Sunday Devotional With Mr.E: Supplied!

Art supplies are essential to a strong art education program.  I have had years where I had all that I needed & years where I had to be "extra" creative!  I know that a set monetary amount is not guaranteed for supplies.  Government, administrators, and leadership teams can cause funding to go up and down for numerous reasons from year to year.  Though I will fight for the money I need for the sake of my students...I will not throw up my hands in despair if I do not receive all that I need.  I know that foremost, my students need an art teacher who cares about them.  That is a supply that can not be bought or manufactured, and has the greatest impact.  It is amazing what you can do on a shoestring budget when there is a love and respect from both the teacher & the students! (But a good budget is a blessing!!!)

Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy.  Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed.

1 Timothy 6: 17-19

So many people place there hope & happiness in what they have monetarily, professionally, or personally.   Bad choices are made, outside forces impact them, or others' choices/situations play out negatively in their life in one or more of these areas.  The very thing that they placed their hope/happiness no longer can meet that need.  They throw up their hands in despair, spew hate, blame everyone & everything for what has gone wrong.  Our God has supplied all we need to experience hope & joy in all situations. (Joy can be experiences even in the darkest times...happiness is every changing & conditional.). We just need to trust in Him...the never changing...ever loving God.  When we trust in Him & experience these things...our heart will desire to love, help, and minister to others.  Even in our struggles, those of us that know God will see beyond our situation and desire to be a blessing to others.  This is not our reaction, but God's heart in us.  We are supplied with more than we could ever need when we know the love of the Lord.  

Testing Up & Up (Target Brand)

I'm always up for trying new/different brands!  This is the first year I remember seeing the Up & Up school supplies at Target.  I may have missed it before though?!?  Back-to -School prices are not as good as they use to be...so if I can find quality products at a better price...YOU BETTER BELIEVE THAT'S WHAT I'LL BE GETTING!!!!!! ha ha  

So here is what I found from my very scientific tests!!!

CRAYONS

I don't know if anyone can top Crayola's crayons?  Up & Up is a little "waxier", but not as bad as some "other" major crayon brands.  They are worth a try, but I don't think they'll make you forget your Crayola's.  

COLORED PENCILS

 I really liked their colored pencils.  They are a little harder lead...so the color will be a bit lighter, 

but not by much.   

 MARKERS

The markers really worked well.  You may be able to see the colors differences, but you have that with all brands.  I'm not sure what they'll be like in the long run....that is the true test of markers!  I'll keep using them & get back to ya!!!!

Product Testing: Gelli Arts Gel Printing Plates

A few weeks ago I received an e-mail asking if I'd be interested in reviewing Gelli Arts Gel Printing Plates.  I love trying new products(or new to me products)...so I told them to send them my way!  Today I felt like a kid at Christmas when I found the package in my mail box at school.  I pulled out the product & read through the directions (always important).  Seemed easy enough to use.  I'll provide links so you can view some demo's & obtain further information on the product.  I first tested tempera paint.  It did want to pull/ball up because of the gel plate, but I still feel I obtained a nice monoprint off of it(the basket weave on the left).  This was the 8x10 size gel plate.  I then tried acrylic paint.  The picture I took is not the best, but I thought the results were very cool.  I have been wanting to try a monoprint landscape like this for some time with my students.  This was the smaller 6x6 size.  Clean up was a snap!  I really do like this product, and will keep my eyes open for it in our district approved suppliers!!!  I know BLICK carries it presently!  

THANKS GELLI ARTS FOR LETTING ME TRY YOUR WONDERFUL PRODUCT!!

LINKS FOR THIS PRODUCT

http://gelliarts.blogspot.com/

http://www.facebook.com/GelliArts

Supply Boxes

I am not here to support Wal-Mart.  I am here to support teachers!  That being said, if you are in need of supply boxes....Wal-Mart has their pencil boxes for 25 cents a piece.  Well...at least in our area they do.  Not sure how that works elsewhere.  Don't send me hate comments...if you think Wal-Mart is the devil...you are for sure welcome to your opinion.  However, I want to find the best deals for myself(and usually that is NOT at Wal-Mart)....and if I can save you some money too...awesome!  

