Art/Tech
Week of June 4
Students were introduced to Adobe Illustrator in Tech class last week. They complete 4 practice exercises using the Pen tool. This week they are designing graffiti letters with the pen tool to create their name. They will add a gradient, line effects and special effects to their name.
Week of May 14
Last week, students completed drawings of zentangle patterns inspired by their daily warm up books. Artwork showed some of the elements of art and principles of design. Students focused on creating unity and movement with their patterns. They explored types of lines, textures, designs, and patterns, along with line thickness. This week, they turned their line designs into an original sculpture, which showed movement, balance, and rhythm. We will finish these after Exhibition.
Week of April 30
Exhibition Slide Presentation and Speaker Notes Due: May 2
Grading for Tech Class is based on correct completion of elements listed on your checklist for ONE slide from each section.
***Your Advisory teacher will grade ENTIRE presentation with notes on May 3***
To submit your work to me from Google Slides:
Week of April 16
Students finished their Abstract Art drawings and vocabulary assessments this week.
April 23-May 2, they will work on finishing their Google slides presentations for Exhibition. They will finalize work on the design of their slides and speaker notes in Tech class before the final due date of May 3.
The Annual Art Show
will be Tuesday, May 15 (same night as the Spring Concert).Students who are interested in being an art ambassador/docents (non-band kids) to direct foot traffic and answer questions the night of the show, should contact Mrs. Beutler.
Week of April 2
Students are back in the art room until April 23. The Google slides presentations they have worked on in Tech class, should include information and at least one photo per slide from the following eight categories: Purpose, Origins, How It Works, Evolution, Impact/Future, Math Component, Primary Source, and Creative. This work was done in class for the draft deadline on April 18. Students who did not complete this should do it at home. We will finish their presentation by working on the design of their slides and speaker notes in Tech class before the final deadline of May 3.
This week students explored the elements of art, by beginning an abstract work of art. We reviewed the following vocabulary words for assessment at the end of this project:
Weeks of March 12-30
Students are in the computer lab working on their Google slide presentation for Exhibition. Below are the guidelines:
Presentation Slide Requirements/Guidelines
Week of February 26
Students continued working on their Exhibition Title slide illustration. We will finish these on Monday, and return to the computer lab on Tuesday to start work on their Google slides presentations for Exhibition. Any illustrations that are not completed by the end of the class on Monday will have to be completed at home or in the art room during lunch time.
Week of February 19
Students completed a two-point perspective drawing and watercolor pencil rendering. They developed ideas for buildings in the future that used interesting lines, shapes, and colors. They included ways their buildings would benefit people in the future and be sustainable to our planet. In addition, students were assessed on their use of the vocabulary words: architecture, green / sustainable building, 2 point perspective drawing, horizon line and vanishing points. They began planning for their Exhibition Title slide illustration, and reviewing vocabulary for this unit.
All students MUST have their own photo resource(s) for this project on Monday
Week of February 12
Students began adding color to their 2 point perspective drawings using watercolor pencils. When they return from the break they will be given a vocabulary assessment and asked to answer the following questions: Define Architecture and explain how it applies to your drawing; Define Sustainable/ “Green Building” and explain how it applies to your drawing; Define and explain what perspective drawing is, and how you used the horizon line and vanishing points to create your drawing. During the break, students should find a photo reference for their exhibition illustration. We will be starting these after the break.
Week of February 5
Students continued working on their 2 point perspective “Buildings of the Future”, adding color with watercolor pencils. When they are finished they will be asked to write about their drawings using the following vocabulary words:
Perspective Drawing: A system of drawing in which the artist attempts to create a three dimensional illusion of depth on a two-dimensional surface.
Vanishing Points: the place on the horizon where parallel lines seem to meet. As objects get closer to the vanishing points they get smaller and eventually appear to vanish.
Horizon Line: A level line where water or land seems to end and the sky begins.
Architecture: is both the process and the product of planning, designing, and constructing buildings or any other structures.
Sustainable/ “Green” Building: Reduces and eliminates the impact of buildings on the environment and human. Green building emphasizes taking advantage of renewable resources, and sustainable power sources.
Week of January 29
This week, 8th grade Green Team students viewed a Power Point of some of civilizations most influential, inspiring and astonishing buildings. Students learned the technique of two-point perspective drawing commonly used by architects. They were asked to develop ideas for buildings in the future that used interesting lines, shapes, and colors. They were also required to consider what ways their buildings would benefit people in the future and be sustainable to our planet. Students began studying architecture from around the world, sustainable building and 2 point perspective drawing. They learned the techniques they will need to draw their own idea for a “building of the future.” They finished the week by working with the teacher to create the guidelines for their final drawings.
Week of January 22
This year marks the 10th annual Doodle 4 Google contest. This year's contest theme is "What Inspires me." Students reflected on what most inspires them by creating a unique, uplifting doodle using markers and/or color pencils. Next week they will decide if they would like to enter their designs into the contest. To find out more information, check out: doodle4google.com
Week of January 15
Students continued working on their illustrations based on one line from one poem in the book, “Out of the Dust.” The deadline for this project was extended to Friday, January 19, due to the midterm schedule. Students who didn’t finish their work in class are being given the opportunity to complete their drawings at home and turn them in on Monday morning with no penalty in points.
Week of January 8
Students have completed a series of drawings based on their hands. These were intended to improve their drawing skills. Grading was based on careful observation and completion of 3 Blind Contour Drawings, one Bones of the Hand drawing with correct proportions and shading, one Life Study with contours, proportions, and shadows. Students also completed a reflection sheet.They are now working on a new unit based on the book, “Out of the Dust.” We reviewed the vocabulary for this unit, and students will be assessed on this January 17. They practiced their shading and texture skills and selected photographic images to use as a resource. They developed 3 different ideas to illustrate one passage from one poem in the book. Afterward they worked with the teacher to select their best idea and develop it for their final monochromatic illustration. Due Date: January 17.
