My 3rd and 4th grade classes did some 'en plein air' painting this week. 'En plein air' is a french saying meaning 'in the open air' which, of course means we went outside to paint! In 3rd grade we studied the artist Thomas Moran. He was a landscape artist and explorer who painted the western United States before many people had seen it. Moran was a big part of making Yellowstone our first National Park! 4th graders studied the artist T.C. Steele. T.C. Steele was an Indiana artist who painted 'en plein air.' Instead of going to New York City or Paris, Steele enjoyed painting right here in Indiana! After looking at pictures from these artists, we headed outside to create our own 'en plein air' painting. We've had a beautiful week to be outside painting.
1st and 2nd graders had their first "Artist" day. An "Artist" day is where the students are the master artists. Instead of studying a master artist like Henri Matisse, Paul Klee, Michelangelo, or Pablo Picasso, the students must come up with their own ideas and how they will create their masterpiece. Many students paint and draw different things. They draw from a books, animal figurines, real life, or just something that they think of in their imagination! The students love these days because they have more decision-making power.
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