Art Rocks!

So this year my classroom theme was Art Rocks! We hit the ground running with a very elaborate project in 5th grade, bring on the life size electric guitars.

The students started by learning the anatomy of a guitar, and drew it at a 12 inch scale in their sketchbooks. They later enlarged their drawing to be a true to size at 36 inches.

The students then painted on cardboard and with help cut them out. We collected boxes and bottle caps school wise for the guitars and knobs.

Now that we are done I decorated the whole hallway with them. It's like a 5th grade teacher Battle of the Bands! 

The results were so amazing,  we celebrated with an Air Guitar Competition this afternoon!

Happy Halloween!

Evolving Plans: Roboto!

So I was walking down the hall this week and thinking about how that Robot Party began as a sub plan and has evolved into much more.

This year it became a full on paper party!!!

The students first cut out the shapes to form the robots, then uses multiple colors to create the whole scheme. I was quiet pleased, and the school is filled with fun energy! And we listened to Mr. Roboto by the Styx while we were working!

A Little Extra

As teachers we are always on the hunt for that magical incentive. That little extra that doesn't cost ya' a lot of extra. The term "starving artist" can easily add "teacher" to the end of that and still ring true! But I have a vocabulary contest going on in my room, and I wanted to give the winners a treat, a token of how much I appreciate their hard work. So me and my apprentice set out to "up cycle" some special crayons.

Sorting...

Depositing...

Back breaking work!

Evening them out...

In the oven they go...

And voila!

Crayons bake at 250 degrees Fahrenheit and I got the silicon molds at Joann's Fabrics, check out the app for 50% off coupons! ;)

-TGIF!

Batty about Art

Throw Back Thursday: A look at last year's bat oriented projects. 1st grade created symmetrical cut outs, while 2nd grade was inspired by our city's famous bat bridge.

Bats by themselves...

Bridges close up....

Bats All Folks...

Sub Plan: Robot Party!

So I've been sick, and that just throws a major wrench in all your fine planning. Luckily I created a magical lesson a few years ago, that makes those times when I have to be out of my room a little less stressful. Behold Robot Party!

What makes Robot Party an awesome sub plan are all the variables. It's combination of shapes and decorations are plentiful, great for all ages and can be easily repeated without boredom.

It starts with 2 shapes....

All shapes are connected with a "ladder line"! I tend to chant this and my students think it's silly, "ladder, ladder, ladder"....

Next we create joints, this allows for all sorts of action poses....

Connect again, "ladder, ladder, ladder!

Once your base bot is done, it's time to personalize...

Faces, Feet and Hands...

And get your robot dressed for the big day...

And what about the party? Don't forget to plan well!

Color and take home!

Wasn't that fun?!

The Rhythm of Our City

Every year my districts hosts a contest to design a shirt for YAM (Youth Art Month). This year our theme was "the Rhythm of our City". Here's some quick car pics of what my 1st graders came up with.

Happy Columbus Day!

Bored of Your Boards?!

Here is my favorite, it's cute to see the kiddos and teachers  all respond to it with the same fondness.

2015

2014

and remember  "You do your best work if you do a job that makes you happy." -Bob Ross

Moving Lines

I wanted my students to have a better understanding of how to use rhythm and movement to enhance their artwork. To start I had them wash a paper with water and layer water colors one at a time. After applying each color, the students would lift their papers and let the colors drip and blend. The 2nd graders LOVED this.

The next class, to continue the theme, we talked about the use of Lines in our artwork and how different types of lines give the feel of movement. The student then used black paper to cut of a variety of straight, dotted, wavy and zig-zag lines to create a composition. The results were gorgeous, and very striking when displayed with their classmates.

A Few of my Favorite Things

So I really love my room, it has this beautiful big window and tall walls of bulletin boards. But there are a few additions that make me smile the most everyday...

Having a Word Wall has been a project I have been wanting for my room for a long time, But not just a space filled with words on a strip, but something visual that tied students back to the lesson plan, So began my wall, where after each lesson I add a new word or repeat one with a picture from the lesson drawn along side it. I find the kids are retaining the vocabulary a lot faster with the image attached.

And my pride and joy, the Comic Corner. I really wanted to have a reading center in my room and what a better way to combine art and literacy!? Graphic novels have made a huge resurgence in the art field today. Spot the new Archie! The revamp of that series is awesome, and I love getting to share it with the kiddos. 

For anyone wanting to start a comic center of your own, ask your local comic book store about Free Comic Book Day, it's usually the first Saturday in May, and it s a great time to score a dozen plus free books for your center. And clear blinder sleeves taped back are a cheap way to keep the comics clean from everyday messes.  As of today I have more than forty books and only 3 have had to be mildly repaired from general wear. 

First Week of School

Since today is Thursday I decided to throw it back to the first week of school and show off my clean classroom and cute helpers. One more day till the weekend! Happy first day of October.