Memory

In 3rd grade we have been studying the brain and how it works.  During our study we had some questions about memory.  Why do we remember differently from others?  Why do we forget?  Why do we remember some things forever and forget others immediately?  These were just a few of the questions that were brought up in our study.  To help the kids understand that memory is not neccessarily truth, that emotions and other things play into what we remember and how we remember we did a version of a self-portrait.  The kids were told to fold a piece of paper vertically and draw half of their face.  After completing one side of their face I had them flip their paper over and attempt to draw the other side of their face without looking back at the work they started.  The kids then created a metaphor for memory.  Below are the results.  Enjoy!

 

What A Monday!

I had quite the Monday with my first and second graders.  I started my morning by traveling to Africa with my first graders, but by 11:00 was in Australia with my second graders.  You can imagine my exhaustion after traversing two such amazing continents.

As I said, I started my morning with a trip to Africa with first grade.  We read a terrific folktale called The King of the Frogs.  It was the story of how peace came to the frogs.  You may not realize, but frogs were quite the rambunxious group before gaining a new king, Mamba the Crocodile.   The unruly frogs had asked their God Mmumi for a King, but I am not sure this is what they had in mind.  The kids and I had a wonderful discussion on being careful what you ask for and having the ability to govern ourselves. It was neat to hear their perspectives.  Following our discussion the kids created their own origami jumping frogs using an index card.  They had a wonderful time allowing their frogs to jump about “doing as they please” just like the frogs did in the story…before grumpy King Mamba entered the picture. 

After our frogs settled down long enough to sit in their habitat, the first graders created poems about their frog.  Enjoy the example above.

Once we arrived back to Bulverde Creek it was time to head off to Australia.  The second graders spent time learning about the Aborignies (natives to Australia).  We studied their cave drawings, their technique, languages, music, etc.  It was great fun.  After studying the beautiful art attributed to the Aboriginal people the kids were influenced to create their own pieces.  They attempted to use many of the techniques we saw in the paintings we studied.  The kids wrote poems to go with their wonderful art work.  Below is a book with a preview of some of the art and poetry.  To see the completed book, please click on the link below the book.

Click HERE to see the completed book. When you See CLICK HERE TO READ, please click on it so that you can see the book in Full Screen. 

 

The McNay

I was thrilled to be able to take the 4th graders on a field trip to the McNay Museum.  It was my first time taking my GT students on a field trip, but it certainly won’t be my last.  We went on the field trip with other 4th Grade GT students from Northern Hills, Redland, and Thousand Oaks.  It was great to meet other students that are investigating the same topics as we are.  All of the children were excited, engaged, and well-mannered.  Very few of the kids had been to the McNay before, so it was neat to see their faces as they realized they were seeing pieces created by the Picaso, Monet, Calder, etc.  They kept asking, “That is the real thing? Not a Copy?”

Enjoy a slide show of our day…

 

Some Comments on why they want to visit again with family…

One thing I want my friends and family to see is the Andy Warhol part with his pieces because they have life and death, sadness and happiness.  Arianna

I want my friends and family to see my favorite painting of a Fall Tree because all of my family’s birthdays are in the fall.  Kevin

I would take my family because almost everyone in my family loves art, so I am pretty sure they would love it.  Sydney

I’d like my friends and family to be there to admire the paintings. Mia

Why would I like to go again with others…I would like to see more art there.  Emily

One thing I want my friends and family to see is the Monet painting because it’as a really good piece of art.  Kaleb

To see the Monet painting because it made me feel like I was actually at the pond listening.  Madison

One thing I want my friends and family to see is the Andy Warhol exhibit.  Madelyn

One thing I want my friends and family to see is all the abstract, wonderful art that is in the museum.  And also the sculptures and 3-D stuff.  Surya

 

Art is a Lie…

In fourth grade the students had the opportunity to participate in a Chalk Talk, essentially a silent dialogue using markers.  They were answering three questions: What makes art a mystery? Why is art important? and If all the art was gone tomorrow, how would it change the world?  It was interesting to read their various perspectives and to see how connected they feel to the art world.

Following our silent discussion, the kids were given the following wordle to unscramble.

The students came up with a lot of neat possibilites:

  • Art makes us realize that a lie is the truth.
  • Art makes us realize that the truth is a lie.
  • Art that makes us realize a lie is the truth.
  • Art is the truth that makes us realize the lie.

There perspectives really made us think and connected us back to the question, “Why is art a mystery?”  It was great discussion.

The quote is really a portion from Picasso: Art is a lie that makes us realize the truth.  The kids used words and pictures to explain what they thought Picasso meant by his quote. 

Our day ended with the exciting news that we will be going…

 ON A FIELD TRIP TO THE MCNAY!

Next Wednesday, February 1st, we will head to the McNay with 2 other GT programs from our district.  We will be exploring the mystery in art.  I am really excited about it.

REMINDER: Your 4th grade student will need a sack lunch next Wednesday.