Sand Dollars from Greece

Alexander the Great, King of Greece

During fourth quarter, sixth graders studied Greek art and learned that Greek mythology includes gods of the ocean such as Oceanus and Poseidon.  They also learned that oceanography is the branch of Earth science that studies the ocean and it comes from the Greek words meaning "ocean" and "to write."
After viewing a picture of Alexander the Great, the King of Greece, in an early type of submarine, we discussed the different types of invertebrates that he may have seen such as anemones, starfish and sand dollars. Then students created a composition of seven sand dollars using soft pastels, glue and glitter.  One student even included a scuba diver!

Greek Revival Style Architecture

During fourth quarter, eighth grade students learned about the three types of columns invented by the Greeks...


Doric

 

Ionic

Corinthian



They also learned that the Greeks invented porticos;  a portico is a porch leading to the entrance of a building, supported by columns.  The influence of Greek architecture is apparent in many homes in Savannah, Georgia.   After viewing some examples of Greek-revival architecture, students used architecture templates, rulers, texture plates and colored pencils to design their own Savannah homes with porticos.

Medusa, Cursed by Greek Goddess Athena

During fourth quarter, seventh grade students learned about Medusa, a woman from Greek mythology who was once very beautiful. She lived in a country where to her sorrow the sun never shone.   Medusa begged goddess Athena to be allowed to move to a sunny region. When Athena refused, Medusa humiliated the goddess by telling everyone that Athena would not let her go because she was jealous of her beauty.  The enraged Athena took revenge by changing Medusa's beautiful hair into a nest of snakes and making her so ugly that whoever looked at her eyes would turn into stone.  Here are the seventh grade paintings of Medusa…

Romanticism

Watson and the Shark by Copley, 1778

The period in art history known as Romanticism occurred during the Industrial Revolution.  Artists created dramatic pictures that often contained themes such as hope vs. fear, nature vs. machine, beauty vs. ugliness and pride vs. shame.  After viewing examples, sixth grade students chose which theme they wanted to illustrate.  After drawing it, they carved their drawing onto a foam printing plate and "pulled a print."  See if you can guess which theme was chosen for each print!




Independent Art Projects - 4th Quarter

After students finish their assigned art projects, they have the option to choose what they want to do for their independent art projects.  Here are a few from fourth quarter.

By Britney, 6th grade, drawn from imagination

By Tally, 6th grade, drawn from memory

By Tally, 6th grade, drawn from imagination and reference photos

"Heaven" by Zack, 7th grade

"A Bug's Life" by Amberleigh, 7th grade

"In my art creation I was trying to portray how [when] industrialization and nature compete the two create a "negative effect" and "tear" apart the foundation.  The tearing needs to be bonded back together to maintain equality." ~ Noah, 6th grade