Kinder Mondrian Spider Webs with Primary colors

Seriously, how cute are these kinders! I love the simplicity of Piet Mondrian projects because it is something that everyone can be successful with and I am able to evaluate the students on so many art elements!

Artists of the Month

Congratulations to these 5th grade artists of the month! They both have shown qualities of hard work, creativity and kindness! 

Pre-K Mondrian lesson

This project is a wonderful beginning of the year lesson on straight lines, primary colors, glueing skills and the artist Piet Mondrian.

5th grade Hundertwasser Landscape

In progress Hundertwasser landscapes

What's going on in the art room?

Here are the lesson objectives for each class. This helps the students understand the goals for the projects. They are posted for our visual learners and students repeat them with me to help our auditory learners remember. 


The night before...

Tomorrow is the big day! I get to see all those familiar faces again and some new ones too! I love the beginning of the school year. It's a fresh start and we have so much fun to look forward to this year. The first day of school I like to jump into a project. Is the art teacher crazy? Maybe. :) What your children will be working on is a one day self-portrait. This will be a whole school project that has many useful elements. I will use this project to talk about Color Theory, art room choices while practicing classroom procedures, using the work to access the students as well as creating an awesome display. All that from a self-portrait! That's why art is so cool. Let's get ready for a wonderful tomorrow!

Bee a Volunteer!!

Hello South Families! Open house is tonight from 6:30 to 7:30. Please stop by my room to say hello! I am also looking for volunteers for at least one friday during the whole school year. How easy is that!! The art room is always in need of volunteers to hang up and take down art work. Just leave your name and phone number or email on the Friday that works for you. I will even call or email you to remind you when it gets close to your time. See you tonight!

Welcome to the Art Room!!!

About Mrs. Nienhouse:  I graduated from Grand Valley State University in 2007. My husband and I have two beautiful daughters (twins- Scarlett and Violette) that will be two years old this November! I love to read and draw. My favorite place in the world is Scotland and the craziest thing I have ever done was going skydiving! I can’t wait to start creating some fun artwork this year with all of you!

Classroom Expectations:
In art we have three main expectations for all students:
  • Be safe.
  • Be responsible.
  • Be respectful.

THE ART CURRICULUM:

We will be starting the year off with a review of the art elements of line, shape, color, form, texture, value, and space. Throughout the year, many projects will be focused on giving children experiences with each of the above art elements. Upper grade levels also focus on art principles such as pattern, movement, balance, emphasis, unity, and movement. 

After this, each grade level will work on our annual rotating cultural month. This year’s focus is United States and Canada. Each grade focuses on a different aspect of the culture’s art so that all students can be exposed to a variety of styles and concepts from that culture. 

Art history is also a large component of our curriculum. Each grade level focuses on learning about the lives and work of historical as well as some contemporary artists. This year, each grade will be learning about the following artists: 

Kindergarten: Piet Mondrian, Eric Carle, Joan Miro, Paul Klee, Jim Dine
1st Grade: Gustav Klimt, Claude Monet, Pablo Picasso, James Rizzi
2nd Grade: Henri Matisse, Faith Ringgold, Joan Miro, Henri Rousseau, Vincent Van Gogh, 
3rd Grade: Frida Kahlo, Leonardo DaVinci, Jackson Pollock, Jim Dine, Andy Warhol, George Rodrigue
4th Grade: Wayne Thiebaud, Heather Galler, Wassilly Kandinsky, Edgar Degas, Alexander Calder, Mary Cassatt
5th Grade: Chihuly, Salvador Dali, Georga O’Keeffe, Friedrich Hundertwasser

Finally we try to have each grade level have experience a variety of materials and genres. Some genre choices include: portraits, landscapes, cityscapes, architecture, cartoons, realism, abstraction, and figure drawing. 

Please check out our website for updates on what’s happening in the art room!

Thank you!
Mrs. Nienhouse