Middle School Artist of the Month: October 2011
Congratulations to Justin Baadarani, eighth grader whose charcoal sneaker
drawing was selected as the October, Artist of the Month.
Middle School
Middle School students participate in a trimester based system, rotating between studio, wood and sculpture classes during the year. Students in Art 6 spend one trimester in studio art, one in wood shop and the final trimester in sculpture. The students work with both Mr. Myers and Mr. Krause in sixth grade. The experiences during Art 6 are designed to bring students from a wide range of artistic backgrounds to an understanding of the basics of visual art and to help them implement the core skills needed to be successful in art. The development of proper observation, technique and composition are emphasized through a variety of drawing, sculpture and mixed media assignments. This approach helps our students gain the necessary skills in the fundamentals of art and design.
Art 7:
Art 7 is also structured around the trimester system and students are asked to apply the knowledge and skills developed in Art 6 as they continue to develop their artistic abilities. Students spend one trimester in studio art, one in photo and one in the wood shop. Using observational skills and understanding how to use art vocabulary to constructively critique individual work is an important aspect of this year. Students develop criteria for evaluating art and begin to develop a personal aesthetic.
Art 8:
The knowledge and experiences acquired in sixth and seventh grade art are continued in Art 8. Unlike Art 6 & 7, students spend the entire year with the focus on work in the art studio. Technical skills are reviewed, and students must apply these skills through increasingly complex projects which are the focus in eighth grade. A more global understanding of art is examined through two and three dimensional projects that reflect specific artists and or art movements.
Middle School Art Program Highlights:
Visual and performing Arts Week, 2011:
Students in grades sixth, seventh and eighth participated in art and dram themed events during periods eight and nine in the middle school in February. Mr. Myers worked with sixth grade student on ceramic tile designs, Mr. Greene screened a documentary film about a child prodigy in art with the eighth graders and Mrs. Hambrook worked with sixth grade students as they practiced dramatic exercises in the middle school atrium. See photo highlights below.
Each December, eighth graders participate as art partners with first graders from the Lower School during a special art field trip to a major art museum each year.
1st & 8th graders work together on a recent mural project in preparation for their December art field trip together.
1st & 8th graders work together on a recent mural project in preparation for their December art field trip together.
Visual & Performing Arts Week:
Students in grades six through eight participate in visual and performing art activities specially planned for the week of February 22, 2011. Plans include: Mr. Myers working with the seventh grade students as they glaze ceramic tiles, Mr. Greene will be screening a film documentary with the eighth grade students and Ms. Hambrook will be working with the sixth grade students on dramatic performance activities.
Mr. Myers discusses the clay tile project with seventh graders.
Mr. Greene screens a documentary film with the eighth graders.
Sixth grade students work with Mrs. Hambrook in the middle school atrium.