Recycled CD Art

Love this Recycled CD Art.  Elly's blue eye becomes the owl's eye when she looks through the hole in the CD....soooo creative. 

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

Talented Artist

I have always maintained that Timber Trail Elementary has some of the most talented artists in Douglas County!  One such example is a kindergartener named Claire. She has always shown such skill in art class, but what I want to share today is a piece that she did at home.

Below is a sweet picture of Claire and her father when she was a little baby, followed by Claire's drawing of that picture.  Notice how she was able to draw a realistic profile of her father's face.  This is a very difficult skill that I usually teach in third or fourth grade. She even noticed areas that needed to be shaded and did a great job capturing those shadows!  Impressive!

 

I am excited to see Claire grow as an artist as she progresses through her school years! 

Best of Show

Last night was the DCSD "Best of Show" Awards Art Show. The reception was held last night at the Lone Tree Arts Center.  It was a very special event which was attended by two of our School Board members, as well as students, teachers and community members.

 

Fifth Grader Claire Blaeser was our Timber Trail "Best of Show" Artist, for her Zentangle Owl.  The story behind how this amazing drawing came to be is also special.  Originally Claire had created a much smaller pencil drawing of this owl as a present for one of our TTE teachers who had just been diagnosed with cancer.  While her father was visiting our school as a Watch Dog Dad, he gave me a photocopy of it.  I was amazed, and that afternoon in art club I gave Claire a larger piece of fine quality art paper and suggested that if she were to recreate it on a larger scale in pen it could go to the art show. I didn't expect to get a finished piece for a few days, but she had it completed and on my desk the next day! Not only did it make the show, but it was chosen as the "Best of Show." 

Claire has been such a promising artist.  When I first came to TTE she was one of the artists I knew would blossom and develop her skills.  Even on vacations she spends time learning and creating art from other cultures.  Below is a picture from a recent trip to Guatemala where she used a kick-wheel to throw some pottery.  

It is always sad when fifth graders move on to middle school, especially when it an artist as inspiring and talented as Claire is! Even though I will miss her creativity at Timber Trial, I am excited to know that I will see her work at future art shows as she moves up through middle and high school! 

Congratulations Claire!!!

  

Spring Break Art

What did you do during Spring Break (besides playing in all the snow after he blizzard)?  I had the pleasure of spending some time creating with a couple of our very talented TTE fifth grade artists!  We spent and afternoon painting some fun and whimsical birds! Below is a picture of our creations!