"I'm no good at drawing."

This is a common phrase that many children will say at one time or another.

My answer is simple.

"Of course your not that good at it, yet! If you were good at everything, you wouldn't need to go to school!"

Children have the mistaken idea that they have to be good at art the first time they try to draw a picture. I try to set them straight by comparing it to learning to play the piano. The first time anyone tries to play the piano, they are guaranteed to make plenty of mistakes, but that seems to be okay because it is expected. Everyone knows that if you want to get better at the piano, you have to practice. Visual art skills work the same way. Of course you will make lots of mistakes at first! That is completely normal! You will get better with practice!

This is true for all of those adults out there who decided sometime before 6th grade that they were "no good at drawing", too! You just need some lessons and lots of practice!

The amount of practice = the amount of success

If you don't practice at all, you'll never get better.

If you practice a little, you'll get a little better.

If you practice A LOT, you will be AMAZING!

Welcome back to School!

Here we are again, with a brand new school year to begin!  Every year is a clean slate, with oodles of new possibilities and art projects awaiting us!

This year there are a few changes in the schedule.

The biggest one is that there will no longer be specialty classes on Mondays.  That means no art class on Monday. :-(  We will just have to fit all our fun and exciting projects into a four day week!

The second change to the schedule is that each term is now a trimester, rather than a quarter.  This is actually a great thing, because if we can complete a project within a four day week, we can do more projects than in the past!

The final change to the schedule is the arrangement of classes.  In the past, all grade level classes were grouped together in the same specialty for their quarter.  That meant that I spent an entire day for one quarter teaching only younger grades.  Another quarter was spent only with upper grades.  This year, I have one or two classes from each grade level every trimester.  From a lesson planning and supply standpoint, this will be more challenging.  However, storage of drying paint/clay projects should be easier.

Well, what can you look forward to in art this year?

Lower grades (K-2)

We will continue to spend our art time exploring materials and learning ways to express ourselves visually.

Middle grades (3-4)

While still exploring materials and media, you will begin formal drawing lessons, Elements of Design theory, and clay construction!

Upper grades (5-6)

Art lessons become much more structured and formal.  Elements will be reviewed and Principles of Design introduced.  Formal drawing lessons will include perspective drawing and still life renderings.  You will continue with your clay construction lessons.  And new this year, digital photography!  Sixth graders can expect to be treated like middle school students and will receive homework.

I am very excited to see your smiling faces this year and I can't wait to see the fantastic artwork you will create!

Portfolios and name tags

Today we built our portfolios and name tags. The portfolio will be used to safely store artwork in the classroom. The name tag is initially to help me remember student names. Later it will be kept stored in the portfolio in case there is a substitute.

Art Rules!

Here are the classroom rules...

1. WHISPER VOICES when you want to talk with your friends during a working time.
2. LISTENING BODIES when the whole class is listening to instructions.
3. Follow the GOLDEN RULE!

This is what happens if you break a rule*...

1. Everyone needs a REMINDER from time to time.
2. If the reminder didn't work, you will be asked to MOVE to a new seat and you will LOSE BEHAVIOR POINTS.
3. If you are still having a problem following the rules, you will be sent to THINK TIME.

* If you are caught doing something DANGEROUS (that could cause injury to yourself or someone else), you will be sent DIRECTLY TO THE PRINCIPAL and we will CALL HOME!

Remember, 'Every day is a new day, with no mistakes in it' (Anne of Green Gables). Yesterday's mistakes will not affect how I treat you today!

Welcome to a new school year!

Welcome back, Harvest Elementary students and parents!  I hope you have had a summer full of adventure and that you are ready to experience the adventures waiting for you here at school!

This term I am starting the year with some of my first, second, and third grade classes.  I am looking forward to making lots of messes with you, and hopefully we'll learn lots along the way, too!

Webelos Scout Art Pin information

Over the years, I have had many boys come to me asking for help in earning their art pin for Webelos scouts.  As part of the requirement, the scout is asked to interview an artist/art teacher to find out information about various art careers.  I have decided to place the interview information here, so any Webelos scout can know that this entry will count for an interview with me!  Good job earning the pin, and good luck with Boy Scouts!

