Self-Portraits :2nd Grade

I'm very happy with the 2nd grader self-portraits!  This is the start of the school year...and they are not far removed from being 1st graders!!!  They started by doing a large self portrait(using mirrors) on a 9x12 paper.  I then allowed them to choose a 9x18 piece of paper.  I limited their colors to a more patriotic color 

palette.  We discussed ways to create an interesting background using line/shape/color that was not the flag, but could reference it if they wanted.  Not sure if the patriotic came through on all of them, but they look great!  

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GIVE WITH TARGET: TULIP GROVE ELEMENTARY

Hey friends...would you take a minute & vote for my school...Tulip Grove Elementary!
THANK YOU!

Creature Portraits: 3rd

Week 2 of the 2013-2014 school year brought us these fun "creature" portraits.  Week 1 we reviewed self portraits & created a full body "normal" portrait with an interesting place for the background.  This week I wanted to continue with portraits, but put a fun spin on it for my students.  We started with "normal" instruction for portraiture.  After they spent sometime with a mirror, pencil, and paper...I introduced THE TWIST!  The kids LOVED it!!!  Some did a lot of erasing...others just added onto themselves.  

We also discussed taking our creatures & creating a story based off of them.  I've got to look at the curriculum, but I'd really like to pursue them writing some & drawing a narrative to go along with these!

OK...LOOK AT THIS NEXT ONE & THINK ICONIC MOVIE CHARACTER!

GIVE UP?

Here is a hint...."BABYRUTH"

UFO?!?!?!

UFO??!?!?

Kind of....

UNPROVOKED. FREELY (CREATED). OBJECT (OF ART AWESOMENESS)

One of my forth graders came up to me during hall duty this morning and said..."Mr. E...I have something to show you!  I made it this summer!"  I could tell he was so excited to share it with me.  He pulled out of his backpack this double sided circle weaving.  ISN'T IT AMAZING?!?!  WOW!!!  He really got into circle weaving in 3rd grade...and I believe made one or two at home before the end of the school year.  I love seeing my students excited about creating!!  What a great way to start my day!!  

THE TEST:

So you've been seeing the reviews on other blogs, I'm sure.  I must say...I appreciate a company that is willing to put themselves out there and be tested in a real word setting with some of the pickiest people out there when it comes to art supplies!!! ha ha  

I will be the first to admit...I am not a colored pencil snob.  I like getting a variety of brands...because I feel it gives the kids choices!!  If you stick with one brand..you have only their version of a color.  I like variety!!!  Cra-Z-Art are harder lead...and their colors are lighter.  That isn't a bad thing...if you have other colored pencils with softer lead(richer color).  The Prang colored pencils were GREAT!  I'm not sure about the price point, but the quality is there.  I liked the bigger size too.  I was worried it wouldn't fit in the bigger hole of my sharpeners(it did!).  The pencil felt good in the hand.  The color was wonderful.  

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I've always felt pencils were hit or miss.  You can tell when you first sharpen them if they are going to quality.   Ticonderoga are QUALITY!!  They sharpen well & have strong lead.  The Wal-Mart pencils were fine.  However, I prefer Ticonderoga!!!  

 I think you all know how I feel about watercolors!  I've made it pretty clear that PRANG is the only brand for me!!!  This test just confirmed that once again!  The colors are more true. The paints last longer.  They are just better...TRUST ME!!

 Like colored pencils...I'm not a big marker snob.  There are several brands that I like...mainly because they last a good while.  I decided to color a whole page with a color to see how it handled.  I was surprised to see Crayola being a bit "sketch"  Prang's color was solid & true throughout.  When I tested them in a smaller area...the Crayola worked just fine.  I actually do like the Crayola tip better.  I feel you can get smaller thin lines...and thicker thick lines.  I do like Prang's color/juiciness!!! 

Mr. E's Art Room 2013-2014: FIRE

This is what greets people in the hall!  I'm going to do a post of my different "color themes" over the years soon.

This is above my door...made of fun foam.  I put duct tape on the back so I can hot glue it in place.  Hot glue can melt the foam if you put it directly on it.

This is the wall outside my room.  The last week of school I have my students make the pattern turtles for the following school year.  

