with a little hot glue, added elements to transform them into entertaining tops!

Tiny Drawings-5th and 6th Grade:

An idea inspired by the Amazeum, we were very grateful to have on loan, a set of stereoscopes from our science department to create tiny, narrative pencil drawings. Students created everything from tiny landscapes to silly cartoon characters.

Wild Doodles-5th Grade

A fun activity for the end of the year, doodling is a great way to come up with creative design and character ideas by drawing and allowing the mind to wander and imagine. Simply start by drawing a curvy line around the page and fill in the spaces with silly faces or colorful designs. 

Last but not least!!!

Check out these innovative cardboard creations by a few of our 5th graders during our genius time!

The first one is called the "Self-Esteem Booster 2000." Next time your having a bad day? Simply pull the string on the Self-Esteem Booster 2000 to get an encouraging high five! :)

Next: We have Brendan, who in an astonishingly short amount of time designed and made an actual working cardboard yo-yo! Check it out: http://youtu.be/7QgVb3KLSlk 

"Paint Like Pollock"

Project complete!

OHMS 6th graders have finished their Paint Like Pollock project, a collaboration, mural-size painting inspired by Crystal Bridges' current exhibition: Van Gogh to Rothko. This current show highlights some major names from the abstract expressionist movement from the mid-1900s who we looked at for this piece.

One of the artists from the Van Gogh to Rothko show, and our inspiration for this project, is none other than Jackson Pollock himself and his famous work, "Convergence."

The students gained a clear understanding and appreciation for this style of art and learned how fun it can be to be expressive in art.

Our huge Paint Like Pollock painting measures approximately 6 x 12 feet and will be on display at Old High Middle School.

Take a look!

Success In Many Forms

We had a mighty, successful week of learning and exploring! Students created a collaborative "Paint Like Pollock" painting, did some Keva Plank building, and constructed cardboard automata and packing peanut sculptures. 

OHMS Silent Auction-Come see us!

Please join us for Arts & Academics Night on Thursday, the 12th from 5:30 to 7:00 pm for evening of fun!
There will be an auction and other fun activities planned including a collaboration art project with myself and Mrs. Burris.
Hope to see you there!

6th Grade "Love" Projects

Love was a theme this past February as we studied Robert Indiana and his use of visual signs. Indiana was inspired by signs we see all around us and decided to create his own sign, LOVE, to spread hope and a positive message. 

Our 6th grade classes jumped on board to help spread this message with our own mixed-media versions of Indians's iconic work. 

Once the projects were complete, the students wrote a reflection piece on what "Love" means to them and how their work represents them. 

Student samples are below:

Genius Hour Snippets from 5th and 6th Grade

Upon the completion of a class project, students have been changing their questions from "what do I do now?" into, "May I try this idea?" Genius hour has taken ground at Old High Middle School and students are learning to bring in questions and new ideas to enhance their learning and classroom experience.
Below are some fun products of what my 5th graders have been doing when left to their own ideas. Some students have even had the opportunity take on the role of teacher as they worked together to show other students their creative ideas!

Brooke showing off a new sign from recycled materials.

Margeritte's successful observational drawing of one of our classroom posters.

Vivian and Ella worked together to teach one another how to make a 3D snowflake.

Jake's successful cartoon drawings from memory!

Michael's very interesting "rorschach" style paper cutting design.

It's always fun to see what the students create with our class set of Keva Planks.