1st and 2nd graders' Magic Carpets

1st and 2nd graders practiced drawing wavy, zig-zag and broken lines while dreaming up places they would fly on their magic carpets. They also learned out of double knot and earned beads whenever they got it right! Many students did not want to go far on their magic carpets. Six Flags, Chuckie Cheese, and the movies were all popular destinations.

Carpet by Stephen
I love Aaliyah's shapes and colors!
Artwork by Martell
Artwork by Timaris
Artwork by Monday
Artwork by Jaye
Artwork by Angelo
Artwork by Paris
Artwork by Deshaun. I love the shapes he created!
Asjah did excellent job coloring in.
Kenye gave her carpet lots of dots
Tranique used very bold colors as usual!

4th graders' Cool Suns

While studying different types of lines, students made radial sun designs that in some cases turned out looking more like flowers! They were asked to use at least two different types of lines and one shape in their design. There were no guidelines with colors some students used "cool" colors. (see previous post for more info on warm/cool colors). Many students also choose to give their sun shades. That is why I called them "cool suns". It is very appropriate because when we started the project, it felt like 100 degrees out. A couple weeks later when we finished, the weather had quickly cooled to the 60s. It was a very sudden summer to fall this year!

Eryn's pretty "flower-looking" sun

Amillion kept doubting her sun, but as usual, her artwork turned out great!
Artwork by Shaionta
Artwork by Shaniaya
Brian's Sun grew a beard!
Whoops, I cut off the same when I took pictures. Artist to be announced
Very COOOL sun by Damari
Daion's Sun is peeking over his shades!

3rd Graders' Chill Suns

While studying different types of lines, students made radial sun designs that in some cases turned out looking more like flowers! They were asked to use at least two different types of lines and one shape in their design. There were no guidelines with colors some students used "cool" colors. (see below for more info on warm/cool colors). Many students also choose to give their sun shades. That is why I called them "cool suns". It is very appropriate because when we started the project, it felt like 100 degrees out. A couple weeks later when we finished, the weather had quickly cooled to the 60s. It was a very sudden summer to fall this year!

Ebony gave her sun design a pretty curtain. I love her spiral lines.
Artwork by Heaven
Artwork by Briannah
Artwork by Andre
Very Cool Sun by Autumn
Mischievous-looking sun by Iyana
Below is a photo of me as a chubby baby with my dad, one with warmer colors and one with cooler colors. Which one looks like its a more warm day? Which one looks like a cooler day? Warm colors (reds, oranges, yellows) make things appear more warm! Cool colors (blues, greens, purples) make things appear cooler. Can you see the difference?

Miro's Motifs

7th graders studied the Spanish Surrealist Artist Joan Miro. Miro's "Chicago" is a large sculpture found downtown across from the Daley Center.

They looked at Miro's Constellation Series and found some of his motifs (a distinctive feature that is repeated in an artist's work).


We discussed surreal and abstract art (abstract art=from your imagination; surreal art= using your subconscious). They began their piece by closing their eyes and making three "squiggles". Next they added some of his motifs. They used pastels, crayons, and markers for the color.

Artwork by Johntaye and Shakeyah
Artwork by Mikayla and Kiara B
Artwork by Deja
Artwork by Tjena
Artwork by Ellusion
Artwork by Crystal and Lashamere
Artwork by Jamerah and Cartez
Students were encouraged to use their imagination and find things amongst their squiggles. Cartez was very good at this and found a dragon/monster type creature. He went around the room helping other students find things.

Our Great Waves

6th graders have been studying different types of wavy and curved lines. Also with it being hurricane season, we re-created "The Great Wave", one of the most recognizable works of art from Japan. They also recently practiced drawing trees using spiral lines, so some students chose to have trees growing in their water. As always I was impressed with the variety of styles.

"The Great Wave off Kanagawa" by Hokusai.

Artwork by William
Artwork by Constance


Artwork by DaMarques
Artwork by Kiara L and Michael
Artwork by Ahmad
Artwork by Triniti

Artwork by Makayl
Artwork by Kiara R
Artwork by Gabrieal
Artwork by Jevon
Artwork by Lawuan

"The Great Wave" is seen often in pop culture (popular culture like t-shirts, advertising, etc) and reproduced in other type of artwork such as the sculptures below.

Below are examples of "The Great Wave" as seen in pop culture that I found online.