ART CAREERS

• Architect - a person who designs and draws plans, elevations, and cross-sections of buildings.  This is one of my personal favorites!  I love designing house plans!  I acted as the architect on my own house remodel.  A sub category of this one would be Landscape Architect - a person who designs the placement of objects, plants, and trees in a landscape.

• Art Appraiser - a person who decides on the $ value of a piece of art.  

• Art Conservator - a person who cares for and preserves artwork so it lasts a VERY long time.

• Art Critic - a person who does for artwork the same job a movie critic does for movies.

• Art Historian - a person who writes and keeps historical information on artwork and other historical facts that are an important part of the artworks story.

• Artist - a person who creates art.  Duh!

• Art Teacher - a person who teaches art.  Hey!  That's me!

• Cinematographer - a movie maker.

• Designer - a Fashion designer creates new clothing fashions.  A Graphic designer creates graphics for movies, games, commercials, magazines, billboards... etc.

• Film Animator - a person who creates cartoon animation.

• Gallery Operator - a person who owns and operates a gallery.  A gallery is a place to show and sell artwork.  Sometimes the gallery is owned by the artist (like the Kinkade galleries), and other times the gallery is owned by someone who takes artwork on commission (sells it for a % of the sale), or rents space to artists (sells it for a fee).

• Museum Curator - the person in charge of collecting and displaying artworks in a museum.

• Jeweler - a person who makes jewelry.

• Photographer - a person who takes photographs.  This person might work for a newspaper or magazine (like National Geographic), or as a private photographer (for weddings and such), or as a fine art photographer (like Ansel Adams).

• Potter/Ceramicist - a person who creates hand built pottery.  Sometimes considered a craftsman instead of an artist.

• Sculptor - a person who creates 3D artwork 

WOW!  That is a long list, but it is not complete!  Although there are many more art jobs out there, this list should be enough for you to get your pin.  Good luck!

Harvest Elementary

CALL FOR ENTRIES

Annual End of Year Art Show

Hey all you Harvest Artists!  It is time for the end of year arts celebration!  Look through your artworks, or get creative and make something new, and bring it to school to show off your talent!

When do I bring artwork in?  Right away!  Bring it to your classroom teacher.  He/She will help you to hang it or display it properly.

What should I bring?  Any flat (2 dimensional) artwork NOT in a frame.  Construction paper matting is fine, but not necessary.  Any sculpture that can sit easily on a classroom desk placed in the hall.

Can I use artwork from my art class portfolio?  Of course!

What is the deadline for bringing in artwork?  Friday, May 21^st.

Who can participate?   ALL HARVEST STUDENTS!

Will I get my artwork back?  Yes!

When is the Art Show?  The art show will be held on Friday, May 21^st, from 5:30 pm until 7:00 pm.  Then at 7, we can all head down to the auditorium to watch the choir and orchestra concerts!

So, what are you waiting for!  Bring your artwork in and show the world what it means to be a Harvest Artist!

Getting to know Mrs. Watson

This post is for all the new students, parents, and anyone else who just doesn't know me very well, yet!

My name is Katharina Watson, but friends call me Kate (students call me Mrs. Watson). I am married to the most wonderful man in the world and we have 3 children.

Our oldest son, Matt, is serving in the Marines and is stationed in San Diego. He is supposed to be heading to Afghanistan in February. However, he is currently applying for security clearance to work at an American Embassy somewhere around the world. What adventures!

Our daughter, Helena, is a sophomore in high school and is looking forward to getting her driver's license in a few months. She loves ballet and photography and plays the violin in the school orchestra. She joined Math Club and enjoys spending lots of time with her friends. She spent some time last summer in Europe performing ballet! Next Spring, she will be traveling with the school orchestra to perform.

Our youngest, Will, is in 8th grade this year. He plays lacrosse, is in Symphonic Band (playing the Euphonium), and wants to take up bow hunting. He spent last summer in Washington State learning to sail!

We have 4 pets. Two mini dachshunds, Bella and Demi, and two cats, Tigger and Pepper.

I love being a mom and a teacher! I love to read, draw, design floor plans, and paint. I enjoy tinkering at my house, painting walls and trim. Oh, and I am an artist. I am a realist (meaning that I focus on making my artwork look as realistic as possible), I prefer to do portraits, and my favorite medium is pastels.

