tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91159380892681555522023-11-16T04:43:01.241-08:00Keep Calm and CrayonAdventures in Public School ArtAmandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05681744924507709011noreply@blogger.comBlogger75125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9115938089268155552.post-22353523799666732972016-04-02T09:15:00.001-07:002016-04-02T09:24:33.171-07:00Ice Cream Paper Mache' Sculptures<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Time flies when your life completely flips upside down...my old lap top died with the switch to windows 10 and I left an elementary position this past summer to move up to a middle school teaching position in the same school system. I have taught 6th - 8th grade students since August.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My view so far is that the kids are the same from kindergarten through 8th grade, only the heights change and the vocabulary expands a bit.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This week my students viewed the works of Claes Oldenburg. He was our inspiration for pizza sculptures and ice cream sculptures. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My favorite image to refer to was this one:</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.unregardcertain.fr/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/Claes_Oldenburg_ice_cream2.jpg">Claes Oldenburg Icecream in Germany</a></div>
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I first did a google search for "Ice cream paper mache' " on the web and it gave me several great inspiration points to work from. From that I was able to play around at home with a few simple items that could create the right shape. I used these same materials with my 8th grade students. (Although I did this with 8th grade, I could also see this as something 3rd - 5th graders could easily accomplish as well. Maybe even younger if your students are very capable and you have the storage space) </div>
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Step 1: Materials</div>
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I grabbed Sta-Flo liquid starch, newspaper, kitchen size paper cups, masking tape, and paper towels (I like the Sam's Store brand... they aren't too far off from Bounty). <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggLjPZd7QRC9E8uhkFRTvdwqnCpBcp3wSU7YTtJTvZmRe_KTea0QXJh8Wn2ZgRpSEW8LQITo-XqqNEvTKeW7_UhQSv24Vg0v3m14MinIZr-P0t49y2f32HeFD3lbHQj7TvRfJzFP5-ukg/s1600/20160327_115941.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggLjPZd7QRC9E8uhkFRTvdwqnCpBcp3wSU7YTtJTvZmRe_KTea0QXJh8Wn2ZgRpSEW8LQITo-XqqNEvTKeW7_UhQSv24Vg0v3m14MinIZr-P0t49y2f32HeFD3lbHQj7TvRfJzFP5-ukg/s320/20160327_115941.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
Step 2: I constructed spheres (or scoops as I referred to in class) from the newspaper by balling it. I then wrapped it with a few pieces of masking tape to hold shape. I informed students they could create as many scoops as they desired as long as it would balance. Students were also given "2" paper cups to give extra strength to what would be the cone. Scoops were taped to the paper cups. ****Don't forget to write your name on the bottom of the cup!!!<br />
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Step 3: Paper Mache' <br />
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From here, the paper towel is torn into small pieces. I recommend dipping your fingers into starch and wiping it onto the paper towel before wrapping around your armature. The paper towel is so absorbent that it will use a LOT of starch (more than you need) and the drying time will take MUCH longer. The first layer didn't stick as well as I would like, but continuous layers did come out very well. </div>
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<b>Why did I use paper towel instead of news paper?</b> -- That helps me skip a step of using gesso. I don't have the finances for gesso either. A sturdy paper towel works great in a pinch for time and materials. The texture of the paper towel is rather awesome as well.</div>
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Step 4: Dry dry dry! My students covered their armatures on a Tuesday, but many were still soaking wet on Wednesday so we left them to dry another day. I think partially the problem was the rainy weather and the fact so many of them soaked those paper towels in the starch.</div>
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Step 5: Paint. I used craft acrylic paints from Hobby Lobby for this particular project. It dried fast and allowed for multi-color layering. However, I'm sure tempera would stick fine. On the day we waited for the sculptures to dry I asked students to sketch out a plan for their scoop flavors so that helped us on painting day. My students had 1 forty-five minute class to complete painting.<br />
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A few very detail oriented students did have a little bit to touch up the next day, so a few paint brushes were out at the tables for the completion day. </div>
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Step 6: Collage </div>
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On our last day of this project I gave students a tray full of found object materials. Papers, foam, beads, yarn scraps, bits of wire, plastic, cotton, etc. I love to recycle tid-bits of junk left over from other projects for these types of details. Students were assigned the task of creating toppings for their ice cream for a finishing touch. They could cut, bend, and manipulate materials in whatever manner they felt would best create their toppings.</div>
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</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We used glue-all for the adhesive of our materials. I don't think school glue would hold well over time with these sculptures. Right now I'm prepping these works for display in a local ice cream shop. So excited to share these with our community!</span>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05681744924507709011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9115938089268155552.post-32456493894791851232015-06-10T06:00:00.000-07:002015-06-10T06:00:02.340-07:00Primary Color Tiki Tiki Masks<div style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.7999992370605px; margin-bottom: 0.825em;">
The longer I teach the more interested I become in the process of mask making. Each group of students has a different view of what the purpose of a mask can be. Halloween is always a really good reason for masks, but by the time they reach 5th grade they can give me some more well thought out answers for example "Expressing one's emotions" or "Hiding identities". </div>
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African masks are a very popular subject matter, but I wanted to try to vary up the style a bit. This project studied Polynesian/Hawaiian style Tiki Masks. </div>
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<strong style="font-style: inherit; line-height: 1.7;">Primary Tiki Tiki Masks</strong> - 3 forty minute sessions</div>
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In our study, we viewed visuals of tiki sculptures and discussed a variety of <a data-mce-href="http://www.mythichawaii.com/tiki-gods.htm" href="http://www.mythichawaii.com/tiki-gods.htm" style="color: #1b8be0; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7; text-decoration: none;">Tiki gods</a>. We identified the way the artists would exaggerate certain features of faces. (Be aware when cruising online images, there are some inappropriate ones)</div>
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I posted some visuals with a variety of facial features on the board for inspiration and from there the students started.</div>
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Day 1: I gave each student a sheet of 11 x 14" posterboard (although you can use any other material you prefer) and a pencil. Students were first asked to shape the top, bottom, and sides of their mask. They could round it or keep the edges straight. Then cut out the shape you have drawn.</div>
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<a data-mce-href="https://auburnalumartteacher.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/tiki2.png" href="https://auburnalumartteacher.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/tiki2.png" style="color: #1b8be0; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="tiki2" class="alignnone wp-image-70" data-mce-src="https://auburnalumartteacher.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/tiki2.png?w=300" height="117" src="https://auburnalumartteacher.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/tiki2.png?w=300" style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); color: #222222; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: auto; line-height: 1.7; margin-top: 0.4em; max-width: 100%; padding: 6px;" width="177" /></a> <a data-mce-href="https://auburnalumartteacher.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/tiki3.png" href="https://auburnalumartteacher.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/tiki3.png" style="color: #1b8be0; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="tiki3" class="alignnone wp-image-71" data-mce-src="https://auburnalumartteacher.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/tiki3.png?w=300" height="118" src="https://auburnalumartteacher.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/tiki3.png?w=300" style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); color: #222222; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: auto; line-height: 1.7; margin-top: 0.4em; max-width: 100%; padding: 6px;" width="177" /></a> <a data-mce-href="https://auburnalumartteacher.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/tiki1.png" href="https://auburnalumartteacher.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/tiki1.png" style="color: #1b8be0; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="tiki1" class="alignnone wp-image-72" data-mce-src="https://auburnalumartteacher.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/tiki1.png?w=300" height="122" src="https://auburnalumartteacher.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/tiki1.png?w=300" style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); color: #222222; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: auto; line-height: 1.7; margin-top: 0.4em; max-width: 100%; padding: 6px;" width="184" /></a></div>
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Then students had the task of designing eyes, nose, mouth, and design details. Having visual examples to look at were very helpful. We noted that many of the tiki featured large open mouths with teeth.</div>
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<dt class="wp-caption-dt" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 15px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.7;"><a data-mce-href="https://auburnalumartteacher.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/tiki4.png" href="https://auburnalumartteacher.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/tiki4.png" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; color: #1b8be0; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="Face details" class="size-medium wp-image-73" data-mce-src="https://auburnalumartteacher.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/tiki4.png?w=300" height="191" src="https://auburnalumartteacher.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/tiki4.png?w=300" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; border: 0px none rgb(238, 238, 238); color: #222222; display: block; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: auto; line-height: 1.7; margin: 5px auto 0px !important; max-width: 98%; padding: 0px;" width="300" /></a></dt>
<dd class="wp-caption-dd" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, serif !important; font-size: 12px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 0.6em !important; padding: 0px 0px 5px 40px; position: relative; text-align: left;">Face details</dd></dl>
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This was a stopping point for us. After design was complete with pencil, we saved for the next session. </div>
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Day 2: I set out liquid tempera paint for the second session. Students were given the three primary colors RED, YELLOW, and BLUE. They were also given white and black. I emphasized with students the importance of painting the lightest colors first then ending with the darkest as to keep the colors as pure as possible. Black was for fine detail and outlining work. </div>
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<a data-mce-href="https://auburnalumartteacher.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/tiki5.png" href="https://auburnalumartteacher.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/tiki5.png" style="color: #1b8be0; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="tiki5" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-74" data-mce-src="https://auburnalumartteacher.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/tiki5.png?w=300" height="191" src="https://auburnalumartteacher.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/tiki5.png?w=300" style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); color: #222222; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: auto; line-height: 1.7; margin-top: 0.4em; max-width: 100%; padding: 6px;" width="300" /></a></div>
