Mrs. Teckchandani
Welcome to our Art Program
Dear Shoesmith Family,
I’m looking forward to starting our 2022-2023 school year with our scholar-artists. My name is Mrs. Teckchandani (Tek-CHAN-dani) but everyone calls me Ms. T, and this will be my 9th year teaching. I can't wait to see what all the artists keep their minds busy with all summer - please find the summer art menu here!
A little bit about me – I have a Bachelor’s Degree from Columbia College where I studied Fine Arts. Printmaking and drawing are my favorite specialties within art. I also earned my Masters Degree in Elementary Education from Columbia and am Endorsed to teach Art, Science and Social Studies, and self-contained K-8 classrooms. When I’m not at work I’m probably spending time with my family which includes my husband and our now fourth grade daughter and second grade son. We love nature, relaxing, biking and hunting for snacks :)
My goal continues to be growing our artists, and encouraging all students to find their creative voice. We will primarily focus on the essential techniques and concepts of art, and the artist's growth, versus creating whole-class projects. This will allow students to express their individuality in their work while learning the foundations of creating art and art history. It also blends very nicely with the concepts and ideas of having a "growth mindset" which is a focus throughout our school.
We will continue to build on our focus of analyzing and discussing student art, so our artists can think about the choices they make in their art and why. They will also learn to engage in a productive and positive dialogue about their own, and their peers', artwork.
I have so enjoyed working with our Honeybees and watching them grow as artists. This year they have persevered through so much and have kept smiling and creating! They are truly thoughtful, perceptive, creative and intelligent. I don't think a day has gone by where I haven't been amazed by things our students have created. I cannot wait to see (and share) what they will accomplish this coming year.
**Please remember to check the supply list in the post below.
Stay safe and healthy!
-Ms. T
ART SUPPLY LIST 2022-2023
Dear Parents and Guardians,
Welcome back! Art class will not have any required supplies this year but the following items are needed for the art program would be GREATLY appreciated. These are consumables that we always need - please label these items with “Art room.” See below for the grade(s) your student(s) are in and if possible donate those items especially. These will be for community use. Each grade level will be asked to bring a different supply so we have enough school wide.
Kindergarten - 2 rolls paper towels
First Grade - 3 pack or more pink erasers
Second Grade - Sharpie fine point permanent marker 3 or 5 pack
Third Grade - 1 or more bottle(s) Elmers Glue-All (7 oz or 4 oz)
Fourth Grade - 1 or more hard shell pencil box(es)
Fifth Grade - 24 pack or more Crayola or Prang crayons
Sixth Grade - 24 pack or more of pencils for art room
Any Grade
Aluminum foil rolls or sheets
Disinfectant wipes
Any additional item above
Dear Parents and Guardians,
Welcome back! Art class will not have any required supplies this year but the following items are needed for the art program would be GREATLY appreciated. These are consumables that we always need - please label these items with “Art room.” See below for the grade(s) your student(s) are in and if possible donate those items especially. These will be for community use. Each grade level will be asked to bring a different supply so we have enough school wide.
Kindergarten - 2 rolls paper towels
First Grade - 3 pack or more pink erasers
Second Grade - Sharpie fine point permanent marker 3 or 5 pack
Third Grade - 1 or more bottle(s) Elmers Glue-All (7 oz or 4 oz)
Fourth Grade - 1 or more hard shell pencil box(es)
Fifth Grade - 24 pack or more Crayola or Prang crayons
Sixth Grade - 24 pack or more of pencils for art room
Any Grade
Aluminum foil rolls or sheets
Disinfectant wipes
Any additional item above
Samples of 2021-2022 Student art slide show
Students in grades 3-6 who chose to submit a recent work from class are highlighted in the slideshow linked here. Please take a minute to check out some of their fantastic work!
Working on Art from Home

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Stop-Motion Animation Projects
Our students in grades 4-6 had their first chance to explore stop-motion animation. Some knew the basics of the process, but for most this was the first introduction to the idea. We discussed how many photos played after one another create the movement of the video. The students worked in small groups and the goal was to try to create a video with some continuity of motion and a plot or theme. Below are some highlights.
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January - Chasing Miró
Students viewed the artwork of Joan Miró, a pioneer of Surrealism. We discussed the elements of art that were apparent in his work, specifically color, line and shape. We discussed that to create work in his style, those elements would have to be the central theme of the work. The students used different mediums to put their own spins on Miró's work. How do you think they did? :)
November Printmaking
In November we opened the printmaking studio. Primary grades worked on styrofoam marker mono prints. They created their art and then printed by putting pressure on damp paper over their styrofoam writing plate. The students were so excited to see their results and the slight changes that occur in texture with printing. Our upper grades did linoleum relief printing. They dug into the surface using a scratch stick and then they used a roller and ink to prepare their plates for printing. They were amazed with the results and to see how the prints turned out. They all did a great job - looking forward to what they make next in printing!