A Sky Full Of Stars

Vincent Van Gogh said "what is done in love is done well".

Well I love Van Gogh and on his birthday I decided to take a look at some of my favorite lessons inspried by that love, and that were done very well...

Every spring my 1st and 2nd graders take on Sunflowers.

In 1st they create a paper collage made out of different colors and shapes of paper.

Once in 2nd grade we revisit the Sunflowers, and create a painting more in the style of Van Gogh, I usually send these home for Mother's Day.

Starry Night, which is most dear to my heart, has become what I'm know for as a teacher because I doodle it everywhere.

I have taught it from Kindergartners in the art room,

 to adults at a ceramic studio...

Happy Birthday V.V.G! I love thee...

A Dog That's More Than Blue

Blue Dog is an art teacher staple. The wide eyed pup by Cajun artist George Rodrigue has traveled  all over the world and to many classrooms.  I find it's a fun lesson to pull out when classes are losing motivation after the holidays.

For one, it's a dog, and kids love dogs! And two, the students can really have some fun making Blue Dog tell a story. This gives me an idea of whats current in their minds, a great tool for developing future lesson plans to meet their interest.

Here are a few of my favorite examples from this year.

A new edition to this lesson was the creation of a MEGA blue dog, that accompanies the artwork in the hallway! Thank the art gods for butcher paper and the lamination machine!

Happy Friday!

Heads on Hollyhock

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For TBT today I'm taking a look back at one of my favorite lessons from last fall. I wanted something with a southwestern theme, and stumbled across a Pinterest Georgia O'Keeffe lesson. Liking the idea and being inspired by a book I had just read that was all about floriography (the symbolic language of flowers), I set out to teach something new. 

We spent the first day learning about O'Keeffe, her inspiration for the ram head series, and juxtaposition.

Then we drew the skull.

On the second day we talked about flowers and how each flower has a meaning. For example O"Keeffe uses a Hollyhock beside her skull, represent ambition. As part of their project,each student had to pick a flower to incorporate with there skull that sent a message about themselves.

The end results we beautiful.

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