Welcome to the Special Areas page

News from the Art Room:

Ms Chancey's News, grades 1 through 4, September 11, 2007

The Art Room at Rawson-Saunders if filled with activity when the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grade students are in it! Attending Special Areas on a rotating daily schedule this year allows the students to have variety within their weeks, as well as a sense of continuity.

The 1st and 2nd grade students of Mrs. Barnwell’s and Ms Fulcher’s classes started their school year with a lesson in Art History. They learned that the oldest known work of visual art in the world is the Lascaux Cave Paintings in France. The students worked with a natural color scheme to paint like the cave painters, borrowing common subjects of bison, cattle, deer, and horses. Many students added wonderful personal touches to their paintings, making each one unique and interesting! Next, the students enjoyed a short lesson about shape and pattern by creating and exploring Mandalas. Then, the students discovered and practiced the anatomical proportions of their own faces by studying their reflections in mirrors, and applying the formula for placement of the facial features. The results are exquisite self portraits, each one reflecting the individual styles and personalities of the students!

Mr. Rim's News, grade 5 and middle school, September 10, 2007

Since Mr. Rim's background is in Toy Design and Advertising Design, the first project concentrated on freeing up the imagination and thinking outside the box with sketches illustrating their dream toys. Students then went into tuning up their drawing skills by demonstrating how 3-dimensional objects are designed using 2-dimensional drawings. Some classes are now working on sculpting small figures from their 2-dimensional designs, where the older classes are now beginning to look into graphic design principles, starting with basic shapes that create more complex shapes and the use of grids. After looking at real-life applications of these principles, students are now looking into creating graphic designs that we can have fun with... like how they relate to video games!

Students will delve more into creating structures and 3-dimensional art projects as the they progress in their understanding of "relevant art" (artwork that can be used in real-life situations and can communicate on a world-wide basis).

News from the Woodshop:

August 31, 2007

Students in Woodshop have been learning safety rules and proper tool usage. In the next few weeks, students will be practicing woodworking skills by building new workbenches in the shop and organizing the the workstations.

News from the Music Room:

November 19, 2007

All Rawson-Saunders families are invited to attend our December 5th Choral Concert. The children from grades 4, 5 and 6 will be singing four pieces of music, and there will also be movement, Orff instruments, and special appearances by our own Mrs. Funk and Mr. Stokes!!

Our concert event will be at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 5th. More information to follow from Mrs. Berman after we return from Thanksgiving break.

September 6, 2007

Chorus begins Monday,September 10th during short rehearsals 6th or 7th period for grades 4, 5 and 6. Look for a parent notice in this week's Thursday folder. We have received some exciting new instruments for our Orff instrumentarium. Some of these instruments will be featured during our first school assembly on September 28th at 2:10. Plan to come to school early for pick up that day and see your children sing and play!

August 30, 2007

Music classes in grades 1-8 are returning to some new instruments and new friends. Students are exploring drums, wood and metal percussion and singing many new songs. Each grade will showcase a piece during our September assembly. Look for upcoming information about chorus for grades 4-6.