Thanksgiving Pics

My brother carving

 Our whole family together!!

 Rain on friday means, play time at the Castle

 I miss this guy!

 Racing family

Great times with my family, especially my bro, sis-n-law and nephew from Colorado.

Drawing, 4th Grade

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving.  We had our whole family together which the last time was 1 1/2 years ago.  It was nice to have my three brothers together.  

I took pics but they didn't turn out very well.  So, any advice on a camera?  No more than $300-.  I want one that doesn't have such a delay and has better focus.  The camera I have takes great stills but everything else, bleck.

4th graders were so excited when they saw one of the tables set up for a still life.  I usually only do this with middle schoolers, but now I know better.  They were happy to draw the entire class time!  I also turned out the overhead lights and put a spot light on half way through.  "Oooh, shadows!" one of them said.  Love when I can get them to actually observe something.

Van Gogh Inspired Still Life, 4th grade

Students looked at Van Gogh's Sunflowers.  We talked about what was included in his paintings:  background, table top, flowers, vase.  Students created their own still life including those items.  We used watercolors for the background and table top and tempera paints for the flowers.  Next time I would like to add some modeling paste to the temperas to create texture.

Bragging

My son is very talented in the arts.  He has quite an imagination.  His drawings remind me a bit of Tim Burton.  We went to see Burton's collection when it was at MOMA this past year. Nathaniel really enjoyed his dark humor.
Thought I would share a few of my son's drawings.  Most are made while he is in school-shh!  He seems to learn through it.  Being an artist I let him go and leave it up to his teachers to decide if it is a distraction.

The Best Candles

A little plug for my other business.  

These really are the best candles ever.  Long lasting with strong aromas.  Visit my website and check out these great products.  www15.mygc.com/brendaleentjes

5th Grade Sea Turtles

Students learned about sea turtles thru a keynote presentation and a short video.  They experimented with watercolor techniques and used one of them to create their background.  When they paint their turtles I give a demonstration on blending colors, lights and darks and how to use brushes.

Getting ready!

This week is my open house so I am finishing up some projects and thinking about displays and packaging.  So many details!  A few of the goodies that will be available.

It is the beginning of a new quarter at school.  At the middle school my classes switch from 5th and 6th to 7th and 8th.  A bit more challenging in projects and personalities.  Working on lesson plans.  7th grade starts with making their art journals and going thru different stations to learn about critiquing artwork.  

8th graders will also make their art journals and start a still life drawing.

Kindergarten Fall Trees

 I used to have a hard time with kindergarten.  It was a challenge coming up with projects that they were able to do and turned out the way I anticipated.  I have learned that you have to let children experience things in order for them to learn and every project doesn't necessarily need to look the "right" way.  I've also been able to let go and let things get messy.  Paint no longer freaks me out and even yesterday when we used chalk pastels I was okay with wiping a few faces at the end.  These trees to me show what the child has heard from me and shows how they interpret my examples.  I also can see their personalities in each one.  Love them!!
I need to let you know that if you leave me a comment the only way I can respond is thru your email or own blog.  For some reason I can't comment on comments.  Anyone know how to fix this on blogger?