Welcome Back to Our Elementary Studio!

Hello Artists and Families!

 Welcome back!!  It has been a wonderful first week in our elementary art studio!  I have loved getting to see so many returning faces that I have missed over the summer, and meet so many friends who are new to Monarch!  Check out today's Friday Five below for more info on what we've been up to!

 Artfully yours,
Ms. Sam
1.) We've been exploring our art studio!  In case you missed getting to sneak a peek during back to school night, check it out below!  

2.) We've been getting to know each other!  This year, across the whole school building, students and staff will be engaged in "Community Building Circles."  These circles offer a safe space for all students to share, be heard, and listen.  In art, we talked about how we're feeling about art class this year and what inspired us over the summer!  During Community Building Circles, only the person who is holding the "talking piece" is able to share.  In art this week, our talking piece was a special friend... do you recognize him?

3.) We've been warming up our drawing skills!  Every artist in grades K-5 will be starting the year by creating a self portrait that will be on display in the art room all year long.  Artists were challenged to avoid stick people and use shapes instead.  All artists know quality takes time, so we're not finished yet, but we'll have time to finish next week!  Check out the awesome examples from Ms. Christine/Ms. Amy's crew below! 



Ms. Sam tried desperately to rotate this image but couldn't figure it out!  Sorry! 





4.) We've been practicing our norms!  There are 3 big norms in the art room: respect people, respect materials, and behave like an artists.  We will continue talking about these throughout the year, and this first week we took time during share to celebrate artists who exemplified one of our first two norms.

5.) We've been having fun!  Our studio has been full of joyful noise already--the sounds of artists collaborating and learning together.  I am so excited for a new year of art-making!