New Classroom Decorations for Next School Year!!

 

A friend and former parent contacted me to see if I wanted some of the decorations from their VBS. They had done SPARK.  It is a VBS that is themed like an Art Camp! HOW FUN IS THAT!!  So, if you see churches doing SPARK this summer near you....you may want to contact them and ask what they will be doing with the decorations after VBS is over. Never hurts to ask!  

Stained Glass Window Cling

I have always wanted to do this.  My window looks out to an unkept courtyard & a brick wall. I like the light…but not the view. I had seen them at Home Depot/Lows, but the selection was small and nothing that I was really excited about.  I'm a little late on the Amazon bandwagon (just this past year ordered my first item), but they had a TON of options. You have to be careful though because of size vs price...they can get ya if you aren't paying attention!  This was not my favorite design(that would be a roll that cost $50 and would not have covered the whole window!), but I really liked this one and felt it would work well in my room.  OH MY GOODNESS!!  I was not thinking about the light it cast into my room.  IT IS SO PRETTY!!!!!  We need happy spots in our day...and seeing my floors glowing with beautiful color....LOVE!!!!!

The Be(e) Mirrors

I found these great mirrors at Dollar Tree, and knew I had to use them in my class.  Students face the mirrors when they line up at the end my class. We've talked about what each one means, and what it looks like in the art room.  I hope that it is a good reminder to them each time they line up to leave and see themselves in the mirrors! 

 

2019-2020 Classroom Pictures

I was trying to free up space on my iPad, and realized I never posted the pictures from my classroom from the start of the school year.  I had posted a video, but not the pictures.  So here ya go!! Please feel free to ask questions!

..purple is my color theme for the year..

....wish list...tulip..schedule...

(We are Tulip Grove Elementary...every teacher has a tulip.  I painted mine like stained glass when I first came 19 yrs ago...the principal loved it...then told me to repaint the whole school!!! OMG...I've painted too many tulips over the years!! ha ha)

....view from the door....

...view from the back...

...a new addition this year...

Tap Lights to indicate what standard is being taught!

...Visual Thinking Strategies... 

...magnetic word wall...

(The strips are from Dollar Tree!)

...reading area...

I start every kindergarten class with a book!

....my selves of still life materials....

..."everyday" supplies...

Art Room Tour 2019-2020

Welcome to my art room!! 

Stay as long as you like, and feel free to ask questions. 

Art Standards Display

So I wanted to do something like this last year, but was still working out my idea!  I've put up our state standards in child friendly language. To the left I've attached a tap light. My plan is to go over the standards with my students in this format so they become familiar with the language and the concepts. We will use them to help review what we learned during that day's lessons. I'll have students come up and hit the tap light for the standard(s) we've covered based on what the class agrees upon. My hope is for good vocabulary rich discussion and a deeper understanding of what we are learning. It will take time. It will take patience. It will take reworking.

I'M UP FOR IT!

    STAY TUNED!      

Bulletin Board/Displays: Practicum Students Edition

As part of my MTSU practicum students' requirements....they had to create a bulletin board or display in my classroom.  I have to admit...it is challenging to come into someone else's room that has a vibe & try to make something that would fit within that teacher's style.  We talked about possible ideas, and I created a list for them of things I'd find useful in my classroom.  However, I did tell them if they had an idea....I was open to other possibilities.  I also let them know I might make changes to their boards/displays once they've left to better fit into my classroom.  This isn't to be mean, but I have to live in this space.....they were just visiting! ha ha
Here are what my practicum students created. 

Doing their best Vanna White impersonation!!!!

I really loved her poster...it is so sweet!! 

I had been working on a unit with my 1st graders about emotions.  

I love that I now have a poster to be a reminder for my students!!

I had a pre-existing board that needed changed out! (this is my super hero inspired ARTIST LEAGUE board) She found this amazing Brazilian artist(female & still alive!!) that I just love!!!!  Can't wait to create some lessons using Beatriz Milhazes as inspiration.

CLASSROOM TOUR 2018-2019

I have been slow to post this year guys...I'm so sorry!!!  It has been such a busy start to the school year both at school & with my kiddos!!!(I have a 3rd grader, 2nd grader, & Pre-Schooler!) Such is life with a busy art dad!! ha ha  Hope you enjoy the tour...please let me know if you have any questions!  

Vacation Inspiration for the Art Room

My family went on a day trip to the US Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama. It is only 2 hrs from Nashville,TN(where we live), and truly fun for the whole family! There were several "art" type things there that I appreciated, but what I'm about to share really inspired me!!  I'll share the pictures & give a blurb under each one about my thoughts on how I'll art spin it!  I'm thinking I'll take 12x12 canvases and paint the words/symbols on it & hang them above my marker board at the front of the room.

Art starts with an idea....so "THINK IT" is perfect to start the process!

Students will need to "EXPLORE IT" as they proceed with the ideas.  This could be researching art, artists, or photographs that relate to their idea & direction they will to go.

"SKETCH IT" - Enough said!  

  

After working through different sketches, students will proceed with their idea in a more finalized format...and "TRY IT"/"CREATE IT".  I'm still working through this one.  I feel they could be one in the same.  Plus, I'd like to get it down to 6 steps instead of 7.  (What are your thoughts?)

Students will have opportunity for personal, peer, and group critique of their work.  They will then be able to "TWEAK IT", and make any necessary changes.

Though "SELL IT" is applicable in art, I think I'll probably change it to SHARE IT or PRESENT IT.  That way I can tie it into the standard PRESENT, and have students start thinking about "beyond creating".  

These are my three goof balls!