December 2019 Newslettter!

I'm excited to share our next newsletter - December Newsletter, check it out! 

To view the PDF, just click on the link above and download the PDF to you computer. You do not need dropbox or to install anything, just download the file.



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Art is my Jam

Bringing Art to the Community!

What started with an AR art project, turned into something great! 
Students were creating a cool augmented reality starbucks cup design based on the Quiver App then I got to thinking "How can I bring this to Starbucks?" Well, I presented my idea and asked if we could design and decorate some of their beverage sleeves. They agreed and here's some of the fun designs we did. 

My students loved this and I'm sure sales at Starbucks increased, lol! Just a simple but fun way to connect with the community. It definately got the kids excited about their art pieces.  

4th Grade Examples

Digital Self-Portraits

I have to admit, when I started working on this project, I wasn't sure how it would turn out. It is one of my "original" art lessons and I was so excited to try it out and I have to say the results were so awesome. 

I'm LOVING the APP Green Screen by DoInk! 

Here's the link to the step-by-step instructions for teachers on my TPT Shoppe. 

Bringing AR to the Art Room

Augmented Reality (AR) is a huge thing right now and the students love it.   I was having a hard time trying to find ways to incorporate it into the art room without taking away too much of our creative time teaching it. And, I found a few great ways to make both things happen and I'm totally excited about it. 

The first was an app called "Quiver" which is limited but it gets kids excited about AR and ways to use it.  I used it to introduce 4th and 5th graders to the concept. 

The second is an app and desktop version called "Metaverse" which is also limited but it has some fun features. It's more teacher friendly than student. Here's an example of the piece I created. Just scan the QR code with the Metaverse App and see an example. This one is very simple and I'll post more later:) 

The third is an app and desktop version called "EyeJack". This one is by far the BEST one I've come across. I'm so excited about the things this AR tool offers for artists. My students will be creating pieces soon with this. So stay tuned for a post about this app and how it can be incoporated into the art room. 

Ocotober 2019 Newslettter!

I'm excited to share our next newsletter - October Newsletter, check it out! 

To view the PDF, just click on the link above and download the PDF to you computer. You do not need dropbox or to install anything, just download the file.

September 2019 Newsletter

September 2019 Newslettter!

I'm excited to share our next newsletter - September Newsletter, check it out! 

To view the PDF, just click on the link above and download the PDF to you computer. You do not need dropbox or to install anything, just download the file.



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Buckner Elementary Art

Art Critique - "Carpet Critique"/"Table Talk"!

Incorporating art critiques, talks, etc... has been a challenge for me.  I've always done it, but felt like I needed to master this technique better. I do a variety of different things depending on the project, age group, etc... But I'm really thrilled with how this technique is going over with the students.

Tips:
1. Go over appropriate behaviour and language to ensure everyone contributes in one way or another.
2. I use a sheet like the above to help with how to word things. And being kind.
3. Use the walls, floors and tables to showcase unfinished and finished art talks. 
4. Movement is crucial.
5. Wrap up everything at the end of class - why we do this, etc...
6. Incoporate famous artists works, too. 
7. Compare and contrast.

If you'd like to use my poster, you can find it in my TPT Shoppe:) 

Heather Brown Inspired...

Heather Brown is one of the artists I've been teaching my 5th grader's about.  Her art is so bright, vibrant and inspiring. With this project, we are either creating a surfboard, snowboard or skateboard shaped design. It's just getting away from the same old rectangled piece of art shape and the students love it.

The medium for these pieces was inspired by Hether Browns thick back outlined lines. And to challenge them to create art with a variety of mediums that they may not necessarily use/choose. 

They are turning out so cool and I loved how unique each one was. 

"Graffiti Art"

Fifth grade is working on some awesome "graffiti art name designs". I just love how this technique teaches so mant concepts.

1. Analogous Colors
2. Complimentary Colors
3. Blending techniques with oil pastels
4. Outlining and enhancing art with detail 
     - such a black outlines, etc...
5. Highlights and Shadows

First grade "Pete the Cat" inspired art work

Check  out these Amazing Artists!

Everyone's been creating some awesome art.  First grade is working on their "Pete the Cat" inspired pieces. Who doesn't love these books. They always inspire and have a moral to the story.

I just love this book: "Pete the Cat and His Magic Sunglasses". So we created our own cats with "magic sunglasses". The only twist was, we added a rainbow because we learned to always look on the bright side. 

This was a great opportunity for first grade to learn how to blend oil pastels to create their secondary colors.

Amazing things to have

in any art classroom...besides the basic supplies.

I have found some great things over the years that no matter where I'm teaching, I need in my life, lol.  Besides the basic supplies (markers, clay, etc...), these things I use all the time and I find myself buying them when I've changed schools. Many of these items have been introduced by colleagues or I've just ran across and have fallen in love with:)

Painting Supplies that will change your life:

• Little plastic containers with lids are great when you have multiples classes and just want to reuse paint without having to sacrifice your paint trays. You can fnd them really cheap at the Dollar Tree or Amazon Prime. I usually buy them at the dollar tree just so I can make sure they're the perfect size. But, here's a link to some on amazon if you're interested  - small containers with lids

Condiment Squeeze Bottles

• A colleague introduced me to these condiment squeeze bottles...how have I lived without them for this long?! I use these instead of trying to constantly pour paint or use those pumps that get clogged, spray paint all over the place or just make a mess. The only negative is they are sensitive when you squeeze them so just be aware of that. 

Towels for the tables - because I do not use paper towels. I know this is just a preference, but I think they make more of a mess than needed. I have used towels in my art room for years because if I spill happens, the towel soaks it up and there ussually is no need in worrying about cleaning it up and no crying students cause their art got ruined. The towel absorbs everything and we just keep creating art. I've always bought mine at Ikea cause they are cheap, but you could use old towels from home or buy rags from places like home depot, lowe's and amazon prime.

Tiny Spoons for scooping paint. I use these for scooping paint to put into the paint trays when students need to mix colors. This saves a ton of time, paint and keeps paints from getting mixed together cause they don't rinse there paint brushes out correctly. I love that these are biodegradable. 

Clay Supplies that will change your life:

• Canvas bags are great if you can't afford to buy the fancy canvas wrapped boards for clay. I love that they have handles so when we are done we can just hang them on a hook until next class, they're supper easy for the kids to hand out and they don't get wadded up and wrinkled because they can be hung. They are so fabulous for clay because the clay doesn't stick to them and it keeps their projects contained to their space. I ordered mine through our art supplier, but you can find them on other sites like amazon prime. When clay dries you just knock it off and reuse them over and over. 


• Plastic trays (cafeteria trays) are great for easily handing out clay projects in the works. They are also great to use with painting supplies. I have the students place their wrapped unfinished piece on a tray - per table - that way it's easy to hand them back out and keeps them organized. 

• Plastic bags are wonderful for wrapping and storing unfinsihed clay so it doesn't dry out. I buy these thicker and large ones so I can reuse them over and over. I have students write their names on masking tape and we tape it to the outside of the bags. If clay has to stay in the bag for too long make sure to add either a wet paper towel or a tiny bit of water - I use a spray bottle and spray inside the bag just to be safe. 

August 2019 Newslettter!

Well, it's "Back to School" and I have my first newsletter ready.  It's filled with lots of great stuff and how I'll be sharing art and communicating this school year. I'm excited to share our first 2019/2020 school year newsletter - August Newsletter, check it out! 

To view the PDF, just click on the link above and download the PDF to you computer. You do not need dropbox or to install anything, just download the file.