Life...

Life is always happening around us and we often are so wrapped up in what WE are doing that forget about the other people in this world living their lives also... then something happens that stops us in our tracks.  It makes us re-focus on the truly important things.

My heart aches for the families who lost a child in the Sandy Hook Tragedy, their lives will never be the same.  My heart aches for the students, teachers and community who will forever be changed.  My heart aches for the people who will take this tragedy and try to make it a political talking point. 

As teachers we run through drills and we hope we never need that training.  However, we are entrusted by parents to take care of their precious children for a large part of the day.  It doesn't surprise me to hear of the teachers who died protecting "their children" and it breaks my heart that some of them won't get to go home to their own children.  

I pray that we not get so caught up in our lives that we quickly forget about this community.  I pray that we take some time to really appreciate those around us.  I pray that we say thank you to the people who keep us safe.  And I pray that we, as teachers, help each of our students find their sense of worth in the world.  

Refracted...

One day last week Mr. Koehn needed a quick lesson for one class that was getting a "bonus" day.  He found this fun idea at Art with Mr. Hall and ran with it.

Students looked at refracted images

photo credit

He then had them sketch out an "nature themed" image.  On their watercolor paper they drew 2 diagonal lines.  They then lightly drew out their image.  They had to erase the "middle" section and "move it over."  When they had the image drawn out, they used crayola water based markers to "trace the outlines."  When they were done adding the color and details they painted the images with water to make the marker color "run."  Here are the finished images... 

I think worms and leaves won out as favorite subject matter!

Sorry iPad, you loose out....

So I have been saving my money artsonia money to buy an iPad for the art room but today changed that.

Last year when we finished our slab projects I said, " I am never again doing that without a slab roller."  Well time helps heal all wounds so I forgot about that statement... until today.  I am 150 slabs into a 300 slab project and my wrists, elbows and hands all are aching.

So what does anyone have to recommend for a slab roller?  

I don't have an unlimited budget (want to keep it under $350 if possible) but want to buy something quality that will work well and last.  I don't have a ton of room to store it but wonder if the table top versions are "user friendly?"  

I would really appreciate any feedback from anyone out there.....

Too Funny not to share...

Last week we only saw one of our classes.  Tyson (Mr.  Koehn)  had the kiddo's make snow globes 

             (I don't know where to give credit as it is his lesson but I know he got the idea from somewhere online).  

Today I was looking through them and thought some were just too cute not to share.

watch out for falling Santa!

Love that "his company" made this one...

while this one was "Made in China." 

Notice that the snowman is holding a snow globe.

Have a great middle of the week !

reason #124 that I love art blogs...

A while back (during our pumpkin project) I had a sub who majorly flubbed the assignment.  She didn't read the instructions carefully and just searched YouTube for a video instead of showing the kids the video I had made.  Needless to say, that project was one they "took home to finish" real quick and I had them restart our gesture drawing - medium practice project.  However, that left the class with less work time than anyone else so...

 ART BLOGS TO THE RESCUE

In my Google reader I star, group and keep track of art posts that inspire me. It is much like my old file folder/bookcase/file cabinet system but much easier to search.  I knew I had seen a cool post about using candy corn but couldn't remember where.  Thanks to Google Reader, I just typed in "candy corn" and a whole list came up.  Of course Shine Brite Zamorano's Post was right at the top.  A quick click and I had my inspiration ready to go.

Here are some of the finished images...

check out the rest at artsonia.com

So once again, thank you to all the bloggers out there sharing their ideas...

Snap my Art Update

So yesterday was the final "tracking" day of my SNAP MY ART FUNDRAISER.  I promised I would let you know how it turned out.  (check here to see original post)

drum roll please.....

                    $322.72

That is my total funds raised for the duration of the fundraiser.  Pretty amazing considering only 22 (of 300) kids ordered.  Artsonia is providing me with a magnet or mouse pad and a a greeting card or sketchbook to give away for the kids that ordered.  I can honestly say that this is something I will be doing again next year.  Even those who didn't order looked at Artsonia and I love that it got my parents online.  

thank you for inspiring us Mr. Boey

Perhaps you have seen these ads from Sharpie...if not, do, they are way cool!

The Sharpie blog also has a great Chemming Boey video.

We started a lesson by looking at the work of Chemming Boey and discussing what we thought of it...

• How would they like to draw without sketching first?
• How would they feel about throwing out at 80% finished project because you "messed it up." 
• What do they think of drawing on coffee cups?
• What else could they draw on?
• How does he make dark and light ares?

We then had them create "coffee cup wrappers" that were inspired by his work.  Here is my FAVORITE (so far)

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and a few of the other ones...