Week of December 11
Students continued creating art to send a message. They used a quote about tolerance or sustainability. Students made a Styrofoam printing plate to illustrate their quote in the style of Keith Haring. They created 3 prints using different color inks and papers. They selected their best print, and wrote their quote on it. They also completed a reflection sheet using the following vocabulary words: positive and negative space, line, shape, pictograph, symbol, and proverb, and explained what their quote meant. Later in the week, they started working on drawing skills in preparation for their exhibition illustrations.
Week of December 4
Last week students completed their Appalachian Trail newsletters in Tech class. We are now back in the art room for the next 2 months. This week, students were introduced to the art of Keith Haring. They learned that artists can create art in response to a societal event and be part of a cultural system. Students explored 5 components of sustainability. In addition to sustainability, students were given an alternate option to use our school wide goal of tolerance. Each student chose a proverb or quote and developed their own idea to send a message in the style of Keith Haring. Next week they will make prints based on their ideas.
Week of November 13, 2017
Students began this week with an introduction to Google Sites. They created a website using Google Sites that will review their eighth grade year. They included a minimum of 3 pages - Home page, Work from Tech and Social Studies and Highlights of the Year. They will continue updating this website throughout the school year. We also reviewed Digital Citizenship. Students are currently using Photoshop to create a poster. They began by choosing ONE of the following topics: Digital Footprint, Cyber Bullying, or Social Media. Their poster will: identify the issue (example: what is cyber bullying? or digital footprint, or social media), use at least 1 statistic (cite source) and include the 5 solutions for their issue (paraphrase). This is due by the end of class on Monday, November 20.
Week of October 30, 2017
On Monday and Tuesday students were in the art room. They used watercolor pencils to paint the landscapes that they drew on the Bear Mountain field trip. On Wednesday & Friday they were in the computer lab. They continued work on their Google Sketch-up houses. This project is due November 13.
Week of October 23, 2017
Students continued working on their Final project in Google Sketch Up. They are designing a house using the shape and line tool, push/pull tool, materials tray, and component tray. Their structures have large combined parts, various shapes, smaller attached forms multiple openings, and surrounding forms. They used specific dimensions, the component library, and their surroundings include a water form. The deadline for this project has been extended to November 13.
Week of October 16, 2017
Students were introduced to Google SketchUp in Tech class. Google SketchUp, is a 3D modeling computer program for a wide range of drawing applications such as architectural, interior design, landscape architecture, civil and mechanical engineering, film and video game design. Students completed a SketchUp sample on Wednesday , and have begun working on their final designs for a house. Due date: November 9.
Week of October 9, 2017
Students created a visual pun in Photoshop from words that have a double meaning. Photoshop has the ability to create effects that are not possible with traditional media. They learned that working with digital files allowed them a greater range of manipulation. They used the following skills: Color Picker, Polygonal Lasso, Opacity Slider, Foreground, Layers, Magic Wand, Paint Bucket, Type Tool, Layers: rearranging layers, copy paste layers, adding text layer.
Week of October 2, 2017
Students completed their Value Landscapes in pastel on Wednesday. They created at least 5 overlapping hills or mountains that changed in size to show distance. They drew an animal, plant or object in three sizes to show emphasis, and created a river, waterfall or road to show movement. Lastly, they completed a student reflection sheet that demonstrated their use of the art vocabulary. Students were introduced to their first Tech project on Thursday, and began brainstorming ideas for a Visual Pun.
Week of September 25, 2017
Students continued working on their Value Landscapes using pastels.
Week of September 18, 2017
This week students were introduced to the Value Landscape Project. In this project, students will demonstrate an understanding of how the elements of art and value are used in a landscape and the illusion of space is created on a flat surface. They analyzed and interpreted an Ansel Adams photo, and drew 3 plans for their landscape drawing in preparation for next week.
Week of September 11, 2017
This week students continued working on their lettering skills with 5 minute warm-up drawings. They completed their word designs. These were based on one word from the S.M.M.S. expectations found on the front cover of their agendas. They included shading, blending, and texture in their designs. Finally, they reflected on the project and wrote answers to 3 questions for their artist statement.
General Information for 8th Grade Art/Tech
Students are usually very excited to learn that Mrs. Beutler does not give homework. If a student has art homework this generally means that he or she did not fully utilize class time to complete an assignment so classwork has become homework. Assignments will be posted here weekly for you to see what students are working on, and in-class due dates for assignments and projects. Ten points will be deducted from assignments that are turned in late.
This year, students will be completing one “warm-up” booklet in class each quarter. These include a 5 minute drawing exercise to be completed at the beginning of each art class. These booklets as well as any worksheets will be graded like a homework grade and will equal 10% of their final grade. Students should bring a pencil and eraser to class every day.
For the first few days of class, students began working on their portfolios, a folder, that they will store their artwork in during each quarter. They have drawn their name with creative lettering and used the elements of art and principles of design. This week, students continue using the elements and principles. They selected one word from the list of SMMS expectations on the covers of their agendas and handbooks to create their word. They made sure their word visually shows the meaning of the expectation.
Week of June 5
Students continued working on their Alice projects. These are due at the end of class on Monday, June 12.
Week of May 29
Students continued working on their Alice projects, using a Math Path theme. This Tech project is due Monday, June 12. Attached are the grading rubrics for this project:
alice_3.1_rubric.docx
alice_3.1_overall_rubric.docx
Week of May 22
The week started with our Math path in downtown Stamford on Monday. Students were in the computer lab on Tuesday completing their Conceptual Art Project Worksheet & Text. Earlier in the month, students had been given 6 questions to answer. These helped them come up with text that challenged the viewer’s interpretation of the advertisement they selected for their value drawing. They designed their text and applied it to their pictures. The questions were taken from the five key questions for media literacy from the website of the Center for Media Literacy. The second half of the week was devoted to learning a coding program that was created at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, called Alice. We are using the most recent version and it is certainly more of a challenge than Scratch, but once students begin to understand the program they can actually create 3D animated videos. For more information about this final Tech project of the year see the attached file:alice_3_tutorials___guide.docx
A BIG THANK YOU TO THE FOLLOWING STUDENTS FOR THEIR EXTRA HELP IN MAKING THE ART SHOW A SUCCESS!
