Always-Always! Take Time for Family!

Today's America, and quite possibly the world, families look a little different then they did just a few years ago.  At my house, it's me and "my two girls", and life couldn't be more perfect.

 I don't know about the rest of you, but when I start to feel overwhelmed, or lose my perspective on daily life, there is nothing like some time with my girls to help me get in touch with what is really important.

 Both of my girls are incredibly smart, successful, and (in case you haven't noticed) drop dead gorgeous.  They keep me grounded, and give me something to reach for!  

 No matter how busy your school life is, no matter how busy you get, always-always make time for your family!!

1st Grade Owls with Patterns

Personally, I feel that my biggest opportunity to "sell" my program and "hook" students is with my first graders.  When students are kinders my biggest goal is simply for them to become comfortable in the art room and with me.  My second goal for kinders is to expose them to as much as possible.  

Once students are first graders I really want them to feel like "big kids" in the art room and I give them many responsibilities.  (More on that in another post).  I also try to have a lot of short projects so that the kids will have many opportunities to practice these new responsibilities. 

 I want each project to introduce the kids to something new, and this project is perfect.  When I pass out the paper the kids are always exclaiming how big the paper is.  It's really not that big the paper is 12 x 18.

 Before we begin the owls we spend a little time making patterns.  We use a 9 x 12 paper and section it off into a 3 x 3 grid.  We then brainstorm to come up with different ideas for patterns (or as the kids call them designs) that we can use to fill a space.   By the time we finish the 9 squares the kids have a pretty good idea how to fill a space with a pattern, rather than simply coloring it in.

 I then take the kids through a step by step directed drawing process to draw the owl.  Whenever I do a directed drawing I give the kids different places in the drawing where they have different choices.  I want them making original thought decisions as soon as possible.

 Once the pencil drawing is done the kids are able to choose as many different skinny markers as they wish to trace over their pencil lines and then fill the spaces with patterns.

To finish the project, the kids cut out the owls and glue them onto construction paper.

7-Habits & Peter Max (plus color theory and double loading)

I think just about every school seems to have a school wide plan of some sorts.  My schools adopted "The 7-Habits" a few years back, and it has been a great experience for students, families, and staff.  If you are unfamiliar with this practice you can learn more here http://www.theleaderinme.org/  

In a nutshell, this is a lifestyle/teaching style to live by.  This is accomplished by practicing the 7-Habits.  Each habit focuses on something different and the theory is that if you adopt all of these habits and make them an integral part of your teaching/lifestyle you will become more successful.  

 Since the 7-Habits is school wide at both buildings the counselor (from the 4-5 building) and I teamed up over the summer to plan a block of lessons that would incorporate art, counseling, and the habits.  The counselor worked with the kids to help them choose a habit that he or she wanted to improve upon over the school year.  The kids then used a worksheet to map out a year long goal and an action plan to help them achieve that goal.

 Meanwhile in art class I introduced the kids to Peter Max.  I mean does it really get any cooler that he?  We use his bright colors, the L-O-V-E artwork, and super thick paint to create the art.

 Each habit has a "buzz word" (that we assigned) to it.  It is far easier for kids to use just one word rather than the phrase that each habit represents.

 The kids had 3 color pallets to choose from-1 secondary color and the two primary colors that create that color.

 They used oil pastels to write their "buzz word" in bubble letters and were given the option to add geometric or organic shapes to the background.  The letters and shapes were colored in with the oil pastels.  They were to use all three colors when using the pastels.

 Then to finish the project they used tempera paint in both primary colors and white.  I could not believe the "ooooohhhhs and aaaaahhhhhssss" when I demonstrated how to double-load a flat paint brush to achieve different patterns with the paint!  I wanted them to experiment with the paint, and different brushstrokes to achieve different looks.

 When the paintings were dry the kids signed the front with oil pastel and taped their worksheet to the back.

 We then laminated the projects and hung them up around the building.  It will be interesting to see how the kids progressed on their action plans at the end of the year.

 I really liked this project for so many reasons.  First-the kids loved it!! Also it gave me many teachable moments about the power of art.  Right now our building has almost 200 projects displayed for the year, and each project is a goal for each student!  Not to mention, I get to introduce an artist, teach technique, several medias and color theory all at the same time.  Last but not least, anytime you can work with another teacher in the building it will enhance the "public relations" of your program, and you will also get to see lessons from another's point of view.