Thank You (from WCMS Art)!

7^th and 8^th Grade students at Webster City Middle School have a reason to celebrate this year, thanks to the Webster City School Foundation!

The art department received a grant from the  foundation that allowed the funding for a small digital photography program to begin.

Lisa Jorgensen, the middle school art teacher, wrote the grant last September in hopes of receiving funding for multi-function digital cameras with extra batteries and some tripods.

“I had never written a grant before,” Jorgensen said. “But when the chance to give your students a new experience opens up, you’ve got to take it.”

For the first two years that Jorgensen taught at Webster City Middle School, 7^th and 8^th Grade students participated in graphic design units on the computer. Using images, 7^th Grader students created clever advertisements and 8^th Grader students immersed themselves in Photo Shop, but the issues surrounding copyright weighed heavily in the program.

“Using Google, students can access a wide variety of material,” Jorgensen said. “And they struggle not only finding and crediting the original source but filtering out what is and isn’t already Photo Shopped.”

Having their own digital cameras to work with has allowed students to have full creative rights to their projects. Not only can students spend time discussing the importance of original work but also how copyright can play a role in the work that is created today and in the future.

7^th Grade students start off with a group critique of advertisements we see every day, ranging from magazine ads to Super Bowl commercials. From there, they find something they can snap a picture of and try to sell it in a creative way. Students’ creativity can run away with them as Jorgensen has seen anything from students selling tutoring lessons to security alarm companies and even a few zombies!

7th Grade student Katie G made an advertisement about the Middle School specialist’s book stamps:

“With computers, it seems the possibilities are endless,” computer applications teacher Gary Scholtens said. “I love seeing how technology is being integrated into our art program.”

8^th grade students are given the ‘know-how’ on basic photography skills—like the Rule of Thirds—and then discuss some project options. Jorgensen tries to open the field up, exposing them to common themes in photography like portraiture and alphabet photography, but students have the option to develop and propose their own ideas.  From there, students use Photo Shop to manipulate and add unique details to their project.

8th Grade student Kailey E poses for her “senior pictures” below:

8th Grade student James V used Mr. Stone’s face and combined it with a student’s body, which is called a “mash up.”

Everything is done in a Project-Based Learning environment. Jorgensen facilitates the resources and help students need but she leaves the creative control and project pace up to her students. Students use Edmodo to communicate in class and participate in daily question with instant feedback. Students also submit their projects digitally, creating a paperless environment.

Technology doesn’t come without Plan B’s, however.   When labs are full, cameras are charging or computers are down, Jorgensen has classroom critiques and discussions surrounding copyright.  Many competitions and scholarships disqualify students who fail to use their own work or gain permission to use others’ and Jorgensen wants to be proactive now.

“It was really neat being able to come up with my own project,” 8^th Grade student Tatiana T said.  Tatiana created images in which people look like they are levitating, like in the photo below.  She had to take multiple pictures of areas to get the full effect she wanted.

“I’m glad we get to learn more about photography,” 8^th Grade student Brandon P said. “I’ve seen what my other classmates have done and am excited to create my own project.”

With the help of Webster City School Foundation, the Middle School art department now has the use of fifteen digital cameras, multiple tripods and extra batteries for the cameras. Jorgensen received the cameras in October, which has allowed for every trimester to experience the technology. All students will go through art so all students get a chance to use the cameras.

“I am so thankful that opportunities for extra funding exist,” Jorgensen said. “Our students deserve the best that we can give them.  I can’t thank Webster City School Foundation enough for what the students are able to do with the technology and how it impacts their learning.”

Discussions and learning surrounding copyright, photography, Photo Shop, and advertising will be consuming the art students’ schedule the last two weeks of this year.

It has been a successful program, as seen during the Art Showcase, and it will be great to see the continued creativity students have!

Making Movie Magic!

Webster City Middle School has some movie producers on their hands!

Recently, the 7^th grade English Language Arts classes were engaged in a project to use their 21^st century skills—creating digital book trailers.

