Focal Point Paintings: 2nd Grade

        

My second graders were looking at focal point in art.  We discussed different ways artists create this, and did some practice drawings before moving on with our final piece.  I limited their color palette(each class was given a different set of three!) trying to simplify the design & push the idea of creating focal points.  I really like the variety I saw coming from my students in this project!!  

IRONY

So last night I was the moderator for a "TWITTER CHAT".  If you've never done one...they are fast paced, fun, and informative!!! (JOIN US AT #k12artchat THURS. 8:30PM CST)  Mine was dealing with COPY CATS IN THE ART ROOM.  Do you see the irony of this??? :) ha ha  I've got a plan though!!!!!  The individuality will prayerfully come out next class time when I allow the student to add in plants/birds/animals!!  At least in my head that is how it will turn out!?!?  I'll post once we start seeing the results.  Until then...I'm going to need to think more about practicing what I preach!!! ha!

And.....WE'RE BACK!

Oh my goodness!!  I'm hoping that is the last we see of snow days for the year!!!  We've had school 2 out of the past ten days!!  Nashville just isn't able to deal with the ice & snow.....mainly because they don't have the equipment.  I'm more thankful than ever that related arts switched to a rotating schedule this year.  Instead of looking at it as Monday - Friday...we look at it as Day 1 - Day 5.  So we always pick up where we left off. Last year things got very crazy in the spring...and I ended up seeing one of my K & one of my 4th only two times in a nine weeks!!!! TERRIBLE.    The kids seem excited to be back...well...at least most of them!  

SO OVER THE SNOW DAYS!!!!

We have now missed 7 days in a row of school.  I'm not a person that enjoys missing school...FOR ANY REASON.  One or two snow days....I can deal with it....but....THIS IS GETTING RIDICULOUS! I have an all school art show in little over a month...and being out so many days makes me very nervous about actually finishing the projects.  I always start on the projects for the art show as soon as we get back from Christmas break...but a couple of them backfired & I had to come up with new ideas.  I'm sure everything will come together...even if we're working on them the week before the show....but I really don't like feeling rushed or behind.  

I get what Lumiere said...."Life is so unnerving for a servant who's not serving!"  

#k12artchat

                                 

Join me and a ton of other cool art peeps from around the world tweeting it up Thursday night at 8:30pm central time!!  Never done twitter chat before...look at the handy dandy infograph below..and you should be able to jump right in!!  Don't forget to follow me @ArtWithMrE!!!!  See ya there!!

                                                   

                                             

  

What Would Jesus Glue?

You know those things that just make ya laugh....and you can't stop....and you want to share it with EVERYONE!!!  Well....this is one of those things for me.

I captured this picture from an Art Teacher Facebook page.  It is a real thing!!!! 

 I looked it up...here is the AMAZON link

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=bl_sr_office-products?ie=UTF8&field-brandtextbin=Walk+With+Jesus+Collection&node=1064954 

The comments under this picture had me in tears!!!!

"be forewarned, it might leave the paper HOLY"

"It's heavenly!"

"Wait until you try the Walk on Watercolors!"

"..when you think their isn't enough, it miraculously refills."

"Does this mean we need to establish separatioin of church and....art supplies?"

"Comes in a 12 pack...one will go bad & one will deny he ever glued you!"

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SIDE NOTE:

 I'm a Christian, and not ashamed to admit it.  I also am not ashamed to crack a joke or two at churchie Christian "sub" cultures!  I really don't understand the need for "Jesus" glue.  If you want to be a Christian company...then make the BEST GLUE EVER...

and treat your employees & customers like GOLD!!!! 

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Wester Kentucky University: Art Ed PD

Me at Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, KY!  

This is just an hour drive north of Nashville.

I had the chance to speak at their annual professional development they have for their current students, and past graduates.  SO MUCH FUN!!!  I "ran" into the crew last year on my way to NAEA San Diego at the airport....and now have, what I hope to be, a great & lasting relationship

 with the Art Ed program at WKU!! 

(I'll do another post about what we worked on during my session!!!)

