Getting Published

 Getting published is EXCITING!! I know I shared recently that I had Clip Cards published in School Arts Magazine in November and December. WELL, I also had one published in this month's issue.

 

I thought I would share that lesson.
Reading a book always works for me to motivate my students. In this case when it comes to rainbows I have two different books I like to share.

 

A Rainbow of My Own can be purchased from Amazon click here.
Pete's Rainbow I purchased at a museum gift shop when I was in Ireland. I did find it at Amazon.co.uk  here.

After reading the book, I modeled the steps for them and stated my expectations.

 

It's not a lesson that should take a long time. And it would make a good lesson to leave with a substitute teacher. They did a really nice job!

   

I love when a lesson combines concepts. And I really like doing pattern related lessons with them. Adding patterns to art work adds interest and depth to the work. I guess that's why my other two clip cards also involved patterns.

 

 

Anyway, in reviewing the EOC's my students took at the end of the last school year I noticed I didn't focus as much on comparing differences and similarities across various cultures. I have included a resource from Nancy Walkup, editor of School Arts Magazine that would be wonderful in teaching patterns. Even if all you share are the magnificent photographs. I believe this lesson would also be very valuable in opening up a dialog about how different cultures can be compared and contrasted.

The article is from SCHOOLARTSROOM.COM Understanding the Art of Islam.

Oh and since I'm sharing my published articles, the first article I had published was in the October 2007 issue of School Arts Magazine.

 Then in October 2010, under Managing the Art Room.

And December 2010.

 The links will get you to the magazine and the table of contents will get you to the articles. Really need to find time to do MORE articles. And remember School Arts Magazine is always looking for articles from us art teachers. Click here for their guidelines.

I am curious as to whether any of you out there has a lesson you were like to get published? Please feel free to bounce those ideas off me!

Thanks for reading!

Carousel of Bloggers

Elementary Carousel of Learning: Teacher Art Blogs- WOW! It was a blast!
From left to right is Laura Lohmann of Painted Paper, Phyllis Brown Levine of There's a Dragon in my Art Room, Cassie Stephens of What the Art Teacher Wore, Jen Dahl of Jen Dahl's Art Room and me, Sheryl Depp.

 The room was set up with tables, with a different blogger at each table. The way it worked was similar to speed dating. You would enter the room, choose a table to sit at, listen to a short presentation and then move on to the next table.

 

   

By the end of the session you had the opportunity to meet and learn something different from each of us. Since I was so busy talking, I didn't get to listen and learn from all the other bloggers in the room.

   

   

But I believe Phyllis spoke about navigating around the tabs of your blog. Cassie spoke about finding your passion and then writing about it. Jen got into the technology of setting it up and I went into my thought process on how I got started.

 

 

 

The event was overwhelmingly  successful and was attended by other established bloggers. I got to meet Nic Hahn from Mini Matisse. She has me linked on her blog AND as soon as I figure that out, I will be making a list of bloggers for you all to check out!

 

 

This wonderful event was coordinated and hosted by Nancy Walkup editor of School Arts Magazine.

AND later that same day...............

The Art of Education had a Blogger Meet Up! AMAZING!!

I am feeling incredibly inspired by all the wonderful people I met during the 2015 NAEA conference.

OH AND I ALSO GOT TO MEET THE "SELFIE" LADY!!!

 Last November, my blog was inspired by a video from The Art of Ed summer conference on Selfies.

What person has inspired you?

Now I'm gonna get some rest, so that I can get back into the real world and return to work tomorrow!!

Thanks for reading!!!

Manadalas and Other Special Requests

One of the classroom teachers asked me if I would do an art lesson with all of the 4th graders that included math. She requested that the lesson involve geometry-using shapes and symmetry. This was the same week that an awesome you.tube video was posted on the art teacher Facebook page titled: How to Grow a Mandala. See where I'm going with this? AND since it was right before vacation and I wanted something quick and easy - why not? I also managed to find a wonderful SlideShare, courtesy of Nancy Walkup about radial symmetry. First, I showed the slides and then I showed the video.

Check it out!

 

Loved this lesson so much that I did it with 3rd grade! And then 5th grade!

 

5th graders worked so fast that I put out colored pencils for them to use.

 

It was a lot of fun and a great way to end the week before spring break.

I have mentioned that I am involved with community theater and sometimes I fabricate props. I thought it would be interesting to share some of my activities outside the art room.

First, my pot belly stove. I actually found directions to do this online. The stove started life as 2 large flower pots. I added a small step stool, 2 plant trays, plastic pipes and a little fun foam to to simulate heat. Then it was all assembled and painted by my husband with flat black paint that you would use on a BBQ.

 

The production I am currently involved in required bananas, LOTS OF BANANAS.......

I bought a banana, opened it up, traced the peel to make a template. Then I traced and cut out dozens of fake bananas from yellow fun foam. Next, I laid them out on the garage floor and wheeled myself back and forth painting and splattering them. 

Yes, gotta LOVE a chair with wheels!

 

And let's not forget the plaque on the door made from tooling foil-

In addition to making props, I have directed, been the stage manager, made costumes, painted scenery, and have acted several roles on stage. (Even received 2 awards for my acting!) 

BUT, the best part ARE the friends I've made along the way!

Thanks for reading! I would love to know how you use your creative side outside your art room!

Also, for anyone attending the NAEA conference in NOLA I will be part of a carousel of art teachers talking about blogging. My mini presentation will be about getting started. It's on Friday, March 27th at 11am.