cityscapes

Today, the y2's drew cityscapes. First off they had a go at drawing a city themselves - pic 1. We then, step by step, took them through a simple method of representing buildings that might feature in a city - pics 2, 3 before ending up with a 3d scene (pic 4).

I reckon there is some progression between pics 1 and 4.

paper sculpture

Today the y1's created some small paper 'sculptures' of a forest floor. We cut, tore, twisted, wove and glued different papers to represent fallen leaves, grass and twigs.

Here's the 'one I did earlier' as an example, though I think I might have been too enthusiastic!

The plan is to actually display them on a floor (we have some large papier mâché trees that are crying out for a 'setting') away from walking feet!

new card

Another card 'design'.

Poppies 3

A pic of the poppies we're currently making in y5/6. All have now been glazed and are currently being processed through the firing stages. 

pop-ups

Y2's today completed their pop-up representations of our local town. They've drawn, coloured and stuck different aspects onto each face. We even put a stained glass window 'inside' the church!

poppies 2

We're onto glazing our ceramic poppies. A couple of coats should hopefully do - we've only got 2L of red glaze!

self portraits again!

Today the y1's created 'full body' self portraits. The idea was to get them to recognise that there are different 'you's' depending on the situation or circumstances. To that end, we got them to create 4 different selves - school me, party me, (own choice) me and future me.

This chap decided he'd be party-bound dressed as Spider-Man. The third is his Halloween costume and his future self is shown as a Sheffield United footballer! I'm not sure what the die hard blades fans would make of a switch to orange and green full length body suits for the players.

Next week we'll be looking at facial expressions and how to represent different emotions on paper.

more cards

Tried out another idea for my hand-drawn cards today.

Let me know what you think.

torchlight

The y3's theme this term is 'see the light'. To this end we've created images that show that colours can only be seen when there is an available light source. I think I saw an image on the Internet that sparked me off.

The production of poppies continues apace. More have been sculpted today. I think we might end up with 300+ which should make for a very effective display. Next week - glazing!

Poppies

Inspired by the poppies at the Tower of London we've started to make some very simplified ones of our own. The intention is to 'plant' them as an avenue to be walked through by the parents attending our Remembrance service in November. Afterwards we hope people will offer a donation in order to take one home with them.

Today's painting.

portraits

The y1's continued with their 'all about me' unit and created self-portraits from clay. Not sure if we'll paint, 'varnish' or just leave them when they've dried.

Today's small painting on my table.

Again, 12cm square, mixed media.

painting & Poland

This weekend saw my wife and I venturing to Poland to stock up on pottery. Whilst there we visited the site of the POW camp from where the 'Great Escape' took place - stalag luft 3. There's a small museum with artefacts and poignant information regarding the fate of the escapees. There's also a reconstruction of a section of tunnel and a replica of one of the huts.

We didn't manage to get as far as the actual site of 'Harry' as time was short but hope to return early next year. 

Currently on my painting table - a small (12x12 cm) mixed media piece. 

romans

Have finally got round to making some (rough and ready) mannequin stands to display the Roman costumes from our last Xmas production! They look quite effective lined up in ranks. Now just got to find a suitable place in school to position them.