For the Birds: Kindergarten

So what do you do when it is the start of a new 9 weeks...and you've missed most of it because of snow, ice, and freezing temps?!?!  Well, I decided not to jump into my curriculum until next week...and instead do a guided drawing lesson.  I really feel that there is great value to this at the Kindergarten level.  

It is also a great way to show the kids how basic shapes can be transformed into something more.  Plus...MARKERS!!!  What kid doesn't love markers?!?! :) ha ha

Welcome Back To School!!

They wonder why they delayed the start of school....how am I going to get anything done in my class room today?!??  (UPDATE: by 10:30..the heat was working again..it was a chilly morning in the art room!!)

Lifted & Reposted from Art Project Girl

So Mrs. Art Project Girl thinks no one reads her blog?!?!?  What in the world?!?!  She rocks.  If you aren't reading it, you should be! Here is her HYSTERICAL post about why you may not be attending the AOE Conference.  I have the #2 & #1 reasons!!! hee hee  After you read this...head on over to her blog!! THANKS!  

http://artprojectgirl.blogspot.com

TOP 10 reasons NOT to Attend the AOE Conference

There are a few art teachers out there who will not be attending 
The Art of Education Conference.

So here are the top 10 REASONS NOT TO ATTEND The Art of Education Conference. 

10. You believe art teachers are like Beta Fish. . . get too many together and only one will survive.

9. You have no internet, which is obviously not true because you are 
reading this right now.

8. You object to socializing online with people who have the same interests as you.
 What is this thing called Facebook?

7. Folding laundry while getting really good ideas for your classroom would be multitasking
 and you never do that.

6. You are an artist. You don't want to do what everyone else is doing.

5. The idea of PD in your pajamas goes together like bananas and peanut butter. . . a 
little bit too fruity and too nutty.

4. You are totally not curious to see what CASSIE STEPHENS will be wearing. . .

3. Because you have to "dust your spoon collection, nothing worse then a
 dusty spoon collection."

The number 2 & 1 are by the infamous MR. E from . . . Art With Mr. E

2. "You got a crayon lodged up your nose, and your surgery to remove it is on that day" -Mr. E

1. "You are an art teacher by day and spy on the weekends. . . you'll be 'away.' 
You would tell us where, but then you'd have to kill us!!!" -Mr. E

Big Idea for the Spring Art Show

Each year my spring art show has a theme.  Last year we did Reduce, Reuse, ReImagine!  I decided during that show...that we'd use bugs as our inspiration this school year.  GOING BUGGIE FOR ART!   As I've been thinking about lessons to go with the bug theme over break.....I began to think outside of our school.  I want our art to make a difference than just the beauty it brings.  With the theme of bugs my mind jumped to Malaria No More...an organization that helps bring nets and other medication to those in Africa that deal with Malaria caused by mosquito bites.  I think I can share this information with my students as we are creating our bug art...and then at the art show have a donation jar.  All money would go to the organization.  We usually have about 200 come to the show...if everyone gave a dollar..that could help 10 to 20 families!!   

What do you think?? Anyone want to join with me??  

Great art...great cause?!?! Could be fun!!!  

Happy New Years Eve!!

Stay tuned for what's cookin' in the 2014!!

Winter Conference: The Art of Education

This past summer, I had the privileged to be one of the speakers at The Art of Education's first online conference!  IT WAS SO MUCH FUN!!  We got to be online in real time talking with those attending the conference.  Great questions were asked...and great conversations were taking place during & after the conference.  If you would like to go to a conference with great content...this is your conference!!!!!!  And you can do it from the privacy of your own home in your PJ's!!! HOW FUN IS THAT?!?!

PLUS..I'M GOING TO BE SPEAKING AGAIN!!!! 

 (my session is on bulletin boards)

Sign up today!!!!  The conference is January 25th!!!!

 http://www.theartofed.com/aoeconferencewinter2014/

More Faculty Snowmen!

This Sheldon snowman was made my principal.  She LOVES The Big Bang Theory!!  She doesn't feel she's an artist, but she always does great work!!!!  BAZINGA!!!!!!

This snowman has a lot of heart!!  This teacher overcame breast cancer last year, and has a fun short cropped hair now.  She stayed positive, kept working out, and kept working throughout her treatment.  She is a true fighter and inspiration to all!!!!!!!  

The faceless snowman is awesome...but I have no idea who made it?!?!?!?! ha ha  

The V snowman is Vandy for you non-TN people.  

The Alabama snowman is my assistant principal...who totally did NOT make his own snowman.  He had one of our secretaries do it.  She did a great job, but I totally called him on it! ha ha  The snowman in the black dress is a Teach For America teacher that is new to our school. She's AWESOME!  She has very long hair...and always wears it in a messy bun...kind of a fun hipster person.

This was created by a teacher that is a MAJOR germaphobe!!!!!!!  I laughed so hard when she gave this to me....cause I've actually seen her with rubber gloves and Lysol before cleaning her classroom!!!  

Merry Christmas & Many Happy Snowmen!!

Well..maybe not all happy snowmen?!?! :)  ha ha  I hope you all are enjoying your Christmas break, and that it is a special time for ya'll!!!!!!  The E family is having a great time so far, with a week & a half still to go!  Many blessings to you all!! 

I have some more posts over break...so don't forget to stop by & visit me!

Chair Footies...5 Months In

This summer my chair footies were featured on BUZZ FEED.  

http://www.buzzfeed.com/peggy/clever-classroom-tips-for-elementary-school-teachers

They were not received well.  Most said that it was a stupid idea, it wouldn't work, and tennis balls were so much better.  

Check out my post to see what I'm talking about.

http://artwithmre.blogspot.com/2012/07/chair-footies.html

I DECIDED TO DO A FOLLOW UP SO YOU CAN SEE THAT

I'M NOT JUST MAKING THIS UP!

They aren't looking real "pretty", but they are still on & still doing their job.  You have to remember, well over  a hundred students come in & out of my classroom on a daily bases.  So they are holding strong even with 550 students using & abusing them on a weekly bases.  

My floors still look amazing!!!  

A Cup of Coco: 3rd Grade

                                   

The last class of the day before Christmas Parties start....WHAT DO YOU DO???

Well, I decided I'd do a full lesson with them & pray they'd stay focused enough to complete it!! 

!!!!!!!!AND THEY DID!!!!!!!!!!

I talked to the students about form, and how to create the illusion that something was 3-D when it was actually just flat.  We looked at the shape, how we colored, and shading.  I was excited to see them really get into it!   These are the ones that actually finished.  A few others were really good starts...but not far enough along to see if they were getting the shading or not.  

Tacky Sweater Day 2013

Does your school have Tacky Christmas Sweater Day?  We started about 3 yrs ago...and it keeps getting bigger & better!  The kids LOVE IT!  The teachers LOVE IT!  It is totally a win/win activity!! 

If you aren't doing it yet...step up & take the lead.  I, being a super sized individual, made my own "Tacky Christmas Sweater".  I started it last year, and have decided I'll add something each year to tack on some tacky!!!  Today I has several teacher approach me about having an after school MAKE-A-TACKY-SWEATER session next year.  I LOVE THE IDEA!  How much fun!!  Everyone will bring their "base"...be it a sweater, vest, tie...whatever.  They will also bring some items to share (felt, fabric, buttons, do-dads).  Glue guns will fly...sparkles will shine...fun will be had!