February 22, 2012

Jumpin' on the Zentangle Bandwagon : 4th



 Yes...I mocked Zentangles when I first started seeing them pop up all over on the web.I couldn't understand what the big deal was..."Aren't they just glorified doodles?!?"  Though I still feel the answer is yes to that question...I have a greater respect for it now after doing some research.  I watched probably 20+ videos on YOUTUBE & went to countless sites trying to learn more about the process.  I (being the OCDish person I am) like the structure of a Zentangle over just random doodling.  I really love the attention to patterning and design!!!  With this new found respect...I decided to give them a go for my 4th graders.  The twist I put on them was a contour line drawing of a fruit or veggie in the center of the page.  The Zentangle would then take place on/in/over/around that contour drawing.  The images here are day 1 of the project.  I'll share more after the students have finished them up!  OH...and they Zen part of the Zentangle is no joke!!  My 4th graders were as quiet and focused as they are when we do weaving!!!(which is AMAZING!)

14 comments:

  1. We started with what are called tangle drawings and now each child sort of takes it to his own level. We call ours "mini-tangles" because I cut card stock in quarters and do the drawings the smaller pieces of paper- it makes it so one drawing can be completed in a day.

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  2. I'm the person who has been nastiest about the zentangle thing. I have done something very similar with my students - maybe I'll post them sometime - but we call "organized doodles" or "controlled doodles". What I don't like about Zentangles is being told to buy special papers, pens, etc. We can all set frameworks and parameters to our doodling to give it a sense of organization; you've done that with the object. I've been teaching my kids to doodle when I'm talking and they are supposed to be listening; in other words, as a way to focus concentration, and it really works well.

    Thanks for bringing back the discussion!

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  3. Phyl...so was that thanks like..really, thank you...or thanks like....THANKS ALOT TED!?!?!?!

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  4. I created a Pinterest pinboard for these suckers when I first saw them awhile back... I had to find out more about this business (literally, a business, for crying outloud...). My 'obsession' (I'm OCD, too!) is two-fold: first of all, I think that in terms of aesthetics, they're quite fascinating to look at, and they're pretty rockin' to see from start to finish. However, I COMPLETELY agree with you as far as the glorified doodle remark! I've done NUMEROUS projects with my kids--second grade kids, third grade kids--that are like this. We call ours 'Scribble Scrabble,' 'cause they're fancier and more controlled than a true scribble.

    Phyl, you hit the nail on the head--why buy specialty items to doodle!? My favorite doodling time is during church, when I use my trusty ultra fine black Sharpie to mark up my bulletin, which totally helps me focus on the sermon!

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  5. I feel like I inspired you some since my latest blog post! yay!

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  6. you'd think that Rachel...except that was a scheduled post from a week ago. :) your project is inspirational though..and want to try it sometime!!!

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  7. So I am like the antithesis of you all. I LOVE doodling! I have shared it with my students, teachers and groups. It is so relaxing, the rhythm, repetition, we play quiet music and let our stresses go.. And, it's cheaper than a massage!

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  8. I only just started to read more about what a Zentangle is because honestly they always looked very similar to pattern/line design projects that we all at one time or another have done in some way, shape or form. I have to be out next week to rewrite curriculum ( I feel my headache coming on already!) I am going to leave a packet I made up about Zentangles and have the classes work on some with the sub. Let's see what they come up with! ( What blows my mind is that people are actually selling what they call how to make Zentangle kits! )

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  9. He ha ha - it was thanks, REALLY thanks. You should know by now that I always like a good 'discussion' on a hot topic. (Think no-no board...) Anyhow, Zentangles is certainly an interesting topic for discussion.

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  10. He ha ha - it was thanks, REALLY thanks. You should know by now that I always like a good 'discussion' on a hot topic. (Think no-no board...) Anyhow, Zentangles is certainly an interesting topic for discussion.

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  11. I agree with Carol and with the idea of fancy doodling. However, if this is a project that encourages creativity, especially in my students, why knock it? I did something similar with 5th grade line projects and had not heard of zentangles.
    The kits and special websites are for those who have forgotten how to be creative and are discovering a new 'thing'.Let them enjoy it. I kind of like them myself as it gives me a different outlet to explore and be more creative.
    Ms.D

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  12. Snap!! I too have jumped on the bandwagon and have tried it in school with my year 6's today (age 10)... Most of them loved it... a few of them found it a bit complicated. I work in a special school, so wasn't sure how it would work out. I shall be trying it out on my older classes next week. :-)

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  13. I was redirected accidentally by some website here and to Phyl’s blog. I read comments... I am familiar with the topic and today found out even more. There is more information for art teachers who teach children doodling using zen-crooks’ books on Zen crooking:). This is an amazing and funny story about tremendous greed and the biggest scam in the US children education I know. Read about them: http://www.ripoffreport.com/arts-and-crafts/zentangle/zentangle-rick-roberst-maria-80311.htm
    New generation shouldn’t be fooled by their naive art teachers, who doesn’t know the details. Research helps. This is the details about zentangle pending teaching patent:
    http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20110407/00435413807/zen-art-patent-protecting-zen-art.shtml#comments
    I would suggest to boycott swindlers with their kits, books and term for doodling. You can use other term - the "NeoWhimsy".

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  14. I followed a Pinterest link here, it was actually a link to your site and not the specific post so I started looking through your blog to find the specific post. I found myself pinning several of your other posts and I'm feeling quite inspired by a lot of your ideas! I'm a homeschooling mom, not a teacher, but I am enjoying your site.

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