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Category Archives: art teaching

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… →

Giveaway: Smart Fab Rolls!

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Giveaway: Smart Fab Rolls!

Have you used Smart Fab in your classroom? I was recently sent a sample pack of this product and I would love to see how you’ve used it. We are going to use it for accent shapes in fabric collages. Check out this instructional video about how to use Smart Fab. This product is a non-woven fabric that can be used in art projects for kids and adults. The unique properties of Smart-Fab allow it to be easily cut, glued, … Read more… →

Around here lately… Stress and GARAGE SALES!

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Around here lately… Stress and GARAGE SALES!

School Lockdown and an ER visit It’s been a crazy week!  First, we had a school lockdown last Thursday because the FBI was trying to catch a fugitive in our area. Initially we spent 10 minutes on hard lockdown and I had my class in the closets.  Then, we moved to a “soft lockdown” and were allowed to switch classes.  Kids were escorted to use the bathroom.  The kids were upset and it was difficult to continue class as normal. … Read more… →

5 Fabulous Things

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The image has text "5 Fabulous Things I am loving right now" with a vibrant background featuring stars and paint strokes.

Hey there!  I read a lot.  I skim a lot.  I get way too many emails from various things I subscribe to.  Here are some of the cool things I’ve seen lately. 1.  Daring Duct Tape:  CALL FOR ART.  While I have never created anything from Duct Tape, I know that some art teachers have created some amazing projects with their students.  I read an article about high school students who made prom dresses from duct tape.  How cool would … Read more… →

On Teaching Art #3: Integrating Art with Other Subjects

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On Teaching Art #3: Integrating Art with Other Subjects

Welcome to the 3rd 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 question posed for this installment is: How can art be integrated into math, science, social science, and literacy? That is a great question and I very often connect art lessons with their units of study in the classrooms.  Integrating art with other … Read more… →

On Teaching Art #2: Organizing Curriculum

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On Teaching Art #2: Organizing Curriculum

Welcome to the second post in my series On Teaching Art. The first post and the background behind this series is On Teaching Art:  Art vs. Craft. The question posed for this installment is: How can we organize planning for art instruction? Carrie Birmingham said, “For instance, I can imagine planning around art elements like line and color, or planning based on great artists, or planning based on curricular connections, or planning based on children’s development. There are probably a … Read more… →

On Teaching Art: Art vs. Craft

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On Teaching Art: Art vs. Craft

I received an email from Carrie Birmingham of Pepperdine University about teaching art.  She teaches a general education course.  She proposed a number of questions about teaching art that she would like to share with her university students.  Here is what she writes: “The students I have will be general ed classroom teachers, mostly K-5. They may or may not end up at a school which has an art teacher, and I want them to have a starting place if … Read more… →

5 Fabulous Things an Art Teacher is Loving Right Now

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The image has text "5 Fabulous Things I am loving right now" with a vibrant background featuring stars and paint strokes.

Before I start with 5 Fabulous Things let me just tell you how jealous I am of any of you who went to Texas this week for the National Art Education Association conference.  I love love love going to these conferences.  Unfortunately it’s not possible for me to go every year, but I’m living vicariously through blog posts and facebook posts of other art teachers… like Mr. E  and the Art of Ed. 5 Fabulous Things– a round up of … Read more… →

A Day in the Life of an Elementary Art Teacher

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A Day in the Life of an Elementary Art Teacher

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be an elementary art teacher? Maybe you are interested in becoming an art teacher.  Maybe you are curious how my day compares to yours’.  I know I would love to walk a day in another art teacher’s shoes to see what it is like at different schools or in different locations.  Through words and pictures, I am going to walk you through my day.  Out of privacy of the students, … Read more… →

Student Art Show at the Mall

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Four colorful abstract art pieces displayed on a gray wall at the Student Art Show. Each artwork has its own unique design and style.

We had our regional art show through the Wisconsin Art Education Association this week.  The artwork was displayed all week at the local mall.  Many schools participated with art from kids in grades K-12.  It is always so fun to see what other schools are doing.  The high school artwork is always so amazing!  We had our closing reception today and many families showed up.  It was a great turnout despite the freezing rain.  One artwork from each teacher was … Read more… →

An Online Art Teacher Conference and Facebook Group

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Colorful abstract background with the quote: "Creativity is contagious. Pass it on. - Albert Einstein."

Hello art teacher friends.  I hope you are staying healthy and away from those nasty germs.  I have been overcome by one of these little bugs and was sick all week.  Yes, the dreaded flu.  I only taught one day this week. 🙁  Although, two of the days were actual days off of school (MLK day and a grading day).  Those two days off were spent grading and sneezing in bed. I wanted to share with you two ways to … Read more… →

Presenting Your Lessons

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A grid pattern with black Adinkra shapes and colorful dots on a white background.

Katie said… Can I ask how you present your art projects? Do you have a finished picture to show the kids so they have an idea of what you want from them, or do you just explain it and let them create?  That is a great question.  It depends on the project. I almost always will demonstrate steps to a project.   Many times I don’t have a finished picture to show them. Right now, my 5th/6th graders (we have combined … Read more… →

What would it be like to be a teacher?

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A typewritten essay titled "Why It Would Be Nice to Have a Career as a Teacher" with handwritten edits in the top left corner.

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be a teacher? My mom gave me this old gem written by Yours Truly when I was in 3rd grade.  (My 3rd grade teacher had the initials ABC which everyone thought was really cool.) Lessons learned: It is very important to let your students write in pen. Make sure you have “neat” ways of doing things. Your students should use Trapper Keepers. Let your students go to the bathroom in … Read more… →

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