Forest Heights Elementary is buzzing with artistic inspiration, thanks to the brilliant work of Sarah Jenkins's 1st through 4th grade students! While this is Mrs. Jenkins' first year teaching at Forest Heights, she's certainly no stranger to the Harrison School District, and the walls outside her classroom have quickly become an impressive gallery.
If you are attending Parent - Teacher Conferences tonight, please don't miss the beautiful displays in the art hallway!
Mrs. Jenkins recently guided her students through a fascinating unit on the legendary artist, Vincent Van Gogh, exploring his use of texture, color, and distinct techniques. After learning the fundamentals, students put their new knowledge into practice, and the results are truly spectacular—especially because every single piece is unique! As Mrs. Jenkins tells her students, "You are the artist! You make the decisions!"
Outside her room, the students' projects are on full display:
A Starry Night Inspired Tree: Inspired by the motion and energy of Van Gogh's A Starry Night, the students created a stunning, large-scale tree display. First graders used a mosaic technique with cut pieces of paper for their leaves, which are displayed as if they are blowing off the branches.
Textured Pumpkins: At the base of the tree, 2nd graders created a charming pumpkin patch, using new processes to craft wonderfully textured and colorful pumpkins.
Unique Sunflowers: 3rd graders created individual art pieces inspired by Van Gogh's famous sunflowers. As Mrs. Jenkins observed, "They all kind of did their own take on it, so they are all very different and special." Students got to choose their own mediums—some opted for colored paper, others for paint, and some mixed it all up!
Collaborative Collage: 2nd graders also created a beautiful collaborative collage of flowers, with each student using oil pastels to design a unique flower for a shared vase.
Mosaic Fall Leaves: Hanging from the ceiling are the 4th grade's gorgeous mosaic leaves, created through an intricate process! Students bent wire into the shape of a leaf, filled it with Mod Podge, and then applied handmade "tiles" cut from a dried mixture of Mod Podge and acrylic paint to create their stunning mosaic effect.
Mrs. Jenkins summed up the unit perfectly: "I want to teach them techniques and allow them opportunity to practice....but I always tell them that THEY are the artist!"