(my "rules")

I'm still developing this board.  I'm going to feature different works and have the students tell me what color schemes, elements, and principles they see.  Oh..the border on this board is made of paper napkins! 

Lot of staples...but fun! 

I'm going to do better about having works of art from different countries featured on this board.  I want to make those connections for students between art and where it comes from.

This too is in the works...I'm going to add some more to the 

Word Bank at the bottom.  

This is how I store my student art work.  Each class has their own box.  I'm able to storm most of their 3-D work as well.  It works for me.  

Here is my wall of bulletin boards!! 

My reading area... kindergarten starts each class time on the rug.

Classroom layout.

I broke up the U/horseshoe this year so the kids & I were able to maneuver around the room a bit easier.  So far I like it!  The only issue is...the tables get moved around a bit more. The U seemed to keep them more stable. 

A Gift From NJ

An art teacher from NJ felt led to send a little kindness through the mail.

Getting art supplies is like Christmas!

THANK YOU JONI!!!!!!!!!  

(I love the note cards!!!)

A Post from Australia

No, I'm not in Australia....though I wish I were!!! :) ha ha  

This is from Cheryl!   Here is a little info about her teaching situation....

Beeliar Primary in Perth Western Australia. It is a medium size school of around 500 + students. I teach the pre primaries year they turn 5 years up until the year they turn 13. 

Visual arts is very strong and well supported in our district.

Here is a little bit about the Chihuly inspired project....

I used the coffee filters, coloured them with water based felt pens . the students added final patterns with gold and silver permanent pens and then I sprayed them with liquid starch. I then strung them together with wool to hang .

THANKS FOR SHARING CHERYL!!!!!!!!!!!!!

One Out of Two Ain't Bad!?!?!

So I submitted two proposals for the 2014 NAEA National Convention.  

One was accepted.... 

A Blog People Want to Read!  

I might be getting type cast as a blogger person?!  ha ha

The one that did not get accepted..  

Be a Rock Star Not a Shooting Star: Ways to Avoid & Deal With Burnout!  

Actually had a lot of ideas for this one...and I feel it is an important topic.  

Maybe the title was too long for them?!?! :) ha ha  

NOW I HAVE TO FIGURE OUT HOW I AM GOING TO GET THERE?!?!?!  

Money is always an issue with a single income family.  Throw out some ideas for me!!!!

You Know It Is Monday When......

Know what that is?  It's a diaper! Yep...a dirty stinky bagged up diaper.  Why is it at school with me?? 

I HAVE NO CLUE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I found it when I got to school in my basket of things to do that I had taken home.

My only guess is that it is Monday at the start of a school year?!?!

THE JOYS OF PARENTHOOD!! ha ha ha

HAVE A GREAT MONDAY EVERYONE!!

A Little House Cleaning

So summer is over for me...and ending for many of you!

It's time to kick our blogs into high gear with new lessons, amazing works of art, and fun classroom ideas.  It is also time for house cleaning.  I have a general rule for my blog roll.  If I don't see you post at least once a month...I'll remove you from my list.  I give a bit more grace in the summer.  Janet from Ms. Malone's Art Room is the only one exempt from that rule....because she's one of my best friends(Though you better post soon Malone..or you'll get the ax! ha ha).  I'm not trying to be mean or anything...it's just there are so many great blogs out there with so many wonderful ideas..I want to make sure my blog roll is "fresh!"  That is what I do when I come to my blog....look at what people are posting!  So my bloggie friends...please post!! If I have removed you..and you start posting again..shoot me an e-mail..and I'll look at adding you back!!!  

HAVE AN AWESOME DAY!! 

1st Day Gift

Every year my wife (and now kids) get me a first day of school gift.  Usually it is a drink & sour patch kids or pretzels (my fav treats).  This morning I found nothing with my bag...or in my car.  I just kind of figured with as busy as we've been...they weren't able to pick anything up. Totally understandable.  

So my wife comes by as I'm finishing up Brunch Duty(the fun of a half day schedule).  

She has a box...

HOW SWEET IS THAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Very blessed man am I! So thankful to have such a loving & supportive family!!!