Maddie, Fatima, Katrina, Julia, Christie Lauren, Gabby, Camila & Ananya
Week of May 15
Students began the week with a field trip Monday to the Bruce Museum. We were fortunate to have the opportunity to see the Alfred Sisley exhibition before it travels to France. In addition, student viewed famous works of art owned by the museum, photographs of NYC taken between 1945-1980, and dinosaur fossils from Connecticut! Students used their class time Monday –Thursday to finish their illustrations of a Cultural value for the 7th Grade Art Show on Thursday evening, and work on any unfinished art projects. We completed the week with a presentation by our STEM speaker Lew Bender, president of Intensity Therapeutics. Today, students completed the school climate survey, and cultural values post assessment in Tech class. Next week we will begin our final Tech project- using the Alice program to create digital animation.
Week of April 24
Last week students continued working on their pencil extension value drawings using the shading techniques demonstrated in class. This week, students viewed a PowerPoint presentation which introduced them to the core concepts and key questions of media literacy. They learned that: Conceptual Art is art in which the impact of the idea is as important as or more important than the visual impact of the piece. Based on inspiration from the artists, Barbara Kruger and Jenny Holzer, who both criticize consumerism and our consumer culture in their conceptual art, students created a new message contrary to the original message of the ad on their pencil extension drawings.
They used the following- Elements of Art: line, shape/ Principals of design: contrast, unity
Week of April 3
Students started a new project that centers on the art element of value. They completed value scales and shading worksheets. They selected a black and white magazine photo for their project. These photos were cut in half and the students glued half to their drawing paper. On Friday they began drawing the other half of the photo on their paper. When they return from the break they will apply shading techniques to their drawings using a variety of pencils, blending stumps, and kneaded erasers.
Week of March 27
This week students were given extra time to complete their Star Logo Nova, Noodle Tools and Cultural Illustration projects. Students who still have not submitted their work can refer to the attachment below for directions on how to do so. The deadline for submitting work to me is Wednesday April 5. On Thursday this week, they all participated in a lively class gallery walk/ critique, and shared their feedback on each other ‘s art work. On Friday, we began to learn about value as it relates to our next project. Students started creating value scales using a range of drawing pencils from 9B-9H.
how_to_submit_your_work.docx
Week of March 13
Students continued their research in Noodle Tools this week. The deadline for this project has been extended to March 28 due to the snow days. We have also begun a new project: StarLogo Nova Activity: Epidemic Model. Using this software, students create an epidemic model that simulates the spread of a disease through a population. The key points to the model are:1. Turtle agents with a red color will have the disease, and healthy agents will be yellow. 2. Turtle agents will catch the disease by colliding with an agent who is already sick. 3. A sick individual will have a chance to recover at every step. Attached is more detailed information about this project.starlogo_nova_activity.docx
Congratulations to the Green Team students listed below!
A piece of their 7th grade artwork has been chosen to be displayed at the Board of Education offices in the Government Center, 888 Washington Boulevard, Stamford, CT. Their work will exhibit from March 1 through May 30, 2017 during regular business hours, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm. Their piece will be returned to them before the end of the school year.
Scofield student art work is displayed on the fifth floor in the conference room and the north and south hallway display boards as well as by the elevators. Scofield student work is also on display on outside the elevators on the 3rd and 6th floors. You and your family and friends are welcome to view the creativity and accomplishments of Green Team students and all fellow Scofield students in grades 6-8 with work in the show.
Manal Amrani, Eliza Auslander, Ariana Avila, Elton Batista, James Blanche, Matthew Bologna, Mike Edwards, Alyssa Gioia,Sydney Greene,Viktor Hreskiv, Emily Kaczynski,Aiden Lamothe, Maddie Lapine, Luca Manginelli, Ariana Merturi, Camila Miranda,Katrina Mosquera, Julia Piascik, Gabby Pines, Brandon Robles, Valery Rochabrun, Beatrice Sarria, Timea Strukova,Connor Sullivan
Week of March 6
Last week students completed their illustrations of a cultural value in art class. This week they are being introduced to the research program, Noodle Tools. They will be creating at least TEN note cards using Noodle Tools and use at least FIVE reliable sources to complete their research. The research will begin from the viral or bacterial disease/sickness/illness that they choose. NoodleTools will be what they use to conduct research in their 8th grade Exhibition. Attached is the grading rubric for this project.
research_grade__for_human_virus__3_.docx
Week of February 13
Students have explored the meaning of culture and values in class. They completed a cultural values list, listing activities for each one. They chose one from the list that had the most personal significance, and decided on an activity, people and setting to illustrate this value. This week, they began drawing their ideas in pencil and will add color when they come back from the break.
Week of January 23, 2017
Students completed their poetry collages and began discussing the meaning of culture and values. Next week, they will continue to explore the ways that they can use art to express the multicultural values in Stamford.
Week of January 16, 2017
Students were in the art room this week.
They began working on mixed media collages based on the poems they wrote in Language Art.
Week of January 2, 2017
Students were in Tech class this week. They began working with their Social Studies team mates on their Early African Kingdom Power Point presentations. They will complete these assignments next week. They will receive 2 grades for this project; one for content in Social Studies and the other for design in Tech class. Students are bringing home their 10 page journal sketchbooks today. These were started in art class and are to be completed at home. They are due no later than January 20. They can refer to the instructions posted below if they lose the handout that I gave them .
art_journal__2017.doc
Week of December 12, 2016
Students are working in both the art room and the computer lab this week. They are continuing work on their journal sketchbooks in the art room and have begun working in Photoshop in the computer lab. On Thursday they will use the skills they acquired earlier in the week to re-create a famous painting by Stuart Davis, Auguste Herbin or Joan Miro. This project is called “In the Style Of, “and students will continue working on it until the holiday break.
