Here are a few of the finished skyscraper drawings that I promised I'd show you. It's the time of year when markers are starting to run out. I don't know if you know about this trick, but when Crayola markers go dry, you can dip them in water and they work for quite a bit longer.
You get some interesting, lighter variations of some of the color. Also, you get your money's worth out of the markers before you throw them out!
After answering some discussion questions about this work of art, we decided this painting had a lonely feeling. There are no signs of people, and the shades are all pulled down. Someone suggested that maybe the people moved away because the railroad tracks are so close to the house!
We're all used to drawing houses with squares, rectangles and triangles -- but we all decided to use some shapes that you might find in Victorian architecture, like the curved Mansard roof and the arched windows with ornamentation. Most of us didn't want to make ours look so lonely, so we made all kinds of signs of life in the surounding area.
Notice how we all started with a main object that was kind of the same, but everybody's picture has things in it that are different.
We tried to make one side of the house in the light, and the other in shadow. We colored with Payons, or painting crayons. These are really neat crayons that you use just like regular crayons. Then you paint over the drawing with water. The crayon turns into paint! I know that I told you that I got them from a leprechaun, but I may as well tell you -- you can order them many places, including here.
Joke: "How many surrealists does it take to screw in a light bulb?" 
One of the works of art we are studying through our Picturing America grant is the architecture of the Chrysler building. What kinds of shapes can you find in the building? There are geometric shapes, as well as plant and animal shapes. The building is Art Deco style architecture, and some of the details remind us of Egyptian design. The wing shape is a replica of a 1929 radiator cap. One ornamental frieze incorporates a band of hubcaps. (More discussion questions here).
After discussing this artwork, students are ready to design their own skyscrapers. We are using templates to make some of the geometric shapes.
Some students are adding some of their own details freehand, like gargoyles projecting from the buildings.
Yesterday we had the tremendous honor of having a visit from James Warhola. He read to us from his books, and talked to us about the process of planning and making a picture book. He brought original art for us to see including finished watercolor illustrations and sketchbooks and prototypes that showed the steps in making a book. 
After talking to the elementary kids, Mr. Warhola visitted some junior high and senior high classrooms. He encouraged them to develop their own creativity and express themselves through writing and art.
The Daily Review wrote a really nice article about this visit, which is here.
Here is one third grader's story and picture.My Giant Story
Written by Jamie WelchOne late evening I was planting flowers in my front yard. Suddenly, I heard a loud, booming voice. "You there!" the booming voice shouted. I cowered in fear.
"Who...me?" I whispered.
"Yes, you! Come closer!" the voice commanded. In fear, I walked to my lake. There, sitting on my wooden bench, was a giant. "Come closer," the giant said. I walked towards the giant on my shaky legs. "Yes...," the giant said. Out of nowhere, the giant scooped me up in his over-sized hand. "What's your name?" the giant boomed.
"J...Jamie," I stammered.
"I'm Mario, the only Italian giant," Mario boomed, laughing. I began to cry, for I missed my mother and father. "Stop!" Mario commanded.
I wiped my tears. "Stop what?" I asked.
"Stop your crying! It makes me sick," he replied, sighing. I began to think more sad thoughts. I cried hard, and I cried soft. Soon after, Mario's face turned blue, and he exploded. Then I went home and lived a normal life once
more.
The End.
