November and December have come and gone so quickly! Thanksgiving and Winter break, along with a scheduled field trip in December has limited the number of classes we have had on campus but we have remained focused and busy when we are here! Our forensic study included a fingerprint lab. The students identified various fingerprint patterns, analyzed their own prints, practiced dusting for prints, and then staged a "crime". They had a blast trying to figure out which classmate left the prints on the coffee mug! We took some time to study and learn about fingerprinting history as well. Students were able to view Bertillon Cards from the New Orleans Police Department in the early 1900's! Our history's mysteries lessons have helped us learn more about the Oak Island Money Pit, the Screaming Mummy, and the lost Irish Crown Jewels. We are exactly halfway through our literature studies (Westing Game and The Egypt Game) with plans to wrap up during the 3rd nine weeks of school. Our Breakout EDU box also made its first appearance in November. We completed a Thanksgiving themed breakout. Some groups succeeded and some did not...but either way it was a great team building lesson for all! All students now have a digital breakout login and we completed our first digital breakout as well (Student Sleuth). Some groups of students even took the time to begin creating their own digital breakout for others to try.
As far as art is concerned...the students have wrapped up their personal art projects which were interpretations of Gustav Klimt's Tree of Life. Student projects are currently on display for all to enjoy and admire. Each student was given the task to write an artist statement about their final art piece. We read artist statements written by high school students from another art class in order to get a better idea of what a good artist statement might look like. The students described their artwork, discussed the big idea and goals for the artwork, and overall thoughts. Our new artist is Keith Haring. We have examined and studied his work using art language then created a class mural to get our creative juices flowing. He loved music and lived and worked in NYC in the 1980's. We listened to pop music from the 80's while we worked on the mural. Check back in January for pictures of each students individual Keith Haring inspired art project.
We ended the month of December with two amazing experiences. First, a field trip to the Louisiana Art and Science Museum in Baton Rouge where students participated in a hands-on learning experience in which they investigated and analyzed evidence at a staged crime scene, saw an authentic 2,300 year old mummy, were guided through an Egyptian Exploration and an Art Tour with museum curators, interacted in a hands-on, minds-on Science Station, and watched a planetarium show that followed scientists and explorers as they piece together the archaeological and genetic clues of Egyptian mummies to reveal the mysterious world of the Pharaohs. Then, back in the classroom, we were inspired by a local artist. Kody Chamberlain visited the 6th-8th graders on Thursday, Dec. 19th. He discussed the many techniques he's used to launch big ideas in graphic design, illustration, creative writing, comic books, graphic novels, and more! His presentation and interaction was just what the students needed before our winter break! They enjoyed every minute of it and walked away with a variety of tools they can use to help them add their own spin and creativity to future projects in TAG!
As far as art is concerned...the students have wrapped up their personal art projects which were interpretations of Gustav Klimt's Tree of Life. Student projects are currently on display for all to enjoy and admire. Each student was given the task to write an artist statement about their final art piece. We read artist statements written by high school students from another art class in order to get a better idea of what a good artist statement might look like. The students described their artwork, discussed the big idea and goals for the artwork, and overall thoughts. Our new artist is Keith Haring. We have examined and studied his work using art language then created a class mural to get our creative juices flowing. He loved music and lived and worked in NYC in the 1980's. We listened to pop music from the 80's while we worked on the mural. Check back in January for pictures of each students individual Keith Haring inspired art project.
We ended the month of December with two amazing experiences. First, a field trip to the Louisiana Art and Science Museum in Baton Rouge where students participated in a hands-on learning experience in which they investigated and analyzed evidence at a staged crime scene, saw an authentic 2,300 year old mummy, were guided through an Egyptian Exploration and an Art Tour with museum curators, interacted in a hands-on, minds-on Science Station, and watched a planetarium show that followed scientists and explorers as they piece together the archaeological and genetic clues of Egyptian mummies to reveal the mysterious world of the Pharaohs. Then, back in the classroom, we were inspired by a local artist. Kody Chamberlain visited the 6th-8th graders on Thursday, Dec. 19th. He discussed the many techniques he's used to launch big ideas in graphic design, illustration, creative writing, comic books, graphic novels, and more! His presentation and interaction was just what the students needed before our winter break! They enjoyed every minute of it and walked away with a variety of tools they can use to help them add their own spin and creativity to future projects in TAG!