High Five!

Mrs. Bailey's second graders are working on a very special pottery project for our PDS Eagle's Flight Auction!  And we want to give our parent volunteers a great big high five for all their help! Stay tuned for pictures of the finished project.

A Child's Dream Art Contest

Congratulations to PDS sixth grader, Farrar Kathryn for placing in the A Child's Dream art contest sponsored by Cleveland's Junior Auxiliary! Her beautiful artwork is one of several drawings featured in the ballet's program. Not only is Farrar an accomplished artist, but this talented young lady joined a number of other PDS students/dancers in this year's wonderful performance of The Nutcracker. Congratulations Farrar Kathryn, PDS dancers, JA and Carla Parker on a job well done!

Fifth Grade Fish Prints

 

 

 

While the First graders made wax paper pumpkin prints, the Fifth graders explored the same techniques with a koi fish theme.

 

We're Gonna Use Wax Paper for WHAT?

"We're gonna use wax paper for WHAT?" That's been the most oft repeated question from our young artists lately....and to be honest.....with good reason! No, we haven't been cooking during art class. We've been PRINTING...with WAX PAPER! I wish I could say the idea was originally mine, but I saw it somewhere on the internet; and unfortunately, since I didn't bookmark the site I can't give credit where credit is due. Wish I could though! Below you will find a few pictures and an explanation of the process. One of the great things about this project is that it worked as well with first graders as it did with sixth graders!

The process is pretty simple. After the children drew a simple design on manila paper, we topped the art paper with a piece of waxed paper and then construction paper stapling the three together like a book. Next, students used the wax paper like tracing paper and painted a small portion of their pictures. While the paint was still wet, we placed the construction paper on top of it to make a print. Then, we repeated the process until the picture was complete.

Fast and Furious Fingers

Mavis Beacon and I just wanted to give a shout out to these kiddos whose fingers were REALLY flying during typing practice today! Our goal is for every PDS student to be typing at least 25 WPM by the time they graduate 6th grade. These speedy boys and girls are well on their way!


Katie  -  24WPM

Walker - 23 WPM

Rachel - 41WPM......yes, that's right.....41! I think I'm going to have to up her goal!

Charlie - 22 WPM

Samantha - 41 WPM.....yep, another 41! Wonder how fast she'll be typing in May?

Oh, My Word! (Microsoft Word that is!)

The PDS Computer classes are in full swing, and our boys and girls have been busy bees! K4 and K5 students are learning how to manipulate the mouse, while the 1st and 2nd graders are honing their reading skills on Starfall.com. Our third through sixth graders have been focusing on learning how to create various documents in Microsoft Word. And of course, the big kids are also practicing their typing skills!

Wedging Workout

Some of our fifth grade boys got a pretty good workout this week..... during ART class! As they finished their pointillism projects, these strong fellows put their muscles to work wedging clay for some upcoming pottery projects.

Mud Mugs?

What kid doesn't love to play in the mud, right? Well, our 6th graders were no exception when it came to getting dirty in Art the last couple of weeks as they worked on a variety of pottery projects. Some made mugs, while others made clay sculptures or tableware. We can hardly wait for them to be ready to fire!

We're All Ears in Computer Lab...

Computer classes are off to a great start this year. The little ones have been busy learning about the parts of the computer, and how to use computers safely and properly; while grades 2 through 6 have been completing the beginning of the year STAR reading and math tests. AND as of Thursday all the students are enjoying new headphones!

Eagles' Flight Pottery Workshop

The first annual Eagles' Flight online auction, held this past spring, was a huge success! THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU to all who participated whether by donating items for auction, bidding, or working behind the scenes! We truly appreciate your help!

These PDS cuties and I had a blast at the Eagles' Flight Pottery Workshop this summer! AND don't you just love their pottery?  We have a few more pieces to fire, but I couldn't resist giving you a sneak preview of their work.

 

Art....Ala "Cart"

As you've probably heard....BIG changes are in store this year for the PDS Art program! Our growing enrollment has outgrown the main building so a BRAND NEW ART ROOM and SOAR lab are in the works! YAY! Groundbreaking should take place soon, with a target completion date the end of December. Until then, it will be Art Ala "Cart" for me and my students!

And The Winners Are......

Each Spring the MAIS  Art Competitions are held. Student artists in K4 through 6th grade compete in five media categories. First and second places are awarded at the district level, with the first place winners advancing to the Overall Competition.

I'm so pleased to announce that PDS walked away with EIGHT Overall ribbons.....and the WINNERS ARE.....

Front: Gracie, K5 First Place; Ann Howarth, K4 First Place; Logan, First Grade 1st Place;
Caroline, First Grade 2nd Place
Back: Elizabeth,Third Grade 2nd Place; Rebecca, Fourth Grade 2nd Place;
Skylar, Third Grade 1st Place;  Tristan, Third Grade 2nd Place

CONGRATULATIONS!

Buzzzzzzzzz!

We have been as busy as little bees in the art room! Pottery....painting.....paper sculptures.....

My, how time flies when you are having fun!

Sneak Preview

This year's Fifth Graders are super pumped about the upcoming Crosstie Festival! Why? Because for the past few weeks they have been designing and painting a new banner to be displayed! Talk about excited!!!!! Anyway......Here's a sneak preview!

First, the children made sketches depicting what they think of when they think about the festival.

 

Then, they used the sketches to make beautiful construction paper collages. We enlarged pictures of some of their artwork and traced them onto canvas to paint.

 

SNEAK PREVIEW....

CHECK OUT THE FINISHED BANNER AT CROSSTIE!!!

 

 

District Art Competition

This week our school will host the District I West Art Competition. Below are a few of our entrants. Didn't they do a great job?

 

4K

Ann Howarth, Lena, Allie, Shelby, and Caleb

 

5th Grade

Nathan, Ariel, Kelly Ann, Justin and Farrar Kathryn

 

Polar Bear, Polar Bear...

Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What do you see?

I see cool PDS kindergarteners looking at me!

 Today may have been Spring picture day, but last week's snow was definitely on these students' minds.

 

Precious Pre-School Printers

These smiling preschoolers are just a few of the reasons

 I LOVE my job!!!!!!

 

We had so much fun printing with found objects!

Valentines for Veterans

What an honor it was for our students to make Valentines for

some of the brave men and women

who have served in our armed forces!

 

 

Thank you,

Mrs. Aguzzi and the DAR for giving us this opportunity!

Thanks, too, to Mrs. Farmer for all her help!!!!!

"Action Jackson"

This week the 4K classes read a book about artist Jackson Pollock.... whom the children liked to call "Action Jackson!" They were fascinated by Pollock's unconventional painting techniques, and so we decided to employ a few unconventional painting tools of our own....MARBLES and CARDBOARD BOXES! Needless to say, the art room was a  flurry of activity as the children wiggled, jiggled, shook, bounced and giggled their way to making their own "action paintings!"

Our God is Awesome!

"Our God is so good, so strong and so mighty! There's nothing our God cannot do!"

How often we have sung these words in chapel, but they have never been more real to me than during these past couple of months as I've battled cancer! Thank you PDS parents, students, staff and friends for praying for me, my doctors and my family. Your prayers, love and support mean more than I can say! I'm doing great now and SOOOOO glad to be back in my classroom! As I close, I'd like to share one of the verses that has really helped sustain me during this trial, and maybe it will help some of you when you meet adversity as well.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.

Proverbs 3: 5-6

 

And remember...."Our God is so good, so strong and so mighty! There's nothing our God cannot do!"