My 1st graders are working on these fun boats now to go along with their explorer unit. Okay, I know they are not really explorer ships, but we can pretend, right? And they are so fun and cute. The kids love them! How to Make a Boat: Gather empty milk cartons from the lunch room. Wash and wash again to get rid of all those icky germs. Let dry overnight. Use a utility knife to cut the milk carton down … Read more…
Have you ever wanted to introduce your students to clothing design, but had no idea where to start? This art packet has 27 pages of art activities and handouts to introduce your students to the art of clothing design using simple materials such as paper, markers, magazine pictures and watercolor paints. Here are the pages included in this packet: Pages included: 1. Cover 2. Design a Shirt with a Positive Message (long sleeves) 3. Design a Shirt with a Positive … Read more…
(Amazon Affiliate links are used in this post at no extra cost to you.) Have you heard of the book I’m Not Just a Scribble… ? “Scribble, the book’s main character, never thought he was different until he met his first drawing. Then, after being left out because he didn’t look like everyone else, Scribble teaches the drawings how to accept each other for who they are. Which enables them to create amazing art together!”- from the book’s description. I’m … Read more…
This year, our school has been focusing on kindness and cooperation. In art class, my students created posters to display around the school about kindness, cooperation and playground etiquette. Students cooperated together to make posters about cooperation! Each group received a slip of paper with a cooperation “slogan”. The Power of Cooperation C – Care for each other – Be Kind O – Obey rules O – Offer to help others P – Participate together as a team E – … Read more…
Hi! Are you interested in learning about artists that inspire? Are you looking for new contemporary artists to teach your students? One of my favorite parts about blogging is connecting with other bloggers online. Some art education bloggers recently formed an Art Ed Blogger’s Network. We are planning to post once a month about the same topic. This month’s topic is Artists that Inspire Us. Most readers probably know about the most famous artists that are typically taught in an … Read more…
Do you have an art journal? I love to make collages in mine. Here is a heart collage that would be fun for kids to try. I started by lightly sketching a heart on my page. Then I tore off pieces of washi tape to add pattern. Next add torn pieces of paper, scraps and stickers. Cut out words from magazines or use printed positive words and phrases. Continue covering the heart piece by piece, right up to the edges. … Read more…
Back in November, we had an art show at the Fitchburg Public Library. The local library is a great place to display artwork and get your students’ art out in the public. It’s a great advocacy tool and shows community members what you do in art class at the local schools. Other places we have had art shows in the past include the mall, a pizza place, a winery (owned by one of our parents), our school and a performing … Read more…
I have a treat for you today! While I was researching ideas for a maze art project, I came across some really intriguing and fun mazes by an artist name Joe Wos. I am totally in love with the creativity, fun and artistry of these mazes. Joe has made a career out of his illustrated comic mazes, which he calls MazeToons. Joe agreed to be interviewed for my blog. Here is the interview. 1. Tell us about yourself. How did … Read more…
Now is the time to start planning for Valentine’s Day art projects. I am going to share with you a few heart art projects I have taught in my school. First is the Map of My Heart. It is one of my favorites. I found the heart map idea in this book, Playful Learning. Start by drawing a heart in pencil on your paper. Think of all the things that you love or that are important to you. What is … Read more…
Washi tape is so much fun to use! You can pick up decorative tape at office supply stores, Michael’s, Hobby Lobby or other craft stores. I also have bought washi tape online from various places. Amazon has a lot of designs. The concept is simple. Peel off the tape, stick to paper and color in the sections! Here is my description statement we glued on the back: Students made colorful designs with tape as a short exploration in color and … Read more…
While I never think coloring pages should be used in place of more in-depth art projects in art class, I know that you might work with kids in all different types of settings… whether it be an after school daycare, a church group, your own kids, indoor recess or a scout group. Sometimes you just want a fun, calming, meditative option for kids to enjoy. Unleash the therapeutic benefits of coloring for mindfulness! Coloring helps people of all ages to … Read more…
Recently, I reviewed the book How to Survive as a Firefly and showed you a firefly art project to go along with the book. I also received a free copy of How to Survive as a Shark from Innovation Press. This book is illustrated in a similar style and is very cute and engaging. There is a lot of great scientific information about sharks in this book. From the publisher’s description: How to Survive as a Shark provides a unique take on fish … Read more…
I was given the book How to Survive as a Firefly from Innovation Press to share with you on my blog. This is a pretty cool book, with nice illustrations and good scientific information throughout the book. I wrote a FREE art project tutorial with drawing guides, available at my TPT shop to accompany this book. The directions are also here in this blog post, but to get the drawing guides you’ll have visit my TPT shop. Here is a … Read more…
I am in love with this new children’s book about Yayoi Kusama. The illustrations are gorgeous. I love Yayoi’s style and her artwork. Known for her polka dot installations, polka dot pumpkins and mirrored rooms, this artist is sure to captivate your students. From the inside cover: “Growing up in Japan, Yayoi Kusama dreamed of becoming an artist. In the fields of her family’s nurseries she drew flowers and plants and stones, imagining the world around her as streams and … Read more…
Today I have a special artist to introduce to you. His name is Justin Bua. I was able to get an exclusive interview with him, so keep reading to learn more about his art.. in his own words! From his website, “Justin BUA is an award winning urban artist. His DJ poster has sold more than any other print of our era. His celebratory paintings of hip hop imagery document turntable, b-boy, MC and graffiti culture. BUA is one of … Read more…
