Celebrate Spring with Monet!

What better way to celebrate Spring than to visit the Monet Water Lilies exhibit at the Nelson- Atkins Art Museum.  We are very fortunate to live so close to a world acclaimed museum.  Not only does the museum have the largest Asian collection in the Western hemisphere, the Nelson is also home to some very famous paintings.  One of which is by Impressionist painter, Claude Monet.  Claude painted a triptych (set of 3) paintings of his famous waterlily garden.  These paintings were split apart years ago, one of which belongs to the Nelson Atkins.  This spring, a highly anticipated reunion of these three paintings will be on exhibit at the museum.  These paintings have not been viewed together for over 30 years. 
Fifth graders just recently learned about the life and art of Monet.  They even created an Impressionistic style picture.  Taking your child to see the exhibit would be a very exciting connection between the classroom and a family, creating a great memory for all.  The Nelson Atkins Art museum is free to the public, however this special engagement does require purchasing tickets.  Prices are as follows:  Members: FREE, Adults: $8, Seniors over 55: $7, Students 13-19 with ID: $5, Children 12 and under: FREE

5th Grade Art Classes- As mentioned above students have recently finished an Impressionism unit as well as a Post-Impressionism unit.  In the latest unit, students learned about Vincent Vangogh and got to paint with palette knives.  Currently students are creating Cubist style portraits, inspired by Pablo Picasso. Very soon we will be moving on to Surrealism and Regionalism.

6th Grade Rotation Art Classes- I am very excited about what is happening in these classes.  Students are working with Chinese brush painting.  They are experiencing this with authentic Chinese brushes, ink stones, sumi ink sticks and rice paper.  These supplies are made possible through the generosity of parents who made purchases from the Square One fundraiser. 

6th Grade Year Long Classes- Since the last newsletter, students have made plaster Mardi Gras masks and Junakroo headdresses inspired by the Bahamas.  Next up, we will be making two large Chinese Parade Dragons.  These will be made as authentic as possible, so that the students can actually parade in them.  The dragons will be used in the up coming Mulan Jr. Musical and the Chinese Showcase.

6th Grade Chinese Showcase- All sixth grade Elective and Core classes will be participating in a Chinese unit.  Students will get to participate in a variety of activities related to China.  Special activities include; visiting with Chinese artists and guests, a field trip to the Nelson Atkins museum to view the Asian collections, the Mulan Musical and a Student Chinese Showcase. The showcase will be set up for students to highlight their work and share what they have learned in all subjects.  They will be presenting the Chinese showcase to the 5th graders in May.