Week of December 5, 2016
Students completed their Scratch games on Tuesday. They made 10-page journal/sketchbooks on Wednesday and began designing the covers for them. During the next 2 weeks we will be alternately working on these books in the art room, and working in Photoshop in the computer lab.
Week of November 28, 2016
Students were in the art room this week. They chose a descriptive word and created a typeface that expressed
the feeling or sound of the word. They wrote the word in that font and used color to enhance the picture.
Next Monday we will be in the computer lab again, finishing our Scratch games.
Week of November 21, 2016
As we begin the second quarter, some students may be asking “How can I improve my Art grade?”
Here are a few helpful hints…
1.Follow directions- do what is asked.
2.Be creative- solve the problem.
3.Completion-Finish the job.
4.Effort- Give it your best try.
Ask Yourself,
Am I working?
Am I talking too much?
Is this my best?
Is my work neat?
Week of November 14, 2016
Students finished their complementary courtyard paintings in art last week. This week we are in the computer lab designing underwater fish games using Scratch. “Scratch is a programming language and an online community where children can program and share interactive media such as stories, games, and animation with people from all over the world. As children create with Scratch, they learn to think creatively, work collaboratively, and reason systematically. Scratch is designed and maintained by the Lifelong Kindergarten group at the MIT Media Lab” (Scratch website).
Week of October 31, 2016
Students learned the three sets of complementary colors this week. They practiced color mixing with watercolor paints and began painting the contour line drawings of the courtyard that they drew a couple weeks ago.
Information Regarding Art/Tech Report Card Grades
The 7th grade Green Team has Art AND Tech EVERY quarter. This is unique to this group, and unlike the other two teams that alternate Art and Tech each quarter. These grades are averaged together and will appear on the report card under: Art/Beutler. You can access individual grades for each project on PowerSchool. We focused more on Art in the first quarter with some Tech, and will begin the second quarter with more Tech projects. Overall, we will follow the same curriculum as the other 7th grade teams throughout the school year.
Weeks of October 17-28, 2016
Students finished their Word Clouds into Photoshop projects in Tech. Class this week. They completed a Word document with 20 words describing themselves; 3 Wordle documents that incorporated those 20 words and a Photoshop document that imported one Wordle. In Photoshop they used the following tools: Color Picker, Opacity Slider, Foreground, Layers, Paint Bucket, and Type Tool.
Week of October 10, 2016
It was a short week, but one in which I enjoyed meeting many of the parents of our talented students! Progress reports are going home today. If you see a comment next to your child’s grade indicating incomplete work, please have them come see me to find a way to make this work up and improve their grade before the end of the marking period. Students continued working on their Surrealism drawings this week, using the shading and blending techniques they learned with color pencil. They will finish these next week and begin their first tech project on Wednesday.
Week of October 3, 2016
Students continued contour line drawing outside in the school courtyard this week. Afterward, they were asked to select their best drawing, and three photographs from the resources in the classroom. They reviewed techniques for creating a Surrealist drawing, and completed two thumbnail sketches with their ideas of how to transform one of their contour line drawings into a surreal drawing. They finished the week, by drawing their ideas on their final paper. Next week we will be working with various color pencil techniques on these drawings.
Week of September 26, 2016
Students continued their series of contour line drawings this week. They drew their hands, plants and various objects in the classroom. They were introduced to Surrealism, and explored the artwork of Rene Magritte, and Salvador Dali. Next week they will choose one of their contour line drawings to transform into their own surrealist art!
Week of September 19, 2016
Students continued drawing the correct proportions of the body, completing several gesture drawings; showing the action, form, and pose of a model/figure. Students took turns volunteering to model for these 5-10 minute drawings. Students were also introduced to the method of “drawing on the right side of the brain.” We will continue to explore this concept next week when we begin contour line drawing.
Week of September 12, 2016
Students finished work on their portfolios, and began learning how to draw the correct proportions of the face and body. They used shading techniques to create and complete one self-portrait in pencil.2016-2017 Welcome to 7th grade art!
General Information
Students are usually very excited to learn that Mrs. Beutler does not give homework as a regular practice during the first quarter. If a student has art homework this generally means that he or she did not fully utilize class time to complete an assignment so classwork has become homework. Assignments/Homework will be posted here weekly for you to see what students are working on, in-class due dates for assignments and projects, and homework due dates if in-class work needs to be completed at home.
For the first few days of class, students used their names, along with Color, Pattern, and Contrast to create a design on 6 x 6 papers. This square will be used in a larger team mural display. Upon completion of their squares, students began working on their portfolios, a folder, that they will store their artwork in during each quarter. They have drawn their name with creative lettering and included images in their design that represent themselves and their interests.
Students were introduced to Adobe Illustrator in Tech class last week. They complete 4 practice exercises using the Pen tool. This week they are designing graffiti letters with the pen tool to create their name. They will add a gradient, line effects and special effects to their name.
Week of May 14
Last week, students completed drawings of zentangle patterns inspired by their daily warm up books. Artwork showed some of the elements of art and principles of design. Students focused on creating unity and movement with their patterns. They explored types of lines, textures, designs, and patterns, along with line thickness. This week, they turned their line designs into an original sculpture, which showed movement, balance, and rhythm. We will finish these after Exhibition.
Week of April 30
Exhibition Slide Presentation and Speaker Notes Due: May 2
Grading for Tech Class is based on correct completion of elements listed on your checklist for ONE slide from each section.
***Your Advisory teacher will grade ENTIRE presentation with notes on May 3***
To submit your work to me from Google Slides:
- Open a New blank slide presentation
- Go to File> Import slides
- Select one slide from each of the following categories:
- Title Slide
- Purpose
- Origins
- How It Works
- Evolution
- Impact/Future
- Math Component
- Primary Source
- Go to> File> Print Settings and Preview> Handout 4 slides per page.
