Windows In: Red Grooms "ish" Project

As part of our Red Grooms focus here at MNPS...we are pulling from all the cities Grooms created in his work.  The "windows" my 4th graders are creating will be added to building that will be in the hall.  We're creating our buildings from butcher paper, and students will be adding bricks by stamping sponges.  

Red Grooms Inspired Taxi: 2nd Grade

This is day 2 of working on our Red Grooms inspired taxis.  Students to continue on with the collage aspect of their taxis, but also allowed them to use markers to add greater detail.  I then had student create profile views of people to ride in their taxis.  Profile views can really mess with students....and I really had a mixed levels of success.  At least I now know that is an area we need to spend some time on.  

STAY TUNED....MORE DRIVING YOUR WAY!!!!!!

NASHVILLE ARTS MAGAZINE: Guest Blog Post Aug.

Nashville Arts Magazine has asked me to do a monthly guest blog for their website.  This month the article is Art Teachers & Organization 

(click on the above link to read the article)

WRITE YOUR NAME

I always have a WRITE YOUR NAME board in my room. 

When they forget....I can just point & tell them there are no excuses!  

Crayon Border

My students always ask......"Are those real crayons?"

The answer is "YES!"  Many many years ago...a restaurant went out of business in our area.  They donated all of their 4 packs of crayons to our school.  There were HUNDREDS & HUNDREDS of boxes.  There was no real reason I needed all of them for coloring purposes.  So I decided to create a fun border/backsplash for my counter.  

It was pretty easy to do.  I cut cardboard to be a bit shorter than the crayons...and slathered it with craft/tacky glue.  I then rolled out the crayons and lined them up with the word crayons facing me.  They've lasted through three room changes!!!  A fun & festive DIY for the art room!

Want More Mr. E?

I just found out my proposal for NAEA Fort Worth was accepted!! 

Blogging & Other Shameless Self Promotion 

I am so excited!  I have never been to a national convention...and look forward to meeting as many of you as I possibly can.  Did anyone else apply?

Seeking Advice: Class Set Digital Cameras

My PTO president is trying to get a Smart Board in every classroom in our school.  She asked me if I thought I would use one....or if there was other technology I might like to have for the art room.  I have a laptop, LCD projector, and my Lady Bug....I'm pretty set.  However...I have long wanted a class set of digital cameras.  I want to have the information to provide her when I present my idea. So...who has a class set of digital cameras out there?!?!  

SWPBS...XYZ

Our school has adopted School Wide Positive Behavior Support (or something like that).  That means out with my old classroom management system....and in with SWPBS system. The classes are able to move up and down the scale...starting each day on green.  For recording what each class gets when they come, I used empty crayon boxes.  At the end of class, I place a stick that represents the color their class ended on.  At the end of the nine weeks, the class with the most blues/purples will receive a fun pencil(they are so excited).  

Welcome Sir-Arts-A-Lot

Sir-Arts-A-Lot comes to me from Ms. Malone's school ( http://msmalonesartroom.blogspot.com ).  He used to be in her school's library.  However, the new librarian wanted to clean house (the library was a bit cluttered).  No one wanted him!?!?!?!  Who wouldn't want a knight in their room?!?!?! So I adopted him.  He's taller than me...but I have a large classroom & he does not clutter up my space.   He holds the book of the week that I read to my kindergarten students.  

Red Grooms Inspired Collage Taxi: 2nd Grade

This year our district is focusing on Red Grooms for the Nashville Artober Celebration.  He is a home town ...and the kids love his work(the ones that we can actually show children!).  I'm having my 2nd graders create a collage taxi this week.  Next week we'll take their collage taxi and use markers to add to it...as well as do two profile drawings to place in the taxi windows.  In my mind this project is going to be a lot of fun...stay tuned to see if it actually works out.  

?!?!?!800?!?!?

Pure nuttiness?!?!  800 of you wonderful people are following Art With Mr. E!  That just blows my mind.  

I decided to tip my hat to the Line Design lesson.....I know that (and Pinterest) is what has brought many of you to my blog.  Hopefully you've not found me to be a one trick pony though....and have enjoyed the other content I've "put out there".  I would have never guessed 4 yrs ago when I started this blog...that I'd has such a wonderful community of people.  The questions, sharing, & ideas have challenged & encouraged me.  Thank You!

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!!!

Is Mr. E Moving???

Nope! ha ha  I am always looking out for the best way to store art work in my room.  It isn't easy when you see nearly 600 students a week(I know some of you see more...and hats off to ya!!!).  I got rid of my several old selves when they installed my built ins.  However, I did not like the idea of the art work laying out all messy looking.  I'm a bit OCD that way.  SOOOOOOOO...I wanted to box their work up to keep it orderly.  Plastic was too expensive for the 27 boxes I'd need.  So I purchased these boxes from Staples.  Still more than I wanted to pay, but not horrible.  They were 10 boxes & lids for $16.  All the same size..all the same color...WONDERFUL!  I have them arranged by grade level not days of the week...because my schedule is extremely screwed up.  More on that later!! ha ha  

APRONS!!!!!!!!!

I just received my latest batch of aprons from my friend Janet ( http://msmalonesartroom.blogspot.com ).  A couple years ago I began wearing aprons in my classroom as not to ruin everything I wear.  My students really enjoyed the fun/crazy aprons...but I only had 4 different patterns. I picking up fun (and on sale) fabrics over the summer, and Janet the Wonderful...graciously created 8 new aprons for me!!!  I may model some for you in a future post! ha ha ha

Did You Hear About The Possible da Vinci??

I looking through Yahoo! News today & found this article.  

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/sideshow/possible-da-vinci-painting-found-scottish-farmhouse-could-183847385.html

I think it is pretty amazing that work by da Vinci is still (possibly) being discovered!  Makes me want to keep my eyes out at Goodwill, yard sales, and such!!! ha ha  

An Art Outlet During Inservice

My principal asked me to come up with something for inservice for two half hour sessions so the teachers could have fun creating together.  Our theme for the year is Cultivating a Community of Learners....so I went with a collage sunflower.  The teachers worked in teams of two and had access to a number of items to create & embellish their flowers.  

Sneak Peek Into Mr. E's Room 2012-2013

I've never felt this far behind before in creating my bulletin boards & organizing my classroom!!! I guess having two kiddos changes things.  I just be at school for a week or two before school nonstop like I use to when I was single....or even married without children?!?!  Family first though...and the bulletin boards will get done...sooner or later?!?! :)  ha ha