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When these were dry, I got out my crafty Xacto knife and cut out the numerous eye holes that called for removal. If students left a gap between the teeth of the jaw lines I removed that too. </div>
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Day 3: This day is optional if you feel like the second day gave the masks a level of completeness. I decided to give students one more day to collage scrap paper elements for a more refined work. I gave them paper left over from matisse collages. I emphasized the importance of SYMMETRY at this point and requested they keep that in mind when adding their paper elements. </div>
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<dt class="wp-caption-dt" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 15px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.7;"><a data-mce-href="https://auburnalumartteacher.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/37994164.jpg" href="https://auburnalumartteacher.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/37994164.jpg" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; color: #1b8be0; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="37994164" class="wp-image-75 size-medium" data-mce-src="https://auburnalumartteacher.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/37994164.jpg?w=209" height="300" src="https://auburnalumartteacher.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/37994164.jpg?w=209" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; border: 0px none rgb(238, 238, 238); color: #222222; display: block; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: auto; line-height: 1.7; margin: 5px auto 0px !important; max-width: 98%; padding: 0px;" width="209" /></a></dt>
<dd class="wp-caption-dd" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, serif !important; font-size: 12px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 0.6em !important; padding: 0px 0px 5px 40px; position: relative; text-align: left;">I created this art work by cutting out cardboard and painting.</dd></dl>
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<dt class="wp-caption-dt" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 15px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.7;"><a data-mce-href="https://auburnalumartteacher.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/37994473.jpg" href="https://auburnalumartteacher.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/37994473.jpg" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; color: #1b8be0; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="37994473" class="wp-image-76 size-medium" data-mce-src="https://auburnalumartteacher.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/37994473.jpg?w=213" height="300" src="https://auburnalumartteacher.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/37994473.jpg?w=213" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; border: 0px none rgb(238, 238, 238); color: #222222; display: block; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: auto; line-height: 1.7; margin: 5px auto 0px !important; max-width: 98%; padding: 0px;" width="213" /></a></dt>
<dd class="wp-caption-dd" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, serif !important; font-size: 12px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 0.6em !important; padding: 0px 0px 5px 40px; position: relative; text-align: left;">'Lil Tiki.</dd></dl>
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<img alt="37994798" class=" size-medium wp-image-77 aligncenter" data-mce-src="https://auburnalumartteacher.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/37994798.jpg?w=209" height="300" src="https://auburnalumartteacher.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/37994798.jpg?w=209" style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); clear: both; display: block; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: auto; line-height: 1.7; margin: 0.4em auto 1.625em; max-width: 100%; padding: 6px;" width="209" />If students finished early, I let them create a Tiki Sculpture using a toilet paper tube and a 4 x 6" piece of white paper. Some of them turned out quite funny! Keep an eye out for a post on t.p. tube sculptures. </div>
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<a data-mce-href="https://auburnalumartteacher.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/37995102.jpg" href="https://auburnalumartteacher.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/37995102.jpg" style="color: #1b8be0; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="37995102" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-78" data-mce-src="https://auburnalumartteacher.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/37995102.jpg?w=230" height="300" src="https://auburnalumartteacher.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/37995102.jpg?w=230" style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); color: #222222; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: auto; line-height: 1.7; margin-top: 0.4em; max-width: 100%; padding: 6px;" width="230" /></a> <a data-mce-href="https://auburnalumartteacher.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/38022254.jpg" href="https://auburnalumartteacher.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/38022254.jpg" style="color: #1b8be0; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="38022254" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-79" data-mce-src="https://auburnalumartteacher.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/38022254.jpg?w=244" height="300" src="https://auburnalumartteacher.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/38022254.jpg?w=244" style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); color: #222222; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: auto; line-height: 1.7; margin-top: 0.4em; max-width: 100%; padding: 6px;" width="244" /></a></div>
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A few pointers on this project: </div>
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1. I'm not sure what it is about black paint, but they will go OVERBOARD with it. I give them specific instructions that it is a detail color and give them an especially tiny brush for painting with. Paint black last... it will alter all the other colors otherwise.</div>
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2. I don't think the white paint was necessary for us. Our poster board was already white so I think the paint really gave them more grief than helped. </div>
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3. I wanted to emphasize primary colors on this project, however this could be much more colorful. This could be a value study with shades and tints of browns much like the carved tiki sculptures. Lots of options here.</div>
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Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05681744924507709011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9115938089268155552.post-66858706667685196672015-06-08T06:00:00.001-07:002015-06-08T06:00:09.673-07:00Irrational Fears: Chalk Pastels<div style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.7999992370605px; margin-bottom: 0.825em;">
I have experienced an irrational fear of chalk pastels. They are dusty. Children end up with all sorts of odd colors in their noses, mouths, ears, etc. Messy messy messy. Plus, I never used them before myself in my many years of art classes in public school or college. It was a foreign object to me.</div>
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However, I put on some big girl undies this school year and gave them a try. Chalk pastels won a student of mine a first place award in a system-wide competition and I was converted.</div>
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<a data-mce-href="https://auburnalumartteacher.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/sunset5.jpg" href="https://auburnalumartteacher.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/sunset5.jpg" style="color: #1b8be0; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="sunset5" class=" size-medium wp-image-37 aligncenter" data-mce-src="https://auburnalumartteacher.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/sunset5.jpg?w=300" height="193" src="https://auburnalumartteacher.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/sunset5.jpg?w=300" style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); clear: both; color: #222222; display: block; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: auto; line-height: 1.7; margin: 0.4em auto 1.625em; max-width: 100%; padding: 6px;" width="300" /></a></div>
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My students created an Native American Sunset Silhouette this year. This project was done by first graders, but could definitely work for any age upwards. </div>
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We first watched the story The Legend of the Indian Paintbrush by Tommie DePaola. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gyaifWkUWr0[/embed]</div>
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I asked my students questions that centered around colors they saw in the sky from the story. Then we went to work on our own sunset compositions.</div>
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<strong style="font-style: inherit; line-height: 1.7;">Native American Sunset Silhouettes</strong> - 2 forty minute classes</div>
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Day 1: I placed a selection of chalk pastels (broken in half) into a dish in the middle of the table. I chose yellow, orange, pink, red, purple, and blues. Each student was to select 1 yellow, 1 orange, then choose either pink or red, then choose blue or purple as their darkest color. (You don't have to give them a choice, but my students like to have one)</div>
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I then showed students the steps to create a gradient.</div>
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I found this demo on the The Art of Education site and this is what inspired this project. </div>
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[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxbGTDawzms[/embed]</div>
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Then I sprayed them with hair spray after students left for the day.</div>
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<a data-mce-href="https://auburnalumartteacher.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/sunset1.jpg" href="https://auburnalumartteacher.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/sunset1.jpg" style="color: #1b8be0; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="sunset1" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-41" data-mce-src="https://auburnalumartteacher.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/sunset1.jpg?w=300" height="191" src="https://auburnalumartteacher.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/sunset1.jpg?w=300" style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); color: #222222; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: auto; line-height: 1.7; margin-top: 0.4em; max-width: 100%; padding: 6px;" width="300" /></a></div>
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Day 2: We talked about silhouettes this day. We viewed silhouette visuals... showing both people and landscapes. We also talked about shadows and how we can see them easier when the sun is positioned just right.</div>
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I gave students a black piece of paper the length of the gradient paper. They could keep it straight or change it depending on how they wanted the ground to look. This was their horizon line.</div>
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<a data-mce-href="https://auburnalumartteacher.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/sunset6.jpg" href="https://auburnalumartteacher.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/sunset6.jpg" style="color: #1b8be0; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="sunset6" class=" size-medium wp-image-42 aligncenter" data-mce-src="https://auburnalumartteacher.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/sunset6.jpg?w=300" height="191" src="https://auburnalumartteacher.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/sunset6.jpg?w=300" style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); clear: both; color: #222222; display: block; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: auto; line-height: 1.7; margin: 0.4em auto 1.625em; max-width: 100%; padding: 6px;" width="300" /></a></div>
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Then we reflected on the story we heard the week before. What kinds of objects would you find in the setting of that story?</div>
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Students drew with pencil onto black paper, then cut out and glued to their objects of choice onto their horizon line. </div>
