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…
I introduce paper weaving with my kindergarten class. We use colored strips, scrapbook paper and wrapping paper. Here is a paper weaving tutorial. Check out my Weaving Ideas Pinterest board if you want to see more fun weaving techniques. –>
Art is Basic Art is a basic, fundamental part of a child’s educational experience. Art has been a basic way for humans to communicate in all cultures throughout history. Now, more than ever, creative thinking should be a core objective in all schools. Art is essential. About Me: My name is Marcia and I teach K-6 art. I love my job and I love all things related to arts and crafts. At school, I also supervise the yearbook club and … Read more…
Every year my sister-in-law hosts an Easter bonnet party. All of the guest come with Easter bonnets that were homemade and there is a contest for the wildest or most artistic hat. The crazier, the better! This would be fun to do for other holidays. Maybe you could create a 4th of July hat or a Christmas hat! Start with a base hat. The pink hat we bought from Target and my hat we bought from Michael’s craft store. Tie … Read more…
After the long winter break, we are back to school! The week before school got out, I was home sick on that Tuesday and Wednesday. Then, we had a snow day on Thursday and Friday, so it’s been about 3 weeks since I’ve been at school. When I came back there were some holiday presents given to me by students. Here are two adorable ornaments I received. My daughter loved this beautiful bird! Handmade ornament by a student. Isn’t this … Read more…
I read Carin’s post today about her creative achievements of 2012 and it got me thinking “what would be on my list if I were to make one?” At first I thought, well, I don’t have a whole lot to say, but then I thought back to all the little things I am proud of, that made me happy and experiences I had this year that were fantastic. I’m not going to lie, this Christmas season I was not fully … Read more…
The fourth-sixth graders made these glass fused pendants. We are gluing the “bails” on the back to make necklaces. The kids are going to give these as holiday gifts to a family member or friend. They each made two pendants. This is the first time I have done fused glass with kids. I used the how-to guides from the System 96 website and ordered the glass from Delphi glass. Have you done fused glass in your kiln before? If so, … Read more…
My posting is going to be limited for a little while. I burnt four of my fingers on a hot glue gun yesterday and had to go to the urgent care. Basically the glue dripped on four fingers on my left hand… I was sitting in the teacher’s lounge peeling the hot glue off my fingers and crying. Definitely a shock to the system. They are ok now… just some throbbing on and off. I ordered low temp glue … Read more…
Are you wondering what to get a child in your family for the holidays? As an art teacher, I see what the kids really like and what they gravitate towards to when they are given free time in art. These are some popular items for kids that I have personally used and recommend. Most of these can be found at your local Target or Michaels (or other craft/art store). Don’t forget to print off a coupon online if you are … Read more…
I just wanted to share with you this cool Doodlers Anonymous coloring book link. I have a drawing that is going to be in the coloring book! I can’t wait to see it. (I haven’t been paid to promote the book, but I just wanted to share my good news!) “The anticipated Volume II of the Doodlers Anonymous coloring book features the doodles and drawings of 60 artists from around the globe – some fresh novices, others seasoned veterans, all … Read more…
We just finished these lovely Halloween pictures today. I don’t really like doing “holiday” art during art class unless I can tie in some solid art concepts. (That’s why I sometimes do the fun crafty afterschool classes.) For this project, the kindergartners learned a few art vocabulary words: Silhouette the outline or general shape of something… a dark image outlined against a lighter background. Warm Colors the yellows and reds of the color spectrum, associated with fire, heat, sun, and warmer … Read more…
These pictures are based on the book Elmer! I love this book and the colorful elephants. The kids drew their own elephants and colored them with fun patterns. The borders were made by cutting up and gluing strips of wrapping paper and neon cardstock. And I want to remind you of this fun game that my students enjoy using in their free art time. It is a blast: PICK and DRAW
I had my first after school holiday crafts class yesterday. I had 14 kids with me making snowmen. You can see the tutorial here. Here are our finished snowmen!
Merry Christmas to you!! I hope you all have a relaxing and laughter filled day. Here is a picture of my two favorite people in the world… my husband Andrew and baby Daria. We had a great, busy Christmas and now we are going to relax for a few days! Three family parties, church, presents and lots of food.
