7th grade Dia de Los Muertos Skulls

In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, the seventh grade art classes have been studying El Dia de Los Muertos, or as it's known in English, The Day of the Dead.  Students did readings and had discussions about how El Dia de Los Muertos is not Halloween, and compared the differences in how artists have used the symbols of skulls and skeletons for the holiday.  They then applied their knowledge into making a plaster skull.  The classes spent time exploring the shapes of their own skulls and then recreating those.  Each student had to work hard to think of different decorations and themes for their calaca (skull).  The end results are quite stunning.

If any families are interested, Milwaukee has an incredible Dia de Los Muertos parade this Friday (how convenient that the kids are off!).  This could be a great, FREE cultural opportunity.  Please visit the following website for times and locations:

http://diadelosmuertosmilwaukee.yolasite.com/

Adaptive Art Blowfish

 

 The Adaptive Art class has been working very hard for the past three weeks.  They've been studying oceans and ocean creatures in their classroom, so we extended the learning to a hands-on project.  Using plaster, balloons, newspaper, and paints the students  each created their own blow fish (or puffer fish as they're sometimes known by).  I think the students became really attached to their creations.  One young man addressed his daily as "son".