STATUS REPORT

Upper Elementary
1 out of the 8 sections of the program is completed with a few pending modifications and detail work to be
finished before the exhibit. This work and any new work that needs to dry or to be sorted will be stored in the
display room. We covered the concepts of line and applied it to design of symbols, shapes, and patterns.
We continued to practice sketching soft lines and controlling short motor skills as well as working on individual
projects. The type of drawing class is adapted to their love of routines without compromising creativity and
expression. They continued to explore the concept of: line, form, value, and positive / negative spaces.

The group seemed to have a lot of understanding of procedures as a well as less effort for generating ideas.
Their eager participation kept leading to unexpected time and classroom overuse. Each activity was mainly for
building up for the next layer of work. For example, the color wheel and color mixing was a supplement for the
flesh tones used on the portrait. Even though the young artists are familiar with the color wheel, this whole
process seemed new instead of a review. We created an array of paint effects and chose from: dragging,
stippling, color washing, brush fidgeting, combing, spattering, marbling, and frottage. Students worked on
portraits using different media. They learned about proportion, shading, and color studies as they practiced
their observation skills. Every one worked at their own pace, but two young artists were extra focused and
their artwork shows it. We lost one student who had completed about 85% of the work that would have been
great to display because of the craftsmanship and the difference in mechanisms on the moving sculpture, but
we are still left with extremely ingenious mechanical sculptures, including a clever design of a Christmas Tree
that uses squares and rectangles, then when these spin they look like circles. There is also a Pterodactyl and
a Blue Macaw that flap wings as they move up and down. There are plenty of clever designs, all unique and
interesting, this is the beginning of the greatest structures made of cardboard, tape, and paper.

CHALLENGES:
The main tool used in the automata was masking tape, but the use of it became a difficulty. Overuse of tape created heavier
structures; also, a lot of the air that was being left behind was creating structural problems. Proper usage was constantly reminded.
We created shortcuts like pre-cutting tape with scissors and constant assessment of air and lifting sections. After the structures were
properly taped down, they were so pleased with the patterns formed that it was difficult to convince them that this was an unfinished
condition. Actually, they worked with such precision that their pieces did not look incomplete, but there was still a concern about
durability (peeling off or even disintegrating). Our compromise was to choose from a final coating whether it was a paper, primer, or
paint layer. Overall, there was difficulty keeping a clean area and staying on their place mats, but the most difficult part of this
assignment: having to cut their inspiration/motivation short when they wanted to keep going.
SEPTEMBER Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Notes
3 ,4, 5
From: 9 am
to: 11 am
Introduction & Actors
Elements Line / Value
Skills/ Desktop exercise
Portraits & Artists
Drawing Lesson- Face
China Markers,Charcoals
Build Frame for Portrait
Generate Ideas- self
Positive/Negative Space
Observe and Collect
Clues and Messages
To represent self
10, 11, 12
2 groups
From: 9 am
to: 11 am
Priming Frames
Layer in Drawing
Ideas for others
Mixed Media Frames
REGROUP Inform about:
time, areas, durability,
containment, cleaning
responsibility & Acrylics
Color wheel & Mix Hues
Finish Priming
Finish Drawings
Finish Painting Effects
All techniques covered,
ready for main project:
Ideas, sketch, pasting,
priming,& paint effects
17, 18, 19
From: 9-11+
(class has
merged)
Observe, Infer, Decipher
A silent demonstration of
the paper machinery.
Structure building part 1
Reinforce with Tape
Studying movement:
Swivel, cranks, rotations,
axels, stoppers, joints
Model Design
Sculpting & Machinery
Structure building part2
Taping & Reinforcing
time at their stations for
completion of several
projects
24, 25, 26
From 9
past 11
Design Modifications
Taping reinforcing
Paint, Paper or Prime
Portrait Painting layer 1
Detailing & Reinforcing
Sculpture and Structure
Conclude activities and
seal work to be stored
until May
Pending details to be
finished before exhibit.
(some unexpected changes)