May 31, 2013

Back to School: Thinking Ahead


If you've followed my blog a couple years, you know the last week of school I have my students make art for the hall for when we come back to school.  I have a very long wall outside my room...and hate for it to be blank!  I have color themes for my classroom each year.  This past year was ICE/Cool Colors.  This coming year will be FIRE/Warm Colors.  My fear is that history will repeat itself.  During this year of ICE...my heat went out for about 5 weeks during the winter.  I'm praying that I get back to school the last week of July to find my air still working....I really don't want to experience FIRE! :)  

May 29, 2013

Even More 4th Grade Weavings!!!


I couldn't pick only a few...so this is the 3rd of 4 posts I'm doing on this years' 4th grade weaving project. 

Once again...here is the link to all the weaving lessons on my blog!!!! 
 http://artwithmre.blogspot.com/search/label/Weaving



May 28, 2013

Officially Done With 2012-2013 School Year


In my classroom...finishing the last bits of packin' up for the summer.  I've only got an hour or two worth of work....and then this year will be officially over.  For those of you new to teaching....what they say is true....time goes by faster & faster!!!  Didn't I just start my career?!?!  ha ha  Odd to think I'm actually in the middle of my career at this point(though with small children...I may be teaching a lot more than 30 yrs when it is all said and done!! ha ha).  Young at heart though...and still love what I do!!!!!!!!  

I have posts scheduled throughout the summer from this school year...and I'll be posting more VBS stuff (kind of my job for the month of June...workin' for my wife!) & other random things I find interesting.  So don't check out for the summer....or you might miss something from the world of Mr. E!  ha  



May 27, 2013

...Last Minute Weaver...


While everyone else was playing games or outside at recess on the last day of school....this awesome artist wanted to come into my room and finish his weaving!!  Love the dedication!!!!!!  So here he is...in my room as I pack up for the summer...so proud of his finished piece. Will miss him & his can do attitude next year as he heads off to middle school!  

(picture used by parents permission!)


May 24, 2013

Art Without Pants


So yesterday at the gym...I went to get ready for work.  When I opened my bag...I realized I had forgotten my pants.  It is a little too far to turn around and go home...so I decided I'd just stop at Wal-Mart by my school.  So I texted my principal and said.... "Forgot my pants...stopping at Wal-Mart ..might be late!" To which I got the reply... "WHAT?!?!?!? WHO IS THIS?"  

Reminds me of a story from a year or so ago....

Mosquitoes love me.  I had over 30 bites on my legs, and was going crazy because my pants were rubbing them.  So I texted my principal....  "Can I wear shorts tomorrow? I have a ton of bug bites and pants make it unbearable!"   To which she writes back....  "WHY CAN'T YOU WEAR A SKIRT OR A DRESS?"  My response... "If you really want me to I guess I could....HIS IS TED!"  
HA HA HA HA HA HA



May 21, 2013

PRAYING FOR OK



In times like these...we feel helpless.  We look at the images of the schools destroyed, and think that it could have just as easily been us!  What can we do?  How can we help?  There are ways to give through different trustworthy organizations...and that will help in time.  Right now though...people are walking around dazed & confused....still in shock. Some are still looking for their loved ones.  Some are by the bedside of those clinging to life...or struggling with horrible injuries.  The only thing I know to do is pray.  
***********************
At the end of my first year of teaching....I was in a city far away from everything & everyone I knew....my classroom was destroyed by a tornado....my mother had 3 strokes at the age of 47.  A year later...as my mother was just getting back to a new normal...my father was diagnosed with cancer & died 4 days later.  

Why do I share this?  Horrible things happen!  Things we don't get...things we don't understand...things we think & feel should not happen to us!  

The situations/circumstances were beyond what I could understand or deal with.....but not beyond God.  
There is a song... 

I KNOW WHO HOLDS TOMORROW

I don't know about tomorrow; 
I just live from day to day. 
I don't borrow from its sunshine 
For its skies may turn to grey. 
I don't worry o'er the future, 
For I know what Jesus said. 
And today I'll walk beside Him, 
For He knows what is ahead. 
Many things about tomorrow 
I don't seem to understand 
But I know who holds tomorrow 
And I know who holds my hand. 
Every step is getting brighter 
As the golden stairs I climb; 
Every burden's getting lighter, 
Every cloud is silver-lined. 
There the sun is always shining, 
There no tear will dim the eye; 
At the ending of the rainbow 
Where the mountains touch the sky. 
Many things about tomorrow 
I don't seem to understand 
But I know who holds tomorrow 
And I know who holds my hand. 
I don't know about tomorrow; 
It may bring me poverty. 
But the one who feeds the sparrow, 
Is the one who stands by me. 
And the path that is my portion 
May be through the flame or flood; 
But His presence goes before me 
And I'm covered with His blood. 
Many things about tomorrow 
I don't seem to understand 
But I know who holds tomorrow 
And I know who holds my hand...


Prayers are what got me through....and continue to move me forward.  Prayers are what I have to give for the lives impacted by the tornado.  I can not wrap my arms around those hurting right now...but God can.  Please pray with me!!! 

The Winners Are....

 As part of the workshop, they had the students bring in a piece of art to be judged.  I'm not use to "judging" high school art at all...and I don't enjoy selecting only a few as the "winners".  Each piece had something special/interesting about it....but I had to pick the top three.  

1st Place
This young man does amazing pencil work!  He is going to an art school next year for graphic design.  I wish the picture was clearer...the eyes of the goldfish are olives!!!  He called it..Too Drunk To Fish! ha ha

2nd Place
I love the colors & shapes created in this work.  She uses watercolor, and then outlines the shapes with black and white gel pens!  She wants to do a series on fairies.

3rd Place
Ok...I'm all about the fun in art, and this piece brings it!!! Do you see the spork baby?!? HA!  LOVE IT!  


How fun are these kids?!?!?! They are turning out some very interesting work with strong points of view!!!!! 
If any of ya find my site...please know I LOVED spending the day with you all...and think you all are truly amazing artists!!!  










May 19, 2013

Wilson County Workshop


Lebanon High School (new building...1st school year open)





The group wasn't huge, but we had a whole lot of fun!!!!  There were teachers and students from one elementary school & three high schools in Wilson County.  We had a great morning of art making.  
I did a mixed media lesson with the theme of The Elements. 
I'm use to working with elementary age...and teachers, but the high schools are not my norm population.  I LOVED 'EM!!!! They were so much fun!
 Below you'll see the works created by those in attendance.










May 16, 2013

More 4th Grade Weavings


Another group of amazing 4th grade weavings!!  
Here is the link to all the weaving projects on my blog!
http://artwithmre.blogspot.com/search/label/Weaving