I have a new article in Arts & Activities magazine this month! I am very excited. I encourage you to submit articles to magazines if you have ideas you’d like to share. It is very rewarding to see your words in print! Arts & Activities and School Arts magazines are always looking for new articles. You can read the full article here: http://pubdev.ipaperus.com/ArtsandActivities/AADecember2016/?page=16
This year I have started using a new way to communicate with parents. After receiving some feedback last year that parents didn’t know quite what we were learning about with each project, I decided to type up description statements that would explain artists we learned about, skills and techniques practiced and any other goals of the art project. After the projects are completed I have a student helper tape the descriptions to the back for the younger classes. The older … Read more…
Hi friends! I have a treat for you today. My very intelligent and dedicated co-worker Katie McEnaney is guest posting for Art is Basic today. She was previously our 3rd grade Language Arts/Social Studies/Drama teacher and this year she moved to the 6th/7th grade level. She also created the blog The Logonauts, which focuses on a variety of literature related topics. Many readers have asked me for advice about blogging with students. Since my time is so limited with my students, I … Read more…
I feel like I have stumbled upon my newest art series for my own art. Earlier I wrote a blog post about how to make watercolor doodled flowers. Using a similar technique, I made watercolor mandalas. I have a new painting to show you with watercolor and doodled stars. These were all made by starting with watercolor paints and then doodling on top with thin markers. Products I Use (Amazon Affiliate links are used) Prima Marketing Watercolor Confections: Tropicals Prima Marketing … Read more…
I have a brand new set of Art History Sketchbook Prompts to share with you! These cards are a great way for students to do some independent learning if they finish an art project early. This is set #4 of the Art History Sketchbook Prompts, with all NEW artists! These art history cards feature a selection of inspiring famous artworks with a prompt that can be used to spark drawing and writing. Only $5! The price reflects the increase in … Read more…
Here is a really fun twist on self-portraits! I teach the grades K-4/5 at my school and the middle school art teacher is in charge of grades 5/6-8. We have a new art teacher at the middle school level this year and her name is Jayne Baitinger-Peterson. She comes to our school with over 30 years teaching experience at the elementary level and she has been enjoying the change with middle school youth. She gave me permission to share these … Read more…
With the election coming up, my kindergarten classes answered the sentence “If I were President, I would make the world a better place by…” and they drew themselves as President. I got this idea from my daughter’s art teacher, as they did it for President’s Day last year. I started by reading them a book about what a president does. This is one that I found that I really liked. If I Were President by Catherine Stier (affiliate link provided.) After … Read more…
I’ve been busy this school year, but proud of myself that I feel like I’m keeping on top of things. It is so easy to feel like you are drowning in artwork, messes and things on your to-do list. Am I the only one sometimes that feels like I am swimming in a sea of student artwork trying to figure out what’s what, what’s finished and what still needs to be done? I wanted to share with you a fun … Read more…
With Halloween coming, this is an especially fun open-ended project for little kids. I did this with kids up to grade 3 and they were super excited to come up with their own monsters. Supplies needed (Amazon affiliate links used): Peel and Stick Wiggle Eyes Wiggle Eyes Stickers On A Roll Multi-Color Markers, crayons or other coloring tools White or colored construction paper Handouts for inspiration: Monster Dice Drawing and Examples of Monsters This is a real simple introduction and … Read more…
Are you interested in starting a blog? Here are some tips for you! If you missed the other posts in this series, be sure to read: Blogging Basics Part One: Why Blog and How to Choose a Platform Blogging Basics Part Two: Choosing a Blog Name and Getting Ideas Blogging Basics Part Three: How to Write a Blog Post People will Read A big concern from new bloggers is “how do I get anybody to read my blog??” That … Read more…
Earlier this summer I wrote a blog post about how to make watercolor doodled flowers. These mandalas I created were made with a very similar technique. Both these mandalas and the flowers were made by starting with watercolor paints and then doodling on top with thin markers. Products I Use (Amazon Affiliate links are used) Prima Marketing Watercolor Confections: Tropicals Prima Marketing Watercolor Confections: The Classics Sakura Koi Brush Pen Set Sharpie Permanent Marker, Fine Point Sakura Micron Ink Pen … Read more…
If you missed the other posts in this series, be sure to read: Blogging Basics Part One Blogging Basics Part Two So, you started a blog, picked a name and have a great idea for your first post. Here are some tips you need to know. 1. Pay Attention to Permissions & Copyright Before you write your blog post, think about whether or not you got your idea from somewhere else. Did you learn about this technique at a conference? … Read more…
New product alert! I’ve been working on this fun and very educational printable booklet for Kindergarten and 1st Grade in art class. This printable booklet features the ABCs of art class. This book is perfect for Kindergartners and 1st graders. The booklet has a cover and 24 pages students can work on independently or as a class. This would be perfect for substitute lesson plans, centers or as a warm-up in class. The pages are rich with art concepts, some … Read more…
If you missed the first post in this series, check out Blogging Basics for Teachers and Other Creatives, Part One. In that post I share reasons to start blogging and how to choose a blogging platform. In today’s post, we will talk about how to choose a blog name and where to get ideas for your blog. My blog was originally called Vivid Layers (raise your hand if you read my blog back then!). The header is the … Read more…
So… you want to start a blog about teaching or art? One of the questions I get asked frequently is how do you start a blog? I asked the experts (other popular art bloggers) to share advice about getting started with blogging. The bloggers, in no particular order: Me from Art is Basic, of course Lee Darter, from Art Room Blog Phyllis Levine Brown from There’s a Dragon in My Art Room and The Artful Advocate Don Masse from … Read more…
