Super Heroes!

I'm so excited about these new designs. I have been working on them like crazy. I thinkI got a little carried away with the different versions but they turned out so FUN! If you get a chance check out all the different versions in my TPT shop. I'm only posting a few designs for you to preview...

My Super Heroes include:
Superman
Spiderman
Wonder Woman
Thor
Aquaman
Ironman
Green Lantern
Batman
Robin
Hulk
Captain America
Supergirl
Flash
Batgirl

I think these designs are so fun and can go with almost any age group.

Hundertwasser...

...I love the spirals and colors that can be seen in Hundertwasser's art work! I would love to see one of his buildings in real life, I bet it's AMAZING! I purchased his book "Hundertwasser for Kids". This is a fun book that can be used to do a variety of lessons and activities with your students. One of my favorites was "creating an artist name...". This was a great activity for introducing and teaching the concept of a signature and creating an artistic name. I think mine would be: Daisy Laughing Hippy!


Using the idea from one of his works of art (pictured above), I created a lesson that put a different twist or should I say "spiral" on the typical still life. This lesson was perfect and my students came up with some creative ideas on how to create their flowers and vases. This would also be great for teaching patterns to younger students. 

This step-by-step lesson along with examples, ways to include it into other subjects, etc... can be purchased individually or in my art book "The Creative Classroom". I offer my book on TPT, Amazon and LuLu and can be found: digitally, as a printed spiral bound hard copy and/or as a non-spiral bound hard copy (just click on the link to find which version works best for you and your needs as a teacher). My book and art lessons are created in color with tons of illustrations and photos to make creating art a breeze with your students. 

And you can always email or message me with questions or anything else you might need. I hope you will enjoy teaching these art lessons as much as I enjoyed creating them.

What a great start to 2016!

It's always hard going back to school after being off for so long. It's not that we don't miss our students but we hate to leave our families. For most teachers, we spend a lot of our time over break getting things finished from the old year and starting new things for the upcoming year. One of my most favorite things is rearranging my room and changing it u just a little. Students get excited when they see change and it's good to not become stagnate.

One thing I have never really done is New Year's resolutions. I'm not really sure why but if I had to guess it'd be because I wouldn't take them serious. I do however love making "lifestyle changes" and "setting goals-SMART Goals". But, I seen this article and really did like it so I thought I'd share it. Top 12 New Year's Resolutions for Teachers

I also want to share one little thing that has made a difference with my students. I call them "Awesome Awards"

I copy these onto colored paper or card stock and give these out when students do something without me asking or makes an improvement in something they've been struggling with.

Awesome Award Printable

I don't give these out in front of others because some things are just between the student and me. I know that may seem strange because as teachers we want to reward so others will follow, but it makes it really fun and more important for the students.

I place these in a variety of places: 

-take home folders
-backpacks,
-in between papers
-hand them out as they are leaving to go home
-in some cases (if I'm able) I hand them to their parents as the students are getting in their cars to go home


I really do love this and they really go great with "Leader in Me" theme if you or your school participates in it.

Super Hero Craze!

I have been thinking about what I could start with to give you some tips or ideas for when you go back to school. One of my favorite things to do is to create and design. I've just started working on some little "Super Heroes". Yeh, I know that many people have that theme and there are tons of things out there so I'm not really doing anything that's totally different. I just love that comics, super heroes, etc... are making a come back with all the great movies. Plus I have some family members that are die hard super hero fans, lol! So I figured "why not", it'll be fun. So here's a sneak peek at my new designs...

I will be creating a lot more heroes of course but I was so excited, I had to share my progress. 
These illustrations will be used to create posters, border, name plates, letters, binder covers, labels, etc... 

I will also be creating a design that can co-ordinate with these or be used by itself. The look will be similar to this comic book style. It'll have different action words that you would see in comic books. 

All my work is protected by ©copyright laws, but can be purchased in my TPT Shop, just click on the link at the top of the page or the side bar. If you'd like to use any of my art for commercial use or would like something custom designed, please email or message me for more information. Thank you!

 

Merry Christmas!
Just a little gift I'd like to share since Christmas is just right around the corner. And of course having the last name Mrs. Clause I figured I should be in the giving spirt:)

I so love this time of the year. Spending time with family, friends and even strangers. This is one of my favorite designs that I've done but, I can't sell it because of copyright laws. So for all you teachers and schools out there, implementing or just liking The "Leader in Me", here's a great addition to your program. Enjoy!

LeaderPennants 

– just download the .pdf file from the link.

Also a great place to get this printed is through: 
VistaPrint – online printing
If you would like a printed version of this piece, please email me (click on the email link at the top of the page-looks like image below) and let me know you want to order one:   

The cost is approximately $15.00 + shipping cost and its printed in full color and on high quality paper that's perfect for creating your stringer pennants. Here's a picture of mine in my classroom, I absolutely love them. 

Stringer Pennants Hanging with a "Leader" Bulletin Board

Leader Bulletin Board

My theme is Hot Air Balloons because I wasn't a fan of the one that comes with the packet. I designed a whole new concept that coordinated with everything. 

I kept the colors the same and just created little people and hot air balloons. My idea was to get the point across: "that you can dream as big as you want" and when I think of that, hot air balloons pop into my head:)

I have a whole packet of "Leader" designs so if you'd like to learn more just email me. 

Another room decoration using the pennants

 

Getting ready for the New Year!  
As this year closes to an end and we are enjoying our Christmas break, I start thinking about some ideas for my students. I, like most all teachers, am constantly learning, reading, researching and designing new things for my students and classroom.

Just so you can get a better sense of what I'm like as a teacher:
- I am OCD about everything.
- Organized to a fault at times (I have a place for everything and everything has a purpose).
- I am very much a visual and hand-on type teacher.
- I am passionate and believe all children are amazing individuals.
- I love what I do and I do what I love.
- I always do things with the highest of standards.
- I complete things I start.
- I always keep my promises. 

I have learned a lot within my teaching career and I have made mistakes. But, one thing is, I learn from my mistakes and I move forward. I encourage you to never look back or live in your past because you can't change it. It's only there to teach us how to make a better future.

I hope that everyone who joins my blog will get inspired, learn something new and leave with knowing we all make a difference in the lives of our students. 

My First Post, I'm so Excited!

Welcome to my new blog page!  
And, I want to start off by saying how exciting it is to have my very own blog page that I designed myself. It has been a interesting journey to say the least and I'm sure as time goes by I'll learn new things to make it even better. 

I can't wait to share my teaching and design ideas with you. Follow along with me to find ideas, freebies and other resources for your elementary classroom. 

For all you art teachers out there, I've got a loads of ideas and I hope you will love them as much as I love teaching and creating them.