Category Archives: Uncategorized

Here is a fun art project I taught kids awhile back. I have been going through my picture files and rediscovering old projects that I want to try again. I have lots of art projects in my archives that I have never blogged about before. I was thinking this summer I can post a few of them. First, read a book about PEACE. I like Peace is an Offering, by Annette LeBox or The Peace Book, by Todd Parr. (These … Read more… →

You are invited to follow along and join in with Angela C. Hawkins, a children’s author illustrator, as she recreates 52 Masterpieces in her children’s book style. Every Monday she will post them on her blog and her social media. She says, “For this project, I’ve preselected 52 Masterpieces to render in my children’s book style. Every Monday in 2021 I will post each rendition and some thoughts on Instagram, Facebook, and my blog. (Don’t forget to look for two mice in each … Read more… →

This is Part 2 in my blog posts about the Black Lives Matter murals in downtown Madison, WI. There were so many of them, lining the streets of State Street. See my first post with more murals here.

After the death of George Floyd, protests happened here in Madison, WI (as well as all over the country). Some businesses had windows broken. Artists covered the boarded-up windows with beautiful murals calling for justice and equality. I will have two posts of photos of some of these murals, because there were so many amazing artworks.

I wanted to point you to this great place to start your journey on becoming a more inclusive, anti-racist art teacher. The new Anti-Racist Art Teachers website has loads of resources to get you started with reading, listening, learning and reflecting on how to remove stereotypes and false narratives in your art curriculum. They even are starting a collection of lesson plans specifically designed for the art classroom. You can now download these posters for FREE at these three TpT … Read more… →

I wanted to let you know about some inspiring and informational professional development that is starting this week!   I am recommending this Un-Conference to energize art teachers.  While you are at home this week, be sure to check out this Call to Art: A Free Un-Conference for Art Educators.   I know many of these presenters and they are amazing art educators with a passion for what they do.  I’m sure you will leave with some new ideas to implement when you return to … Read more… →

This is a new resource in my shop! I use these as reward charts for free days in my classroom. Each art class kids can earn points for things like quiet listening, being respectful to others, working hard, talking at a reasonable voice level, cleaning up and so forth. Fill in one spot on the chart for each point (for example, color in one paint splotch). When the class fills up the sheet, they receive a group reward. “Free Days” … Read more… →

Have you ever considered all the things kids learn from looking at art? Empathy. Curiosity. Visual intelligence. Self-awareness. Higher order thinking. The list goes on and on. But how often do students spend looking at art? Not long enough. My friend Cindy is on a mission to change that. She founded Art Class Curator and the Curated Connections Library to share smart, creative, engaging ways to teach art history and art appreciation. With her techniques, students do more than look at … Read more… →