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Annual Art Re-Swap

Today I am going to show you some fun pictures of super cool art teacher finds that I picked up at an Art Re-Swap.  My city has an art supply swap at least once a year and it is probably one of my favorite events of the year!  How it works is people bring in old supplies and “stuff” that can be used in art projects.  Then, you can take anything you want from the piles of stuff other people … Read more…

Art is Basic Newsletter

Hello friends! Did you know Art is Basic has a newsletter?  If you sign up for my newsletter, you will receive emails about once or twice per month from me.  The newsletters will point you to blog posts you may have missed, tell about new products and give you words of encouragement or art teaching tips.  I will never spam you or send you too many “salesy” emails. You can sign up with this form below (you might have to … Read more…

The Best Thing I Did to Start My School Year

Hi!  Welcome back to another artsy school year! I had a brilliant breakthrough this summer while reading Facebook Art Teacher groups online.  Someone had created a video about their rules and procedures for their art room.  I saw that and I thought that I DEFINITELY needed to do that! As a K-4/5 art teacher (I no longer teach the 5th/6th graders.. that grade level went to our new art teacher), I see a lot of classes.  But, I still probably … Read more…

Free Symmetry Challenge Sheet

I have been working on making printable activity sheets to put into sketchbooks for my students.  My plan is to have them work on some of these for “bell ringers” or 5 minute warm-ups while they are waiting for the rest of their class to arrive (my students travel from class to class on their own and some trickle in minutes later than others… it’s a complicated scheduling story which I can explain if you are interested.)  The sketchbooks will … Read more…

Pattern Block Pictures

Earlier this year, I bought the packet “Teaching the Elements of Art” made by Teaching in Paradise.  This shape tracing project was included in the packet.  With Courtney’s permission, I am sharing the beautiful results my students produced. We used pattern blocks that I had in my classroom. The students arranged the blocks to make shape pictures and traced them.  After the designs were traced, they outlined them with a darker color and colored them in.  Some of the students … Read more…

Coloring Book Review and Giveaway!

Coloring Book Review and Giveaway!

**This is a cross-post from my personal art blog.  To enter the giveaway for a free copy of this coloring book, please leave a comment on the original post.** Today I am part of a TLC Book Tour for a new coloring book called  Inkspirations Fruit of the Spirit.  There are a few reasons I decided to be a part of this book tour.  1) I wanted to show you how we have enjoyed coloring books.  2) This is a … Read more…

New Products and Big Sale! Up to 28% off

Teachers Pay Teachers is throwing a huge Back-to-School sale.  I am joining in.  I keep my prices affordable as it is, but this sale is a huge steal!  I have over 50 art teacher resources available in my shop.  Everything is 20% off (EDIT: except the HUGE GROWING BUNDLE,  because that is already ridiculously cheap) August 1-2.  Add the coupon code: BestYear for additional savings (28% off total). I have some resources you might be interested in! NEW:  Elements of … Read more…