The year Jordan was in 4th grade I signed up to be the ArtWise Mom. This is through the PTA... a program where you go into the classroom and teach art to the kids one or twice a month. Really depends on the teacher how often. I self taught myself through the years a lot about art... simple stuff to teach the kids. Do now that I highly frown upon someone going in and teaching a craft... but not teaching the art history and techniques behind it.
This year... being that I added STUDENT to my plate... my available time at the school was limited. But this job was never filled in... and I did not have a classroom volunteer job. And actually this is an easy and enjoyable thing for me to do. Just have to squeeze it in my schedule.
Did it Thursday. Day went like this... Prep for the Art Class, Work, ArtWise, College class. Scott works from home... he had no idea where I had been all day. Just knew I was gone. Yep... some days are like that!
Back to ArtWise... two years ago the school district implemented an art program into all the elementary schools called VAPA. The kids were learning all the techniques and mediums of art. So being an ArtWise parent was not as valuable as it was before. However with budget cuts, that was one to go. So in order for my son to be taught about artists, art form... and how it fits into culture, social studies.... I need to step up and do my part, but share it with the classroom. They LOVE it, I LOVE it.
Being the time of year it is and that they are learning California history, I tied in Los Dias de los Muertos, Days of the dead. This not a scary holiday... but a holiday much like our memorial day. In fact, putting flowers at graves comes for this culture. It is a celebration of the dead. Because they believe death is not the end, but a continuation of life. It is an ancient holiday practiced by the Aztecs, Mayas ect. Cool huh?
Giving them a little culture lesson and showing the Days of the Dead artwork... which is basically skeletons doing everyday things. It is happy, bright... not dark and gloomy depictions. We then made our own Day of the Dead skeleton using Oil Pastels on black paper. Techniques were taught... I will spare you those. But here is the result. They did great!
Chance's has the yellow sombrero. He says he accessorized. I only had them do the head... but others did do a complete body. It did also include a bit of an anatomy lesson as we talked about what the nose would look like and why. As they were drawing they wondered if they should have ears. We figured it out together.
Notice the sweets around the picture at the bottom. This is because delicious food is left out for the dead... to enjoy and know they are welcome.
Aren't those the happiest skeletons you have seen?
1 comment:
that is so awesome Karalene, so glad you take the time to volunteer your time in such a needed and great way!! I bet the kids had so much fun! that's all Brianne and Easton say, is nothings fun anymore at school, no art, no music... sad! hmmm wonder if I can make a difference?... thanks for the inspiration! your the best!
Post a Comment