Alexandra Abbatiello

Playing and Exploring is very valuable to anyone in the art world; especially those who are still new. This topic; which I implement with my Kindergartners, is all about trying new things, new techniques, and new materials in order to learn from experience.

Nature is all around us, and it is human nature to create artwork about the world that surrounds us. This type of art may contain or display animals, plants, and environments. I like to use this topic with my 1st graders.

Since the beginning of man-kind humans have been creating art that tells a story. Often before written languages people would use this art to pass on their stories from generation to generation. My 2nd Graders learn about artists that create stories, illustrators, and how to write their own stories about their art or show their stories within their work.

Artists sometimes make artwork to invoke certain emotions or feelings within the viewers. They may also create artwork as a way to express themselves. Since everyone experiences these different emotions they are an important part of our lives, and a very relatable subject to pursue. Art therapy is one way that people may use art to heal themselves emotionally and sometimes physically. My 3rd graders learn about different artwork that represents emotion and are able to discuss the work they create and their own emotions with their classmates. 

Culture is defined as the customs, arts, social institutions, and achievements of a particular nation, people, or other social group. Someones' culture is a big part of their every day lives. You may be surrounded with aspects in your life from different cultures and not even realize it. It is important for any individual to learn about and respect the cultures of others. Many cultures have their own artwork that is popular, and other times artists choose to make works that represent their unique culture.

Identity is defined as the fact of being who or what a person or a thing is. With my more advanced students, currently 5th Graders, we focus on this topic in our curriculum. Artists often make work that discusses, represents, or questions, someone or somethings' identity. 

Art that you can eat

Op art, short for optical art, is a style of visual art that uses optical illusions. Op art works are abstract, with many better known pieces created in black and white. Typically, they give the viewer the impression of movement, hidden images, flashing and vibrating patterns, or of swelling or warping. 

A 20th-century avant-garde movement in art and literature which sought to release the creative potential of the unconscious mind, for example by the irrational juxtaposition of images. Surrealism is often described as being dream-like or fantasy-like.

Appropriation in art is the use of pre-existing objects or images with little or no transformation applied to them. The use of appropriation has played a significant role in the history of the arts.

Biomorphism models artistic design elements on naturally occurring patterns or shapes reminiscent of nature and living organisms. Taken to its extreme it attempts to force naturally occurring shapes onto functional devices.

A frightening form of paralysis that occurs when a person suddenly finds himself or herself unable to move for a few minutes, most often upon falling asleep or waking up. Sleep paralysis is due to an irregularity in passing between the stages ofsleep and wakefulness.