Hmmm.... what am I teaching Pre-School today?

    It's getting to be the end of the year and I've found myself sitting and thinking "what the heck can I do with my youngest students to have some fun and get messy?"  Well, I usually end up staring at my shelves, and neatly labeled supplies.  I just find I start throwing things on the table and letting the students have some creative exploration. 
   To the left, is an image of my completed example, and the variety of supplies provided for students.  You can see it's the primary colors of paint, in addition to black and white, some foam letters/numbers, stamps, paintbrushes, and yes, starbucks frappachino lids. 
   I went over how to use the various supplies with students to do a semi printmaking/free create project.  It was remarkable to listen to the students discover new ways of using all of these supplies which I hadn't even thought of myself!
    Take a look at some of these awesome students in action, and check out their artwork!

ARTventure DC: CLAIM YOUR SPOT NOW!

Interested in enrolling your child in a fun week with Ms.  Foy!?  E-mail NOW to reserve your spot!  Enrollment is now accepted from Bancroft families and other families within the District of Columbia!  

E-mail: msfoysartroom@gmail.com

***SESSION 3 IS NOW FULL***SESSION 3 IS NOW FULL***SESSION 3 IS NOW FULL***

Drawing on BLACK paper?

I've been trying to think of ways to push my student's out of their comfort zones.  Now I know, you might be wondering why push them out of their comfort zone, but really this assignment helped students turn their typical ways of thinking and creating around and expand their problem solving capabilities. So what did I choose as a challenge for students this week? 

First, students were given black construction paper instead of white to use as their background.  This really threw them off.  Second, I gave students chalk pastels to use.  Most students have never used these before, and they are certainly a material which you need to adjust to.  Chalk Pastel is dusty, messy, smear-able, and more challenging to control... 

Now....when you put these two challenges together, black paper and chalk pastel, you get AMAZING final products!

 

 Students quickly realized how the black paper really intensifies the colors of the chalk pastel.  Students also began to really use the skills taught on breaking things down into shapes, and then beginning to draw.  Students began to also, cope with "mess-ups" and "mistakes" through creative problem solving.  This was such a great one day, quick observational drawing project!

Let's Celebrate....Police Week!

May holds many special celebrations for school buildings.  There are plays, concerts, graduation, art

shows, field trips, and so much more for students.  During May, there is also teacher and nurse appreciation week.  What most people don't know about though, is that the week of May 15th, is also National Police Week.  Every year on May 15th, there is a ceremony held at the United States Capitol to honor and remember the fallen officers from the past year.  I have realized in the past few years, that many times our police and security officers within our school communities work below the radar of the average person, and we don't show the thanks and appreciation that we could. 

 This year, I decided we would celebrate and show our thanks to the wonderful officers of the 3rd district within Washington, DC.  I shared with students that it was police week, and they began rambling off stories of interactions they've had with officers, as well as how much they like to see them.  Students had so many experiences to share.  From a time when there were mean dogs in a child's backyard and the MPD saved the day, to an officer getting the ball out of the street for a student, the stories were precious and endless.  Take a peek!

Police officers of the U.S. Capitol

" One day I was looking for the aquarium with my Mom.  She didn't know where to go so we asked the police officer.  He told us where we should go and said..well blah blah blah... and then we passed Michael Kors.  But we got to the aquarium because he knew where to tell us to go!"

 

It's amazing how much effort and excitement the students put into their work.  I've really never seen my students so excited about creating a piece of art for someone else.  Usually they back out because they want to take their creations home(and who can blame them, they work hard!)

I found our local police district headquarters, and dropped off the cards from Bancroft and the art room.  I didn't leave my name, or e-mail, or phone number but the next day in my inbox, I found an e-mail from the DC MPD officers thanking me for the cards and time.... and they send me this picture of their lobby bulletin board.... 

So, THANK YOU and a huge Bancroft R.O.A.R to all the police officers out there! 

Happy Police Week 2014!

DCPS End of the Year ART SHOW!

As the 2013-2014 school year comes to  close in Washington, DC our schedules just get busier and busier.  Between graduations, concerts, and of course the most important ART SHOWS(okay, I could be biased) I wonder where the year has gone and realize we are just weeks away from summer.   The evening of May 8th marked the opening reception for the district wide art celebration at Reagan National Airport.  Bancroft has ten student art pieces within baggage claim areas "B" and "C" amongst roughly 55 schools across the district.  The opening ceremony included a "Fashion Trashion" show, which featured student, staff, and local artists designed clothing made 100% of recycled materials.  To check out those amazing designs, check Ms. Foy's photography blog by clicking here.  The event was exciting and inspiring not only to myself, but to the students in attendance.  One parent said, " As we were watching, I could see the wheels turning in her head..." in reference to her daughter observing the various designs and materials they were made from.  I apologized in advance if she started mass collecting recyclables to become a fashion designer! 

 

 

 

A GIANT R.O.A.R. to the families, artists, and many volunteers who came out to help make this night such a great success. 

Amanda Boggs, DCPS graduate, Current Leader in Art Education at DCPS Central Offices

Brian Pick, DCPS Director of the Office of Teaching and Learning

Support from families is possibly the most empowering, and personally touching support I could receive as a teacher.  However, support from school leaders including those from central office is something which additionally, touches me deeply.  To know there are individuals within the leadership and "office world" of education who appreciate, value and support the arts within our school has made DCPS a system which I am proud to work for.  Without the support of the two amazing leaders our district has this event could not have happened. 

Make sure you check out the amazing Trashion Fashion designs our DC area staff, students, and companies submitted!!

Mt. Pleasant Youth Art Celebration

Well, it's that time of year again that the art shows, celebrations, and festivals come around.  May is always a crazy month for art and music teachers, so if you get a chance, give them a high-five or a "thanks" for all their hard work.  The music teacher at my school is holding Chorus, Drumming, and a musical, with all boys in the cast with the exception of two girls... Anyhow, here is the first round of photos from the Mt. Pleasant Community Art Fair.  I apologize for the poor photo quality, my I-phone was not quite up to par with my usual DSLR.  If you see any of these students around the building, be sure to give them a "GOOD JOB!". 

Also in attendance at the celebration was first grader Henry Mills, sadly Ms. Foy slacked on her documenting skills and didn't get a picture.

ARTventure DC: A Summer Art Program for Ages 5-8!

Throughout this week long summer program, students will not only get to enjoy the places and spaces within our city, but they will get to make art along the way!  ARTventure DC, is a small week long camp which runs from 8:30-12 noon each day.  A unique aspect of this experience is that it is a small group of campers who can build relationships with one another and receive the maximum amount of individualized time with Ms. Foy and the camp assistant.  Students will have a basic art kit which will be theirs at the end of camp which will consist of crayons, colored pencils, drawing pencils, erasers, a hand held pencil sharpener, and a 8.5x11 hardbound sketchbook.  Campers will also have the opportunity to explore a variety of other supplies such as tempera sticks, watercolor paints, monotype processes, sun art, oil pastels, and more! 

Want to make sure you don't miss out on this summer fun?  E-mail Ms. Foy for enrollment forms and more detailed camp information!

E-Mail: msfoysartroom@gmail.com