Welcome to Art !

     I am thrilled to be back this school year!  We did so many projects and there are plenty more for this year.  

     Some of last years Art projects can be viewed below in photo album.

     We will begin with Fall Foliage and each grade will have a different project.  

     I will also introduce Art from around the world and focus on ceremonial masks from various cultures.

     We will work on the usual holiday themes, pop art and much more.

      Looking forward to a fun year ahead.

                                                    Ms.Matos                                 

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It's time for some art ideas using these basic geometric shapes! 

You will need paper, a pencil, scissors and a glue stick for these projects.  You can use crayons and markers for the details.  Adding some items you may have around the house will let you add creative touches to your project!

To Make Circles

You can use a plastic cup, drinking glass, small plate or a saucer, the cap from a glass jar, or any other smooth round object to create different sized circle patterns.  These patterns can be used to make faces, the earth, or even flower petals and rainbows when cut in half!

To Make Squares

A square is a shape that has four EQUAL sides.  You can use your ruler to mark and draw the sides of a square. 

To Make Rectangles

A rectangle is a shape that has two long sides and two short sides.  You can fold your paper in half and use the crease to help you create a rectangular shape or you can use a ruler and measure the sides.

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Make a Face Collage  (Circles)

1.  Trace several different sized circles onto construction paper, manila paper or computer paper with
     a pencil.
2.  Cut out your circles on the lines you have drawn.
3.  Use your gluestick to glue the circles to a large piece of paper.
4.  Draw eyes, a nose and a mouth on each circle.  You can also find pictures of faces in a magazine
     and cut out the eyes, nose and mouth, then glue them on to your circles. They can all be different
     if you want them to be!
5.  Add other details like hair, ears, eyelashes, or earrings with your pencil or a marker.
6.  If you have curly pasta noodles or yarn on hand at home, you can use these materials to make the
     hair. 
7.  You can also cut thin strips of paper to use as hair.  To make it curly, you can place a pencil at the
     end of each strip and tightly roll the paper up onto the pencil.  When you remove the pencil, you
     will have a curl!  Glue each one to the top and sides of your faces.   

Make Two Watermelon Slices (Circles)

1.  Trace a large circle onto a piece of red or pink construction paper.
2.  Cut out the circle on the line you have drawn.
3.  Lining up the edges, fold your circle in half.  Then, unfold and cut it on the crease.  You will have
     two pieces, each with one flat side and a rounded bottom.
4.  Cut a larger circle than the first one on a piece of green paper.  Repeat the process above.
5.  Match the flat side of one sheet of the red paper and glue it to the flat side of one of the larger
     green pieces. (You should see a rim of green on the bottom.)
6.  Use a black marker to make the seeds.  If you have real seeds you can glue them on instead!

Make a Flower or Two  (Circles)

1.  Trace a few circles onto several different colors of paper.
2.  Cut them out and fold them in half, matching up the edges.
3.  Cut the circles in half on the crease.
4.  Cut one or two smaller circles on a piece of yellow, brown or black paper and cut them out.  These
     will be the center of your flowers.
5.  Glue the flower center to a large sheet of paper.  Be sure to leave enough room all around the
     circle for your petals.
6.  Glue the "point" of each half circle around the center circle to form the petals.  Be sure the flat
     sides are all facing the same way.
7.  Cut a strip of green paper for each stem.  To make some leaves, you can cut some more half
     circles and add them to your stems.

Make a "Framed" Piece of Original Art   (Square)

1.  Place a ruler close to the left edge of a sheet of white paper. The short end of the ruler should be
     flat against the bottom corner of the paper. The long side is against the side edge of the paper.
2.  You will be making a 4 inch square. Place a mark by the number line for the number 4 on the ruler.
3.  Place your ruler on the mark you drew, making sure the ruler is horizontal with the numbers facing
     the top.
4.  Draw a straight line until you reach the number 4 line.
5.  Place your ruler horizontally along the bottom edge of the paper. 
6.  Make a mark at the number 4 line.
7.  Connect the edge of the line you drew to the mark you made in step 6.  Draw a line to connect
     them. 
8.  Now cut along the two lines you have drawn.  The other two sides of the square will be the edges
     of  your paper.
9.  Draw a cute picture, cartoon, or design in the center of your square.  Do not go too close to the
     edges with your drawing because you will need some space to glue your frame.
10.To make the "frame" you can cut and glue thin strips of paper along the four edges of the paper,
     or, if you have popsicle sticks or ribbon on hand, you can use these as your "frame" border.  You
     can also decorate the popsicle sticks with a hand-drawn design or sequins if desired.

Make a City Skyline  (Rectangles)

1.  Using a piece of paper placed vertically (the tall way), match the edges and fold in half. 
2.  Match the sides again and fold once more.
3.  When you unfold the paper you will have four sections, each one a long rectangle.
4.  Cut the paper along the creases to make four separate rectangles.
5.  You can cut them crosswise to make different sizes if desired.  These will be your "buildings".
6.  On each rectangle, draw details like doors, windows, store signs, etc. with your markers.  You can
     even use a sheet of newspaper to make an interesting "building".
7.  To make a "pointed" roof top (like on the Empire State Building) fold one of the rectangles in half
     again, then cut your paper on an angle (slant) from the open side of the paper to the top of
     the crease.  Unfold the paper and you will have a pointed roofline.
8.  Glue your decorated rectangles to a larger sheet of paper, not leaving much space between them.
9.  Vary the "height" of the buildings (a tall one, a shorter one, one with a pointed top) as you glue  
      them across the page. 
10. You should now have a colorful city "skyline".


Have fun and be creative!


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SOME SURPRISING FACTS ABOUT COLORING

Did you know that coloring is actually good for you?  And your parents too!!

According to a post titled "10 Benefits of Coloring Pages for Kids' Psychology and Development" the benefits of coloring for children include the following:

** Improves Motor Skills
** Prepares children for school
** Stimulates creativity
** Contributes to better handwriting
** Teaches color awareness, recognition and discernment
** Improves focus and hand to eye coordination
** Helps learn about boundaries, structure and spacial awareness
** Improves confidence and self esteem
** Helps self-expression
** Is a form of therapy and stress relief

And there are benefits for adults too!  According to a 2016 article in Neuroscience News, coloring can reduce stress and anxiety because when thoughts are focused on a simple activity, the brain tends to relax.  The act of coloring requires repetition and attention to detail, so you are able to focus on the activity, rather than your worries.

A newer study from May of 2018 revealed that picking up a coloring pencil or crayon can also help to improve mood and boost creativity, improve motor skills and vision, and improve focus.

With that said, find some crayons, colored pencils or markers and start coloring!  Here are some places to find free and printable coloring pages:

**  Crayola.com
**   lol.disney.com
**  Coloring-4kids.com
**  topcoloringpages.net
**  justcolor.net