I have one box per table.  Each supply has a different colored lid.  Crayons are green, Markers are blue, Colored Pencils are clear, Scissors are pink, and now....Construction Paper Crayons are black.

TEACHERS GET 25% OFF!!!!!!

I'm getting no kick backs from Jo-Ann's(trust me...I used to teach scrapbooking there).  I just wanted everyone that lives near a Jo-Ann's to know about this sale.  From what I understand..it is on non-sale & sale/clearance items.  That is pretty darn good!!!!  You need your teacher ID & a photo ID. 

 Happy Shopping!!!

SOMETIMES I USE DIFFERENT BRANDS FOR THE DIFFERENT COLORS. SOMETIMES I LIKE TO TEST OUT NEW/DIFFERENT PRODUCTS I HAVEN'T USED BEFORE. HERE IS WHAT I FOUND OUT ABOUT SOME OF THE DIFFERENT OIL PASTELS ON THE MARKET! I'D LOVE TO HEAR ABOUT WHAT YOU USE IN YOUR ART ROOM!

Here are the three types of oil pastels I use in my art room. I really like Crayola's Oil Pastels. They have a great hexagonal shape so they don't roll off the table while the kids are using them! They have a great color & go on fairly smooth. The paper around them are a bit tough to peal as they begin to run down. Worth the price!! Cray-Pas Junior Artist Oil Pastels are an oldie but a goodie. They are pretty soft(which doesn't translate to smooth application unfortunately)...which can be a problem with heavy handed children. They do have a great variety of color & they blend well! Very affordable!

If money was no object, I would only use the Portfolio Series Water Soluble Oil Pastels. The colors are amazing & their application is smooth as silk! The two downsides to this product is price & the paper that refuses to peal off!!!! As a grown-up I had trouble trying to remove the paper from around the oil pastel!

I checked my Site Meter & found that Google pulled up my blog for someone who had "googled".....steps to beginning watercolor in the classroom. I'm sorry person who thought my blog might provide an answer for such a thing(google brought them to me because of my blog on Prang Watercolor). I hope you return...because I'm doing a blog just for you!!!

Watercolor for the Elementary Classroom(and beyond)!

FIRST THINGS FIRST....WHAT YOU NEED!!!

• Watercolor sets(I love PRANG!!). The Biggie Cakes are for Kindergarten.
• Paint Brushes(Pick your fav. I like the synthetic best..they seem to hold up better..it is an investment money wise..about $80 for a large set with a variety of sizes...but worth it!
• Multi-purpose paper 80 lb works well. If you go with 60 lb drawing paper, it bows & warps really bad. You could buy paper that is "watercolor" paper, but it is pricey & I'd save it for special projects only(unless you have an amazing budget!!)
• Paper towels(I have the custodian at my school give me the left overs from the dispensers. At least here...they pull the roll off as it gets close to the end)
• Tumbler cups! This is truly a personal choice. I have found in my room...if I give each child their own water cup that it cuts down on spills and arguments(and a need to change extremely dirty water). I have purchased my tumbler cups from Dollar General. I think it's a dollar for 4 or 5. They have a wide base that keeps them from spilling easily, and have taller sides so the brush doesn't "pop" out when kids aren't using it. As with any water container...make sure you tell your students to keep it above their picture. This cuts down on spills!!

I have my supplies...NOW WHAT??

1. What is the topic/subject matter? Of coarse you can do anything, but there are a few subjects that lend themselves well to beginning watercolor! I'd recommend Still Lifes or Landscapes to start with. With Kindergarten...I'd recommend a large object(flowers, teddy bear, animal...etc). Their fine motor skills aren't up for little itty bitty details yet! They will find more success with larger shapes to fill in! Success will build confidence...and confidence will build better artists!!!
2. Have students draw their picture first. Remind them to draw lightly!! Heavy dark lines make the painting appear too coloring bookish. Encourage details, but remind them that if they draw too small...it will be difficult to paint.
3. TEACHER DEMO! This is a must. Bring students around you...making sure they are all able to see what you are doing. Have the same supplies out that you are going to be using with them...set up in the same way you would like to have them set it up. This is not controlling...it is modeling good painting behavior!

