04/22/11 by mpeter | Art | No Comments »
Second and Third grade students impressed their art teacher with their extensive knowledge of the devastating earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear leaks in Japan. Every hand went up when asked to explain what had happened. They empathized with those who had lost their families, homes, clothes, food, and were eager to help.
First, each student designed and created his or her own Koinobori. The students then wrote a paragraph explaining why they were doing this project and the effects on Japan. Finally, they sold them to friends and family. Many people gave generously to help. Although our initial goal was $100, with the hard work of students, parents, and teachers, the students raised an impressive $179.26. This money has been sent to the American Red Cross effort in Japan.
Koinobori is a fish wind sock from Japan. Every year, on the 5th of May, families in Japan hang these “fish streamers” to celebrate Children’s Day. Each family hangs their Koinobori from a tall pole, with each streamer representing each person in the family. The first one is black and stands for the father. The second is red and represents the mother. All the koinobori below are for all the children. So if you see a pole with 5 koinobori, you know that family must have a dad, a mom, and 3 children.
The Koinobori project was a great combination of learning current world events and international culture and art, and then using them to help those in need. A great example of our young students being
“Trained to Lead, Empowered to Serve”.
04/06/11 by mpeter | Art | No Comments »
Come out this Saturday to 40 Acres Art Gallery for the final day of Milton Bowens’ show, The Encyclopedia Blacktannica. Meet up with Ms. Peter and other PS7 students in the gallery at 4pm.
40 Acres is located at 35th Street and Broadway, next to the Old Soul coffee shop.
Local Bay Area native, Milton Bowens creates vibrant and thought-provoking paintings and mixed-media art. He finds his artistic inspiration from such great artists as Jean Michel Basquiat, Robert Rauschenberg, Romare Bearden, Jacob Lawrence and Andy Warhol. Milton understands art as vitally important to youth development and is a strong activist for art education. Milton strives to bring hope to “communities desperately in need of inspiration.” To look at some of his work, watch videos, or hear him speak about his art, check out his website: www.milton510.com
Tips making an art-viewing experience an awesome experience:
Take your time looking. Stand in front of each work and examine it.
Ask yourself these questions: What is the big picture about? Do the details give me more information? What do I think about when I see this? What do I feel? Happiness, anger, sadness, frustration, contentment, confusion, apathy, excitement? Why? Is it because of the colors, the shapes, the words, the recognizable things? How was it made? When was it made? Do I know why the artist created it? Does that matter?
Hope to see you THIS Saturday 4/9 at 40 Acres!
03/18/11 by mpeter | Art | 2 Comments »
Tuesday, March 15
- Today our 4th graders learned how to grow as individual thinkers and creative artists, using a personal sketchbook. As the students were given time to practice working independently towards this big-picture objective, colorful beginnings began to emerge in the form of starry nights, intricately designed hot air balloons, and super-heros.
- Eighteen 2nd graders learned about Koinobori– Japanese fish windsocks– and how to make them. When completed, the students will sell them and all proceeds will go to help the victims of the recent earthquake and tsunami in Japan.
Special thanks to Ms. Greco and Kinderart.com for the help and inspiration.
