Third graders are taught Art by Andrea Aimi.  Students begin the semester painting seashells from observation. They are studying the ocean in their homeroom curriculum and this is a collaborative project. Students will also be painting self-portraits from observation. They will study Picasso and Alice Neel and look at how these artists studied people and paint to create their work. The third grade students also design sand mandalas that spin. This project is in collaboration with the dance teacher for the end of the year dance recital. They look at mandalas created by Tibetan monks and a local street artist named Joe Mangrum. Many of the students have seen him make his mandalas in our local park. Another project is a collage piece based on the inside of their house and the outside. They work with recycled paper scraps and create two specific spaces on one piece of paper. Romare Bearden’s work is introduced and we discuss his art work in the book, ‘The Block.” Students are then asked to write a poem about their piece. Third graders will also participate in the all school service project with God’s Love We Deliver.

Third graders are taught Shop by Madeleine. The theme of third grade Shop this year will be art and music. Students will explore patterns and rhythm, design a cardboard sculpture of a fantastical instrument, create instruments out of recycled materials, and build a culminating ceramiphone with a painted wood frame and ceramic bars. Design, wood working, clay, and painting skills will be expanded and explored.