• place paint & water cup above paper
• place paper towel under the edge of picture
• rinse paintbrush out by rubbing it on the bottom of water cup & then wiping it on the inside of the cup above water line(to remove excess water).
• hold paint brush in the middle of the handle
• gently rub the paint pats with the hairs of the brush(I always tell students to imagine they are touching a baby's cheek...which keeps them from digging into the pat if it is soft!)
• gently run the brush across the surface of the paper(not painting to long in one place, not pressing too hard and scratching the surface with the metal part of the brush
• rinse brush when switching colors
• Paint large areas first

CATCH PHRASES TO USE WHILE WATERCOLORING WITH STUDENTS

• "WATERCOLOR IS WATERY!"(help students remember not to get dark with their paint)
• "NO CHICKEN FOOT" (reminding students to not press their brush into the paper hard or the paint...the hairs of the brush look like a chicken foot when you press too hard)
• "NO TAP -TAP" (alerts students to not tap their brush on the edge of the cup to get rid of excess water!!! When they tap tap..it sprays water everywhere and can mess up theirs or others work.)

I HOPE THIS HELPS!!!! PLEASE COMMENT IF YOU HAVE ANY MORE WATERCOLOR QUESTIONS!!!

Art Room Organization PART 1

I am a bit OCD. My friends find great joy in coming into my classroom and moving things to see how long it will take me to figure it out! Usually...NOT LONG! ha ha It seems that many art teachers have a reputation of being a bit messy/disorganized. I'm not sure how much of this is part of the artistic character.....or is it just a self fulfilling prophecy. Whatever the case may be, I'm here to tell you...ORGANIZATION IS YOUR FRIEND!! Every room has a different set of issues when it comes to organization. I have been in every type of room imaginable....and I'm here to tell you...IT IS POSSIBLE TO BE ORGANIZED NO MATTER WHAT!!! Now, you don't have to organize your still life objects based on colors, but making some simple changes in your room can allow you to be a more efficient & more affective teacher. Take a look & see if some of these ideas can work for you in your art room!!

Dr. Ed's Annual Art Supplies Drive

It's that time again!!! Dr. Ed Thomas(chiropractor extraordinaire) is getting ready to have his Annual Art Supplies Drive. My friend Julie(pictured left) & I are the recipients of this gracious gesture.

For the past several years, Total Body Healthcare, Inc has had an Annual Art Supplies Drive, and it has truly made an amazing impact on our art programs. The supplies that come in(markers, crayons, scissors, glue..etc) mean that we can use our limited funds to purchase other important/necessary items to create a rich & meaningful art experience for our students. I've taken a section of Dr. Ed's flier and placed below so you can see what he is offering on his end of the deal! Julie & I both go to Dr. Ed(and this was before he started giving us stuff!! ha ha), and will sing his praises as a chiropractor. So if you are in need of some chiropractic attention....this is the time to go!!! Help yourself & help the art programs at Tulip Grove Elementary & Hermitage Elementary.

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Our C-Savers will be August 14th. Please bring in $15 worth of art supplies in
exchange for your adjustment. Also, when you refer in your friends and family, they
can bring in $15 of art supplies to begin their care. This new patient special runs for
the entire month of August.

• Did you know that Metro Art teachers receive about $3.00 per child to buy
supplies that have to last all year?!?
• These supplies will be donated to Tulip Grove Elementary and Hermitage
Elementary schools.
• Help us make this year a year to remember for these students!

Total Body Healthcare, Inc
August 1-29, 2008
Phone: (615) 885-7300
252 Jackson Meadows Dr. Hermitage

http://www.totalbodyhealthcare.com/
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(here are some of the supplies that were brought to last years supply drive)