- Share with me: [email protected]
Week of April 16
Students finished their Abstract Art drawings and vocabulary assessments this week.
April 23-May 2, they will work on finishing their Google slides presentations for Exhibition. They will finalize work on the design of their slides and speaker notes in Tech class before the final due date of May 3.
The Annual Art Show
will be Tuesday, May 15 (same night as the Spring Concert).Students who are interested in being an art ambassador/docents (non-band kids) to direct foot traffic and answer questions the night of the show, should contact Mrs. Beutler.
Week of April 2
Students are back in the art room until April 23. The Google slides presentations they have worked on in Tech class, should include information and at least one photo per slide from the following eight categories: Purpose, Origins, How It Works, Evolution, Impact/Future, Math Component, Primary Source, and Creative. This work was done in class for the draft deadline on April 18. Students who did not complete this should do it at home. We will finish their presentation by working on the design of their slides and speaker notes in Tech class before the final deadline of May 3.
This week students explored the elements of art, by beginning an abstract work of art. We reviewed the following vocabulary words for assessment at the end of this project:
- Abstract Art: uses a visual language of shape, form, color and line to create a non-figurative, non-objective, and nonrepresentational composition that is a departure from reality.
- Line: A mark made by moving across a surface. Examples: curvy, straight, zig zag.
- 3.Shape: is an enclosed space, a bounded two-dimensional form that has both length and width. Examples: organic, geometric.
4.Pattern: the repetition of an element (or elements) in a work.
5.Emphasis: A way of combining elements to stress the differences between those elements. Example: Large vs. small, light vs. dark - Value: Has a gradual change from light to dark
- Texture: The way something feels or looks like it feels.
- 8.Color: An element of art made up of three properties: hue, value, and intensity.
- hue, is the name we give to a color (red, yellow, blue, etc.).
- intensity, refers to the strength and vividness of the color. For example, we may describe the color blue as "royal" (bright, rich, vibrant) or "dull" (grayed).
- value, meaning its lightness or darkness. The terms shade and tint are in reference to value changes in colors.
- Contrast: The difference between 2 elements shown through size, color etc.
Weeks of March 12-30
Students are in the computer lab working on their Google slide presentation for Exhibition. Below are the guidelines:
Presentation Slide Requirements/Guidelines
- Consistent color and/or Photoshop created background set as a
theme throughout - Title page with your name (No By: …)
- Each slide should have a title, including those slides with diagrams, charts, tables, graphs and images
- Consistent, legible font styles and sizes throughout - two font max
- Color contrast between fonts and background
- Follows the flow of the paper/research in a logical order
- Limited bullet points if there is writing on the slides
- Use keywords and corresponding images, no sentences
- No bullet points when there are diagrams, charts, tables, graphs
- Bullet points should be set at half the point size of their corresponding text
- Include examples of data represented visually (Exhibition)
- Diagrams, charts, tables and graphs should take up the
entire slide
- Diagrams, charts, tables and graphs should take up the
- Images on every slide, but no more than three images on a slide
- If there is a video, the YouTube link should not be present on the slide
- If you see a white rectangle with an X through it, that is a video
- You may want to ask to watch the video to make sure it’s good
- Ending slide should be an exact replica of the title slide
Week of February 26
Students continued working on their Exhibition Title slide illustration. We will finish these on Monday, and return to the computer lab on Tuesday to start work on their Google slides presentations for Exhibition. Any illustrations that are not completed by the end of the class on Monday will have to be completed at home or in the art room during lunch time.
Week of February 19
Students completed a two-point perspective drawing and watercolor pencil rendering. They developed ideas for buildings in the future that used interesting lines, shapes, and colors. They included ways their buildings would benefit people in the future and be sustainable to our planet. In addition, students were assessed on their use of the vocabulary words: architecture, green / sustainable building, 2 point perspective drawing, horizon line and vanishing points. They began planning for their Exhibition Title slide illustration, and reviewing vocabulary for this unit.
All students MUST have their own photo resource(s) for this project on Monday
Week of February 12
Students began adding color to their 2 point perspective drawings using watercolor pencils. When they return from the break they will be given a vocabulary assessment and asked to answer the following questions: Define Architecture and explain how it applies to your drawing; Define Sustainable/ “Green Building” and explain how it applies to your drawing; Define and explain what perspective drawing is, and how you used the horizon line and vanishing points to create your drawing. During the break, students should find a photo reference for their exhibition illustration. We will be starting these after the break.
Week of February 5
Students continued working on their 2 point perspective “Buildings of the Future”, adding color with watercolor pencils. When they are finished they will be asked to write about their drawings using the following vocabulary words:
Perspective Drawing: A system of drawing in which the artist attempts to create a three dimensional illusion of depth on a two-dimensional surface.
Vanishing Points: the place on the horizon where parallel lines seem to meet. As objects get closer to the vanishing points they get smaller and eventually appear to vanish.
Horizon Line: A level line where water or land seems to end and the sky begins.
Architecture: is both the process and the product of planning, designing, and constructing buildings or any other structures.
Sustainable/ “Green” Building: Reduces and eliminates the impact of buildings on the environment and human. Green building emphasizes taking advantage of renewable resources, and sustainable power sources.
Week of January 29
This week, 8th grade Green Team students viewed a Power Point of some of civilizations most influential, inspiring and astonishing buildings. Students learned the technique of two-point perspective drawing commonly used by architects. They were asked to develop ideas for buildings in the future that used interesting lines, shapes, and colors. They were also required to consider what ways their buildings would benefit people in the future and be sustainable to our planet. Students began studying architecture from around the world, sustainable building and 2 point perspective drawing. They learned the techniques they will need to draw their own idea for a “building of the future.” They finished the week by working with the teacher to create the guidelines for their final drawings.
