Those Who Can't Teach?

I hate to admit it, but, I grew up with the idiom: Those who can, do; those who can't, teach. It never occurred to me that people would actually like my art. I think that's why I chose to teach elementary age children, because I was pretty sure I was better then them. Although, truth be told, I do have some really talented students. And some students, who have a way of taking my lesson to the next level. It blows me away!

When I got involved in community theater a few years ago and mentioned I was an art teacher-I was asked to design a backdrop for the production of Everything in the Garden.

It had been MANY, MANY years since I did any kind of painting. But you know what? I really enjoyed doing it! And getting all those complements gave me back a confidence I didn't realize I had lost. I think growing up in the '60's and '70's emphasis was placed more on the talents of artists that were long dead as opposed to being original and creating one's own style. And as I have gotten older and really started exploring the art field, I realize that people enjoy MANY different types of art.

So, when my daughter said she was looking for a painting for her kitchen, I suggested that I make one for her. As my client, she told me her vision for what she would like and I went with it! AND, I really enjoyed myself!

 So, when my daughter asked again, this time for her bedroom, I did those too! Granted, it took a while to find the time......... But, I'm happy, and so is she, with the results.

 

Word has a way of getting out, especially with theater folks and I was asked to do a large (about 5 foot square) floor mat for a show. When later asked to do a mural, I volunteered the floor mat so my rose has been in two theater productions.

I also remember hearing when I was younger that when you are creative, it will come out one way or another. So when I'm not painting, I may be sewing or doing ceramics. OR perhaps some creative writing, like this blog! Which brings me to an email I opened this morning.

The Art of Education is now accepting nominations for 2014 Art Ed Blog of the Year. What's new this year is the category: Best Rising Star Art Ed Blog. Sure would like to be nominated, hint, hint! Here's the link to the email Art of Ed article.

Thank you so much for reading this! Tell me about the art you make outside of your classroom!

Using Literature With Art

Back to school/work after a very relaxing holiday break. Inspiration for today's blog came from the art teacher facebook page. Where I saw requests, from teachers, for lessons to use with younger students and lists of books to get for the art room. Joining those 2 concepts together let me share a few lessons with all of you.

A Rainbow of My Own, a lesson to help learn the rainbow AND at the same time practice using scissors-correctly and safely. I prepare this lesson by photocopying the zig zag page from the book: Little Kids Cut. I print the page out onto color copy paper, using the colors of the rainbow. If you don't have this book-improvise by making your own practice page.

 

   

When starting this lesson with students, I read them the book. Show them my sample above. Demonstrate making a rainbow using primary colors of paint, which I overlap/mix to make the rainbow. They do get annoyed they aren't painting, but, I always promise we will soon!

Next, we talk about the parts of the scissor, what fingers go where, keeping our thumbs up. If there's time, we practice holding scissors while walking, passing scissors to someone else. I demonstrate how to cut on the line. Move the paper not your hand. I explain that we will all make a rainbow collage, however, we are all cutting only one sheet of paper. I usually do this over 2 class meetings. And, I explain that the next time they will share all the cut paper.

When they return to art we review what we learned the previous class. Then I read them the book Too Much Glue, in the hope that they will restrain themselves. Hahahaha, I can be so silly sometimes...... Anyway, I do a rainbow collage as the students call out the colors in rainbow order.

Next up Where's My Teddy, a cute story about a boy, a bear and how they both lost their teddy in the woods.

 Again, I read the story, I show my sample and I demonstrate. I really went slow with this one as there were so many new concepts for them. They get folding the paper in half, however they get stuck on putting the tracer on the folded edge. Rule was you show me either before you start tracing or before you start cutting, 'cause you are not getting more paper! And the bonus was they could save their scrap and then they would have a pattern to use at home to make more.

 

Photo on the right, the top part is the tracer I made, which must be placed on the fold. Under that is the scrap they can save. This is a good way to explain symmetry. Also, got to use the word cylinder, as all the bear parts are glued to an empty toilet paper roll. (And NOW Scott is making roll free toilet paper, how could they?) I have the students glue paper (that I cut to size) onto to the tp roll and place a rubber band over that to hold the paper in place while the glue dries.

Then, they do the tracing, cutting, remove the rubber band, and glue on the body parts. Time permitting they can add accessories and clothing to their bears.

And, last but not least........ since you know I have more to share down the road, or would it be in future blogs.........

 

  

Love this story about an elephant that decides to paint all his elephant friends to look like him.
Following the same format as above, I read, show samples and demo. The first week is all about drawing the elephant and mixing the color gray. The second week I share a different Elmer story and we talk about lines and shapes and how we use them to create patterns.

I love using literature in the art room, it ties so many things together. It motivates the students, it helps to balance the time with the little one's short attention span. It makes me a good role model as I share my love of reading. And it's especially awesome if it's a book they haven't heard before!

Hope you enjoyed this, thanks for reading and please let me know what books you share with your students!

Looking Back at 2014

In the last 12 hours I read 2 blogs What the Art Teacher Wore and Art is Basic from art teachers in which they looked back over the past year. Since I'm new to blogging I thought I would follow their lead and look back over the last year.

In February we had our county fair and we were encouraged to do still life with our students. They really enjoyed learning how to shadow. In addition to the school exhibit in which we are required to participate, we have a separate art exhibit to showcase other student art. AND that's the one that gives out RIBBONS!!! This year we received  a couple of honorable mentions!

