Henry Ford Museum's Maker Faire July 27th and 28th

The Insect Robots by my 5th Grade students were part of a display at the Henry Ford's Maker Faire on Saturday July 27th and Sunday July 28th from 9:30am to 6pm. The display also included a hands on art activity for children and adults. The concept behind the Insect Robots was to teach students that the body and in this case one of an insect is similar to a simple machine. Using mostly gears students were encouraged to show how the bug would move.

Many Thanks Abby and Ann. It was a success because of the two of you.

More images of students work below.

Students whose work was on display will get it back in the Fall.

Exhibit at Kerrytown over the Summer

Students' work from Carpenter is on display at the Kerrytown Shops until the Fall. The Gallery will be open on Saturdays by appointment only and is located on the second floor behind 16 Hands Gallery. The address for Kerrytown is 410 4th AVE, Ann Arbor, Mi 48104.

Art work by other Ann Arbor Public Schools.

5th Grade- End of the Year

I will really miss this class. I know that I have only had them since 3rd Grade but they are by far the sweetest group of 5th Graders. I really enjoyed their enthusiasm and engagement.

Students had the opportunity to draw, paint and collage their instrument based on the work of Romare Bearden. Upon viewing one of the instruments paintings in the Ann Arbor District Library Show a little girl commented on how she felt she could hear the music coming for the saxophones.

The King and Queens of 5th Grade always make me smile. Georges Rouault fauvist and impressionistic portraits were the inspiration for these pieces.

5th Graders make masks every year. I show them a PPT of masks around the world and we discuss why they made and what they are used for. Like the African Mask drawing their 3D masks had to have  a purpose and reflect something about them.

Students had the opportunity to make Icosohedrons. Their 20 sided sphere needed to have a theme but how they drew it was up to them. I had many examples of illustrators and students had access to the computer.

I will miss this class.

4th Grade- End of the Year

I would like to thank everyone who has been patiently waiting for their students work. My 4th Graders had a lot of autonomy in material they used as well as subject matter.

Georgia O'Keeffe's flowers inspired their work which is 24 x 24. They are very impressive. The layers and blending of the oil pastels give this flowers an amazing abstraction.

We discussed what a still life is and I showed them work by Picasso, Matisse, Cezanne and VanGogh. Students selected the vase style and flowers. I allowed them to add their mom's favorite designs and or colors for their Mother's Day Gift.

Fourth Graders had to read a book that had received a Caldecott Award. Students were instructed to be inspired by the illustrations from the book but to make it their own in design as well as tell the viewer what the book was about.

This is Not My Hat by Jon Klassen

Fredrick by Leo Lionni

The Stinky Cheese Man - illus. by Lane Smith 

Tuesday by David Wiesner

Grandfather’s Journey by Allen Say

Tuesday by David Wiesner

Extra Yarn by Jon Klassen

The Boy of the Three Year Nap - illus. by Allen Say

Marshmallow by Clare Turlay Newberry

Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats

David Goes to School/No David (Caldecott) - David Shannon

Creepy Carrots by Peter Brown

A Ball for Daisy by Chris Raschka

Click, Clack, Moo:  Cows that Type - Illus. by Betsy Lewin

Click, Clack, Moo:  Cows that Type - Illus. by Betsy Lewin

A Tree is Nice by Janice Udry

The House in the Night - illus. by Beth Krommes

Olivia by Ian Falconer

The Glorious Flight - Alice and Martin Provensen

The last project has a house. Students had to make a paper model of the house they wanted to make in clay to make sure the construction would work before getting clay. Some houses had to be modified. design and color choices were of their own design.

I look forward to seeing their work next year.