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<a data-mce-href="https://auburnalumartteacher.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/sunset4.jpg" href="https://auburnalumartteacher.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/sunset4.jpg" style="color: #1b8be0; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="sunset4" class=" size-medium wp-image-40 aligncenter" data-mce-src="https://auburnalumartteacher.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/sunset4.jpg?w=300" height="191" src="https://auburnalumartteacher.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/sunset4.jpg?w=300" style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); clear: both; color: #222222; display: block; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: auto; line-height: 1.7; margin: 0.4em auto 1.625em; max-width: 100%; padding: 6px;" width="300" /></a><a data-mce-href="https://auburnalumartteacher.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/sunset3.jpg" href="https://auburnalumartteacher.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/sunset3.jpg" style="color: #1b8be0; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="sunset3" class=" size-medium wp-image-39 aligncenter" data-mce-src="https://auburnalumartteacher.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/sunset3.jpg?w=300" height="186" src="https://auburnalumartteacher.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/sunset3.jpg?w=300" style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); clear: both; color: #222222; display: block; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: auto; line-height: 1.7; margin: 0.4em auto 1.625em; max-width: 100%; padding: 6px;" width="300" /></a></div>
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Many trees, bushes, and tee pees made their way into our landscapes. There were even a few horses and dogs. With the tiny students, I found giving them a horizon line to work off of was easiest. Older students could probably create a silhouette where the black paper is all one piece. </div>
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<a data-mce-href="https://auburnalumartteacher.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/sunset2.jpg" href="https://auburnalumartteacher.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/sunset2.jpg" style="color: #1b8be0; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7;"><img alt="sunset2" class=" size-medium wp-image-38 aligncenter" data-mce-src="https://auburnalumartteacher.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/sunset2.jpg?w=300" height="191" src="https://auburnalumartteacher.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/sunset2.jpg?w=300" style="background: rgb(238, 238, 238); border: 1px solid rgb(187, 187, 187); clear: both; color: #222222; display: block; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: auto; line-height: 1.7; margin: 0.4em auto 1.625em; max-width: 100%; padding: 6px;" width="300" /></a></div>
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In all, the chalk pastels were still kind of messy. I experienced a rainbow every time I blew my nose. There was a chalk trail exiting my classroom door. However, I found that the brief mess was worth the results. I love chalk pastels now! Yahoo!</div>
Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05681744924507709011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9115938089268155552.post-28758984435450924962015-06-03T06:00:00.000-07:002015-06-03T10:15:13.355-07:00Class Up that Trashcan!<div style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.7999992370605px; margin-bottom: 0.825em;">
<img alt="" class=" aligncenter" data-mce-src="https://athensclarkecounty.com/ImageRepository/Document?documentID=17632" height="262" src="https://athensclarkecounty.com/ImageRepository/Document?documentID=17632" style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); clear: both; display: block; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: auto; line-height: 1.7; margin: 0.4em auto 1.625em; max-width: 100%; padding: 6px;" width="350" />Our schools have a surplus of boring storage. Green is great and all... but blah!</div>
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A co-worker of mine had the brilliant idea of making our rather boring wheeled fellows look a bit more exciting. I was given free reign and no money. So my solution was to buy up some cheep acrylic paints at Hobby Lobby and round up some capable 4th and 5th graders.</div>
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The goal was to cover as much of the can as possible and emphasizing that this was a RECYCLE bin. Not for trash, please!</div>
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<a data-mce-href="https://auburnalumartteacher.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/trashcan4.jpg" href="https://auburnalumartteacher.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/trashcan4.jpg" style="color: #1b8be0; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="trashcan4" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-51" data-mce-src="https://auburnalumartteacher.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/trashcan4.jpg?w=225" height="300" src="https://auburnalumartteacher.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/trashcan4.jpg?w=225" style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); color: #222222; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: auto; line-height: 1.7; margin-top: 0.4em; max-width: 100%; padding: 6px;" width="225" /></a> <a data-mce-href="https://auburnalumartteacher.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/trashcan3.jpg" href="https://auburnalumartteacher.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/trashcan3.jpg" style="color: #1b8be0; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="trashcan3" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-50" data-mce-src="https://auburnalumartteacher.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/trashcan3.jpg?w=225" height="300" src="https://auburnalumartteacher.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/trashcan3.jpg?w=225" style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); color: #222222; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: auto; line-height: 1.7; margin-top: 0.4em; max-width: 100%; padding: 6px;" width="225" /></a></div>
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Our first set of cans was inspired by Keith Haring. It began as a light spray paint base. Then we painted body figures in a variety of poses around the can. Our goal was graffiti. I think this fit the bill.</div>
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<a data-mce-href="https://auburnalumartteacher.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/trashcan6.jpg" href="https://auburnalumartteacher.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/trashcan6.jpg" style="color: #1b8be0; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="trashcan6" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-53" data-mce-src="https://auburnalumartteacher.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/trashcan6.jpg?w=225" height="300" src="https://auburnalumartteacher.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/trashcan6.jpg?w=225" style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); color: #222222; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: auto; line-height: 1.7; margin-top: 0.4em; max-width: 100%; padding: 6px;" width="225" /></a> <a data-mce-href="https://auburnalumartteacher.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/trashcan5.jpg" href="https://auburnalumartteacher.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/trashcan5.jpg" style="color: #1b8be0; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="trashcan5" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-52" data-mce-src="https://auburnalumartteacher.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/trashcan5.jpg?w=225" height="300" src="https://auburnalumartteacher.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/trashcan5.jpg?w=225" style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); color: #222222; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: auto; line-height: 1.7; margin-top: 0.4em; max-width: 100%; padding: 6px;" width="225" /></a></div>
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Our second can was Van Gogh Starry Night inspired. This was all cheap acrylic paint you can get from any craft store. The key to this can was making sure it consisted of many lines much like the style of Van Gogh. </div>
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<a data-mce-href="https://auburnalumartteacher.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/trashcan22.jpg" href="https://auburnalumartteacher.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/trashcan22.jpg" style="color: #1b8be0; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="trashcan22" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-54" data-mce-src="https://auburnalumartteacher.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/trashcan22.jpg?w=225" height="300" src="https://auburnalumartteacher.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/trashcan22.jpg?w=225" style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); color: #222222; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: auto; line-height: 1.7; margin-top: 0.4em; max-width: 100%; padding: 6px;" width="225" /></a><a data-mce-href="https://auburnalumartteacher.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/trashcan1.jpg" href="https://auburnalumartteacher.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/trashcan1.jpg" style="color: #1b8be0; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.7; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="trashcan1" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-49" data-mce-src="https://auburnalumartteacher.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/trashcan1.jpg?w=225" height="300" src="https://auburnalumartteacher.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/trashcan1.jpg?w=225" style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); color: #222222; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: auto; line-height: 1.7; margin-top: 0.4em; max-width: 100%; padding: 6px;" width="225" /></a></div>
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Our last can was my favorite. We were inspired by Wassily Kandinsky. I think this can turned out most successfully because we were able to completely cover ALL of the original can color. The wheels even got a color treatment. </div>
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Each of these cans has been placed in a hallway for our white paper recycling program. Wouldn't it be fun to see one out on your curb on pick up day?</div>
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Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05681744924507709011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9115938089268155552.post-87818547895294955352015-06-01T05:00:00.000-07:002015-06-01T05:00:16.361-07:00Color-full Bird Masks<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've found <a data-mce-href="http://www.artsonia.com" href="http://www.artsonia.com/">Artsonia</a> to be my new favorite go-to site when at work. It has a plethora of ideas right at your finger tips. I started using it for inspiration then eventually began our own school gallery. It has been a real treat to utilize a more worldly venue that allows family from any corner of the globe to view a child's art work. This particular project was inspired from a mask I saw on Artsonia.</span><br />
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<a data-mce-href="https://auburnalumartteacher.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/birdmask3.jpg" href="https://auburnalumartteacher.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/birdmask3.jpg"><img alt="birdmask3" class=" size-medium wp-image-25 aligncenter" data-mce-src="https://auburnalumartteacher.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/birdmask3.jpg?w=300" height="258" src="https://auburnalumartteacher.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/birdmask3.jpg?w=300" width="300" /></a></div>
<img alt="" class="wp-more-tag mce-wp-more" data-mce-placeholder="1" data-mce-resize="false" data-mce-src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" data-wp-more="more" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" title="Read more..." /><br />
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<a name='more'></a><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Color-full Bird Masks</span></strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> - 2 forty minute class sessions</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Day 1: I introduce colors to my students with this really great youtube video by OkayGo. This video is usually up for special requests frequently during the school year. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yu44JRTIxSQ[/embed]</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We talk about the colors we saw and review which were primary and secondary.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You might want to replay it a few more times during the next step just 'cause you can. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then students draw a random line picture with black crayon on 9 x 12" white paper.</span><br />