My favorite colors are found in nature...

ocean blues,

deep forest greens,

red rock and

sunset hues!

My favorite foods are usually smothered in cheese unless it is a dessert, then I prefer chocolate!

I am older than my kids but younger than my parents and that is all you will get out of me about my age.

That covers the questions that students ask the most.

I love teaching art and truly enjoy spending my time with all the sweet, funny, cute, and wonderful children of Harvest Elementary! I wouldn't be anywhere else!

"...I'm only good at video games."

Today I had a student tell me this. The complete statement was, "I'm not good at art, I'm only good at video games." He was in second grade.

It makes you wonder if he uses this excuse with every subject? If he said it out loud, how many others are thinking it in their heads? How have we come to a place where a 7 year old feels he is only good at video games?!

Parents, please take the time to unplug your kids! Hand them art supplies and watch them come alive! Hand them a book and watch their knowledge base expand!

I am not advocating throwing out game systems. They make wonderful motivational reward systems.

When my son was younger, each minute of reading time earned a minute of game time. My son was so into one game that he read for hours and hours just so that he could play the game. Before long, he was so hooked on reading he no longer needed the reward system and now reads avidly and knows many amazing things.

I have recently been astonished at the lack of cutting skills displayed by my first grade students. Many of them tell me they are not allowed to use scissors at home. How sad! It didn't used to be that way. There was a time when childhood was full of cutting and pasting, drawing and painting. Don't be afraid of messes! Life is too short to fuss over small things like a stain in the rug or crayon on the wall (which will come off with toothpaste, by the way).

I hope I never again hear a student tell me "I'm only good at video games."

"I'm more than okay, I'm GREAT!"

I just have to give a big shout out to all the parents who raise optimistic kids! Yesterday, while working on our drawing skills and someone tearfully said "I'm no good at drawing", I was assuring them that mistakes were nothing to cry over and that they would be "okay". That is when I heard it.

Another student quietly exclaimed...

"I'm more than okay, I'm GREAT!"

I wish every student had been instilled with such self assurance!

Student edition of Salt Lake Tribune and Desert News... online!

Parents and students! Here is a link to access the eEdition of the Salt Lake Tribune and the Deseret News for students! This free service is provided by the papers for the students of Utah.

www.nowutah.com/education/student.php

Once on this login page, the user name for my students is harvestart and the password is 1234.

I am hoping for articles and news on art that can be used in the art classroom over the course of the year, but students and parents can access it for many other reasons, too! Enjoy the news!

Safety Day

Today is the school wide Safety Day. Students go to various stations around the school throughout the day and learn safety rules and procedures in the school. Because of this, there will be no specialty classes today. I look forward to seeing all of you on Monday; have a fantastic weekend!

Welcome back everyone!

Welcome to an exciting new school year! Welcome back returning students and we are all very excited to welcome our new students, as well!

This blog is dedicated to all of the students and parents of Harvest Elementary, and to our mutual love of art! I encourage you to check this blog frequently for updates about what your child is currently doing in art. I will post curriculum, assignments, and photos as often as possible, so check in frequently!

Summer city festivals

Looking for some adventures but short on funds? Why not try one of the nearby community summer festivals? Pleasant Grove Strawberry Days are over, so is the Orem City Fest. However, American Fork's Steel Days are coming up in July and there are lots of family friendly activities that don't cost an arm and a leg! Click on the link below to check it out!

http://www.afsteeldays.com/

Here is the link for Lehi City's Round-Up Celebration, also in July!

http://www.lehi-ut.gov/roundup/

And, of course, Provo's Freedom Festival!

http://www.freedomfestival.org/

Steel Days Art Show

American Fork is host its annual Steel Days Art Show July 16-18! They are sending out their Call For Entries this weekend! Anyone interested in entering the art show can click on the images above to read everything you need to know in order to enter!

My kids and I have entered this art show for many years and it is always fun! We have even occasionally won prizes! The Steel Days carnival is in the park right next to the library during the show, so there is lots of fun for the whole family!

Please feel free to post any questions you might have!