Week of January 22
This year marks the 10th annual Doodle 4 Google contest. This year's contest theme is "What Inspires me." Students reflected on what most inspires them by creating a unique, uplifting doodle using markers and/or color pencils. Next week they will decide if they would like to enter their designs into the contest. To find out more information, check out: doodle4google.com
Week of January 15
Students continued working on their illustrations based on one line from one poem in the book, “Out of the Dust.” The deadline for this project was extended to Friday, January 19, due to the midterm schedule. Students who didn’t finish their work in class are being given the opportunity to complete their drawings at home and turn them in on Monday morning with no penalty in points.
Week of January 8
Students have completed a series of drawings based on their hands. These were intended to improve their drawing skills. Grading was based on careful observation and completion of 3 Blind Contour Drawings, one Bones of the Hand drawing with correct proportions and shading, one Life Study with contours, proportions, and shadows. Students also completed a reflection sheet.They are now working on a new unit based on the book, “Out of the Dust.” We reviewed the vocabulary for this unit, and students will be assessed on this January 17. They practiced their shading and texture skills and selected photographic images to use as a resource. They developed 3 different ideas to illustrate one passage from one poem in the book. Afterward they worked with the teacher to select their best idea and develop it for their final monochromatic illustration. Due Date: January 17.
Week of December 11
Students continued creating art to send a message. They used a quote about tolerance or sustainability. Students made a Styrofoam printing plate to illustrate their quote in the style of Keith Haring. They created 3 prints using different color inks and papers. They selected their best print, and wrote their quote on it. They also completed a reflection sheet using the following vocabulary words: positive and negative space, line, shape, pictograph, symbol, and proverb, and explained what their quote meant. Later in the week, they started working on drawing skills in preparation for their exhibition illustrations.
Week of December 4
Last week students completed their Appalachian Trail newsletters in Tech class. We are now back in the art room for the next 2 months. This week, students were introduced to the art of Keith Haring. They learned that artists can create art in response to a societal event and be part of a cultural system. Students explored 5 components of sustainability. In addition to sustainability, students were given an alternate option to use our school wide goal of tolerance. Each student chose a proverb or quote and developed their own idea to send a message in the style of Keith Haring. Next week they will make prints based on their ideas.
Week of November 13, 2017
Students began this week with an introduction to Google Sites. They created a website using Google Sites that will review their eighth grade year. They included a minimum of 3 pages - Home page, Work from Tech and Social Studies and Highlights of the Year. They will continue updating this website throughout the school year. We also reviewed Digital Citizenship. Students are currently using Photoshop to create a poster. They began by choosing ONE of the following topics: Digital Footprint, Cyber Bullying, or Social Media. Their poster will: identify the issue (example: what is cyber bullying? or digital footprint, or social media), use at least 1 statistic (cite source) and include the 5 solutions for their issue (paraphrase). This is due by the end of class on Monday, November 20.
Week of October 30, 2017
On Monday and Tuesday students were in the art room. They used watercolor pencils to paint the landscapes that they drew on the Bear Mountain field trip. On Wednesday & Friday they were in the computer lab. They continued work on their Google Sketch-up houses. This project is due November 13.
Week of October 23, 2017
Students continued working on their Final project in Google Sketch Up. They are designing a house using the shape and line tool, push/pull tool, materials tray, and component tray. Their structures have large combined parts, various shapes, smaller attached forms multiple openings, and surrounding forms. They used specific dimensions, the component library, and their surroundings include a water form. The deadline for this project has been extended to November 13.
Week of October 16, 2017
Students were introduced to Google SketchUp in Tech class. Google SketchUp, is a 3D modeling computer program for a wide range of drawing applications such as architectural, interior design, landscape architecture, civil and mechanical engineering, film and video game design. Students completed a SketchUp sample on Wednesday , and have begun working on their final designs for a house. Due date: November 9.
Week of October 9, 2017
Students created a visual pun in Photoshop from words that have a double meaning. Photoshop has the ability to create effects that are not possible with traditional media. They learned that working with digital files allowed them a greater range of manipulation. They used the following skills: Color Picker, Polygonal Lasso, Opacity Slider, Foreground, Layers, Magic Wand, Paint Bucket, Type Tool, Layers: rearranging layers, copy paste layers, adding text layer.
Week of October 2, 2017
Students completed their Value Landscapes in pastel on Wednesday. They created at least 5 overlapping hills or mountains that changed in size to show distance. They drew an animal, plant or object in three sizes to show emphasis, and created a river, waterfall or road to show movement. Lastly, they completed a student reflection sheet that demonstrated their use of the art vocabulary. Students were introduced to their first Tech project on Thursday, and began brainstorming ideas for a Visual Pun.
Week of September 25, 2017
Students continued working on their Value Landscapes using pastels.
Week of September 18, 2017
This week students were introduced to the Value Landscape Project. In this project, students will demonstrate an understanding of how the elements of art and value are used in a landscape and the illusion of space is created on a flat surface. They analyzed and interpreted an Ansel Adams photo, and drew 3 plans for their landscape drawing in preparation for next week.
Week of September 11, 2017
This week students continued working on their lettering skills with 5 minute warm-up drawings. They completed their word designs. These were based on one word from the S.M.M.S. expectations found on the front cover of their agendas. They included shading, blending, and texture in their designs. Finally, they reflected on the project and wrote answers to 3 questions for their artist statement.
General Information for 8th Grade Art/Tech
Students are usually very excited to learn that Mrs. Beutler does not give homework. If a student has art homework this generally means that he or she did not fully utilize class time to complete an assignment so classwork has become homework. Assignments will be posted here weekly for you to see what students are working on, and in-class due dates for assignments and projects. Ten points will be deducted from assignments that are turned in late.
This year, students will be completing one “warm-up” booklet in class each quarter. These include a 5 minute drawing exercise to be completed at the beginning of each art class. These booklets as well as any worksheets will be graded like a homework grade and will equal 10% of their final grade. Students should bring a pencil and eraser to class every day.
