Sketchbook Project: Who I am.

When a new middle school art class begins, it begins with this sketchbook project. The "Who I am" project is one that is repeated through the grades and it is the only assignment that is common among the middle school classes. The reason we begin our semester or year with this project is that it is a great way to get to know a little bit about the students. They are asked to make a page using the things that make you you.

In my example that I share with the class I show them the places I have lived, the foods I like, and the hobbies I enjoy. This project offers a great deal of value in that not only does it familiarize us with each other, but it also helps kick start the students' creative processes. The students draw, color, and design in this project, they also learn about the unity of a whole page - instead of leaving "floating details" that do not feel or look like part of the design.

3rd Grade Project: Chinese Dragon

Students worked with the theme of the Chinese Dragon. The students were given a brief intro in the cultural backdrop of dragons in different cultures around the world. Though we did return to the Chinese dragon as our visual guide for this project.

To help students create an organic line to base their dragon's body position, students were given a piece of yarn to place on their paper. Once students found the way they preferred the yarn to be arranged they then glued the yarn down.

After the yarn has been glued down the drawing portion of the project begins. Students are guided through a process that teaches them to use simple shapes to create an elaborate finished drawing. Students are allowed to choose their own shapes to make each dragon unique.

In this project after our pencil drawing is complete we then outline our dragon with black crayon. This outline protects the edge of the dragon as the students will be adding color with water-based paint. This technique is known as wax resist.

In the finishing stages of this project color is added to both the dragon and the sky. Students choose their sky color after we discuss the different colors the sky can be. Other details like clouds, sun, moon, or other things that belong in the sky can be added as well.

This project really gets the students excited, especially as they see their dragon and painting taking shape.

First Things First

Welcome back!  The DIS 2014/15 is underway!  Wow, it seems not too long ago we were at our Art Show at Strait's Quay and now we are back at the beginning of a new year.

This year we have new ESLR: Transformed Thinker - A transformed thinker recognizes the difference between the finite thoughts of man and the transcendent thoughts of God.  They also look at their thought patterns and decision making using biblical truth as their frame of reference.

More detailed descriptions available, along with our other ESLR's here.

Dalat's new theme this year is: First Things First.  Priorities will be examined across campus and in our community.  It is an exciting year ahead of us, I look forward to keeping you up to date as we work in our ESLR and our theme.

Romans 12:2 (NLT) Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.