Milliken Elementary School is home to over 430 students, ranging from kindergarten through fifth grade. It has been my absolute joy to be the art teacher to each of these students, to build relationships with them, foster their confidence, identity, and joy through art for the past two years.
My second through fifth graders practice TAB, (Teaching Artistic Behaviors), a philosophy in which the child is the artist, and the classroom is their studio. It is as choice based as possible. My students learn skill builders and practice how to use their materials properly, and then have access to different centers. This year, we currently have drawing, painting, collage, fiber arts, sculpture/construction, building/STEM, and reading/research. My students have full access to these centers, and will slowly have access to more centers, such as clay, and digital art as the year progresses!
Students are giving time to explore within each center until they decide a project they want to plan and create. It might involve one center, or multiple combined. A finished art project requires an artist statement, and gets hung on the WOW Wall (Wonderful Original Works of art).
My second through fifth graders practice TAB, (Teaching Artistic Behaviors), a philosophy in which the child is the artist, and the classroom is their studio. It is as choice based as possible. My students learn skill builders and practice how to use their materials properly, and then have access to different centers. This year, we currently have drawing, painting, collage, fiber arts, sculpture/construction, building/STEM, and reading/research. My students have full access to these centers, and will slowly have access to more centers, such as clay, and digital art as the year progresses!
Students are giving time to explore within each center until they decide a project they want to plan and create. It might involve one center, or multiple combined. A finished art project requires an artist statement, and gets hung on the WOW Wall (Wonderful Original Works of art).
My kindergartners through second graders focus on the Elements of Art and applying Social and Emotional Learning into their artwork.
This year, through our annual fun run, we raised over $15,000 for a kiln for the 2023 school year!!
Glen A Jones Memorial Library Art Show 2022
Each year, along with a school wide art show, MES collaborates with the Johnstown Library for a community centered art show. Here are a few of the beautiful artworks I was fortunate to display from my students: