Blazing a Trail: School Mural

While many students and teachers were relaxing, enjoying their summer there were a few Chaffee Trail teachers and students who were busy up at school working on a painted mural entitled,"Blazing a Trail Into the Future." The mural depicts a western landscape complete with a mountain range, buttes and dessert plants. Scattered among the cacti are pictures of Chaffee Trail students doing what they love - learning and playing, sometime doing both at the same time! The mural runs along two 60 feet long walls totaling over 600 square feet. Thanks to all the Chaffee Trail artists who helped this dream come to life!

Mural In Progress

Here is a "sneak preview" of our mural we are creating at Chaffee Trail. We had a painting day today and had visitors from Channel 4, The Florida Times Union, and the Communications office from Duval County public Schools. We hope to finish by the end of next week. Thanks to all the teachers and students who came out to paint today and a very special thanks to Miss Westphall, our Art intern from last year. Stay tuned for updates to our mural!

Theme Paintings

Be sure watch the growing collection of "theme paintings" hanging at the north end of the "big hall" which reflect the themes for each school year. Our first year's theme painting was "Blazing a Trail Into the Future" and our second year's was "Teamwork Makes the Dream Work". Be watching the wall as the new painting appears with our newest and most current theme for 2009 - 2010, "Surf to Success".

Class of 2009 - 5th Graders' Tile Self Portraits

For the 2nd year, 5th graders have created self portraits glazed on ceramic tiles permanently installed as an annual alumni project. For years to come,  each alumnus can return to view their personal signature on the walls of Chaffee Trail. Parents and friends, please look for this collection of portraits when you visit us.

Art Students Do their Part

For the second year, art students at Chaffee Trail have collected pop tops - the little rings on top of soda cans. We donate them at the end of each year to the Ronald McDonald House where they recycle them to raise money to cover their expenses. this year Chaffee art students collected 7 boxes (copy paper cases) filled with the little aluminum rings.  Thanks to Chaffee Trail art students for doing their part to help others.

Art Exhibit Slideshow

Cummer Museum Field Trips

This year we were very fortunate to book field trips to the Cummer Museum Art and Gardens for every class at Chaffee Trail! With costs of about everything going up, the Cummer field trips continue to be an extraordinary value. We take time during art class prior to the trip to review vocabulary and critique reproductions giving our students important background information which enhances their experience. Take a minute or two to "sneak a peak" of what the museum must look like from the eyes of a kindergarten student.

New "Official" Art Assistants

Welcome Mrs. Woodlief's new Art Assistants, Chiamaka, Matthew, and Raymone.  These three dependable 5th students report each morning to the Art Room to assist Mrs. Woodlief with preparing materials for classes, unloading the drying rack and delivering artwork to the classroom teachers.  They wear a hall pass made just for them around their necks to show teachers and hall monitors that they are on "official art business" when running errands. 

Welcome Art Intern

Welcome our new art intern from University of North Florida, Miss Ashley Westphal.  She is from Jacksonville and is practice teaching to become an art teacher.  In this video, Miss Westphal demonstrates pottery techniques on a potters wheel.  

Art Is Finger Lickin' Good!

Third graders learned about color theory by mixing colored icing on graham crackers.  Using one side of the cracker as a palette, the students began by mixing the three primary colors of icing to make secondary colors.  They then added more of the primary colors to make intermediate colors. They continued exploring a variety of color combinations then painted an impressionistic painting on the other side of their graham cracker. After admiring and sharing their "masterpieces"  they ate them. Art is not only fun - it tastes good!

School Board Recognizes Chaffee Trail

Chaffee Trail was recognized by the school board at the January 2009 meeting for winning first place (community vote) in the annual Superintendent's Book of the Month Quilt contest.  Pictured are School Board member Stan Jordan, Chaffee Trail principal, Beverly Walker, and Art teacher Terry Woodlief along with officials from the Greater Jacksonville Fair, sponsor of the annual competition.

Chaffee Trail Elementary Supports the Food Bank

Chaffee Trail 5th grade classes created 75 beautiful clay bowls to donate to the Empty Bowls Project which benefits the Jacksonville Food Bank.  Mrs. Woodlief and Libraian, Mrs. Miller, accompanied 5th graders Blake and Francheska to the Empty Bowls Luncheon representing our school. They were also invited to select a handcrafted bowl by another student to take home. 

Our Quilt is a Winner!

Congratulations to the Chaffee Trail Quilt Team for winning first place in the Community Vote category in the Annual Greater Jacksonville Fair Quilt Contest!  Our school has received a check for $500. to benefit the Art Department at Chaffee Trail.  Great job, Mustangs!

Art Teachers Are Students Too!

Art teachers from around the state of Florida met in Orlando last month for the Florida Art Education Association's annual state conference. Continuing education is very important for all teachers to stay abreast of new trends in art education.  

Go to The Fair and Vote For Our Quilt!

Fall is here and it's time for the annual quilt contest sponsored by the Greater Jacksonville Fair.  Each year 30 plus elementary schools submit a quilt based on the superintendent's book of the month. This year's selection is "A Cloak for the Dreamer", a story about a tailor and his three sons.   These hard working 4th and 5th grade girls (pictured) hand stitched for hours after school each day to create this beautiful quilt in their own interpretation of the story.  As pictured, they are Morgan, Bryonna, Michaela, Mrs. Woodlief, Kennedy, Rachel, Bailey, Haley and Hannah.  Last years quilt came in 2nd place in the judges vote and 3rd place for the community vote.  When you visit the fair next week, we hope you will take the time to vote for Chaffee Trail's entry. All the quilts will be on display in the (white building) exhibition hall.  The fair starts October 29th and ends November 9th.  Voting ends at 6 pm on Friday, ov. 7th. You can vote everyday so go vote for our quilt!

Duval Art Teachers Association Raise Money for Scholarships

The Duval Art Teachers Association is raffling off 8 differenat art palettes that have been painted by local artists in Jacksonville. These one of a kind works of art are worth hundreds but can be bought for $1. Raffle tickets are $1 each OR 25 tickets for $20. Each ticket can be labeled for a specific palette or can be spread amoung several palettes. The drawings will be January 16, 2009 and winners will be notifyed so you don't have to be present to win. All money from this goes to fund the Leslie Beddard Foundations which supports and encourages excellence in Art Education through workshops, education, advocacy and grants. For more information on the Art Palette raffle call 904-390-2677.

Artist in the Spotlight: Pablo Picasso

This month we featured Pablo Picasso as our "Artist In The Spotlight."  Chaffee Trial students learned about the many styles of painting used by the well known spanish artist but we focused on his most widely known style, "Cubism." After a brief discussion,  watching this slideshow and listening to the lyrics of this song, the students created a portrait in the style of Picasso.