A book trailer is a short visual presentation used to entice someone to read a particular book.

Students had been reading books throughout the year and then chose one they liked especially well. After watching many book trailers, they began the process to create their own.

The first step was to create a story board, which is a step-by-step planning process to sketch pictures and text that will appear in the book trailer. The students used Microsoft Photostory3 to create a “movie” of their book trailer. The program uses still photos, text, recorded voice and music. The students can add transitions and movement to each photo or slide to create the movie. The finished product is saved on the school’s server so that all students and staff can watch them.

Students used writing skills, presentation skills, research skills, and technical skills to create their book trailers. They were very engaged and motivated to work hard and create an effective presentation of their books. Throughout the project, students had a rubric to guide their work, and at the end of the project they rated themselves against the rubric. In this way, they could self-monitor their learning.

Below is one of the book trailers made by a student, sent by Library Media Specialist Sandy Ausenhus:

Teachers Mary Crystal, Craig Signorin, and Jessie Bailey, report that the book trailers turned out very well.

There are some budding movie producers in this group of students!

Ask your student or the 7^th grade English Language Arts staff how to view the trailers from the server.

Art Showcase!

Spring came quickly for our schools and with that comes the Middle School 3^rd Trimester Parent/Teacher Conferences.  This year, it was decided to spend that evening not only meeting with parents but also celebrating the learning going on in all our classrooms.

One celebration in particular was new this year –art instructor Lisa Marie Jorgensen organized and put on the First Annual WCMS Student Art Showcase for students, staff and parents. Just over 60 pieces of artwork were on display April 23^rd, 2013, from 4:00pm-6:30pm.

WCMS Art Showcase

“I’ve always wanted to put on an art show for the kids but the planning always scared me,” Jorgensen said.

But this year, she faced her fear in the face and began planning.

Jorgensen started collecting work just after first trimester finished—asking some students to bring their work back and others to leave it for the remainder of the year.

“For some students, it’s a huge deal to leave their work all year, especially when they are proud of what they are creating.” Jorgensen said.

Each grade level was represented with at least 15 pieces of work from throughout the year.  Eighth grade showed strong with over 20 pieces represented in the showcase.

8th Grade Pottery projects on display

8th Grade digital photography projects on display

7th Grade Op Art and Printmaking displays

7th Grade Op Art and Sculpture display

6th Grade Multi-Material and Watercolor Flowers on display

8th Grade Triptychs and Fractured Faces on display

6th Grade Perspective projects on display

5th Grade Weaving and Drawing display

“It was great! The variety, creativity and originality were unbeatable,” Gary Scholtens, Technology Instructor, said. “It was high quality, and I can’t wait to see it again next year.”

Jorgensen’s favorite part about the showcase lies in the name, “showcase.”

Rather than being run and displayed as a competition, this showcase functioned to show off what students were learning in class—not just the end result.

The work chosen showed a wide range of skill level, ability and creativity, and because of this, not one piece could be considered better than the rest.

“Students loved the recognition, including the certificate,” office secretary Judy said. “It was great to see the smiles from the diverse amount of students involved.”

One student, Ashley D, from 8^th grade, just had her work returned from Des Moines, where it was on display for Youth Art Month – a state wide showcase displaying work from around the state.

“It was neat to see the commons busy with parents and students discussing what they learned,” Associate Principal Duane Harding said. “They also had a chance to see what they would be learning in coming years.”

“To put it simply, it was a success. I’m impressed with the work that I see come through my classroom and I am so thankful I get to be a part of these experiences with the children of the middle school,” Jorgensen said.

And a bonus? If you managed to stop by for conference, it was a grand buffet – while browsing through the work, you could enjoy free hot dogs, chips and water!

People enjoying free hot dogs and chips during the Spring Parent/Teacher Conferences

“There were many compliments from parents regarding the various artwork and skill levels shown,” Jorgensen said. “I’m excited to see how it grows!”