 

March was the month in which I drove the entire school community crazy reminding them, daily, to vote for me at Thank a Million Teachers so that I could win a grant for iPads in my art room.

   

As you can see it WORKED!!! We actually had a presentation and I now have one of those SUPER BIG CHECKS! Thank a Million Teachers is funded by Farmers Insurance. You might want to consider talking to them about your insurance needs as they are doing really great things for educators.

 The National Art Educators conference was in March in San Diego. It was the third national conference I attended and the first time I presented at one.

 

At conference I was part of a teacher advisory committee for Faber-Castell (not sure how I got so lucky!) but they gave us free stuff! My students were extremely impressed with the quality of the materials. Oh, happy day! Oh, happy day! (actually singing this in my head...)

 

In April, I brought my 4th grade students to see their art displayed at the Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art in Tarpon Springs.  This was the first time many of my students ever visited an art museum. It gave me the opportunity to expand their knowledge on a variety of art related careers.

May is mask making month for our 5th grade students and they did an incredible job this year! I promise to blog about this in May 2015.

SUMMER VACATION this past year was filled with wonderful professional development opportunities as well as time to play! I played at a workshop given by the Florida Art Educators Association at the Ringling Museum in Sarasota.

 

I also did a family vacation in DC for a week, sent them all home and stayed another 2 weeks on my own for 2 of the most incredible teacher institutes. The first one NAEA's  Summer Vision DC with Renee Sandell. This is where I had the opportunity to visit several different museums and learn how museum educators teach art using the art they have on display. The activities I learned were priceless and I promise to share them in the future!

   

The second week I was at The National Gallery of Art for their Summer Teacher Institute. I actually received a fellowship to attend which helped offset the cost of airfare and the hotel. The focus was on the French Impressionists and I learned so much, not so that my head would explode, but enough to feel like an intellect! It was just amazing how all the information about the artists and art movements came together and made so much sense. And they gave out a ton of free stuff, for me, to use with my students.

 

August was back to school and the really special thing to happen was that my daughter accepted a 7th grade math position at my school. We would work together this ONE year as my home school, that is being renovated, will be ready to go back to in 2015.

October was the conference for the Florida art educators where I had the opportunity to hang with Nancy Walkup, editor of School Arts magazine. She is the ONE person that has inspired me the MOST to attend conferences, professional workshops and to blog!

 Also, got to chat up our president of the FAEA, Karen Noble.

 And I met the Florida Teacher of the year, who happens to be an ART teacher, ChristieBassett.

Upon returning from that conference I started my blog! My goal is to inform and inspire other art teachers to do fun activities with their students while teaching art to them. Hopefully I am succeeding.

November was a crazy month which found me in Nashville for 2 separate weeks. The first week of the month was mostly spent at Vanderbuilt University Medical Center, where my son had open heart surgery. Long story, he is doing great and is back to work! And let's say after the sub that was in my room that week, I feel really appreciated! Then I was back up for Thanksgiving and enjoyed some fun family time.

December was our first concert/art show for the school year. Apparently didn't get around to taking any photos. It's still up and I guess I have a photo op to get back to. Also, starting to think about the exhibits for next year. Two more concert/art shows, the county fair, the museum and the district office display. AND I will need to start packing to return to my home school. It's all good!

Hope you all have a happy and healthy new year! And thanks for reading!

Mini Art

Wow! Where has the time gone? It's been OVER a week since my last blog and I have NO idea what has kept me SO busy........  However, it appears I am on level 327 of Candy Crush.......

I seriously need to get an exercise bike to use when I play, this way I can burn calories as I lose brain cells.
Back to blogging........ I mentioned in a previous post that my students exhibit at a local museum.

The exhibit will be up middle of January to the middle of February.  I have planned a field trip for the fourth grade to see, not only their work in the student gallery, but other galleries as well. When I do this exhibit of student work, I try to consider what will be hanging up in the other galleries at the same time. AND there will be an exhibit from The Miniature Art Society of Florida. Soooooo I showed my students this video-of The Miniature Art Society's display at the Leepa-Rattner. Introduced them to a display of art posters that I put up AND then tied it in with the concept of Artist Trading Cards then they got to work!

 

I told students to think of their favorite projects from previous years to inspire them. One of last year's favorite projects was our 17th century ships. I also had an example of a Grant Wood landscape I was doing with the 2nd & 3rd grade up on the board.

 

I felt the need to bring home all the mini art, to mount, since I'm on winter break.

Check it out! Some of you may notice that I am using covers that were left over from the sketchbooks. Also, it occurred to me that I could use the scrap paper, the wonderful data entry person, always saves for me. (Thank you, Patty!!)

 

 

 

I consider this to have been a really great lesson from many different perspectives. First of all the cost to do this was ZERO! Second, students actually finished their work (and many of them more then one piece). Third, it freed up the students to do something that was somewhat unstructured (in other words, I was pushing the creativity aspect). And finally, most of them will get to see their work in a REAL, LIVE MUSEUM! 
Are there things I would do differently next time? Upon reflection, yes, I think I was a little unprepared. Next time I need to consider starting earlier, and perhaps push the different genres or art styles a little more. Maybe have more samples of previous student work up OR have students complete mini art before or after doing larger art. It's all good, us art teachers are the best at being lifetime learners!

Thanks for reading! Hope you all have a wonderful winter break!
And, let me know if you have a museum that displays work from your students!