(Previous AofE Artspace) Week Nine

This was the last week in this semester. Students got extra 2hours to complete their projects on Tuesday. Their continents were displayed depending on the world map in our culminating event on Thursday. It was glad to see our students who were confidently standing by their projects, and introducing various impressive experiences to others. We want to say thank you to the Academy of Excellence, both staff and students there. We really appreaciate the support from all staff. They assisted us whenever we need help. We really appreaciate efforts from students. They tried their best in this program and showed us their progress. I'd like to use what one of students said to describe our program, "It was beautiful!"

(Previous AofE Artspace) Week 8

The students worked hard this week to finish their projects. Their color mixing skills improved with each class. By the end of the week students no longer needed our assistance mixing colors. They showed get care for their projects and feel a sense of accomplishment as we near completion.
Students received a list of questions to reflect on their decision making process. Over the weekend students were asked to prepare a short presentation about their projects for our culminating event next Thursday. Parents, family, and friends are welcomed. We look forward to meeting everyone!

Week 7

We brought the students outside to paper-mache their boards. The students worked together with a partner. Towards the end of class the students all worked together to help each other out in the process. Watching the students work together brought a different dynamic to the class. I look forward to seeing the growth of our after school community. The students were excited to get a little messy and their hands dirty. Their excitement for the project escalated during this portion of creating. Students gessoed the following class. We quizzed them along the way to increase their knowledge and understanding of the process.

Week 6

Students continued to fine tune their animals, land, and landmarks unique to their continent. Students paid particular attention to certain detail in their board designs. They manipulated the newspaper to create precious detail. Students completed the newspaper portion of the project by the end of the week.

Week Five

Our project obtained school's strong surpport where the school provided a large number of newspaper. Kids enjoyed in utilizing newspaper to create all kinds of funny stuff.

In this week, kids kept building up their continents! We saw more and more solid objects; We heard more and more interesting stories from kids. Their projects were getting enriched through their efforts. It was so exciting to see the process. It was kind of like it's not necessary to travel the world. Only one stop, you'll see the entire world!

Week Four

Students worked on both their beckgraound design and front 3D landscape. We suggested that before drawing background, they should have a rough idea for entire landscape design so that they wont describe same objects twice. They chose some large obejcts as backgrand, such as mountains, jungles, pyramids, and so one; They created particular animals, featured trees, boats standing on the front by using newspaper.

It was nice to teach them how to protect our environment by recycling newspapers.

Week Three

Students were getting better in this week. Most them had a comprehensive understanding for this project. They started transfering information they collected last week to visuable sketches. It was glad to see that they were excited when we handed out foam boards and background paper, and nobody complained these large size boards.

We were trying to guide students find out particular animals, plants, landmarks and weather on their continents. Plus, we showed them how to quickly arrange their objects on foam boards by just drawing ovals, or rectangles. This method saved a lot time, and audience could imagine rough 3D landscape by these marks.

We look forward to see students making progress.

Week -Two

Attached is our Class Rules. :-)

While we were discussing rules, one of our students was writing them down. Look at her beautigul handwriting.

Week -Two

In this week, students continued to gather continent information, including special animals, plants, landmarks, and weather. Each student chose a particular season to describe in his/her project. It was convenient that students could use the computer lab to search their resources. After writing down all kinds of information, students started picking up unique features on their continents and combined these resources to create rough idea for their projects.

In addition, we also took photo for Class Rules which offer students an opportunity to supervise themselves.

Ms. Day and Mrs. Miao

Week One--Fall 09

Hello everybody,

This week was our first week to start a new semester of the after-school program"ArtSpace" at the Academy of Excellence. It was a lot fun! All students and teachers agreed and signed for the classroom rule contract! There were 12 students attended this program on the first day. We were glad to see a few students who participated this program last semester. In addition, it was so exciting to include one more student joining in on Thursday! We introduced our big project "continents--Seasons" to students, and divided students by continents to start their own projects. At the end of this semester, we'll see seven continents displaying in different seasons! Through this project, we hope students can "travel" the world by researching on specific information relevant to continents; we hope students can cooperate with others and share their knowledge; we hope students can utilize all kinds of art supplies to create a big surprise; we hope students can learn how to manage their time, solve issues, complete a project by using systematic process.

Ms. Day & Mrs. Miao

Tour our Canalscape Neighborhood

Our Last Day

Culminating Event @ AOE
Unveiling of Canalscape Neighborhood
Students: Congrats on your Hard Work!!

Week Fifteen

Bridges, Trains and Trees...OMy! This week we added finishing touches to our model neighborhood. Bridges and bus stops were constructed. The light rail line was installed and the students made many, many trees to provide shade for our city. Next week, we look forward to sharing our hard work with the school, friends, family, and the community!

Week Fourteen

This week we talked about how our neighborhood should come together. Where should everyone's buildings go? The students decided which buildings should be nearby one another, which should be next to major roads, and those that should have views over the canal. We also worked on details our city needs like trees, bus stops, and bridges.

Week Thirteen

Building construction continues!

Week Twelve

This week, the students finished building their models out of cardboard and began the process of painting. They thought about what the building materials were and the types of signage they might have. There was a diversity of designs and color. Already it looks to be a much more colorful version of our current city! The future city they are envisioning is definitely coming to life.

Week Eleven

Week Ten

Construction continues! This week we worked on detailing our buildings. Students also considered the scale of their buildings next to one another and went back to revise. The hospital got an arch, clothing stores were given signage, the interiors were designed, and the urban farm got a barn. There were many changes and advances this week. Next, we will begin the task of painting our creations!

Week Nine

This week we began construction on our box city project. On Tuesday, students drew out ideas for the building types they were assigned. On Thursday, they were challenged to make their drawn visions into 3-dimensional objects. Using recycled boxes, the students began to give form to the pieces of our future city.

Week Eight

DON'T FORGET: Parents, please send an old, oversized t-shirt to school with your students after Spring Break. We will begin painting and want to make sure we protect our clothes!