Hi! Valentine’s Day is coming up and here is a fun, free word search you could give to your students. Here is the high resolution PDF version for free download. You might be interested in some of my other word searches: Winter Word Search Spring Word Search Art Word Searches Bundle Art Vocabulary Word Search I am an Artist Word Search Famous Artists Word Search Elements and Principles of Art Word Search
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…
Here is a fun and beautiful Valentine’s project! I call it “Confetti Hearts” with a side of Matisse. This idea came to me after seeing these painted hearts on Pinterest. Start by tracing a heart template or free handing it if the kids are older. Then using one of my favorite products, Kwik Stix, add dashes and dabs of the “paint” all over the heart, like confetti. You can surely use oil pastels or paints, but Kwik Stix have the … Read more…
One type of art skill that I haven’t been the best at consistently teaching in my classroom is sewing. I was reminded of how you can sew on burlap after seeing some painted and stitched leaves at my daughter’s school. My third/fourth grade classes were often asking me if they could sew and I already had a lot of yarn and a roll of burlap at school. I wanted to share this idea with you quickly without a whole lot of … Read more…
Are you looking for a fun art project to try over winter break with your kids? Here is one that is sure to be festive, fun and creative! What you will need: watercolor paints pencil watercolor paper paint brush cup of water markers. For my own art, I prefer Micron markers, Sakura Koi markers, and Molotow White markers. stickers of your choice glue magazines assorted paper scraps of your choice 1. Begin by drawing a Christmas tree shape on a piece of … Read more…
Are you looking for a fun new way to make snowmen with your kids? I got the idea to use makeup remover pads from Happy Hooligans. I did this project with 1st graders. Start by mixing shades of blue paint with white and other cool colors. Explain to kids that when you mix white with a color, it makes a lighter tint of that color. Paint a background for your snowmen. Let it dry. Next, set out makeup remover pads, … Read more…
Hi! I hope you are enjoying your winter so far. I like to make little greeting cards to give to my students at winter time for various reasons.. thank yous for gifts or just because they want a little piece of my art. A few years ago I made a cute little polar bear coloring card and it was a big hit with my students. Now I know some art teachers cringe at coloring pages, but I think they’re fun. … Read more…
Happy Thanksgiving! I searched for some fall art to inspire you and here are some gems that I found. Norman Rockwell is always a winner. I really love this folk art landscape by Walt Curlee. This would be good to show students to demonstrate perspective and depth techniques. How about this painting by Grandma Moses called Catching a Turkey? Is it snowing yet by you? Janet Fish has some amazing still lifes, including this pumpkin one. and this one… Do … Read more…
Hello friends! Have you used Gelli Printing Plates before? I was introduced to this a couple of years ago because I received a couple samples to try out for my blog. They are a super fun way to do monoprinting with kids. You can read all about the process and see videos of techniques at their blog, Gelli Arts. There’s also a way to make your own gelatin plates, but I’ve never tried it because it seems like a lot … Read more…
The Kindergartners made these lovely mixed media heart pictures. They started by stamping the background paper with gadgets, such as old thread spools, bottle caps, heart sponges, cookie cutters and more. During the second class period, they traced a heart onto a piece of heavy duty tinfoil and colored designs with Sharpie markers. They also glued on tissue paper squares and glitter. After they finished their tinfoil hearts, I covered them in clear contact paper. During the third class period, … Read more…
Often I get so wrapped up in the curriculum, I don’t take time to do “extra” projects which are just for fun for holidays. Kids love celebrating holidays and often ask to do themed projects. I am fine with that.. art should be fun! I do like to incorporate skills and art techniques into each project we do. For these yarn-wrapped hearts, I cut cardboard circles into heart shapes. Since they had to be cut with a utility knife, I … Read more…
Valentine’s Day is coming! Are you looking for a fun heart project idea to try with your kids? This challenge for my 3rd graders was to design 9 different hearts. I used this project with a substitute teacher earlier this week when I was home with sick kids. The students received a photocopied grid and they were challenged with drawing hearts in each rectangle and designing them in unique ways and to try a variety of materials.. these were made … Read more…
As an art teacher, I’d like to encourage you to give gifts that inspire creativity in children. Instead of more plastic trinkets, stuffed animals or electronics, how about something that will get your kids building and creating? An art kit is always a great idea. Things to include in an art kit: 1. Paper such as the Strathmore Visual Journal or a watercolor pad. I love this watercolor paper from Target. 2. Neon Gel Crayons: I love the smooth feeling … Read more…
The 1st graders made maps of their hearts! This is a charming project that gives you a window into the lives of your students. First, they drew a large heart and then inside the heart they included things or people that were important in their lives. They used permanent markers to draw and then watercolor paints to color in the heart. I got this idea from the book “Playful Learning” which would be a great book for a classroom teacher. … Read more…
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all of my blogging friends. These are some cards I made a couple of years ago.
