More Keith

Today 3rd quarter (is that right?  is is really 3rd quarter already?) finished up their Keith Haring project.  Each team traced one member to create a "Keith Inspired Guy."  Each group then selected a theme for their guy.  They filled their guys with small drawings that matched their theme.  Reflecting on the idea that Keith made his artwork in public places, we finished by hanging our "guys" around the building. 

tracing

filling with drawings... theme was sports

hanging up... watch out you are going to hit the locker!

I wonder what parents will think next week at Parent-Teacher Conferences?  Here are a few more... I hope to get some QR Codes by them before conferences. 

even got a guy "tebowing"

ummmmm... YES!

A few other teachers have been talking about going to the National Convention (see there's a dragon in my art room and art project girl) and I am super excited to say that YOU BET I AM GOING!  It is the national convention which means I will

1. get a ton of new ideas
2. meet lots of interesting people, who love what I love
3. get to visit some rocking art museums
4. spend time learning about what is happening with art education

and it is in NEW YORK CITY!

My college professor was pretty adamant about us getting involved in NAEA and took us to Los Angeles when I was a Junior in College (that was when I got my picture taken with Johnny Depp...swooon). 

During my first years of teaching my mentor teacher would take me to the National Convention (back when our school district at least covered the cost of hotels and registration). 

I have never regretted going and have always returned refreshed and full of passion for my job.  This year won't be the easiest to go as I have to foot the WHOLE bill myself (darn budget cuts) and I will be leaving my 3 little ones at home (lucky for me they have a great dad) but I really believe it is worth it.

...plus I will have the pleasure of traveling with a first year art teacher from our district and showing her how awesome national convention can be. 

Hope to see some of you there!

Adventures in Teaching

Mrs. Carlisle..."Today we are going to make clay pinch pots." (wipe drool from mouth). 

           "Remember to make a ball" (wipe drool from mouth). 

           "Push you fingers into ball and pinch your sides.  Make sure they are uniform." (check for more drool).

Students..."um, Mrs. Carlisle what is wrong with your face?"

WELL.... after 22 cavity free years I had a cavity.  Here is to hoping that I start to have sensation in my face sometime today because drinking coffee out of a straw is definately interesting. 

Art Show work...

With 3 kiddos at home it is hard to come in super early or stay late... therefore art show season equals late nights.  I like to head up after the kiddos are in bed (about 8) and work till I am done.  Luckily we came up earlier today and I took care of a bunch of paper work; with the girls help.

I headed back up after baths (just check out the clay dust on Lauren's legs).... and just finished up.  Well I still have tags and labels to do but at least the selecting and matting are done for 1+ shows.

and it is only 12:30!  Here's to hoping hubby lets me sleep in tomorrow... or get a nap tomorrow.

Hooooome Run!

Sometimes you just get a lesson that is a ton of fun to teach, the kids love and you get the best results from...

that day was yesterday.

Okay so they always love clay but their projects were just great!  With 4 different days I came up with/borrowed 4 different ideas for pinch pots.  Thursday (day one) was setting the pinch pot on it's side and using it to be the mouth of a creature... any creature.  I had dogs, cats, pigs, evil creatures, frogs and so much more.  I had fish who were eating fish.  I had clams filled with pearls.  I loved them asking "can I make....?"  "Is this okay... I made it thinner than my finger?"  "Don't worry, I hollowed them out and left an air hole." 

Today they had to turn their pinch pots upside down and then build a creature.  It was good... just not great!  (or maybe after yesterday I had too high of expectations?)

Monday is pinch pot monster faces as inspired by the website 365 days of pinch pots.

Tuesday will be bird day.  It is a hodge podge of ideas... think angry birds meets arts and activities slab birds (Feb. 2011 edition) mixed with clay whistle birds finished with a touch of whimsy... 

We will see how it goes...

**and on another note... have you oiled your clay tools lately?  After the 6th grade finished their projects (right before Christmas) we rubbed vegetable oil into the rolling pins, shishkaboob sticks and guides.  All that dry wood loved it.  And I loved that it made them easier to use/clean for this project. 

Super Simple Paper Organizer

If you are like me you can be overwhelmed with practice sheets and grade sheets.  Keeping track of old lessons, current projects, art contest information, etc... can be overwhelming.  My super simple solution is....

I clip the worksheets together and then hang them up on a push pin.  Current projects are on the top.  Old projects are moved to the lower spaces.  Another clip is just for art contest information. 

No more searching for copies when a student "looses" one or was sick.  No more searching for the parent release forms when students choose to do an art show.  No more piles on my desk... ahhhh!

I am bummed!

Sometimes I am blown away with all the technology offerings out there... "pin it" on pintrest, "like" it on facebook, read it on google reader, post to your blog on blogspot, update your school fusion page, work on QR codes and iMovies, update the iPads, create a new wiki, update your webpage, create a new PowerPoint, upload to artsonia... and MUCH MORE!

Then just today I read that picnik is going to be no more... and I am bummed.  I love picnik and it's fun, easy to use photo editing.  Now I will have to use google+???  I know good things come and go... and picnik was definately a good thing!