See this lady...if I turn up missing...it was her!!!(KIDDING!!!) 

She's a fan of Art With Mr. E...and was excited I came.  She also has a ton of energy...and I think would make an amazing blogger herself!! 

Here is the whole gang!!!

 Prof., As. Profs, Current Students, and Past Students

This is the coolest!!!  The WKU campus is a mix of VERY old & new....you can look at buildings and name the decade!! I LOVE THAT!  

Exit Tickets Mr. E's Way!

Do you do "Exit Tickets" in your room?  There was a big push in our district a few years ago.  I loved the idea..but wasn't sure how to "MAKE IT WORK" in my room(imagine Tim Gunn's voice).  Post-It Notes are expensive when you think of how many kids we see as art teachers!!  How could I make "Exit Tickets" work for me?

WELL LET ME TELL YA!!! 

I purchased a piece of foam core board from the Dollar Tree(yep..$1).  I purchased two packs of clothespins($2).  I hot glued the clothespins around the edge of the board..but completely on the board.  I felt if they were hanging off...they would break off/fall off easier.  The board gives them some support.  I used tacky glue to attach images I cut out of old/discontinued textbooks to make the whole thing a bit more fun & arty!!  I poked a hole through the foam core toward the top and reinforced the back with duct tape. I then used yarn the same color as my walls to hang it from my tile ceiling(using a paper clip to slide into the tile support bars).  I did this up against the wall.  I then got glued the paper clip to the support bar to make sure it didn't slip.  I also hot glued the board in two places on the back to make sure the laid flat to the wall...and some of the weight/stress was taken from the string.  You can use scarp paper...messed up/abandoned printed paper from the copy room/notebook paper....WHATEVER!!  They are clipping it to the board..so it doesn't have to be sticky!!

Ok..probably longer than you needed...but wanted to make sure I explained my process...in case anyone wanted to try it for themselves!

OH OH OH!!!

If you don't do exit tickets....all ya gotta do is ask a question to see what they got out of the lesson that day!! "Tell me one thing you learned today in art!"  It allows you to see what they learned...and maybe what you need to bring across better!! 

   

AOE Winter Conference 2015

I hope many of you took advantage of the AOE Winter Conference!!!  I was not able to watch all the presentations the day of because I was leading professional development at Western Kentucky University, but have really been enjoying the After Pass...to watch & rewatch the different presentations!!  Amazing content in short art teacher attention span bursts!!

I'm not really obsessed with selfies...though....it does seem that way!! ha ha  I was showing my environment for the portion of the conference I was able to attend.  The prof. at WKU locked me in the computer lab!!!! ha ha  It was nice quiet...and very very white?!?!?! :)  

OH OH...IT'S ME..IT'S ME!!!!!  It is always very odd hearing yourself...and watching yourself?!?!? Don't ya think??  I love to talk...love to share...not a fan of listening & watching myself.  Hope you all don't find me as annoying as I do! ha ha  

If you have not attended an AOE Conference before...they are great fun!! There will be another one this summer!!!!!!!  CHECK IT OUT!!!!  

Here is the recap from The Art Of Education site!! 

http://www.theartofed.com/2015/02/02/aoe-winter-2015-online-conference-recap/ 

AOE Winter Conference

WHO ELSE IS GETTING EXCITED ABOUT THE CONFERENCE?!?!

I was going through my box yesterday...thinking about how fun it is to be connected with such a great group of art educators from ALL over!!  

My session is during the 5th hour...right towards the end!!  DON'T LEAVE EARLY!  I want to hear from you and your thoughts on Professional Development!  

(I won't be able to get online till closer time for my session...I'm leading some PD up at Western Kentucky University!!)

Art Teacher Christmas!!!

