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…
