Wow, Grade 5!

I take a deep breath as I realize this is your last VA project for the PYP. You all have now moved on to preparing to share your learning in the Exhibition. I am looking forward to assisting you along the way. Your last VA artworks were based on inquiring into an artist, a material, and a technique. You inspired each other and expressed what interests you. I will miss you all next year and wish you well in your new adventures! See all the pieces in the gallery… 

All the best to all of you,
:0)Ms Angie

Hey, Grade 5.

I could not be more pleased to see you all in action on the graffiti wall. You were so keen and engaged. We had amazing conversations after the experience about ownership of art and public spaces. Some of our discussions were challenging, however, overall, I truly believe that each of you went away with happy feelings and a higher understanding about how we work together to create.

Creativity and communication are, in my humble opinion, the cornerstones of our humanity. Kudos to you all for taking the time to do both with our wonderful visiting artist, Alex Face. So happy this experience will be in your memory banks for a lifetime.  
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:0)Ms Angie

Oh my goodness, Grade 5!

How has this happened? You are heading to Exhibition in a few short weeks. As of now, you have your freedom to follow your personal interest. Let's see you soar!

The idea here is to find an artist, a material, and a technique to inquire into that will lead you to your culminating project. You can choose any of those areas in any order and you are discouraged to do replicas.  Do a Van Gogh  ceramic pot, a painting of a Giacometti-styled wire sculpture...whatever you decide, we will put your ideas into being.

​Watch this space for more pics to come!

​:0)Ms A 

Well hello, Grade 5!

We thought we were going to create posters to help other people learn about the skills outlined in IB World Schools Approaches to Learning. What really happened was that your skills in time-management, group decision making, communication, creativity of thought, and presenting data were all developed in varying degrees through the course of this experience. 

As a whole group of 40+ individuals, we had to come up with a cohesive theme that could unite all of these different skills in a visual way. Most of you were quite happy to go with the the idea of Five Elements: Wood, Water, Fire, Metal and Air. At this point, groups were assigned randomly. 

Once you were in your smaller groups, you vied for the element your group would use. There was a lot of discussion around this and powerful arguments and evidence were used. Wood became the Thinking Skills; Water was Research Skills; Fire was Social Skills; Metal was chosen by the Self-Management group; and finally, Air became the Communication Skills. Each group supported their choice with zest!

It was not always easy for you to work together. Some of you chose to wander away from responsibility while others were not as kind as they could be about encouraging participation. In the end, these issues and problems we had to solve grew each person as an artist and team member. So pleased with you efforts, G5!!! See the process and the final products in the gallery.

:0)Ms A 

Dear Grade 5, 

Please forgive the lack of posts. You have done incredible work this year and I promise I will catch up and share your journeys. Your contributions to the Mosaic Mural were huge. Not only did you collectively draw the mural, but you also gave of your free time on weekends, and breaks alike. You helped the little ones and shared your enthusiasm with the community. So impressed!

As a lead up, you created personal mosaics that can be seen in your gallery. Really well-executed ideas that were both ambitious and creative!

Next post soon to follow!

:0)Ms A

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Dear Grade 4 and Grade 5,

We had lots of interesting discussions with Ms Julie when we explored and inquired into The Arts. You learned that there are many BRANCHES of The Arts and that artists contribute to society in a variety of ways. 

Some artists that you researched had challenging lives and made mistakes. Some were heroes that saved lives and others were reclusive and hid from life's challenges. What we discovered was that either way, for whatever reason, artists influenced the people and places around them. 

In order to create a visual representation of our learning, we designed a tree that symbolized The Arts and its many branches. You contributed to the project by designing and producing 'Did you know?' posters with important facts about artists ranging from Julie Andrews to Picasso! 

Fantastic work, Grade 4 and Grade 5!
​:0)Ms Angie
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Salutations, Grade 5!

Can you believe it? Your Exhibition year is here...this is where you become even more you. This is where you challenge your thinking and share your conclusions. We feel very fortunate to be part of that process. 

Great things lie ahead!
​:0)Ms Angie

Hello, Grade 4!

When you inquired into exploration in your Homeroom learning, we had a discussion about what visuals explorers use to help them navigate ideas, places and experiences. After much debate, we decided to do individual and collaborative projects on how MAPS are used to demonstrate thinking, past experiences and places. 

You impressed me with your creativity and willingness to try new ways of expressing yourselves. There were painters, sculptors, sewers and weavers all working alongside each other to communicate through colors, shapes, textures and forms.

C​heck out the art here!

Love your work, Grade 4!
:0)Ms Angie

Hey, Grade 4!

When we inquired into the idea that beliefs and values shape identity, we discovered that many of us had a fear, or belief in MONSTERS!!! How interesting it was to consider that monsters, ghosts or goblins were present in nearly every culture around the world. We discussed how monsters could shape our behaviors and attitudes if we let them.

After all of these insightful connections were made across time and across cultures, we decided it would fun to create monsters from myths and from our minds...otherwise known as our imaginations!

After we connected our ideas with your Homeroom learning, many of your monsters were used as inspiration for the creation of ritual performances. Your parents were invited in to watch how Homeroom, Visual Arts and Performing Arts come together to give you a seamless understanding of concepts and ideas.

C​heck out the art here!
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Well done, Grade 4!
​:0)Ms Angie

Hey Grade 4!!

That has a nice ring to it. :0)

I am gearing up for a wonderful adventure with you in this new year. We will delve into even more independent study and really find where you have your strengths and challenges as artists.

Let the fun begin!!
​:0)Ms Angie