<a data-mce-href="https://auburnalumartteacher.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/lines.png" href="https://auburnalumartteacher.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/lines.png"><img alt="lines" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-24" data-mce-src="https://auburnalumartteacher.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/lines.png?w=300" height="194" src="https://auburnalumartteacher.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/lines.png?w=300" width="300" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I usually direct them to choose certain lines. For example: "Choose a place on your picture you want to draw a straight diagonal line. Next choose a new place to draw a straight horizontal line." You could even make a Piet Mondrian reference if you desire. Lots of places to go with this!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then students paint their composition with primary colors. RED, YELLOW, BLUE.</span><br />
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<a data-mce-href="https://auburnalumartteacher.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/colors1.png" href="https://auburnalumartteacher.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/colors1.png"><img alt="colors1" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-26" data-mce-src="https://auburnalumartteacher.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/colors1.png?w=300" height="194" src="https://auburnalumartteacher.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/colors1.png?w=300" width="300" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These dry in the drying rack that day and I save them for the following week. If they paint over lines or the colors get mixed a bit its no biggie. We are chopping these up the next session.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Day 2: This session requires a bit of prep on the part of the adult involved. I had to cut a bazillion eye holes with my Xacto knife for 125 masks over a weekend in preparation. I also hot glued a popsicle stick handle to the side of each mask before giving it to students.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You can use half of a paper plate or pre-cut posterboard like I did. (Once again, I cut out all the masks but the posterboard is sturdy and I get it for free from a local business)</span><br />
<a data-mce-href="https://auburnalumartteacher.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/mask1.png" href="https://auburnalumartteacher.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/mask1.png"><img alt="mask1" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-27" data-mce-src="https://auburnalumartteacher.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/mask1.png?w=300" height="194" src="https://auburnalumartteacher.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/mask1.png?w=300" width="300" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Students are given 3 water-based markers* in the secondary colors: Purple/Violet, Orange, and Green. I ask students to pick one color at a time and go in an order they would prefer. We color the secondary colors up our mask.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now its time to destroy..err.. cut up that primary colors composition from last time. I ask students to cut long strips from the primary paper. It is not necessary to use it all and I save scraps for other fun projects. Then draw a rainbow of school glue across the top of the mask. Stick primary strips to the glue to create a feathery looking head. If strips are too long, give the bird a hair cut to get the right length. Those scraps can be used to give the bird eye lashes around the eye holes. Students can also curl feathers or leave flat. Its a matter of preference. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I then give students a yellow rectangle of construction paper. They draw the tallest triangle they can make and cut out. Glue to the bottom of the mask. You can also add glitter to this project if you like. I avoid glitter whenever possible and this one looks delightful without it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now let them dry then send them home. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One additional thing I do with students is ask them to write an artist statement about certain works. This could be anything from describing how they made it, saying what they like about it or, giving it a title. This is my favorite artist statement about this project. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>It is good. I want to call it Gordin.</em> Artist statements are a hoot! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">**I use Crayola waterbased markers the majority of the time. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05681744924507709011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9115938089268155552.post-74143220559115221362015-05-28T11:45:00.001-07:002015-05-28T15:39:16.004-07:00End of the Year Shenanigans<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This end of the school year dragged until the last week where things flew by in a flash. The last couple of weeks I try to put away a lot of supplies for the summer, so the challenge becomes… what can we do that will minimize the supplies I need out?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At my primary school my all time favorite activity is Circle Paintings. I got this idea from the blog Deep Space Sparkle. I found its a great way to get my students to collaborate and work together.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://auburnalumartteacher.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/circles2.jpg"><img alt="circles2" class=" size-medium wp-image-14 aligncenter" height="202" src="https://auburnalumartteacher.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/circles2.jpg?w=300&h=202" width="300" /></a><a href="https://auburnalumartteacher.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/circles3.jpg"><img alt="circles3" class=" size-medium wp-image-15 aligncenter" height="156" src="https://auburnalumartteacher.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/circles3.jpg?w=300&h=156" width="300" /></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I set up tables with long sheets of butcher paper. I like color, but white or kraft would look sensational as well. I use a variety of cups and containers found over the year and put one color of tempera paint in each cup. Some cups can repeat a color, no biggie. One paintbrush in each cup. (I like to use old, crunchy, rough, sad-state brushes for this)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I ask students to define a circle and show me understanding by drawing in the air for me. Then I demonstrate that a circle could be created out of dots… a circle could be broken… it could be made from repeating lines. A circle could be empty or filled. Students put on their aprons. I ask them to select their own paint. Then the one rule is CIRCLES! No squares, triangles, etc. Now if they happen to create a person’s face or a snowman out of circles, I’m satisfied as long as they used circles.</span><br />
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<a href="https://auburnalumartteacher.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/circles5.jpg"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="circles5" class=" size-medium wp-image-18 aligncenter" height="225" src="https://auburnalumartteacher.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/circles5.jpg?w=300&h=225" width="300" /></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I give students a select amount of time then ask them to rotate to the next table to use their color. I don’t allow them to wander to each paper because they will have a chance to reach each as we rotate. One point I want to mention is that students are also asked to only paint where there is a dry space. They can add circles over other circles as long as the paint is dry… not shiny.</span><br />
<a href="https://auburnalumartteacher.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/circles4.jpg"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="circles4" class=" size-medium wp-image-16 aligncenter" height="225" src="https://auburnalumartteacher.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/circles4.jpg?w=300&h=225" width="300" /></span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I love to hang our results in the hallways for easy end of year display. I kept one set for a permanent installation in our entry way. Love love Love these! Give them a try yourself!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Some recommendations:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1. Throw some white in a few paint cups for variety. The tints will really make a great contrast.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2. This will be messy, but fun. Warn kids ahead of time to remember their paint rules and have wet wipes on hand.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3. Fill those papers. I usually have 2 classes work on the papers before I put them out to dry.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4. Have a large flat area ready for your works. I display ours on the school stage and they are usually dry by the time I’m ready to head home for the day.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This project is done with 1st graders in a 40 minute class time.</span>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05681744924507709011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9115938089268155552.post-143704704636206992015-05-28T11:43:00.001-07:002015-05-28T14:06:51.008-07:00Keep Calm...<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Keep calm.. but I might start blogging again. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I took a hiatus for a variety of reasons. Getting married was a major distraction and the fact that blogging became more of a chore rather than fun. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I just finished my 11th year teaching and I could not be more excited to start my summer. This seems like the ideal time to give it another go. Hopefully I can get back into the swing again and share some of the exciting stuff we like to create in my art room.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With a fresh start I decided to change the name of the blog. Welcome to Keep Calm and Crayon! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I think it'll be catchy!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You can also find me on wordpress: <a href="https://auburnalumartteacher.wordpress.com/">Keep Calm and Crayon Wordpress</a></span><br />
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Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05681744924507709011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9115938089268155552.post-49534697006283470162012-12-05T19:25:00.003-08:002012-12-05T19:25:36.832-08:00Holiday Primary Works<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The past few weeks we have been gearing up for the holidays at the primary school. I'm a fan of reindeer so I'm exploring two different approaches this year.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My second graders created a Reindeer landscape. This project also explores a variety of textures. I posted about this project previously here: </span><a href="http://amanda0480.blogspot.com/2011/11/textured-reindeer-landscapes-favorite.html"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">http://amanda0480.blogspot.com/2011/11/textured-reindeer-landscapes-favorite.html</span></a><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m_2eFhwaZXw/UMALD4kCzWI/AAAAAAAAA1A/2VZZdHr2-Fo/s1600/dec5e.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="237" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m_2eFhwaZXw/UMALD4kCzWI/AAAAAAAAA1A/2VZZdHr2-Fo/s320/dec5e.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This year, however, I used shredded paper for the snow on the ground. Someone donated it to the art room and I found great use for it. I love donations!</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7MPaO2kQHWY/UMAL9OB9g_I/AAAAAAAAA1U/SNzexLfBOt8/s1600/dec5d.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7MPaO2kQHWY/UMAL9OB9g_I/AAAAAAAAA1U/SNzexLfBOt8/s320/dec5d.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My first graders made Reindeer Portaits! I found this project somewhere on pinterest and I just did my own version on 9 x 12" blue construction paper and we use geometric shapes to help create the portrait. This project took 2 forty minute classes to complete. It is made entirely from construction paper. Colors needed: Red, white, black, brown, and green</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VmsdQ4jN0kM/UMAH_zR-sEI/AAAAAAAAA0g/x1i_ojYxVY8/s1600/dec5a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VmsdQ4jN0kM/UMAH_zR-sEI/AAAAAAAAA0g/x1i_ojYxVY8/s320/dec5a.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Next time I think I might like to allow students to stamp snowflakes onto the background for a little extra fun.</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-npNGY7pGmoM/UMAIht1npZI/AAAAAAAAA0w/tffY2rZmWSs/s1600/dec5b.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-npNGY7pGmoM/UMAIht1npZI/AAAAAAAAA0w/tffY2rZmWSs/s320/dec5b.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lastly, my kindergarten students made a portrait as well. We read the book "Russell the Sheep" by Rob Scotton. We looked at Russell's hat and made note of its pattern. The first week students printed a pattern onto a piece of 6 x 9" white paper. We stamped with unsharpened pencils and pieces of cardboard to create dotted and straight lines. </span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gTvurgKRgWQ/UMANgCdx8rI/AAAAAAAAA1k/XLG7wiBsFD4/s1600/dec5g.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gTvurgKRgWQ/UMANgCdx8rI/AAAAAAAAA1k/XLG7wiBsFD4/s320/dec5g.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The second week we cut the patterned paper into a large triangle. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(Student pattern work)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We drew a large rainbow on a small piece of white paper for his face. I already had squares pre-cut for the neck and curved shapes for the ears.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Students cut, assembled, and glued their shapes onto 9 x 12" blue construction paper.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We glued piece of cotton ball for the top of the hat.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lastly, we painted snowflakes around Russell using eraser ends of a pencil.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This took 2 forty minute classes to complete.</span><br />