Walker's Coloring Page for June

Every month, the Walker's gas stations have a coloring page for children. If you click on this image it will load alone. You can then print it and color it in. If you take it to a Walker's during the month of June, you will receive a free prize! This one came from the Walker's in American Fork on Main Street. Have fun!

SUMMER!!!

Thanks again for all the wonderful times this year!

Keep watching the blog all summer, you might find fun things and important information if you do!

Summer art ideas

As the year draws to a close, I want to thank the students and parents at Harvest Elementary for another fantastic year! We worked hard, and we played hard, and that is the way it should be!

During the lazy days of summer, there may be a time when you are looking for something to do.

DO ART!!!!!

• Simply taking some art supplies out under the shade of a tree or porch is a fun and creative way to spend a summer afternoon.

• Sidewalk chalk is fun and temporary. The first rain or sprinkler on the sidewalk will wash the chalk away. Take turns laying down and tracing each other. Then turn the outlines into a story telling artwork. Look for the post entitled RECIPES for a recipe for sidewalk chalk!

• Gather all the old magazines in the house and let the kids cut and paste together a collage to their heart's content. Pick a theme, like 'in my dreams' to help get the creative juices flowing.
• If you are planning to travel; give your little artist a journey book! This book should have blank pages and can be filled with sketches of people, places, and events along the journey. A simple pencil, eraser, and dollar store colored pencil box complete the set!
• Make home made salt dough "play-doh" (again, see the post entitled RECIPES) and sculpt!
• Look for summer art classes offered by local city Arts Councils! These are usually inexpensive and only last one week.
  

The Art Show!

I want to send out a great big THANK YOU to everyone who participated in and attended the Evening with the Arts on May 1st! It was a very fun evening!

Above is a collection of photos from inside the library that evening. My daughter also took some photos of the hallways. When she downloads her camera to the computer, I'll 'borrow' some of her shots to post on this blog.

While I didn't take pictures of the musical half of the evening, I want to give a great big CONGRATULATIONS to Mrs. Cox, the orchestra, and the choir! What talent! Hey, choir members! That mini musical you did called THE BOX is great preparation for auditioning for musical theater in Junior High! If you thought it was fun, you should definitely consider theater in the junior high and high school! My husband, daughter, and son were also very impressed, so I'm not just saying it because I'm your art teacher!

There are many artworks left from the art show still in my classroom. If your artwork was displayed in the library for the show, we had to remove them to make room for the book fair that is coming Monday morning. Please stop by my classroom sometime this week to claim your artwork!

Evening with the Arts Information

This is a reminder that now is the time to submit artwork for next week’s Evening with the Arts celebration! Bring art to your teacher’s classroom sometime this week so that we can get it prepared for hanging or display. We really want to see as many people participate as possible, so dust off your creative side and celebrate the arts with us!

Remember, ideas for artwork for the show could include:
• Artwork completed in Mrs. Watson’s art class
• Artwork submitted for the PTA Reflections contest
• 3-D sculpture (non-edible) including Lego sculpting (not from a kit)
• Photography and Digital Photography
• Ceramics and hand built Jewelry (not from a kit)
• Splatter painting would be lots of fun in the back yard on a sunny day!
• And the list could go on and on!

Please do not submit coloring pages or items made from a kit. This should be creative and original work that the artist can be proud of owning and displaying!

The Evening with the Arts will be held on Friday, May 1st. Doors open for art gallery viewing at 5:30 p.m. I would recommend coming that early just to ensure a good parking spot!

By 7:00 p.m., everyone should have migrated down to the auditorium to enjoy the orchestra and choir concerts!

Our school is very fortunate to have such wonderful programs available to our students!!! When my daughter was younger, I wanted to put her into the 5th and 6th grade orchestra at home, but in American Fork the program is run by the Junior High and the time slots did not fit with our family schedule. Here, the program fits right into the school schedule, so it should not interfere with after school sports or dance. Also, in American Fork the cost is $65 each semester. That is not a lot of money, but here is it only $20 (or what is $25?) a semester! That is a STEAL OF A DEAL for adding some culture to your child's life!!!

I would highly encourage coming to check out these fantastic groups of students!