BEYE Discovery: March 2012

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Author Gina Bazer and Illustrator Andrew Day visit Beye Discovery!

Hi Families,

On March 15th, we had two very special visiting professionals join us in Beye Discovery: Gina Bazer and Andrew Day are the author/illustrator team* of the very clever children's book "Now Hiring, White House Dog". The story features two young girls in the White House who advertise for their very own dog. One by one, a cast of dog characters ring the doorbell to the White House and "apply" for the position by stating the attributes of its breed through the use of rhyme.

*along with Gina's friend and co-author Renanah Lehner

We began with Gina reading her book to the children and answering questions from her very attentive audience. Next, Andrew showed the students how to create quick sketches as a way to generate and refine ideas, especially when faced with a big project like this one! Then Andrew demonstrated how to draw a dog, step by step, beginning with the dog's snout. The students worked hard and drew dogs that rival that of any illustrator. We've documented the students' progression, so be sure to scroll down to see their completed drawings : )

Gina reading from her book "Now Hiring, White House Dog"


an attentive audience!

Andrew demonstrating quick sketches to develop and refine a story

Andrew draws the snout and the head of his dog first

Andrew's tip on how to illustrate a wagging tail: add lines above and below the tail!

adding the underside (notice how it dips down and then back up)


adding the hind legs (they tilt back at a diagonal)

Elizabeth

Porter

Joseph

Saul

Emerson

Dexter

Hayden

Emily

Hugo

Joseph

Liam

Emerson

Saul

Dexter

Saul and Gina

Signing the work

Emerson

Liam

Andrew's second dog

Andrew answering questions like "How did you get to be so good at drawing?"

Andrew's answer to the above question: He spent lots of time drawing since he was a child!

Andrew's running dog

Dexter

Joseph, 3rd dog

Joseph: practice makes perfect (note the dog running for the bird). Way to go Joseph!!!

Gina with parent Tim Blackwell

PS: If you are curious as to which dog is hired to be the White House Dog in Gina and Andrew's book, see if your child will "spill the beans". If not, "Now Hiring, White House Dog" is also available at Barnes and Noble : )

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/now-hiring-gina-bazer/1102239788

A super big thank you to Gina and Andrew for such a wonderful afternoon!!! We had a terrific time listening to the story and learning how to draw dogs!

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

A visit with Author/Illustrator Rob Scotton at Magic Tree Bookstore

Hi Families!

We are so thrilled that our students had the opportunity to listen to Rob Scotton read from his newest children's book: "Secret Agent Splat" and to draw "Splat" step by step with him! We were especially impressed by the warmth and sincerity shared by Scotton while he read from his book, answered questions and drew with the children. When the students finished their drawings of Splat, Scotton congratulated their work and asked them to hold up their drawings so he could take a group photo and highlight their accomplishments. This acknowledgement of their efforts meant the world to us and we are big fans!!!

As luck would have it, the ipod's camera function was not working and we were unable to document Scotton reading from his book. However, Sydney (one very smart 4th grader!) was able to bypass the glitch and saved the day by taking photos during the 2nd half of the event. A huge thank you to Sydney and also to Vera, who helped chaperone the trip and took photos as well! Do see below!

Scotton's Splat, first steps: simple shapes and lines

Scotton adding Splat's belly

Scotton's completed Splat with very long tail!

Emily drawing at the easel opposite Scotton!

Emily's Splat!

Scotton helping Emily remove her drawing from the easel

group photo of all the children's "Splat the Cat" drawings

Sydney with Scotton and Beye Discovery's new books!

Scotton signing our "Russel the Sheep" book!

Beye Discovery went back to school that afternoon with signed copies of "Secret Agent Splat" and "Russell the Sheep" (also written and illustrated by Scotton). We are not exaggerating when we say that "Russell the Sheep" can have you sitting on the edge of your seat... and the illustrations are too cute for words!!! For those of you who have children who just won't go to sleep, check out "Russell the Sheep" from the Oak Park Main Library or visit The Magic Tree Bookstore. Much appreciation to The Magic Tree Bookstore and Mr. Scotton for being such wonderful hosts!

Monday, March 19, 2012

More Architectural Inspirations!

Hi Families!

Following our visit with Brooke from Frank Lloyd Wright Preservation Trust, we embarked on 2 additional projects to explore architecture on a very imaginative level. On Thursday March 8th, Hata challenged each student to re-create their own bedroom, without limitations.

For inspiration, Hata read a wonderful book by Margaret Wise Brown titled "Robin's Room" with paintings by Steve Johnson and Lou Francher. Robin is a child who draws and paints on everything, so his parents decide to give him his very own room. Since Robin is not pleased with the way his new room is coming together, he takes over the renovation and turns everything upside down, in a good way! All are satisfied, but especially Robin, who is now free to create to his heart's content and in a room he can truly call his own!!!

Below you will see some fabulous ideas, from holes in the ceiling to allow for star gazing, to beds that open like a clam shell, and lofted structures to play and sleep in.

Hata

An attentive audience!

Porter

Dexter (front) and Vaughan (back)

Max's design

Ben

Dexter's design

Elizabeth's bed that opens like a clam-shell

Max sharing his design with Elizabeth

Vaughan punching holes to allow for star gazing

Porter

Dexter

Hugo

Liam

Hata and Ben discussing his design

Norah and Leila peering at Norah's design

Norah's turn!

Vaughan

Elizabeth demonstrating how her clam-shell bed works

Max and Ben

On Friday, March 9th, Nina introduced students to the work of Antonio Gaudi, whose organic use of form created a stark contrast to more traditional architecture that emphasized the right angle. After showing students images of Gaudi's work, such as Casa Batllo and Sagrada Familia, Nina asked our students to design their own small architectural forms. She demonstrated how to hollow out the interior of the forms and how to add textures with a variety of tools. Jocelyne could not resist joining the students to design a form as well. Sooooo much fun!!!