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Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05681744924507709011noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9115938089268155552.post-50585114161979619062012-11-13T19:07:00.001-08:002012-11-13T19:07:46.637-08:00Stacking Donuts<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've been really interested in exploring "food" themed art as of late. I have created hamburger collages with my students before, however I thought I'd give something new a try. With my first graders I discussed Wayne Thiebaud and we created Stacking Donuts.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The vocabulary we learned about on this project were overlapping, realistic, texture, collage, and painting techniques.</span> <br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We began by viewing visuals of Thiebaud's work from google images. We also looked at images from Dunkin Donuts. Then the first week students drew 5 or 6 circles on manila paper. Drew a hole in each circle. Traced with a black marker. Then colored the donuts with a brown crayon by rubbing. We rubbed with brown crayon to "cook" the donuts and even discussed the assembly line process that takes place at Krispy Kreme.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The second week we discussed glazes and icing. I had each table set up with one color of paint and a painting tool (brush or sponge brush). Students painted a donut then rotated to </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">a new table and new color. Btw: spongebrushes with white paint made for excellent powdered donuts.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The third week we cut out our donuts and glued them to fill a tall 6 x 18" white paper. We could overlap some parts of the donuts. Then students rotated to different tables again for varying toppings. For example: Yarn for icing, shredded white paper for coconut, chopped brown paper for nuts, hole-punched colors for sprinkles, etc</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hopefully I can post some finished products soon.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On another note: I learned from another art teacher about a nifty little paint tray = styrofoam egg cartons. Easy, holds well, and great way to recycle. If you notice the empty side is great to rest brushes on. I covered with paper the parts of the tray that I didn't want paint in to keep them clean for other colors later.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This project took 3 forty minute sessions and each one was lots o' fun!</span></div>
Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05681744924507709011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9115938089268155552.post-67118826110121273032012-11-13T18:24:00.001-08:002012-11-13T18:24:55.251-08:00Pattern Tee Pees<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Its been rather hectic in the world of the art room the last few weeks. To update I'm going to share a few lessons that we have been working on.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">First, my kindergarteners have spent the last two weeks working on Pattern Tee Pees. These are turning out sooo well!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We began by viewing examples of Native American costumes, historical black and white photos, and tee pees. Then we discussed patterns and how we could find them on many tee pee examples.</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cvVlKHqI1vQ/UKL1tExayPI/AAAAAAAAAyo/zexSF3qp8GQ/s1600/IMG_0973.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cvVlKHqI1vQ/UKL1tExayPI/AAAAAAAAAyo/zexSF3qp8GQ/s320/IMG_0973.JPG" width="319" /></a></div>
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(Student examples of their patterns)</div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I pre-cut paper bags from the grocery store down into quarters. It don't have example measurements, but you can use most any size you feel most comfortable with. Then I had students draw lines across their paper to create patterns. We said the lines out loud as we drew.</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2D_eg7ZwWo0/UKL2HJU2AQI/AAAAAAAAAyw/oxMeSOWUiQ0/s1600/IMG_0972.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2D_eg7ZwWo0/UKL2HJU2AQI/AAAAAAAAAyw/oxMeSOWUiQ0/s320/IMG_0972.JPG" width="251" /></a></div>
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(Table set up for drawing then painting)</div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Students then painted all the same type of lines 1 color, then rotated to a second table to paint their next type of line. We continued that so on and so forth to paint all the lines in our pattern.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dwd73-eRC5A/UKL7QiLuEVI/AAAAAAAAAzo/4ZdYg0qqFkY/s1600/IMG_0967.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dwd73-eRC5A/UKL7QiLuEVI/AAAAAAAAAzo/4ZdYg0qqFkY/s320/IMG_0967.JPG" width="284" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The second week when the patterns were dry, students cut out a large triangle from the painted pattern paper. (This could be predrawn from a template on the back if needed).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We cut a door from black construction paper, then used brown construction paper rectangles glued to the top for the support poles.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">This took 2 forty minute classes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Materials:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">1. Brown paper bags (pre cut)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">2. Tempera paint in varying colors</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">3. Brown crayons</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">4. Scissors</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">5. Glue</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">6. Black and brown construction paper</span></div>
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Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05681744924507709011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9115938089268155552.post-47500642225170062512012-10-16T16:06:00.000-07:002012-10-16T16:11:49.352-07:00Silly Pumpkins are too fun!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I</span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">have seen these pumpkins before online from various locations. I thought they looked so fun I gave them a whirl with my kindergarteners this year.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We spent 2 weeks on this project. The first week we read a book about the life cycle of a pumpkin. There is an assortment of books out there on the subject so most any one would do. Then students painted a 9 x 12" piece of white paper with orange and yellow tempera paint. We left them to dry.</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S1ZqvMUh93c/UH3jbx1mjRI/AAAAAAAAAw0/noA-iDGd3II/s1600/2012-10-16+09.18.34.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S1ZqvMUh93c/UH3jbx1mjRI/AAAAAAAAAw0/noA-iDGd3II/s320/2012-10-16+09.18.34.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">(Front and back of paper)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The second week I pre-drew an oval on the back of each student's paper.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I also set up the tables with small pieces of white and black paper (2 x 2 inches), a 4 1/2 x 6 inch piece of black paper, and one small green piece of paper.</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kDHmNklCPrQ/UH3j4P_rzEI/AAAAAAAAAw8/BOVsQz2PYPg/s1600/2012-10-16+11.50.22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kDHmNklCPrQ/UH3j4P_rzEI/AAAAAAAAAw8/BOVsQz2PYPg/s320/2012-10-16+11.50.22.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">(Table set up. Pink box has pencils, red tray contains paper)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We began by cutting out our ovals. Students had to decide whether they wanted a tall pumpkin or a short and wide pumpkin.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then we drew a rainbow across our 4 1/2 x 6 piece of black paper. We cut it out to create the mouth. Glue to the bottom of the orange oval.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Next, draw a very large circle or oval on two pieces of white paper. Cut out and glue above the mouth for eyes.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Next draw a circle on two pieces of small black paper (2 x 2") for the pupils. Cut and glue onto the white paper.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Glue on a green stem.</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lzszssAmNFY/UH3lR-TRZkI/AAAAAAAAAxg/ywEnxa70JLc/s1600/2012-10-16+09.16.57.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lzszssAmNFY/UH3lR-TRZkI/AAAAAAAAAxg/ywEnxa70JLc/s320/2012-10-16+09.16.57.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then lastly, I used white paper scrap from another project for teeth. These were pre-cut white squares. </span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qkigghKKhL4/UH3kSFAUImI/AAAAAAAAAxE/kUGLGDwWp4s/s1600/2012-10-16+09.17.08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qkigghKKhL4/UH3kSFAUImI/AAAAAAAAAxE/kUGLGDwWp4s/s320/2012-10-16+09.17.08.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These turned out remarkably cute and everyone was successful! I will certainly do this project again!</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TUHwCMlglWo/UH3kw23iXYI/AAAAAAAAAxM/NPR4tOrGho4/s1600/2012-10-16+09.17.03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TUHwCMlglWo/UH3kw23iXYI/AAAAAAAAAxM/NPR4tOrGho4/s320/2012-10-16+09.17.03.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05681744924507709011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9115938089268155552.post-82770787027847734542012-10-10T16:47:00.003-07:002012-10-16T16:07:24.553-07:00Statues Complete!<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My first graders have finished their statues and they look fantastic. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I left off in my last statue post that we drew our statues with pencil using the steps I provided the first week.</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gNtf-QLDWRk/UHLoIqqNjUI/AAAAAAAAAvM/6Z6pD43fDj8/s1600/2012-10-01+14.39.23-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gNtf-QLDWRk/UHLoIqqNjUI/AAAAAAAAAvM/6Z6pD43fDj8/s320/2012-10-01+14.39.23-1.jpg" width="217" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The second week we traced our statues with a black sharpie marker. Then we painted them green with liquid watercolor (created from dried out markers).</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-76f_H1Y5Ubc/UHLwA5K0THI/AAAAAAAAAvk/M8jgj2FRqS0/s1600/2012-10-01+14.39.18-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-76f_H1Y5Ubc/UHLwA5K0THI/AAAAAAAAAvk/M8jgj2FRqS0/s320/2012-10-01+14.39.18-1.jpg" width="187" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The third week we cut out our statues (this was by far the toughest part). Then we used construction paper crayons to draw a background for our statues. We drew wavy lines for the ocean, then a variety of lines from a middle dot for fireworks.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We glued a piece of brown paper to the bottom for the island, then glued our statues to the island. Make sure your toes touch the island!</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iiSvbWkTwVI/UHWrd4btwII/AAAAAAAAAwM/B7VjQbW2AWM/s1600/2012-10-10+11.56.20-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iiSvbWkTwVI/UHWrd4btwII/AAAAAAAAAwM/B7VjQbW2AWM/s320/2012-10-10+11.56.20-1.jpg" width="216" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jU-Xf6XaOlo/UHWronwtJvI/AAAAAAAAAwU/h4u1q0fh2S8/s1600/2012-10-10+11.56.31-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jU-Xf6XaOlo/UHWronwtJvI/AAAAAAAAAwU/h4u1q0fh2S8/s320/2012-10-10+11.56.31-1.jpg" width="218" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lastly, students added 4 or 5 dots of glue in the sky to which we added some glitter. They are fantastic and oh so adorable. After this project I must say that my students are definitely experts on the statue. Did you know that she was unvieled in October? So this is technically her birthday month. The old gal is 126 this year and looks darn good for a lady over 100.