For the first few days of class, students began working on their portfolios, a folder, that they will store their artwork in during each quarter. They have drawn their name with creative lettering and used the elements of art and principles of design. This week, students continue using the elements and principles. They selected one word from the list of SMMS expectations on the covers of their agendas and handbooks to create their word. They made sure their word visually shows the meaning of the expectation.
Week of June 5
Students continued working on their Alice projects. These are due at the end of class on Monday, June 12.
Week of May 29
Students continued working on their Alice projects, using a Math Path theme. This Tech project is due Monday, June 12. Attached are the grading rubrics for this project:
alice_3.1_rubric.docx
alice_3.1_overall_rubric.docx
Week of May 22
The week started with our Math path in downtown Stamford on Monday. Students were in the computer lab on Tuesday completing their Conceptual Art Project Worksheet & Text. Earlier in the month, students had been given 6 questions to answer. These helped them come up with text that challenged the viewer’s interpretation of the advertisement they selected for their value drawing. They designed their text and applied it to their pictures. The questions were taken from the five key questions for media literacy from the website of the Center for Media Literacy. The second half of the week was devoted to learning a coding program that was created at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, called Alice. We are using the most recent version and it is certainly more of a challenge than Scratch, but once students begin to understand the program they can actually create 3D animated videos. For more information about this final Tech project of the year see the attached file:alice_3_tutorials___guide.docx
A BIG THANK YOU TO THE FOLLOWING STUDENTS FOR THEIR EXTRA HELP IN MAKING THE ART SHOW A SUCCESS!
Maddie, Fatima, Katrina, Julia, Christie Lauren, Gabby, Camila & Ananya
Week of May 15
Students began the week with a field trip Monday to the Bruce Museum. We were fortunate to have the opportunity to see the Alfred Sisley exhibition before it travels to France. In addition, student viewed famous works of art owned by the museum, photographs of NYC taken between 1945-1980, and dinosaur fossils from Connecticut! Students used their class time Monday –Thursday to finish their illustrations of a Cultural value for the 7th Grade Art Show on Thursday evening, and work on any unfinished art projects. We completed the week with a presentation by our STEM speaker Lew Bender, president of Intensity Therapeutics. Today, students completed the school climate survey, and cultural values post assessment in Tech class. Next week we will begin our final Tech project- using the Alice program to create digital animation.
Week of April 24
Last week students continued working on their pencil extension value drawings using the shading techniques demonstrated in class. This week, students viewed a PowerPoint presentation which introduced them to the core concepts and key questions of media literacy. They learned that: Conceptual Art is art in which the impact of the idea is as important as or more important than the visual impact of the piece. Based on inspiration from the artists, Barbara Kruger and Jenny Holzer, who both criticize consumerism and our consumer culture in their conceptual art, students created a new message contrary to the original message of the ad on their pencil extension drawings.
They used the following- Elements of Art: line, shape/ Principals of design: contrast, unity
Week of April 3
Students started a new project that centers on the art element of value. They completed value scales and shading worksheets. They selected a black and white magazine photo for their project. These photos were cut in half and the students glued half to their drawing paper. On Friday they began drawing the other half of the photo on their paper. When they return from the break they will apply shading techniques to their drawings using a variety of pencils, blending stumps, and kneaded erasers.
Week of March 27
This week students were given extra time to complete their Star Logo Nova, Noodle Tools and Cultural Illustration projects. Students who still have not submitted their work can refer to the attachment below for directions on how to do so. The deadline for submitting work to me is Wednesday April 5. On Thursday this week, they all participated in a lively class gallery walk/ critique, and shared their feedback on each other ‘s art work. On Friday, we began to learn about value as it relates to our next project. Students started creating value scales using a range of drawing pencils from 9B-9H.
how_to_submit_your_work.docx
Week of March 13
Students continued their research in Noodle Tools this week. The deadline for this project has been extended to March 28 due to the snow days. We have also begun a new project: StarLogo Nova Activity: Epidemic Model. Using this software, students create an epidemic model that simulates the spread of a disease through a population. The key points to the model are:1. Turtle agents with a red color will have the disease, and healthy agents will be yellow. 2. Turtle agents will catch the disease by colliding with an agent who is already sick. 3. A sick individual will have a chance to recover at every step. Attached is more detailed information about this project.starlogo_nova_activity.docx
Congratulations to the Green Team students listed below!
A piece of their 7th grade artwork has been chosen to be displayed at the Board of Education offices in the Government Center, 888 Washington Boulevard, Stamford, CT. Their work will exhibit from March 1 through May 30, 2017 during regular business hours, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm. Their piece will be returned to them before the end of the school year.
Scofield student art work is displayed on the fifth floor in the conference room and the north and south hallway display boards as well as by the elevators. Scofield student work is also on display on outside the elevators on the 3rd and 6th floors. You and your family and friends are welcome to view the creativity and accomplishments of Green Team students and all fellow Scofield students in grades 6-8 with work in the show.
Manal Amrani, Eliza Auslander, Ariana Avila, Elton Batista, James Blanche, Matthew Bologna, Mike Edwards, Alyssa Gioia,Sydney Greene,Viktor Hreskiv, Emily Kaczynski,Aiden Lamothe, Maddie Lapine, Luca Manginelli, Ariana Merturi, Camila Miranda,Katrina Mosquera, Julia Piascik, Gabby Pines, Brandon Robles, Valery Rochabrun, Beatrice Sarria, Timea Strukova,Connor Sullivan
Week of March 6
Last week students completed their illustrations of a cultural value in art class. This week they are being introduced to the research program, Noodle Tools. They will be creating at least TEN note cards using Noodle Tools and use at least FIVE reliable sources to complete their research. The research will begin from the viral or bacterial disease/sickness/illness that they choose. NoodleTools will be what they use to conduct research in their 8th grade Exhibition. Attached is the grading rubric for this project.
research_grade__for_human_virus__3_.docx
Week of February 13
Students have explored the meaning of culture and values in class. They completed a cultural values list, listing activities for each one. They chose one from the list that had the most personal significance, and decided on an activity, people and setting to illustrate this value. This week, they began drawing their ideas in pencil and will add color when they come back from the break.
