Happy Winter Break!

Have a fantastic Winter Break! See you in 2017!!!

Senufo Art

The Senufo people of West Africa's Ivory Coast are renowned for their cloth paintings. They believe their paintings have special meaning and help protect them in in their daily lives. Designs usually include animals from their area that are covered in patterns.  Traditionally they would create their paintings on hand woven fabrics using natural fibers, natural dies made from plants and mud from the roots of trees.

Inspired by the artistic tradition of the Senufo people, fourth grade artists drew and painted on raw canvas to create their own cloth paintings. They are currently on display in outside the TTE Library,.  If you want to see them in person, do so soon because they are coming down next week! 

but Below are some of their works. 

Presidental Posters

Which former U.S. President was forced by his mother to wear a dress until he was five years old?

Only one president was elected for four terms...who is he?  

Colorado became a state under which president?

Which president collects Spider-Man Comics?

For the answers to these and more fun facts about the former U.S. Presidents, please visit the TTE Wall of Presidents!

It's an election year!  That means that fifth graders created promotional Presidential Posters.  This years fifth graders worked in small groups to research and design an informational and entertaining poster about a past U.S. President. Below are a couple examples of those posters, for more - visit the Wall of Presidents in the TTE Town Square. They are only up for a few more weeks, so check them out while you still have a chance!

A Couple of Talented 5th Graders Collaborating

 on a Portrait of Rutherford B. Hayes

Below are some of the fantastic posters created by our fabulous fifth graders.

Highlands Ranch Regional Art Show

We are proud to announce the students who will be representing Timber Trail at this years Highlands Ranch Library Art Show. The Art Show runs from November 4th through the 30th, and is located on the Highlands Ranch Library. Timber Trail artwork is located upstairs on the wall behind the information center. Congratulations to all of our terrific Timber Trail artists! Below are the works featured in the show.

Megan in Mrs. O’Rourke’s Kindergarten class

Cole in Mrs. Onken’s First grade class

Claire in Mrs. Schade’s  First grade class

Bowen in Mrs. Vora’s  Second grade class

Ellie in Mrs. McClusky’s Third grade class

Chloe in Ms. Jester’s Third grade class

Alexa in Ms. Smith’s Fourth grade class

Mia in Mrs. WardBrown’s Fifth grade class

Maya in Ms. Carpenter’s Fifth grade class

Remembering Trey

Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is a Latin American Holiday traditionally observed on Nov. 1 and 2.  Dia de los Muertos is a lighthearted and joyful tribute to the memory of family and friends that have passed away. It is about remembering and celebrating the lives of loved ones.

Each year at TTE third graders participate in this beautiful custom by creating a Calavera (Sugar Skull) in memory of a loved one or pet.   Students celebrate the live's of their remembered love ones through the creation and decoration of their Calavera using symbols that are unique to those they are celebrating. As a teacher it warms my heart to have a student truly take this project to heart and create a work that reflects real life.

I was deeply touched by Rylan's Tribute to Trey.  Trey was a lively boy with a bright smile and golden curls.  Rylan and Trey were in day care and Pre-K together before they were both in Kindergarten here at Timber Trail Elementary.  Rylan's Calavera was created to honor and celebrate the life of his friend. Choosing to honor Trey shows how he valued and celebrated their friendship through art. Rylan tried to capture Trey's spirit and zest for life.  The colors and symbols he chose were specific to represent his relationship with his good friend.

Calavera (Sugar Skull) Created in Memory of Trey 

Rylan's Writing Explaining His Calavera

Trey and Rylan

Trey and Rylan - Friends for Life and Longer

Dia de los Muertos

Dia de los Muertos

Dia de los Muertos is a beautiful  Latin American holiday that celebrates the life of loved ones who have passed away.  At TTE third grade students create Sugar Skulls (Calaveras) in honor of somebody important to them who has passed. Students were also given the option to to remember a friend or loved one who lives far away as well as beloved pets who have passed.

Students choose who they would like to remember for the project and then create their Calaveras out of white clay. 

Clay Calaveras before being decorated

Once clay is hardened students create their designs to represent the lives of their chosen loved one using a limited pallet as well as traditional and student created symbols.  "Sugar" is applied using a special paste and clear glitter.

Finished Calaveras, decorated and sugared

Students created a backing out of different colored mat-board complete with a name plate for display. They finished the project by writing about their who they chose to remember. 

Below are some close-up pictures of various Calaveras that were created by 3rd Grade students

Dia de los Muertos

Dia de los Muertos

Dia de los Muertos is a beautiful  Latin American holiday that celebrates the life of loved ones who have passed away.  At TTE third grade students create Sugar Skulls (Calaveras) in honor of somebody important to them who has passed. Students were also given the option to to remember a friend or loved one who lives far away as well as beloved pets who have passed.

Students choose who they would like to remember for the project and then create their Calaveras out of white clay. 

Clay Calaveras before being decorated

Once clay is hardened students create their designs to represent the lives of their chosen loved one using a limited pallet as well as traditional and student created symbols.  "Sugar" is applied using a special paste and clear glitter.

Finished Calaveras, decorated and sugared

Students created a backing out of different colored mat-board complete with a name plate for display. They finished the project by writing about their who they chose to remember. 

Below are some close-up pictures of various Calaveras that were created by 3rd Grade students

Happy Halloween

Happy Halloween from the TTE Art Room! 

Art, Health, Music and Custodian Dan dressed as The Three Little Pigs and the Big Bad Wolf.  The Big Bad Wolf chased the Three Little Pigs through all of the classrooms.  

Straw House Piggy and Big Bad Wolf

Cool Student Costumes

Halloween Themed Dance Party in the Gym during specials!