8th Grade Surreal Projects using Photoshop

sur·re·al səˈrēəl 

Having the qualities of surrealism; bizarre. A surreal mix of fact and fantasy.

The 8th grade art students had the opportunity to work with Photoshop to create a surreal composition. MMS is so fortunate to have one lab licensed with Photoshop Elements which is something I have been literally begging for the last three or four years. Photoshop allows our students the opportunity to expand their exposure to alternative mediums. I am ecstatic with the outcome and even more excited about being able to offer this platform to our students here at Middleton Middle School. Below are just a few of the fantastic surreal work created this past trimester.

Art Yard: Middle School Artists Continue to Transform Walls

I was browsing through some old photos today and came across one from 2007, the year we started painting murals on the Art Yard, a former visually neglected court yard at Middleton Middle School.

I will never forget how James, a very enthusiastic 8th grade student would arrive eager to paint murals dressed in his one piece khaki coveralls. He was 100% committed to the project. James contributed to the large black painted circle, the beginning of our Art Yard vision.

Now several years later, the Art Yard continues to be transformed into an ever changing work of art. Each year new students add their own mark to the walls. The following photos documents the work done this past Sept/Oct of 2013.

 The students working on the Burger shop added western-style elements to the facade.

The Candy Land saw an enormous face lift after students added purple shading to the letters, two cats, and some condiment containers.

Students working on Retro Reels added a theatre entrance and a popcorn machine.

The Flower Shop was adorned with pots of flowers, birds, and a multitude of flower decorations in the window and on the door.

MMS art students have been working on the Art Yard mural for almost seven years now. It will be exciting to see what transformation will occur in the years to come.

If you are ever in the area, stop by and see the Art Yard in person. It is located on the West side of Annex A.

Mrs. Lyman has Worms!

It's true, our red worms have arrived, and thanks to Capital Educators and their grant for $581.25 we were able to purchase 6,000 of them!

Our worm towers arrived just after Christmas break and the live worms followed a few days later. My students helped to prepare the towers with moistened peat moss and shredded paper. Once the worms arrived we divided three pouches into the six towers and gave them a light feeding of non-protein lunchroom scraps.

This all might sound easy, but just like any new endeavor there were a few learning curves along the way. I had a red worm dress rehearsal last summer when I purchased one tower and 1000 worms of my own. When the instructions said "don't over feed your worms" I should have listened as 75% of my worms escaped the overly-moist environment and fled to their dried-up death. So, good thing I learned a few things with my home trial.

Sophia, my high school aide babysat the worms the first few hours after they were placed in their towers. Those little rascals tried to escape and she had a challenge keeping the residence at bay.
After our three day weekend, I only found five shriveled carcases on the counter, so out of 6000 worms the life/death expectancy is going exceedingly well.  

As the worms get acquainted in their new home we anticipate a vermi-compost harvest in just a few short months, just in time for spring planting!

More updates to follow!