Week of January 23, 2017
Students completed their poetry collages and began discussing the meaning of culture and values. Next week, they will continue to explore the ways that they can use art to express the multicultural values in Stamford.
Week of January 16, 2017
Students were in the art room this week.
They began working on mixed media collages based on the poems they wrote in Language Art.
Week of January 2, 2017
Students were in Tech class this week. They began working with their Social Studies team mates on their Early African Kingdom Power Point presentations. They will complete these assignments next week. They will receive 2 grades for this project; one for content in Social Studies and the other for design in Tech class. Students are bringing home their 10 page journal sketchbooks today. These were started in art class and are to be completed at home. They are due no later than January 20. They can refer to the instructions posted below if they lose the handout that I gave them .
art_journal__2017.doc
Week of December 12, 2016
Students are working in both the art room and the computer lab this week. They are continuing work on their journal sketchbooks in the art room and have begun working in Photoshop in the computer lab. On Thursday they will use the skills they acquired earlier in the week to re-create a famous painting by Stuart Davis, Auguste Herbin or Joan Miro. This project is called “In the Style Of, “and students will continue working on it until the holiday break.
Week of December 5, 2016
Students completed their Scratch games on Tuesday. They made 10-page journal/sketchbooks on Wednesday and began designing the covers for them. During the next 2 weeks we will be alternately working on these books in the art room, and working in Photoshop in the computer lab.
Week of November 28, 2016
Students were in the art room this week. They chose a descriptive word and created a typeface that expressed
the feeling or sound of the word. They wrote the word in that font and used color to enhance the picture.
Next Monday we will be in the computer lab again, finishing our Scratch games.
Week of November 21, 2016
As we begin the second quarter, some students may be asking “How can I improve my Art grade?”
Here are a few helpful hints…
1.Follow directions- do what is asked.
2.Be creative- solve the problem.
3.Completion-Finish the job.
4.Effort- Give it your best try.
Ask Yourself,
Am I working?
Am I talking too much?
Is this my best?
Is my work neat?
Week of November 14, 2016
Students finished their complementary courtyard paintings in art last week. This week we are in the computer lab designing underwater fish games using Scratch. “Scratch is a programming language and an online community where children can program and share interactive media such as stories, games, and animation with people from all over the world. As children create with Scratch, they learn to think creatively, work collaboratively, and reason systematically. Scratch is designed and maintained by the Lifelong Kindergarten group at the MIT Media Lab” (Scratch website).
Week of October 31, 2016
Students learned the three sets of complementary colors this week. They practiced color mixing with watercolor paints and began painting the contour line drawings of the courtyard that they drew a couple weeks ago.
Information Regarding Art/Tech Report Card Grades
The 7th grade Green Team has Art AND Tech EVERY quarter. This is unique to this group, and unlike the other two teams that alternate Art and Tech each quarter. These grades are averaged together and will appear on the report card under: Art/Beutler. You can access individual grades for each project on PowerSchool. We focused more on Art in the first quarter with some Tech, and will begin the second quarter with more Tech projects. Overall, we will follow the same curriculum as the other 7th grade teams throughout the school year.
Weeks of October 17-28, 2016
Students finished their Word Clouds into Photoshop projects in Tech. Class this week. They completed a Word document with 20 words describing themselves; 3 Wordle documents that incorporated those 20 words and a Photoshop document that imported one Wordle. In Photoshop they used the following tools: Color Picker, Opacity Slider, Foreground, Layers, Paint Bucket, and Type Tool.
Week of October 10, 2016
It was a short week, but one in which I enjoyed meeting many of the parents of our talented students! Progress reports are going home today. If you see a comment next to your child’s grade indicating incomplete work, please have them come see me to find a way to make this work up and improve their grade before the end of the marking period. Students continued working on their Surrealism drawings this week, using the shading and blending techniques they learned with color pencil. They will finish these next week and begin their first tech project on Wednesday.
Week of October 3, 2016
Students continued contour line drawing outside in the school courtyard this week. Afterward, they were asked to select their best drawing, and three photographs from the resources in the classroom. They reviewed techniques for creating a Surrealist drawing, and completed two thumbnail sketches with their ideas of how to transform one of their contour line drawings into a surreal drawing. They finished the week, by drawing their ideas on their final paper. Next week we will be working with various color pencil techniques on these drawings.
Week of September 26, 2016
Students continued their series of contour line drawings this week. They drew their hands, plants and various objects in the classroom. They were introduced to Surrealism, and explored the artwork of Rene Magritte, and Salvador Dali. Next week they will choose one of their contour line drawings to transform into their own surrealist art!
Week of September 19, 2016
Students continued drawing the correct proportions of the body, completing several gesture drawings; showing the action, form, and pose of a model/figure. Students took turns volunteering to model for these 5-10 minute drawings. Students were also introduced to the method of “drawing on the right side of the brain.” We will continue to explore this concept next week when we begin contour line drawing.
Week of September 12, 2016
Students finished work on their portfolios, and began learning how to draw the correct proportions of the face and body. They used shading techniques to create and complete one self-portrait in pencil.2016-2017 Welcome to 7th grade art!
General Information
Students are usually very excited to learn that Mrs. Beutler does not give homework as a regular practice during the first quarter. If a student has art homework this generally means that he or she did not fully utilize class time to complete an assignment so classwork has become homework. Assignments/Homework will be posted here weekly for you to see what students are working on, in-class due dates for assignments and projects, and homework due dates if in-class work needs to be completed at home.
For the first few days of class, students used their names, along with Color, Pattern, and Contrast to create a design on 6 x 6 papers. This square will be used in a larger team mural display. Upon completion of their squares, students began working on their portfolios, a folder, that they will store their artwork in during each quarter. They have drawn their name with creative lettering and included images in their design that represent themselves and their interests.