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Art Journaling Workshop at the NAEA Conference

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Art Journaling Workshop at the NAEA Conference

Good news! My proposal to lead a hands-on workshop at the National Art Education Association convention was accepted. The convention is from March 26-28 and you can sign up on the NAEA website. My workshop is titled: “Art Journaling for Personal Meaning and Creative Development.” Relax with art journaling and leave with multiple creative techniques you can use immediately in your classroom.  Explore vision boards, collage, watercolor doodling, word play and the art of chance. I’m super excited to lead … Read more… →

Rainbow Order Coloring Template

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Rainbow Order Coloring Template

The first day of school was an orientation day for Kinders and new kids. We had a very shortened schedule and I saw the Kindergartners for about 10-15 minutes. I never feel like I know what the best use of that time is, because it is too short to do any real art projects and it is the first time I am meeting them. So, I decided to read them a story about colors and then do a simple coloring … Read more… →

Outdoor Art Creator Badge- Brownie Girl Scouts

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Last year, my 3rd grade Girl Scout troop did a variety of art projects. One of the badges we earned was the Outdoor Art Creator Badge. Here are some of the activities we did to earn the badge. I thought I would share with you, because these are some fun projects you could do with a group of kids, maybe in an after school, day camp or scout program. Here is a link to the PDF guide for the badge, … Read more… →

Art Class Behavior Reward Charts

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Art Class Behavior Reward Charts

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… →

Open House Idea for Art Class

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Open House Idea for Art Class

At our Back to School night we have parents come in to meet the teachers, learn about curriculum and find out all about the school! This year, as the parents came in to my room, I asked them to answer these questions: Why is art important? & Why should people study art? I left out blank sticker labels and Sharpies for the parents to answer the questions. Afterwards I stuck all of the answers to paper for a quick bulletin … Read more… →

Hopes and Goals Girl Scout Art Project

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Hopes and Goals Girl Scout Art Project

Here is a fun and successful project for kids to do at the start of a new year! We did this with my Girl Scout troop of 3rd graders last January at the beginning of the new year. We talked about setting goals and intentions of what we wanted to accomplish such as personal goals for sports and activities, academic goals, goals for Girl Scouts or to be a better person and friend. It was right at the start of … Read more… →

Back to School SALE!

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Back to School SALE!

Hi! I am here to share with you that Teachers Pay Teachers is having a big site-wide back to school SALE Tuesday and Wednesday this week. Be sure to use coupon code BTS19 when you check out to receive the full savings. 20% off is frequently given by the sellers and then an additional 5% off with the coupon code. I have LOTS of resources in my shop perfect for creative teachers! Check out these Positive Mindset Posters. Choose to … Read more… →

Growth Mindset Coloring Bookmarks

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New coloring package available in my shop! I have been working hard on making these Growth Mindset Coloring Bookmarks for you. First, I know everyone loves FREEBIES! As my gift to you, here is a sample from the Growth Mindset coloring bookmarks. Click on the image for a high quality PDF download, FREE! How to use these? I think they are perfect for a variety of settings…. character education, Back to School activities, after school daycare, indoor recess, free choice … Read more… →

3 Back to School Ideas

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During the first week of school, you want to be teaching routines and expectations for your art class. I always like to ease into the school year with some simple, yet creative projects to get to know my students. I am going to share with you three fun Back-to-School ideas that you can try in your art classroom. 1. Creative Backpack My students used the template created by Hey Art Mama to make these creative backpacks. (I do not receive … Read more… →

What is an Art-O-Mat? and Pictures from the Boston Museum of Fine Arts

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Remember I told you about Cindy Ingram’s Art Class Curator workshops? She’s hosting the Curated Connections Workshop a FREE online training, starting August 8th. She’s sharing some of her favorite tips and techniques. This reminded me of the National Art Ed Conference this year, when Cindy, Phyl, Misty Bear and I went to the Boston Museum of Fine Arts one afternoon. I have been meaning to write all kinds of blog posts in our break from school, but wow, this … Read more… →

Free Curated Connections Workshop

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Free Curated Connections Workshop

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… →

Sharpie Drawings on Tin Foil

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Sharpie Drawings on Tin Foil

I did learned this technique from my co-worker Jayne, who taught it during summer school last year. I think drawing on tin foil is a unique experience for kids that can be done using a variety of themes! My third and fourth graders had a great time making these abstract drawings using Sharpie markers on tin foil. To prepare the surface, pull out a sheet of tin foil and carefully flatten it on to a piece of cardboard or matboard. … Read more… →

Decoupaged Stool and Romero Britto Inspired Hearts Canvas

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My students and I recently made two colorful artworks for our school fundraiser. We painted a stool with acrylic paints. I had kids from grades K-3 come up two or three at a time to take turns painting the sections. After the base layer was dry, we used magazine cutout words to decoupage the stool. Black sharpies were also used to outline and accent the edges. Students in grades K-3 helped with this project and I had some older kids … Read more… →

Notre Dame Cathedral Art Projects- Stained Glass Windows

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After the devastating fire this week at the Notre Dame cathedral, I put some of my previously planned lessons on hold. We are making a bulletin board in tribute of the Notre Dame cathedral. One of my classes is making some stunning and highly detailed pen drawings of parts of the cathedral and the gargoyles. Watercolor washes will be added to the background. I am super impressed with how these are coming along, but none are finished to show you … Read more… →