</span>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05681744924507709011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9115938089268155552.post-33356629197691311652012-10-09T15:08:00.001-07:002012-10-09T15:08:28.121-07:00Kindergarten Shape Mice<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My kindergarteners have been learning about "pets" and families in their classrooms. I have a storybook from my childhood that is all about pets. Its called "At Mary Bloom's" by Aliki.</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0M6g9AsuySg/UGN39a5AdhI/AAAAAAAAAto/FiY8T9qT77k/s1600/2012-09-26+09.47.44-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0M6g9AsuySg/UGN39a5AdhI/AAAAAAAAAto/FiY8T9qT77k/s320/2012-09-26+09.47.44-1.jpg" width="269" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This book is nearly impossible to find. I've looked on Amazon for a new copy, but this one is out of print. If you find one anywhere hold on to it. You can tell my copy is a bit beat up.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">The point of the story is this little girl has a mouse that has babies. She would like to share them with her friend Mary Bloom, but there are a whole series of pets at her house. It has super onomatopoeia and my students loved saying the sounds with me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">After our story, we created our own little mice using shapes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On a piece of brown construction paper I had students trace a tear drop shape. Then draw or trace two ovals (depending on how capable you feel your students are thus far in the year).</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Students cut out the tear drop and two ovals. We glued them together to create the body and ears. We cut out small pink ovals for the inner ear and glued them into the large ovals. Students then cut out a black circle for the nose and drew eyes on with black crayon.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The last step was gluing on a long strip of brown construction paper to the end of the body. I showed students how to create a curly tail by wrapping the paper around their finger or their black crayon.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AGjTI8EwJf4/UGN4LwELlEI/AAAAAAAAAtw/tEI2TijSWRY/s1600/2012-09-26+09.49.07-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="99" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AGjTI8EwJf4/UGN4LwELlEI/AAAAAAAAAtw/tEI2TijSWRY/s320/2012-09-26+09.49.07-1.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(The mice have invaded!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We allowed our mice to dry in the hallways outside of our classrooms. They all turned out so fun :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This project took 1 forty minute class and used the following materials:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 - 9 x 12" brown construction paper sheet per student</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">pink scrap paper</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">small square of black construction paper</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">glue</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">black crayons</span><br />
Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05681744924507709011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9115938089268155552.post-89419369766448636352012-10-09T14:50:00.001-07:002012-10-09T15:10:30.571-07:00Funky Fall Trees<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My second graders just finished some fun and funky fall trees!</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6FY_ZR8r8Mw/UHLn-PNdb3I/AAAAAAAAAu0/z5MOWwZR1kc/s1600/2012-10-01+14.40.06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6FY_ZR8r8Mw/UHLn-PNdb3I/AAAAAAAAAu0/z5MOWwZR1kc/s320/2012-10-01+14.40.06.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Students first drew their tree with pencil onto 9 x 12" white paper. I showed them how to create a 'stick' tree at first that included roots, trunk, and swirling branches.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Nm7UFMU9jNE/UHLoC-SvdRI/AAAAAAAAAv8/SwsKpoFC6fE/s1600/2012-10-01+14.39.50.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Nm7UFMU9jNE/UHLoC-SvdRI/AAAAAAAAAv8/SwsKpoFC6fE/s320/2012-10-01+14.39.50.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We painted the background with red, yellow, and orange liquid colors. We painted right over the tree then allowed these to dry. I suggested students paint in a horizontal motion and allow colors to mix. But everyone did their own thing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The second week we reviewed our warm colors, then painted our trees with black tempera to create a silhouette. The key was to hold our brushes like a basketball player... TALL. </span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-h29X2A0AXSo/UHLni3aMubI/AAAAAAAAAuI/vKr8duc3CYo/s1600/2012-10-01+14.40.35.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-h29X2A0AXSo/UHLni3aMubI/AAAAAAAAAuI/vKr8duc3CYo/s320/2012-10-01+14.40.35.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After we painted our art work skinny, students then went back a second time to thicken up their branches, trunk, and roots. We went right over or next to the first lines we painted.</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z8V74-hY25w/UHLnu3FXqCI/AAAAAAAAAuY/j61VwyMDlM4/s1600/2012-10-01+14.40.23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z8V74-hY25w/UHLnu3FXqCI/AAAAAAAAAuY/j61VwyMDlM4/s320/2012-10-01+14.40.23.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I love the way they all turned out. We have had so many great comments on our works. Each one is so original!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">We are now moving on to our Burger collages... one of my favorite projects of the year. You can find that post here: <a href="http://amanda0480.blogspot.com/2011/09/makes-me-hungry.html">Burger Collages</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">This project took 2 forty minute classes and used the following materials:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">9 x 12" white construction/heavy weight paper</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">pencils and erasers</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">liquid watercolor - red, yellow, orange</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">black tempera</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">small paint brushes (size 6)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05681744924507709011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9115938089268155552.post-36283713655755248492012-09-26T15:40:00.000-07:002012-09-26T15:40:20.848-07:00Statue of Liberty - American Symbols<span style="font-family: Arial;">My 1st graders have a PTO play coming up around election day and I try to help out with decor when I can. My students have started a mix media piece that features the Statue of Liberty! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">We first started by discussing where the statue came from, where does she rest, and what is she made of? I then read students</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"> story called Liberty's Journey by Kelly DiPucchio and Richard Egielski . It has great visuals of the statue.</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ItQSO4r79JY/UGN3Au2XufI/AAAAAAAAAtA/RZGRcEWjOFE/s1600/2012-09-26+09.50.07-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="289" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ItQSO4r79JY/UGN3Au2XufI/AAAAAAAAAtA/RZGRcEWjOFE/s320/2012-09-26+09.50.07-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We then drew her together on a 9 x 12" piece of white paper. Students draw her with pencil. I use the following steps:</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ubs1aNUGycU/UGN3OPearyI/AAAAAAAAAtI/1qBSx6prZyM/s1600/2012-09-26+09.50.28-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ubs1aNUGycU/UGN3OPearyI/AAAAAAAAAtI/1qBSx6prZyM/s320/2012-09-26+09.50.28-1.jpg" width="229" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">**Warning, the bent arm holding the book is by far the most challenging. Take that part slowly.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">As we drew I told the students interesting facts about the statue. For example: Her 7 spikes symbolize the 7 seas and the 7 continents. The tablet in her arms has America's birthday written on it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our plan is to trace over them with black sharpie next week and paint them green with liquid watercolor. The third week we will create a night time seascape with fireworks for her. We will cut out and glue our statues to the center.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lbpfJpDD3yM/UGN3kh5CyUI/AAAAAAAAAtY/kX7V9Uw4RYc/s1600/2012-09-26+09.51.40-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lbpfJpDD3yM/UGN3kh5CyUI/AAAAAAAAAtY/kX7V9Uw4RYc/s320/2012-09-26+09.51.40-1.jpg" width="223" /></a> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vnyfSMyn1s8/UGN3Xag2MyI/AAAAAAAAAtQ/-3BEAtmJlxY/s1600/2012-09-26+09.50.55-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vnyfSMyn1s8/UGN3Xag2MyI/AAAAAAAAAtQ/-3BEAtmJlxY/s320/2012-09-26+09.50.55-1.jpg" width="180" /></a> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They all look so different already. I love the personality that each student gives their statue :)</span></div>
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Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05681744924507709011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9115938089268155552.post-66660378274332734492012-09-26T15:20:00.001-07:002012-09-26T15:20:42.085-07:00Kindergarten Patchwork Color Mixes<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In making up for lost time I will let you know what my kindergarteners have learned about the past few weeks.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We read the book "Mouse Paint" by Ellen Stoll Walsh. I adore that story about primary and secondary colors. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then we created our own mixed colors like the mice in the story.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As prep I pretaped 9 x 12" white paper with masking tape with three pieces that crossed to the other side. This created a window/patchwork effect.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then at each table I placed a cup of liquid watercolor for each primary color: red, yellow, blue.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Students painted each primary color into 2 squares. Then we added another primary color to each box to mix the colors. Most students did well with this, but my kids who don't always follow directions did get all six colors we wanted to see. On a positive note everyone had a beautiful picture no matter the results.</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As we prepared to leave I sprinkled a tiny bit of salt on a few squares of each paper and asked students to watch and see if "snowflakes" would appear on their paper. This they LOVED! After papers dried I peeled off the tape and returned them to the students.</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-48sZkuNuNiA/UFiuo8Dxu-I/AAAAAAAAAsg/2LvowBOpzzs/s1600/2012-09-18+12.20.00.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-48sZkuNuNiA/UFiuo8Dxu-I/AAAAAAAAAsg/2LvowBOpzzs/s320/2012-09-18+12.20.00.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This project took 1 forty minute class with kindergarten students.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We used the following materials:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1. 9 x 12" white paper</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2. masking tape</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3. liquid watercolor in red, yellow, blue</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4. paintbrushes and water</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">5. salt</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">**Issues I faced with this project was that taping is very time consuming... prepare way ahead of time. Secondly, the tape can tear the paper so a strong paper would be best or a weak tape. A few tore a little bit, but a piece of scotch tape across the back of the tear took care of those problems. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Happy Painting!</span></div>
Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05681744924507709011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9115938089268155552.post-15737060740781852842012-09-26T15:10:00.001-07:002012-09-26T15:23:38.145-07:00Busy Month! - Fun Line Names Continued<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Its been a really busy month and I am finally finding time to blog a bit about what we have been up to. My first graders finished their Fun Line Names. They all turned out fantastically.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you recall from my last post, students began by drawing their name large. We traced hard with black crayon. Then they added a variety of lines around each letter. The second week we painted our names with liquid watercolor. (In fact this is the watercolor I made from markers) I encouraged students to spread their colors into many different parts of the picture... let them flow into each other and see what happens.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The third week we glued our names to the center of a piece of black construction paper. It measured about an inch and a half to 2 inches wider than the white paper.</span> </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P1O_IPybgUc/UFiugv_THOI/AAAAAAAAAsY/f1YF5faLP1I/s1600/2012-09-18+12.21.09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P1O_IPybgUc/UFiugv_THOI/AAAAAAAAAsY/f1YF5faLP1I/s320/2012-09-18+12.21.09.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This last step was a bit tricky for some of my students so I went ahead and hole punched a series of holes around the edge (before I met with students) and from there they sewed color yarn through each hole occasionally adding a bead or a piece of patterned wall paper scrap. I mentioned that this was the "final line" we would be using to complete their work.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I loved the results from this project and it was really a great success for everyone. However let me emphasize that there is a LOT of prep work for this project. I found myself cutting lengths of yarn over my weekend to make sure I had enough for over 100 first graders. I think the results were worth it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">This project took 3 forty minute classes to complete. Sometimes you may need an additional week.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Materials:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">6 x 15" white paper</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">10 x 18" black paper</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">black crayons</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">color crayons</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">glue</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">hole punchers</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">yarn in various colors</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">beads</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">pieces of random interesting paper</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">liquid watercolor and paint brushes</span></div>
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Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05681744924507709011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9115938089268155552.post-45199690508540577862012-09-03T09:13:00.001-07:002012-09-03T09:29:04.614-07:00Fun Line Names<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This past week I started my first graders on a project that could review line while tying in with their current classroom curriculum of "All About Me". </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We began the lesson by drawing in the air together with our pointer/drawing finger. We told a silly story while we drew different kinds of lines in the air. Fun fun! We walked to the mall (horizontal line), we went up elevators and escalators (vertical and diagonal), we even traced some alligator teeth (zig zag) without a single student losing a finger.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After our silly story, I then explained we would use these lines to make our names special.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Students first drew their name very large with a pencil onto a piece of 6 x 15" paper. We also turned the paper horizontally, but a vertical approach could be interesting too.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GLxSg_Za87Y/UD4OVx4Ak0I/AAAAAAAAArs/_dn5YIk8qNQ/s1600/2012-08-29+07.41.13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GLxSg_Za87Y/UD4OVx4Ak0I/AAAAAAAAArs/_dn5YIk8qNQ/s320/2012-08-29+07.41.13.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We traced over our names with a black crayon to make the name very very dark!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then together we put lines on our papers. I would tell each student to pick a bright color and then put a specific type of line somewhere on their paper. It could be inside or outside a letter. Then they would pick a new color and we would repeat the process with a different type of line. After we drew some together I let them loose on their own to fill the remainder of their papers. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The first two above just have a little more to do. The third paper is complete.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Next week my plan is for them to finish drawing their lines then we will watercolor wash over the paper using multiple colors. The last step will be to glue their names onto a piece of black paper to mount it. Hole punch into the black paper and tie yarn and beads </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">around their names. I am really looking forward to seeing the finished products!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6-YSkBm-sFjIUUkNl_aa9ip-jlfxamglY2zvouwPrZ2pQjxPdtjttvVe94D6CeABQWPwRayUAYYxtxFAnWxg_gNIiv7hk4Ym3fh6gJXOQTVOs_b6V2Ktsar-3DNFiNr8ds9M8jjvBOPo/s1600/20120607134011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6-YSkBm-sFjIUUkNl_aa9ip-jlfxamglY2zvouwPrZ2pQjxPdtjttvVe94D6CeABQWPwRayUAYYxtxFAnWxg_gNIiv7hk4Ym3fh6gJXOQTVOs_b6V2Ktsar-3DNFiNr8ds9M8jjvBOPo/s320/20120607134011.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(On a sidenote: Pinterest has really been an awesome source of inspiration this summer. I was able to create new posters for one of my classrooms and this one has become the favorite. Thank you Pinterest, you rock!)</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05681744924507709011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9115938089268155552.post-83542166251642758642012-09-03T08:57:00.002-07:002012-09-03T09:18:08.528-07:00Sketchbooks!<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This year I decided to start off my intermediates (3rd - 5th) with a project that could keep them busy for the next two weeks while we are taking creativity tests. We began sketchbooks. This idea came from another elementary school teacher in my district. I think it was quite ingenious!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We start off with the following materials: old manila folders (cut in half), pre-cut white computer/scrap paper, markers, and a stapler.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I7deHqUMjcc/UD-nTkE3_XI/AAAAAAAAAr0/2X_aaleWu60/s1600/2012-08-30+12.13.25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I7deHqUMjcc/UD-nTkE3_XI/AAAAAAAAAr0/2X_aaleWu60/s320/2012-08-30+12.13.25.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I give each student a pre-cut half of the folder and my one rule is to write their name and their teacher's name on the folder. But the rest of the decoration is up to them. I prefer them to create a sketchbook cover that describes themselves in some way.</span></div><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We use markers to draw on our sketchbooks, but crayons or colored pencils could work great as well. As students work on their covers (the cut manila folder), I circulate around the classroom sliding the computer paper into each cover and stapling across the fold of the cover to attach the paper. Students could staple themselves, but I only have 1 really decent stapler so I'll do that work.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IbXAqk7DG3E/UETQUWr0tLI/AAAAAAAAArM/xbYwb6A-FIQ/s1600/2012-08-30+12.12.27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IbXAqk7DG3E/UETQUWr0tLI/AAAAAAAAArM/xbYwb6A-FIQ/s320/2012-08-30+12.12.27.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They open and close perfectly. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Surprisingly enough all my students are very excited about their sketchbooks and want to take them home already. I'm planning to keep them in the school for a while so that if I have any early finishers they can go work in their sketchbooks instead of finding something less constructive to do with their time.</span></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Many of our teachers throw out old manila folders each year so this is an excellent opportunity to recycle and save some of my classroom materials.</span> </div>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05681744924507709011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9115938089268155552.post-1892080848379459542012-08-22T17:28:00.003-07:002012-09-03T09:22:28.894-07:00First Week Likes<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1. I like what I've done with my classroom. I've worked in it for 8 years previously and it didn't change all too much. Now that I've moved to be there more full time I made some changes.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RgKmlKADXWg/UDVzy90_tWI/AAAAAAAAApY/PQX9laZ01E4/s1600/2012-08-13+15.15.16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RgKmlKADXWg/UDVzy90_tWI/AAAAAAAAApY/PQX9laZ01E4/s320/2012-08-13+15.15.16.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Before: Lots of stuff on the shelves felt cluttered to me</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YaQfLQDnFHg/UDVzSZxDDwI/AAAAAAAAApM/set-coXY35M/s1600/2012-08-15+08.44.51.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YaQfLQDnFHg/UDVzSZxDDwI/AAAAAAAAApM/set-coXY35M/s320/2012-08-15+08.44.51.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After: I put panels of fabric on the shelves with velcro. I can lift and pin up the fabric to access each shelf. I like it! It just seems a little more organized.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0CkE7dTd9S0/UDV1f4NnshI/AAAAAAAAApg/24ytNKI-9Q8/s1600/2012-08-13+15.15.08-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="199" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0CkE7dTd9S0/UDV1f4NnshI/AAAAAAAAApg/24ytNKI-9Q8/s320/2012-08-13+15.15.08-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Also added fabric panels that are hung with curtain rods under the bottom window shelves. Woo! Less clutter visible and the kids have less interest in going over there.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2. I like the activity I chose to do with my primary kids this week. We did the usual rules and such then read the book Pete the Cat - I Love My White Shoes. My students then designed their own shoes that "stepped" in anything they wanted... stripes, polka dots, hey even pizza if they chose to. I'm starting to hang them outside my classroom next to my own Pete!</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9JJM5EyT9i8/UDVyabUV8GI/AAAAAAAAAo8/Qw8OAKoXz6k/s1600/2012-08-22+14.30.11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9JJM5EyT9i8/UDVyabUV8GI/AAAAAAAAAo8/Qw8OAKoXz6k/s320/2012-08-22+14.30.11.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3. I like my sign that I use the first few weeks. Its terribly effective!</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RuXOMIedBIM/UDVx46EpScI/AAAAAAAAAo0/VN3lfM4rabU/s1600/2012-08-22+14.31.55.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RuXOMIedBIM/UDVx46EpScI/AAAAAAAAAo0/VN3lfM4rabU/s320/2012-08-22+14.31.55.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4.. I like my class incentive plan I'm going to put into place with my 1st and 2nd graders.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dVqRQAmBPNg/UDVycqADj7I/AAAAAAAAApE/56WUFLpHm3Y/s1600/2012-08-22+14.29.44-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="162" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dVqRQAmBPNg/UDVycqADj7I/AAAAAAAAApE/56WUFLpHm3Y/s320/2012-08-22+14.29.44-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I found this on Pinterest! Great idea! Each class has a paper crayon box that will be adhered to the classroom wall with the teacher's name on it. Each week they work quietly in the art room I will add a crayon to their box. Each time they reach 8 crayons I will give their class 3 box tops! (Our school collects them and it has turned into a large competition). At the end of the year the class who collected the most crayons over time will win a prize from me.</span> <br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">First week has been hard though. Kindergarteners are still learning the routines and are lost about 90% of the time. Any time you step out of my door you are more than likely to find a lost child. Thank goodness for our 1st and 2nd graders to help remind us all that there is an end in sight. :)</span>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05681744924507709011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9115938089268155552.post-13453839415457077212012-08-21T18:44:00.002-07:002012-08-21T19:10:06.745-07:00Made that Summer Count, School is back in session<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">School started this week here! I had a fantastic summer and really made it count. This next school year calender is lacking a lot of the usual time off to accomodate a recent state policy. Though the policy is well intentioned, I'm not a fan. However, I am so grateful for the extra week we had off before returning to work.</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I traveled... oh did I travel!</span></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At the end of July, I went on a mission trip to a Native American Reservation in North Dakota and learned so much about the people there. The children are beautiful. I would have taken so many home with me if I could. