Welcome Back!!

Dear Students and Families,

Welcome to the 2018-2019 school year! I am Mrs. Johnson, C. W. Henry’s proud art teacher. I am pleased to be starting my 5th year at Henry, and I have many exciting lesson ideas and updates for families.

The art class takes place every 4 days, and work is often stored in the art room and then returned upon completion.  Some work will be withheld for display at our Art Show May 2, 2019.  This year lessons will focus on “functional” art, and students will be working with many various media including fiber crafts, print making, paper mache, and sculpture.  Students who follow class procedures will have access to all lessons and materials.  Class rules are:

• Appropriate use of all art related materials and the classroom space
• Appropriate use of time in the art class, both transitions and during class time
• Respectful behavior and language toward teacher and peers at all times

We are installing a large loom this year, and students will have the ability to make collaborative weavings to be auctioned at the art show.  Students will be allocated a time slot to add warp threads to the weaving during class time, and they may or may not choose to use this time.  Students will also have access to a potters wheel this year.  Just as with the loom, students will be given a time slot and may or may not choose to use it.  The potters wheel is very messy, and smocks will be provided, but clay on pants and shoes will wash out.  Please be patient as your child learns to throw ceramics on the potters wheel, many attempts at the wheel do not produce a viable ceramic piece.  The experience is the benefit. 

Throughout much of the first quarter, students will collaborate on craft pieces to be sold at a school fundraiser.  Our first “A Very Henry Holiday” craft sale will be held Saturday November 17th.  Profits from this sale will purchase glass display cases to safely showcase 3-dimensional work produced in the art room.  If, for any reason, you do not want your child to take part in the collaborative works or do not want their work sold at the craft sale, please contact me directly at marajohnson@philasd.org, and I will provide your student with alternative lessons.  Once the sale is complete, class work will resume to traditional individual pieces.

If you have any questions, or would like to volunteer during art show set up or for our craft sale, please contact me at marajohnson@philasd.org.

Thank you so much,

Amanda Johnson

National Board Certified Teacher

C. W. Henry Art Teacher

*Important Dates*

November 17th - A Very Henry Holiday

December 17th and 18th - Gingerbread House Competition drop off

December 21st - Gingerbread House pick up

May 2nd - Art Show