1. WELCOME! THANKS FOR VOLUNTEERING IN THE CLASSROOM. THIS YEAR’S CO-CHAIRS: KATHLEEN DILL & GRACE DIAZ Art Awareness 2015/2016

2. Goals of the Art Awareness Program: Increase students' aesthetic perception of the world. Encourage young people to express themselves more creatively in their art. Teach students as they mature to appreciate and understand the history of art through introductions to impactful artists and artwork. Make students more self-sufficient in their understanding and evaluation of the art they do and the art they see. Present Art in an interesting and FUN way to build appreciation and create lasting memories!

3. About the Art Awareness Program: Art Awareness is a PTO program that puts parent volunteers into the classroom to talk about the cultural importance of art. Art Awareness introduces our children to artists and their impactful artwork throughout history. This year we are focusing on well known artists and their works of art. Students are encouraged to look at the visual world closely the way an artist does and understand their art technique in their respective era. This program will help students become creatively critical of the art they see and the art they create.

4. How do I access the online lessons? To access the presentations – Start at the District 105 website http://d105.net/, then Click on “Schools” and click “Spring Elementary”, next choose “Parents/Guardians” on the Left, “PTO”, “Art Awareness” Folder. Grade presentations include 5 lessons. Online lessons use images and material from websites such as wikipedia.com and free child art curriculum websites like kinderart.com. Much of this material is copyright and should only be used in teaching.http://d105.net/ Note: If you have suggestions for changes or additions to a lesson, print out the lesson and write up the changes, then drop it off at one of the Co-Chairs’ houses. If you would like to submit a new lesson to be added to the site, that is very welcome, too!

5. Can I create my own lesson? Art volunteers can create their own lessons if they wish for the topic assigned for the month. Please send us a preview of the presentation. Feel free to ask for help from the co-chairs

6. Incorporate more Art Critique Elements of Art Critique Describe what you see. This is the objective portion of the art critique. It involves a technical description-nothing more. It should include things like: Artist's name, Title of work, Type of artwork, Subject of the painting (scene), Objects in the painting, First impression, Note the characteristics of the artwork that first jump out at you, Colors used, Shapes, lines and texture, Light saturation, Sensory qualities, Identify the predominant mood and visual effect Analyze the artwork. Evolve the art criticism from a technical description to an in-depth examination of how the technical elements were utilized by the artist to create the overall impression conveyed by the artwork. Technical elements you need to analyze when you critique artwork include: Color, Shapes, forms and lines, Texture, Light and shadow, How each technical element contributes to the mood, meaning and aesthetic sensation of the artwork. Interpret the artwork. This part of an art critique is more subjective than the others, as you are expected to use your analysis of the technical aspects of the piece of art to apply your own supposition to the artist's intended purpose for the artwork. Try to accomplish the following things when formulating your interpretation: Communicate the artist's statement. Describe what you think the artist is trying to say through the work of art. Expound on the feeling conveyed by the artwork. Describe what the artwork means to you, and why. Explain what you feel is the artist's intended purpose for creating that particular work of art. Examine why the artist made the choices in technique, materials and subject matter and how they relate to the intended purpose. Identify symbols in the artwork and describe how they relate to the artist's technical choices and contribute to the artist's execution of the intended purpose. Evaluate the artwork. This is a summation of the art criticism process leading up to this point. Use your analysis and interpretation to draw conclusions and reach judgments about the artwork. State what you think the artwork's value is. For example, its value may be to evoke nostalgia, to incite anger or to impart beauty. Explain why you feel this way. Describe the artwork's relevance to the art community and to people as a whole. Explain where you feel the artwork has strong value and where you think it falls short.

7. What is the time commitment? We ask that volunteers aim for classroom time, choosing 2-3 months, within the following time- frame: October, November, December (PTO Auction Art Piece), January and Febuary (Follow-up to PTO Auction Art Piece) March, April and May. Volunteers reach out to classroom teacher at the beginning of their assigned month and set up a 30- 40 minute block of time. This time should include an artwork discussion and a project that corresponds.

8. Art Supplies: The supply closet is found at the back of the gym off to the right. We are open to suggestions of mediums and supplies to carry in stock if you find you need them for your project consistently.

9. List of Supplies Bedazzlers Brushes- asst sizes Cellophane blue Chalk- small and sidewalk Charcoal drawing sticks Confetti Clay- small amount asst colors Crayons Cups Fabric scraps asst colors Feathers Foam squares Ink Pads Markers- large packs of medium tip Modeling movable dolls Paints- Tempera & powder Paper- Construction & drawing Pastels- oil and chalk (colored and grayscale) Pipe cleaners asst colors Popsicle sticks (large amount) Q-tips River stones Rollers Rulers Sand Paper Stamps Stencils Tacky glue Toothpicks Tulle asst colors Watercolor sets

10. Reimbursement for needed supplies: If you are purchasing extra supplies and would like to be reimbursed, just let the chairs know so we can approve your request. Please fill out a Check Requisition Form (found on the PTO web site) and submit it to the treasurer, Teresa Wisniewski. Please make a copy of the form for the chairs as well. Tax Exempt Letter: There is a Tax Exempt Letter to use when purchasing supplies (found on the PTO website).

11. We have great art prints! Art prints are alphabetized by artist name and found in the PTO closet at the back of the gym. Prints showcased in the lessons are marked “Print In File” within the online document. Feel free to show your class any artwork that you think would be helpful for you to teach the lesson.

12. Websites for Project Ideas: Pinterest Redtedart.com Teachartappreciation.com Artasticartists.blogspot.com Dickblick.com Kinderart.com Artprojectsforkids.org Oodlesofart.blogspot.com Herdabbles.blogspot.com Artsonia.com Art Institute of Chicago, MOMA, Metropolitan Museum of Art

13. How do I sign up for a month? This year we are using volunteerspot.com, which many of our Spring programs are using. Scroll through the calendar and select 2 months that work for you to teach. The first school day of the month has been highlighted; however, you and the homeroom teacher will choose a day that works with your schedule in that month. If you would like to have a helper, please reach out to another parent and arrange for them to join you. Contact the classroom teacher to arrange a date and time for your lesson. They always appreciate advance notice of at least a couple of weeks. In an effort to avoid duplication, we have assigned topics for each month from the online curriculum. If you would rather teach something else, feel free to trade topics with another volunteer or come up with your own lesson. If for some reason you are unable to keep this commitment, please arrange for someone else to take your month.

14. Art Auction Projects (December and January) Each grade level (or each classroom, depending on project) will create a project for the PTO auction. All items used for the project need to be donated. The PTO gives $70 per classroom to go towards the Art Auction project. The classroom volunteer for Dec and Jan will help complete the projects during their time in the classroom. Have you seen projects you prefer? Should be able to duplicate such as calendars, books, posters, etc- to make additional money.

15. 4 th Grade Field Trip Each Year There is a 4 th grade Field Trip to the Art Institute in the spring that Art Awareness helps organize. We will contact all 4 th grade volunteers with more information soon.

16. Hopes for this year: Incorporating new power points that focus on an artist and their work in order to align with the art teacher and their curriculum Obtain feedback on the new curriculum from Art teacher and volunteers Evaluate and make changes to curriculum based on feedback Expand our network of volunteers