Student Gallery for August

This Kindergarten artist took part in an author study of The Very Hungary Caterpillar by Eric Carle.  The student learned about the techniques used by Eric Carle and applied that knowledge in this collage.

Book of the Month Quilt Contest

Every year the Greater Jacksonville Agricultural Fair partners with DCPS to sponsor a Quilt contest based on the book of the month.  Here is our 2007 entry that took 2nd place for both the Judges Vote  and Community Choice catagories winning a cash prize for our school.  We look forward to competing again this year in hopes of winning that 1st place blue ribbon!  Stay tuned for more news on this year's entry.

Art Department Service Project

As an art teacher I am constantly asking businesses an other interested persons to make donations to my art program. It's very important to me to give back to worthwhile causes and set an example for my students. I have encouraged my students to help me by collecting "pop tops" - the aluminum rings off the tops of soda cans - to donate to the Ronald McDonald House
which is a home away from home for children and their families who offer a sense of community, compassion and service in support of any family whose child receives medical care in Jacksonville, regardless of their ability to pay. The students of CTES scoured the recycle bins in their neighborhoods last year and collected pop tops to donate in the name of our school. I was invited to meet Ronald McDonald himself and he thanked all the children at CTES for their donation pop tops in the name of our Art Department!

Art Principle of Balance

It's Been A Productive Summer Break

In just a little over a weeks time my first class of Chaffee Trail students will be lined up at my door prepared to learn about the exciting world of art. The summer break has given me an opportunity to created a few exciting teaching tools using Apple technology. I have used Keynote -Mac's version of powerpoint - to help my students understand the elements and principles of design: Color and Balance> Please take the time to veiw this example of how technology can enhance art learning.

Gyotako - Japanese Fish Printing

/Users/woodlieft/Desktop/Gyotako Podcast 3.mov

Check out this video to see what kinds of cool art projects we work on in art class at Chaffee Trail Elementary. Second grade students are studying Gyotako - the art of Japanese fish printing. Notice the young artists and follow their thought processes as they work to accomplish their task.

Mac - The Laptop Cowboy

Here is an example of technology integration into the arts. Check out this "Keynote" (Apple MAC's version of powerpoint), an assignment for a class I took at University of North Florida. I created a paper mache' "character", wrote a story about him, then presented the story in a powerpoint. Mac - the laptop cowboy, was a "computer man"from the wild, wild, west. As a newcomer to our city, he became frustrated with the many challenges he faced in his new home town particularly being a "MAC alien" in a PC world.

Welcome to My Blog!

Welcome to my blog! I just can't sit still and relax over the summer like some of my teacher friends. I am here at UNF at taking a conference called "Arts for Learning, Tools For Teaching Summer Institute." Today I'm learning about creating blogs, wikis, podcasts and other exciting techno stuff taught by the fabulous Paty Savage. I hope that Ill be able to enhance my art program at Chaffee Trail Elementary by integrating more technology into my curriculum.
Stay tuned!