Sub-Kit

sorry, couldn't locate a source for this photo

This might take a while to complete (I rarely take a sick day), but I found my newest and best (I think) ever sub plan. Are you like me?  I rarely plan for those days when I have to be out and end up dashing around madly pulling things together last minute and being hectic when least want to.  

This image inspired me to put a sub kit together that includes a lesson plan, markers and pre-cut papers. Now I'm always prepared with a grab and go lesson.  The entire project stays in the box until 500 (or thereabouts) papers are collected and a final design is made.  

The hands look fabulous, but I think we'll change it up a bit.  Peace Sign? Dove? Butterfly? What would you do?

  

Winter Favorites

Two winter time favorites to post today in celebration of our Valentine Day Blizzard.  While my 1/2 art classes were painting winter cardinals my 3/4 classes were finishing up their snowman paintings.  I love both of these painting projects and repeat them every couple of years because the results are just so stinkin' cute.  You really can't go wrong with either of these.

Pre-School Snip and Print Valentine

A taped area on the table is painted pink and red.  On the paint we place our paper hearts.  

We roll the paper and pull our prints.

Some Days Are Just Better Than Others

Some days are just better than others.  There's no way around it and today was just one of those days.  Look at what we made.  This giant heart has stolen my heart and was the icing on the cake.  We started with two giant sheets of paper.  The top sheet was folded and a heart shape was cut out of it.  Leftover paints were used for the printing.  Nothing special, just what was in the palettes from a previous lesson.  We used red, white, blue, orange and black and mixed the colors right on our hands to get these fabulous tints and funderful shades.

When we got tired of stamping we lifted the stencil to  see what we got.  Looks like we got something really special.  Happy Valentine's Day

Paper Bag Journal

Third graders made these paper bag sketchbooks at the beginning of the year to show off their lettering skills and to bring home a book to collect their drawings and memories.  We talked about things the way artists use sketchbooks not only to draw, but also as a place to collect bits of inspiration.  These books are perfect for collecting because when the bags are folded the opening creates a set of secret pockets in the book for storing small items.  The bottom of the bag, the part that is folded over, makes a flap in the book that is a fun addition.

We used four bags for our book.  The bags have to be hole-punched one at a time.  I folded a piece of paper cut to the size of the binding and punched it twice for the children to use a template.  Finished with a  an easy rubber band and popsicle stick binding.

Fast and Easy - Cars, Trucks and Bikes

A few fast and easy resources for students interested in drawing cars, trucks, and other vehicles.

This video shows an easy way to turn a 2-D drawing into a 3-D drawing

Watch the video and try it for yourself.  

Hint:  A photo to use as a reference  is helpful.

Want to Draw Motorcycles?

How to Draw a Motorcycle in 5 Steps can help.

Look at this great graphic I found on the web

Miro Mobiles

I love Joan Miro.  I love his bold black lines and also the surreal and innocent quality of his work.  Miro very much admired the artwork of children and this is reflected in his use of shape and color.  He is said to have believed that all things, even inanimate objects, have a hidden life that is both strange and beautiful.  Perhaps wondering about these hidden worlds gives his work its surreal quality.    

  

Students visited Miro's world and analyzed his paintings to identify his preferred lines and shapes.  They noticed moons, stars, spirals, hash marks, as well as organic and geometric shapes whose arrangement sometimes suggest figures and animals.    

Students received a Sharpie and a piece of drawing paper to create the symbols and figures for their  mobile.  Here are some of their creations.

They created a lot of designs

When they were done they flipped their papers over to outline and color-fill the back of the page.

I adore this young artist's "Alien Babe" (above) and think Miro would like it too.

When finished students "bubble cut" around their shapes.  Using a hole punch and florist wire the shapes were hung to balance.  More mobiles to come.

Here I found a wonderful resource for all things Miro.  Click on "Play Miro"  for a great kids corner.

 http://www.fundaciomiro-bcn.org/coleccio.php?idioma=2

Thanks for looking.