Emoji Stuffies w/ Painted Faces

My 5th graders are creating Emoji Stuffies!  In the past I've done "ugly dolls" & "shape monsters" for sewing projects with my 4th graders.  We now have 5th grade in elementary, and I decided to move the sewing up to be one of their projects.  I am using Smart-Fab's pre-cut circles.  I purchased them through BLICK(I believe they come in a pack of 100).  They are a great manageable size for students that have no background in sewing.  Doing too large of a project can become extremely overwhelming.  Some of my classes are finding great success...and some are struggling a bit.  The struggle is worth it...I feel sewing is a life skill kids need!  Here are some of the finished results.  They used Sharpie & acrylic paint to create the faces.

 

Have You Tried Mondo Llama?

 Have you tried the Mondo Llama brand from Target?  I've tested out their colored pencils, crayons, and markers.  They are pretty much the same as the Up & Up brand that use to be at Target.  I'm not sure if it is just a repackaging of the old brand or something totally.  I will say that I tend to break the crayons a bit easier than Crayola (Crayola has been snapping easier the past few years too I've noticed!)

I decided to pick up some of the Mondo Llama Acrylic paint to see how they performed.  I actually really like them!  They are a bit thicker/creamier than Apple Barrel (that you can get at Wal-Mart).  The finish is a satin, and I really love it!  They won't replace your professional acrylics, but they are really nice.  Get a few bottles the next time you are at Target and try them out!

YES... I KNOW IT LOOKS LIKE IT SAYS ACRYLIC PAIN!! HA HA

SOME PAINT RAN DOWN THE SIDE!  

Beauty is Everywhere

My 4th graders were using acrylic paint for painting their paper mache masks.  The resulting rings of water & paint on the draining board were beautiful!  One of those things you couldn't recreate if you tried...Beauty is Everywhere!

More Clay Masks: 4th Grade

Lots of cats & dogs...but there are a few other interesting...ummm...creatures?  

Once again..these are painted with acrylic & the students were limited to 4 colors.

There is something about this one I love!  A bit messy in how it was painted..you can even tell from the paper I had them work on top of compared to the other students.  However, there is something very lively about this guy!!!  

The stripe one looks amazing in person..did not photograph as well.  The green one makes me laugh!! Reminds me of The Mask movie...but kind of Veggie Tales!  LOVE IT!

This dude looks like a Furby & Gizmo had a baby!!! I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  

Completed Clay Mask Project: 3rd

This nine weeks did not have a lot of projects listed in our curriculum.  Between circle weaving and clay masks....there just wasn't time for much else!!  I've not taken pictures the past couple days as students finished their projects...bummer!! There have been some fun ones!  I thought these two were special..and wanted to share them with you.  

Art Camp at New Hope: Day 1

My wife & I are doing 4 mini-camps this week at our church.  She's doing games/snacks.....and I am doing art(duh?!?! ha ha).  Day 1 was ocean themed.  It was very interesting...none of the children were "my" students.  They came from different schools, different districts, home schooling....it was a mixed bag!  You know how you get your kids to a certain point...and they know how to do things...know what you're talking about...understand the vocabulary.  Well...not everyone teaches the same way I do, I guess! :) ha ha  That being said...the kids were awesome.  They really did a great job...and we had a whole lot of fun!!

Lest You Think I'm Laying Around Eating Bonbons!

So pretty much right after I left school...I started my summer gig!  Working for my wife getting VBS ready.  She heads the children's ministry at our church.  We're exciting around 400 kids at our VBS at the end of this month!!!! The person who was suppose to be doing the "set design" was unable to do it, so I found out a few weeks ago I had now be given "privilege" to do this task(on top of getting all the crafts ready!!).  

This is the progress so far!

I HAVE HELP!  

Beth is a special needs teacher...so it is fun to paint & talk shop!

I'm learning the joy of painter's tape!!! ha ha  

Reduce, Reuse, Re IMAGINE: 2nd Grade

The students loved the milk jug masks.  The parents loved the milk jug masks. Mr. E may never do the milk jug masks again!!!!!!  Ha ha ha   I loved the project...and loved that the kids loved the project so much!!!  However, my room smelling like sour milk, milk jugs EVERYWHERE, and the work of cutting each one down.....not so much!  If I would have not had a student teacher...I'm not sure I would have even attempted this!  They do look great though.....hmmm....maybe.