6th-8th grade Students

All syllabi need to be turned in and signed by this Monday.  If they are not turned in an after school detention will be assigned. 

Welcome Second Trimester Students

It is hard to believe the second trimester is here.  I am looking forward to working with the second trimester students and what creative projects they will create.  Please take the time to check the blog each week for updates to the weekly agenda and important information regarding projects.


We welcome the new addition of the 6th grade art II sculpture class.  Students will be exposed to various papier-mâché sculpture forms.  The art room is in need of the following items:  newspaper, paper towel tubes, wire hangers, magazines, craft paint, glitter, feathers, and beads.  Any items you can donate would be greatly appreciated!  Please drop items off to room 34.


6th grade art I classes will need a plastic bag by Friday Dec. 9th.  We will start the trimester learning about Pueblo style coil pottery.


7th and 8th grade students will begin creating portfolios in the theme of:  "Names as Objects of Interest".  Students will begin final designs by the end of the week and complete portfolio side 1 by the following Thursday.  Portfolio side 2 follows the same theme and rubric.  This will be worked on whenever students are finished with projects before the due dates, at home, and during advisory homework days.  Students are expected to finish side 2 before the six week progress report goes out.  More information about the exact due date will be posted at a later date.

The end of the Trimester is near

The end of the trimester is approaching fast.  The last day is Friday, December 2nd.  Please check powerschool to see if you are missing any projects.  Sixth graders will be finishing "Surreal cities" on Monday.  They will begin their next project, "Self-portraits a la Frida Kahlo" this week.  Seventh graders will be finishing "Winding one-point" on Monday.  Students who are caught up with all projects will begin glazing on Tuesday.  Students who are not finished with Portfolio side 2 and "Medieval Bestiaries" will not glaze.  Projects are worth 100 points while glazing is only worth 25 points.  Eighth graders will finish up their "Under the sea...Watercolor Fish" this Wednesday.  Students who are finished with all projects will paint their "Funky face sculptures" this Thursday.  Please give your best effort to finish all projects!

"Paint the Town" was a huge success!

I want to thank all of the students who participated in Paint the Town.  Every group did an amazing job with their window.  The painting went above and beyond the original designs.  I am so proud of the work and behavior exhibited by these individuals.  You guys rock!!!   


 A special thanks goes out to Mrs. Ondrusek, Mr. Tidey, Mrs. Clarey, Mrs. Rummler, Mr. Johnson, and Mr. Stoner for their help with the event.  

Paint the Town

Congratulations to the following students:   Anavel Martinez, Julissa Duran, Christina Garcia, Erika Mejia, Katelyn Richmond, Caitlin Cowdrey, Lexi Heimbaugh, Nakomis Clarey-Schultz, Alex Mckinley, Delaney Lenger, Satyrah Skubick, Ellie Shangle, Alyssa Armstrong,  Kailey Mason, Allie Marsman, Alexis Jendrasiak, Arianna Murrell, Rileigh Walker, Marissa Noorman, Rebekah Wheeler, Maeve Tarala, Nathan Rummler, Sky Davis, Claudia Knepper, and Amber Staniulis. These students collaborated together in teams to create designs in this year's homecoming theme of continents.  Designs will be painted on storefront windows in the downtown of Sparta.  You can check out these amazing creations after October 5th.  They will remain up until homecoming.

Kailey Mason, Allie Marsman, Alexis Jendrasiak

Satyrah Skubik, Ellie Shangle, Alyssa Armstrong

Katelyn Richmond, Caitlin Cowdrey, Lexi Heimbaugh

Delaney Lenger, Nokomis Clarey-Schultz, Alex Mckinley

Arianna Murrell, Rileigh Walker, Marissa Noorman, Rebekah Wheeler

Maeve Tarala, Nathan Rummler, Sky Davis

Claudia Knepper, Amber Staniulis

Anavel Martinez, Julissa Duran, Christina Garcia, Erika Mejia

6th-8th Grade Portfolio Side 1: Names as Objects of Interest

Portfolio side 1 is due Friday September 23rd.  Your first and last name must be printed on a corner of your portfolio.  Side 2 should be worked on at home, during advisory homework days, or in class when current projects are done.  You must create a different theme for side two.  You may use your first, middle, or last name.  Another option is to use a word ( i.e sports).  All letters would be made out of objects relating to the word.  You may not use letters, logos, numbers, and punctuation marks to create your letters.

Paint the Town

Sparta is excited to bring the time-honored tradition of the homecoming parade back. Sparta Middle School will help promote school spirit by painting storefront windows in the downtown of Sparta. This year’s homecoming theme is continents. Students are to work together in teams of 3-4 students. Designs must include:
     Originality/Creativity
     Color
     Use of Continents theme
     Quality/Craftsmanship

Please use marker, crayon, or colored pencil. Work must be done on 81/2” x11” paper. All group members must put their grade level, first, and last name on the back. All designs must be turned in by Thursday Sept. 29th.

The students with the winning designs will paint the storefront windows during one entire school day. Students may also be involved in the clean up.

Welcome Back!

It was so great to see so many new and familiar faces this past Tuesday.  I am so excited to be  teaching art to your children this year.  Please take the time each week to check the weekly agenda to see what your child will be working on.  I look forward to the future masterpieces your children will create!

Grand Rapids Festival of the Arts June 3-5 2011

Brooklyn Ward
Ceremonial Mask

Erica Humphreys
Ceremonial mask

Angel Chavez
Self-portrait

Makayla Popma
Fauve still-life

Lizzy Miedzielec
Fauve still-life

Amber Chapman
Fauve still-life

Amber Staniulis
Impressionism landscape

Jared Dykema
Impressionism landscape

Cole Klein
Picasso Faces

Colton VanderLeest
Impressionism landscape

Grace Tarala
Picasso Faces

Madison Myers
Fauve still-life

Kirk Brown
Self-portrait a' la Frida Kahlo

Hayden Barr
Self-portrait a' la Frida Kahlo

The following artwork has been selected for this year's Grand Rapids Festival of the Arts student display.  The artwork will be on display at the Kent County Courthouse on the corner of Ottawa and Lyon during the three day Festival.  These students should be extremely proud of their outstanding artistic efforts.  The display features artworks of more than 400 students in grades K-12 representing schools from throughout West Michigan.  Show hours are:  Friday 4:30-8:00pm; Saturday 10:30am-8:00pm; and Sunday: 11:30am-4:00pm.  Parents you may pick up your child's artwork on Sunday between 3:00pm-4:00pm.  Otherwise, I will be picking up the artwork on Sunday and your child will get their artwork back Monday June, 6.