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Category Archives: art teacher tips

Art History Sketchbook Prompts: Set #2

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Art History Sketchbook Prompts: Set #2

My first set of Art History Sketchbook Prompts have been popular and I recently made a second set with all different artists and prompts. This new set has 16 NEW art history prompts!   16 DIFFERENT artists. These art history cards feature a selection of inspiring artworks with a prompt that can be used to spark drawing and writing. Print off the cards on cardstock, cut in half and laminate to protect them. You can print off as many copies … Read more… →

Digital Portfolio vs. Paper Portfolio

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Digital Portfolio vs. Paper Portfolio

In response to the blog post Art Teacher Portfolio Ideas, Abby Rappel asked, “Can I use my website portfolio instead of a paper portfolio on interviews or do schools still want to see paper form portfolios?” That is a great question!  When I was in college (12 years ago), we were required to make a paper portfolio in a binder.  Digital portfolios were not as big as they are now.  I believe the college now requires the students to make … Read more… →

25 Amazing Books for Teaching about Art

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25 Amazing Books for Teaching about Art

Missy left on comment on a previous post: ” LOVE that you’ve included some of your favorite kids books! Any other books you’d recommend to the mom for reference for trying to teach her kids basic art principles?” I use children’s books all the time in the art classroom.  It is a great way to tie in literature and inspire the kids through stories and illustrations. Here is MY list of favorite books for teaching about art.  I highly recommend … Read more… →

Art Discussion Cards for Class Critiques or Art History Lessons

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Art Discussion Cards for Class Critiques or Art History Lessons

Hi there! I have a set of Art Discussion Cards that might be useful to you!  These questions are great to use in small group discussions, individual writing responses and as a whole class critique.  You can use these questions to discuss a famous artwork or student artwork in peer-to-peer critiques.  If you order them, all you need to do is download them, print them off, cut apart and laminate.  You can reprint them as many times as you would … Read more… →

Rules of the Art Classroom

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Rules of the Art Classroom

I made a new poster for my room.  Every couple of years I tend to tweak my art room rules.  I struggled to come up with an “I” but settled on “Imagine new things!”  I told the kids it’s not really a rule, but a reminder.  I was surprised how often I referred to the reminder on the poster.  When a student said, “I like what so and so is doing, can I copy it?” I referred to the “Imagine … Read more… →

Self-Pinning and Other Pinterest Talk

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Self-Pinning and Other Pinterest Talk

I enjoy using Pinterest.  It is a great tool for getting ideas for lesson plans and for random fun ideas for my own personal life.  Do you use Pinterest?  What are the pitfalls of Pinterest?  In this blog post, first I will talk about where I got this idea for a blog post (self-pinning) and then I will talk about some of the reasons I like Pinterest and then some pitfalls of Pinterest. Self-Pinning:  the act of pinning something you … Read more… →

Why Art Teachers Look Forward to Going Back to School

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Why Art Teachers Look Forward to Going Back to School

There are still five more days to enter the back to school giveaway!  I will announce the randomly selected winner on August 22. What are teachers looking forward to most about starting a new year?   I picked a selection of the answers teachers gave when asked this question. 1.  Carrie:  “The best part of going back to the classroom is seeing all of the kids. It’s all about them and allowing them the opportunity to explore, create, imagine, and … Read more… →

Art Book for Kids Review: Too Much Glue

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Art Book for Kids Review: Too Much Glue

I was sent a free copy of this new children’s book to review and share with you.  It is called Too Much Glue, written by Jason Lefebvre and illustrated by Zac Retz. It is a very cute story of a boy who uses TOO MUCH GLUE on his artwork in art class, does a flying jump into the puddle and gets stuck there. What I love about the book: It’s a unique story, I have not seen a story like … Read more… →

Art Centers at the Children’s Museum

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We took a trip this week to our local children’s museum in Madison.  I was busy chasing around my daughter, but I managed to snap a few pictures of the awesomeness in this place.  The museum is amazing.  The lower level has a lot of things geared for dramatic play, such as a pretend garden, a water room, dress-up, puppets, etc.  There is also an amazing “bone” bridge to climb.  The upper level has building materials, like Tinker toys, Legos, … Read more… →

Amazing Back to School Giveaway!

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Amazing Back to School Giveaway!

***** Giveaway is now closed! ***   Hi, friends!  Back to school is almost here and because I love giveaways (and have been very lucky winning things from other blogs) I put together a “back to school kit” for one lucky teacher or parent.  To enter the giveaway, leave a comment on this post and tell me what you like best about going back to school. Roaring Spring Paper sent me a box of different notebooks as a free sample.  … Read more… →

Art Teacher Portfolio Ideas for an Interview

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Collage of an art teacher's portfolio with project examples, a binder, and informative documents displayed.

I got the idea to write this post based on a recent discussion about teaching portfolios in the Facebook Art Teachers group.  I thought sharing parts of mine might be helpful to a prospective teacher who is building their portfolio.  These are all my opinions and you might have a better way to show your teaching experience.  Another teacher suggested bringing an iPad to the interview with digital pictures.  I think that would be a fantastic way to show your … Read more… →

Free Art Videos to a Good Home & Re-Art Swap!!!

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Three educational art DVDs: "Dropping in on Matisse," "Principles of Design," and "Getting to Know Color in Art."

Three free VCR tapes to a good home!  Just leave a comment.  First come, first serve.  Only in the US please. What is the story behind these videos?  Well, this weekend I volunteered at one of my favorite events of the year… the Re-Art Swap at Absolutely Art, a local art gallery.  You bring in bags of old art supplies that you don’t use and can pick from piles of stuff that other people bring in… all for free!  It’s … Read more… →

On Teaching Art: Things to Think About

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On Teaching Art: Things to Think About

Welcome to the 4th post in my series On Teaching Art. The first post and the background behind this series is On Teaching Art:  Art vs. Craft. The second post was On Teaching Art #2: Organizing Curriculum. The third post was On Teaching Art #3: Integrating Art with Other Subjects. The question posed for this blog post is: “What are the important principles for teaching art that my students should remember? For instance, I can imagine that it’s important for them … Read more… →

New Art Teacher Blog Directories

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Elementary Art Blog Directory" displayed on a colorful, paint-splattered background.

There are lots of great ideas on the internet and I have enjoyed reading so many art teacher blogs.  There are over 300 art blogs on the art teacher blog directory.  That is a lot of blogs to browse!  Some are older and haven’t been updated in awhile.  Once in awhile I will notice someone on a forum or blog saying “Help!  I’m switching to middle school! Any good ideas?”  I thought it would be more useful to have the … Read more… →

15 Spirit Week Ideas for School

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15 Spirit Week Ideas for School

So, you’re in charge of Spirit Week!  Do you need some good ideas? (See how I used a photo with the kids’ faces obscured?  Don’t use pictures where the kids are identifiable unless you have permission from the parents or school.  This photo was on our public school website so I grabbed it from there.)   Be sure to check out my newer post “10 More Spirit Day Ideas for Scho0l”.   Spirit Days can be fun scattered throughout the … Read more… →

  • Banner with colorful artwork promoting an art shop featuring kindness coloring pages, artist activities, and resources for teachers.