Faith Ringgold Inspired Story Quilts

Hello there. It's been a while since my last post.

I had gotten ill. Tried to plow through it, but eventually developed bronchitis, so I made an effort a few weeks before and during spring break to get more rest. We had a couple of cooking club friends over for dinner and other than taking kids to practice, we had a restful, but fun week.

Today was my first day back to a normal routine and first opportunity to look at new artwork out on display at our school. It was really great to see all the creativity hung up on the wall and our Art Masterpiece program thriving.

Check out how our art docent, Angela, in Mrs. Hoffman's first grade incorporated Common Core Standards and Faith Ringold's Story Quilts.

Students were asked to create an image depicting a special memory from their childhood onto canvas fabric squares, next they added water color, then oil pastels, followed by embellishments of glitter and sequins. To incorporate Common Core Standards they were asked to communicate in writing what their image was about.

As you can see there were many fun and interesting stories.

Me and mom were waking in the park and we saw flower and we saw ants ho ants I love ants.

Faith Ringgold is an African-American painter, writer, speaker, mixed media sculptor and performance artist, and is best known for er painted story quilt.

What have you been doing these past few weeks? I'd love to hear your what you have been up to.

ou know there is a meaningful movement afoot to create Common Core State Standards for the Arts; - See more at: http://blog.artsusa.org/2010/05/28/an-open-letter-to-pre-service-arts-educators/#more-5305

Common Core Arts Standards will provide a guideline for embedding consistent through lines in arts education, nationwide. - See more at: http://www.azarts.gov/news-resources/news/what-are-the-common-core-arts-standards/#sthash.PRctaut7.dpuf

Common Core Arts Standards will provide a guideline for embedding consistent through lines in arts education, nationwide. - See more at: http://www.azarts.gov/news-resources/news/what-are-the-common-core-arts-standards/#sthash.PRctaut7.dpuf

The Common Core Arts Standards will provide a guideline for embedding consistent through lines in arts education, nationwide - See more at: http://www.azarts.gov/news-resources/news/what-are-the-common-core-arts-standards/#sthash.PRctaut7.dpuf

Incorporating Science and Art with John James Audubon

As an Art Masterpiece volunteer I often coordinate with teachers - projects that can integrate Common Core standards. This past month, students in Miss Rivas' 4th grade completed their animal research in science. 

Having featured John James Audubon before; I knew it would compliment what they had learned in class. Audubon traveled the thirteen colonies and beyond and set out to paint birds and animals in their natural environment.

I am amazed with how some kids totally get the essence of an artist's work.

Raven by J. Castro

Using images download from the Internet. Students sketched and then used oil pastels to create their artwork.

Cheetah by A. Vecscy

Lemon Shark by Elijiah

Giraffe by E. Boddack

The students' artwork was the final element in their science report. I hope they got an A! 

John James Audubon was a self-taught American ornithologist, naturalist, hunter, and painter. He painted, cataloged, and described the birds and mammals of North America. His work helped discover several new species of birds, six of them are now extinct.