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Showing posts from April, 2012

Magic Carpets

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There are a couple of things I love about this lesson.  At this time of year most of my first graders have learned to tie and can't wait to show off that skill.  They help the other students who are just learning and when they "Get it" it is so exciting. I also like that it supports the classroom teacher's lessons in symmetry.  I try to bend the carpets when I display them so the POP off the board. Sorry for the 2 week hiatus. What is it about this time of year?  Art show, taking down art show...seems like non stop. I think this is true for all teachers.

Clay Coil Bowls

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I can't find where I got this idea, checked my Pinterest boards and it wasn't there plus I saw it a long time ago so if you have a reference I'd like to give credit . I needed a clay project and this one just seemed perfect... Well, perfect NO.  The 3rd graders did this and I think when I count over 150 students and less than 10 fell apart those aren't really bad odds.   We practiced with modeling clay rolling into coils and placing in bowl molds. Then we went into the terra cotta.  Looking back I don't think it was the grade level but if you do this remember to tell them to roll each coil the size of a quarter AND the thickness of an Oreo.   The blending of the inside of the bowl is really important to so that the seams are sealed. They came out beautiful but REALLY, REALLY fragile.  Now I'm crossing my fingers they make it home.

Self Portraits

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The fourth graders are working on self portraits. PKE is just a bit behind the other schools but working very hard on mixing thier skin tone and also ENOUGH of it when the find it to cover the skin.  I'm very happy with these this year, espcially C's at the top, I think he captured his sweet expression and eyes perfectly!

Organized Chaos: I am an art TEACHER

Thank you so much Ms. Novak for writing an article that speaks so well for what so many of us, art educators are experiencing now.  It's hard enough to educate the general public and parents on the importance of the arts. But lately I've been blown away by what my general ed teachers are saying about the arts and their ignorance has left me stunned!  I keep telling myself it's the fear of cuts and a general fear of the state in education in our state that makes someone say something like, "Reading and Math are MORE important." UGH...The arts ARE important too! Check out this article, I couldn't have said it better! Organized Chaos: I am an art TEACHER