           

New art supplies are such a gift!!!  The assurance you will be able to carry on with old projects...try new projects...and sniff markers! (Well...maybe not the last one! Haha)  I am fortunate to have a supply budget that is given me by the school.  Granted...it could always be bigger(I get less money than when I started 18 yrs ago...AND TRUST ME...supplies are much more expensive than 18 yrs ago!!).....but it is enough to do the job with careful planning!!  It is all about prioritizing & choices!  What can you not live without(PAPER!)....and what can I get every other year OR every three years(oil pastels, construction paper crayons..etc).  I know many teachers struggle with having no budget...or ridiculously small budgets(I heard one teacher gets $200 a year for over 1000 students?!?!!).  I wish we could all be given what our programs need....but as art teachers....we are survivors..inventors..bargainers...and dumpster divers!!!  I would love to hear stories of how low budgets find amazing success!!!  If ya have a minute...share in the comments how you do it!!

Lack of Subs & Legos

        

    M.  

Vines for VBS

                     

Hello friends!!  On my blog I also share ideas/tips for VBS!  This year I am so excited for the theme...I've already started preparing!!  (My wife is the children's minister....so I am Mr. Ministry! Hahaha)  One of the ideas they shared at VBS training was using plastic table covers for vines.  They didn't recommend the ones at dollar stores because they are so cheap...but that is exactly why I wanted to use them!  I first unfolded it just enough so I could cut long strips out of it.  With some...I unfolded them completely....then pulled/stretched the plastic out all the way down the strip. I loved the look of this!!  The others I tried different cutting techniques to make them look "leafy".  I don't know if there is a right way to do it.....just be careful not to over cut or over stretch!  They are dollar store...and pretty thin.  I believe I made 40 from one plastic cover!!  $1 well spent!

 Stay tuned for more VBS ideas!!

                     NOW BACK TO YOUR REGULARLY SCHEDULED ART ROOM POSTS

Always the bridesmaid...

HA HA HA HA HA!!!!!!!!!!!!

The results are in...and Art With Mr. E came in second(for the elementary division) this year in The Art of Education's annual blog contest!!!  I'm in no way upset about this...was just trying to be silly(if ya follow me...you know I don't take myself too seriously!!).  I've come in second for Teacher of the Year at my school for the past 5 yrs!!!  ha ha  I came up with the whole "Maid-of-Honor" because of that!!  The company I keep on this list is UNREAL!!!!!!!!!  I'm truly honored to be a part of such amazing people...artists...art educators!!!   I LOVE that AOE does this contest every year...because it brings art ed bloggers to the forefront & I always find new blogs to love!!!!  Make sure to check out all the blogs nominated over at The Art of Education website!!!!!!

CHECK OUT THE RESULTS

AOE BLOG CONTEST RESULTS

I really appreciate all my readers/followers...and am so grateful for you taking the time to vote for Art With Mr. E!  It really is a passion of mine....and I'm happy that there are people out there that enjoy it & get something from it!!!  

....and remember...

WE ARE BETTER TOGETHER

Nervous!!!

                                

Getting ready to go teach my daughter's kindergarten class an art lesson!!  These kids haven't had art yet this year....should be interesting!!  

FRIDAY IS THE LAST DAY TO VOTE!!!! 

Go to all your computer thingies.....and vote for Art With Mr. E for Elementary Blog of the Year on The Art of Education!!

CLICK HERE TO GO VOTE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

THANK YOU!

More Birds: Kindergarten

      

Sorry gang...I just can't get enough of these little guys!!!!  They make me chuckle every time I see them (ever have a project like that?).  So I have two more days of teaching this lesson...you may see another post. ha ha  I love how the first one(top left kind of looks like Patrick from Sponge Bob).  

Go Vote!!!

                       

Hey friends...let's make this happen!!  Art with Mr. E is up for elementary blog of the year once again.  Always a bridesmaid...never a bride. UNTIL THIS YEAR!!!!! VOTE VOTE VOTE!!  You can vote once a day!  Check out the other categories too...some other amazing blogs that deserve your support!!  

                             CLICK THE LINK BELOW TO GO VOTE NOW

http://www.theartofed.com/2015/01/18/finalists-announced-and-voting-open-2014-art-ed-blog-of-the-year/

Tiki Time: 2nd Grade

This is the first day of a two day project.  My 2nd graders were looking at Tiki Masks...and other Pacific Island masks as inspiration.  We used a full 12x18 sheet of brown paper to start with.  We used white tempera & gouache to bring our Tiki Masks to life!  Day two we'll add some more details & clean up edges. 

