Art Appreciation Day

Last Friday was Art Appreciation Day at our school.  Every grade level and every classroom participated.  Some of the teachers in my grade level were very excited.  One of my 4th grade partners taught the Fine Arts activity until this year.  I, unfortunately, was not feeling in the spirit of things.  CRCT  had just been completed and I was looking forward to getting back on a regular schedule.  I'm the math teacher after all.  I teach almost a hundred students mathematics everyday.  I didn't want to do artsy stuff.  I wanted to do all the cool activities I had planned before the dreaded state mandated test and didn't get to do because I ran out of time trying to get in the standards.  Well, I went along with it for the kids! :) 

To make a long story short, Friday ended up being a great day!  It was what we all needed, especially me! My partner said it wasn't necessary for me to get out of my comfort zone.  She suggested mosaics using pattern block die-cuts.  I also threw in scratch construction paper to allow for a little creativity.  It was a lot of fun.  The kids had a blast!  

We didn't get finished, but, we will complete them Monday.  The kiddo (and their teacher) needed to let loose and have some fun, while learning about art.  (Yes, I had a mini-lesson on the history of mosaics. I kept it short!)  I did stress a little trying to keep the pattern block die-cuts  coming for 4 blocks of students but, we ended up having plenty, thanks to a wonderful parent volunteer.  It would be much, much simpler with just one class of students.  
Here are some of our projects that we started Friday. Lookin' good!

Our mascot is an eagle so, we had a couple of these.  This little guy just began by making the talons.  He just kept adding pattern shapes.

He did finish the eagle part of his mosaic.

I think it turned out great! 

I would almost forget the mosaics were made of construction paper.  This one isn't completed yet, but, it's looking so good.

The beginning of another design.

The American Flag

This mosaic uses pattern blocks and torn paper.  It is going to be gorgeous when finished.

I can't wait to see this one completed. 

 Nine year olds sure can be creative!