Course Syllabus

Montrose Art Studio

Mrs. Emily Reiser

About Me: I learn something from my students every day. My life as an artist and work as an educator are constantly informing one another. One of my favorite quotes from a student is, “art makes connections that you can see.” I have thought about this often and I think it is a very powerful statement. The visual world has a deep impact on us as viewers and makers. As a creator of art objects since my childhood, I continue to explore the world through the curious eyes of an artist. Developing good questions, taking risks and experimenting are key to artistic thinking. Being a part of a learning community with young artists in the classroom has been an incredible source of inspiration and joy. Creating, playing, wondering, working…

I have many years of teaching experience with students of all ages in public schools, art centers, and museums including The Museum of Contemporary Art (Chicago) and the Columbus Museum of Art. My work has been exhibited in galleries throughout the United States and included in such collections as the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, the Ringling School of Art Memorial Library and Columbia College Chicago Center for Book and Paper Arts. My studio is shared with my two young children who never lack of ideas or enthusiasm.

The Elementary Art curriculum at Montrose
The art program at Montrose provides experiences in thinking and learning that center around creativity. Approximately 400 students in grades K - 6 not only create authentic works of art, but think critically, evaluate, and problem solve. In the teaching and learning about art, there are rich opportunities to make connections across disciplines and develop creative skills that are far-reaching.

Throughout the year each grade level will explore a Big Idea. Kindergarten Big Idea - Play Artists have continued to explore a variety of media and techniques in the art room. What can clay do? What happens when you paint without brushes? What secret talents do we have that make us special?

First Grade Big Idea – Identity and Power For young children, there are few times when they get to be powerful. We have explored characters and stories where they can become the creator, the monster … the hero.

Second Grade Big Idea – Observation and Noticing The Grab Wall is a source of conversation in the studio over the course of the year. What grabs your attention? How do artists show us things that were once invisible?

Third Grade Big Idea – Imagination Artists draw objects from the “junk” box and then imagine that their objects come to life and star in a comic. We explore contemporary and historical visual artists who create work that inspires and even unsettles.

Fourth Grade Big Idea – Relationships Colors have more power when used together with their compliment. Students explore color relationships through screen printing, painting. How does a mask not only hide, but reveal who we are?

Fifth Grade Big Idea – Problem Solving Can you be more creative by making a drawing upside down? What would you build if you could make a model treehouse? Thinking like an artist involves problem solving and critical thinking.

Sixth Grade Big Idea – Leadership and Communication Looking outward at the world around us, artists explore the complexity of social issues. How can artists affect social change? What is our role in the community?