AOE WINTER CONFERENCE: Are You Going???

Are you going to be attending the AOE Winter Online Conference?

They have AMAZING speakers!!! 

The talks are set up in 10 min blurbs...and each presentation has hand outs to go with them!!! 

 HOW AWESOME IS THAT!?!?!?!  

  

I'm going to be presenting on Taking Control With Teacher Led Professional Development!  

Go To The Link Below To Sign Up Today!

http://www.theartofed.com/aoeconference/winter2015/

You Say Sumi...I Say Sumi-e

        

3rd Grade Sumi/Sumi-e Paintings

  However say it/spell it.....they are a whole lot of fun to do!!  Plus...the kids are super successful!! WIN/WIN!  At the start of class I tell the kids they are going to be painting...but there is a catch!!  NO PENCILS!  I usually let my students draw before they paint...so they looked at me as if I just fell off tthe crazy train.  Fear though was replaced quickly with confidence & pride!  They were very excited about their work....and so was I!!!!!!!!!!!!!  

       

      

     

Mixed Media Rain Forest Birds: Kindergarten

I jump into Art Show projects right after Christmas break.  If you have ever done an All School art show...you know how much work it is.  Even though it is still a few months away...you need the time to prepare.  Some projects you dreamed up might not work out...kids are out of school...snow days...etc..etc.  So my kindergarten students painted paper & added texture to it last week.  This week the created the collage birds.  I think we may work one more time on it...adding a bit more sparkle!!!  

More 3rd Grade Circle Weavings

I just discovered pictures I hadn't posted before Christmas break!  I love the patterns the students created this year on their looms!!!!  If you haven't seen the others....  

!!!CLICK HERE!!!

Nominations for Blog of the Year

             

          

                                                                  Go to the link below......

      ->CLICK HERE TO GO NOMINATE ART WITH MR. E<- a="">

Art With Mr. E has been in the top 5 the past three years...lets go for #1 this year!!!

Paint Scrapers

I am totally in love with these!!  I picked them up at Wal-Mart for 1.98 a pack(4 in a pack).  I had to go to two stores to get enough for my larger classes(27 students).  They work well...clean up easy...and are pretty sturdy!!  My Ks have not been putting enough force behind it...but I don't think that will be an issue for the older students.  I don't know if this line of products is being phased out...or they just haven't restocked since Christmas in the craft section?!  I wouldn't wait though if you are interested in getting them. 

 Yes..you could make them...or collect found objects...but with 3 kids..."Nobody got time for that!"  

Kindergarten Snowmen

Well...the weather outside is frightful!!!  

We've had our first official "COLD" day for the year this week...and I know a large chunk of the USA is "enjoying" some record colds/wind/snow!!!!  

So this is the perfect time to share my Kindergarten snowmen!! We started the class by reading The Biggest, Best Snowman. (super cute book...ordered it from Scholastic!)  We used long "skinny" black paper...they drew it first...then we used construction paper crayons to color it.  The students LOVE construction paper crayons.  They are a splurge buy every two or three years for me(we don't use them a ton..so they last).  

I usually show ya'll my IDEAL work(that best fits the objectives of the lesson).  However, there is such value...and fun from the pieces that don't fit into the "ideal".  I love the two snowmen below!!!  They make me chuckle...and truly display where each child is at!  I think we have some amazing outside of the box thinkers here!!!!!!  

                              

Did Ya See My "Desk"?

                                   

My "desk" is in the latest issue of SchoolArts!  I got rid of a traditional desk YEARS ago.  However, with technology stuff.....I had to have a command center.  I was able to rid of my "demo" table when I got my document camera....so it was an even trade space wise. 

I just don't want unnessissary furniture. 

    

I call it my "Bridge" like on Star Trek!! 

 Maybe not that cool...but as close as I am gonna get! Haha