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our team worked on building decks so that the residents could get in and out easily of their homes. So many of the house doors were 3 or 4 feet above the level of the ground.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jfaRzvtxV4g/UDQ13cCK1WI/AAAAAAAAAok/CEyHKTL148o/s1600/nd3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="227" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jfaRzvtxV4g/UDQ13cCK1WI/AAAAAAAAAok/CEyHKTL148o/s320/nd3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">North Dakota is amazing. Such big skies!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NrDE-D5VCTo/UDQ0I3-gdgI/AAAAAAAAAoU/7HpQ7aZCaww/s1600/nd1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NrDE-D5VCTo/UDQ0I3-gdgI/AAAAAAAAAoU/7HpQ7aZCaww/s320/nd1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Showing that wheel chair ramp who's boss</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aub8jf9ovWs/UDQ1jYTpaBI/AAAAAAAAAoc/85Aof79JDy0/s1600/nd2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aub8jf9ovWs/UDQ1jYTpaBI/AAAAAAAAAoc/85Aof79JDy0/s320/nd2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Drilling!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">The poverty and desperation there is huge, but the pride of the people and their culture is so very much intact. I loved every single moment. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">We did a little art with children in one of the communities. Put food coloring in bottles of bubbles then had them blow bubbles onto their papers. Later when they were dry we colored with crayons. I'm not sure whether art makes it onto their plates or not there, but I saw several with very creative inclinations. Oh how I wish I could have brought so many of them home.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">My favorite part of the week was the Pow Wow. I learned about all the different types of dancers and their style of dress. Each person took such pride in their costumes. Oh and this was the place to try a bison burger if the urge has ever hit you. Tasty tasty!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">The second day after I returned home from N.D. Mom and I hopped on a plane to Italy. We saw Venice, Florence, and Rome. It was art teacher heaven!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-t7Oa0n1rJtU/UDQwJ1I36lI/AAAAAAAAAnw/NYtJIiGTTCg/s1600/IMG_0114.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="234" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-t7Oa0n1rJtU/UDQwJ1I36lI/AAAAAAAAAnw/NYtJIiGTTCg/s320/IMG_0114.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Reflecting back on my art history classes made me realize they only scratch the surface. To see these amazing monuments in person leaves one truly in awe.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PohibErMZPk/UDQxSml_WXI/AAAAAAAAAn8/yIEoXlvEzrE/s1600/IMG_0158.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PohibErMZPk/UDQxSml_WXI/AAAAAAAAAn8/yIEoXlvEzrE/s320/IMG_0158.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pantheon. So much larger than I imagined.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-31bp99w55WY/UDQz5jvjY9I/AAAAAAAAAoM/ubDz38Xz3aM/s1600/IMG_0175.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-31bp99w55WY/UDQz5jvjY9I/AAAAAAAAAoM/ubDz38Xz3aM/s320/IMG_0175.JPG" width="310" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Trevi Fountain</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm having Italy withdrawls. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">North Dakota has left me feeling the urge to do some "Western" art this year, perhaps closer to Thanksgiving. I'm not sure what Italy has done to influence my classes yet. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Perhaps Italy can just me for me.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The experience has left my heart and mind open to new possibilities.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05681744924507709011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9115938089268155552.post-86595485327257556542012-06-28T07:30:00.000-07:002012-06-28T07:30:28.935-07:00Boston MFA<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I had the privilege of visting Boston this week and it was a whirlwind!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Museum of Fine Arts is entirely too expansive to try and squeeze into one day. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I did get a few ideas on how to enhance some of my curriculum from this trip. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Renoir's paintings of dancers were on loan from Paris and it was truly spectacular to see them in person. When I discuss movement and dance in future projects I think I will refer to these pieces. They can make a great comparison.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the Ancient Art works section I found the greek pottery display. After seeing this I feel more inclined to try out a lesson on a 2D pottery drawing. I've put it off for a while, but after seeing the real thing in person I am feeling more inspired to give it a go!</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tZTAxMFPaL8/T-xnbWv7hYI/AAAAAAAAAmY/VUXhFM2Rak4/s1600/boston2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="186" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tZTAxMFPaL8/T-xnbWv7hYI/AAAAAAAAAmY/VUXhFM2Rak4/s320/boston2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I love contemporary art. I know a lot of it can be really zany or out there, but sometimes I just need something fun or outrageous to look at. I found this absolutely splendid example of food art: </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-INWoReqUSKw/T-xo-hYo7GI/AAAAAAAAAmo/dOU81cNZPek/s1600/boston4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-INWoReqUSKw/T-xo-hYo7GI/AAAAAAAAAmo/dOU81cNZPek/s320/boston4.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Reminds me so much of my sky high cheeseburgers. This Dagwood Sandwhich even has anchovies... Ooooh we are going to totally have that as an option with our next project!</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_Q2adOPHkFE/T-xmCTmZziI/AAAAAAAAAmI/ttO1gA7m01g/s1600/boston5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="313" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_Q2adOPHkFE/T-xmCTmZziI/AAAAAAAAAmI/ttO1gA7m01g/s320/boston5.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Toodles for now! Off to some more summer adventures!</span></div>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05681744924507709011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9115938089268155552.post-13407655627293255632012-05-30T04:43:00.000-07:002012-05-30T04:43:27.784-07:00Summer is Here!<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Summer is here! So the blog may be experiencing less attention for a bit. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In regards to the fall, I recently found out that I will be experiencing some changes in my schedule and time spent at my two schools. This next school year will likely be an adjustment and learning how to balance more time at the primary school. Isn't it fun when administrators shake things up?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This isn't my first choice, but I will do what is asked of me and try to make things work. Besides, this gives me an opportunity for some classroom redecorating. Woo! The walls at the primary school seem a little bland in comparison to my very busy intermediate walls. Time to snazz things up a bit!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">I have a few fun plans for summer as well. Doing a little traveling and hoping to find some inspiration for projects while I'm out and about. Hope everyone out there has a splendid summer! </span>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05681744924507709011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9115938089268155552.post-1220523261896686932012-05-23T15:07:00.000-07:002012-05-23T15:07:49.439-07:00End of the Year Box Monsters!<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tomorrow is our last student day. Then the teachers get what I'm referring to as a 'quiet day' to pack up the classroom. Its chaotic, but we are having so much fun. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I did get around to creating box monsters with my fifth graders and it was definitely an experience. I want to do this again next year.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jHS_d6T-yI8/T71YTSkrdGI/AAAAAAAAAkg/03HALJfGO8k/s1600/20120516100813.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jHS_d6T-yI8/T71YTSkrdGI/AAAAAAAAAkg/03HALJfGO8k/s320/20120516100813.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I set up each table with the following: one kleenex box per student, scissors, glue-all, markers in varying colors, plastic cups and lids, tagboard (we use tv dinner box cardboard), and foam shapes. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I start off by explaining that the opening of the box will be the mouth and we will be adding eyes, teeth, and details with other materials. We began by tracing or drawing circular eyes on the tagboard. They can make as many eyes as they chose to. Then color with markers to create pupils. Cut out and glue above the opening of the box.</span> </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zKc3Cs7W4aI/T71Yf20niNI/AAAAAAAAAkw/3vQpaYbMh9c/s1600/20120516111000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zKc3Cs7W4aI/T71Yf20niNI/AAAAAAAAAkw/3vQpaYbMh9c/s320/20120516111000.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then we take a second piece of tagboard and cut it into a long slender rectangle. Cut down the middle of the rectangle with a zig zag line to create the teeth. Teeth are glued to the top and bottom of the box opening from the inside. Use glue-all... holds so much better and more permanently than school glue.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="269" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fkTP4F6BE2Q/T71Yr6ly-nI/AAAAAAAAAk4/F5spe8m3uAY/s320/20120516110919-1.jpg" width="320" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then I tell students they may use the foam shapes to create noses, eye lashes, warts, etc for their monster. Oh they had the best time!</span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-s1LxjhpkX1A/T71dsOXOroI/AAAAAAAAAlE/33S2otw2pLk/s1600/20120516110951.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-s1LxjhpkX1A/T71dsOXOroI/AAAAAAAAAlE/33S2otw2pLk/s320/20120516110951.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Some students even used scrap tagboard to create arms or legs hanging off the edges of the box. Hilarious!</span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A pointer for this project: Start collecting early. I recommend the beginning of the school year. I wouldn't have stressed near as much the last couple of months if I hadn't waited until December to start asking.</span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05681744924507709011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9115938089268155552.post-63675549105319290482012-05-14T16:52:00.001-07:002012-05-14T16:55:25.296-07:00Clay...butterflies...turtles.... with just 8 more student days!<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Next week will be our last week of school, yay! We will be packing up all our art work to take home. This week we are finishing some very important projects. My 2nd graders are completing mix media butterflies (from clay and paper), 1st made what I'm calling Stacking Turtles, and K are creating clay pinch pots. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My second graders started off learning how to create coils with Crayola air dry clay. I like crayola for the sake of quality and ease of use. The one thing I've learned though is keep your construction thick and chunky. Too delicate tends to break.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qL6TxrmUG_E/T7E6ZUJMmgI/AAAAAAAAAjc/AjH_b3t7Xwo/s1600/20120507120638.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qL6TxrmUG_E/T7E6ZUJMmgI/AAAAAAAAAjc/AjH_b3t7Xwo/s320/20120507120638.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Students used clay tools to create impressions and designs in the clay to make the body original.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I added pipe cleaner pieces for fuzzy antennaes while they stayed in the classroom to dry and harden.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oCLda9KGHFE/T7E6g_Nez5I/AAAAAAAAAjk/BoKVX0P8Z9s/s1600/20120514115409-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="279" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oCLda9KGHFE/T7E6g_Nez5I/AAAAAAAAAjk/BoKVX0P8Z9s/s320/20120514115409-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After these are dry we can color the bodies with crayon. Yes, crayon does work. I can even rub them with black paint to create a batik effect. Students also created symmetrical wings with construction paper and construction paper crayons. We glued the bodies to the wings. Use GLUE ALL! School glue isn't going to cut it with these.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j_L5QQYKk7Q/T7E7MIswFKI/AAAAAAAAAj0/c89dmYtHLrM/s1600/20120514115508-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j_L5QQYKk7Q/T7E7MIswFKI/AAAAAAAAAj0/c89dmYtHLrM/s320/20120514115508-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EAlwORG7kx0/T7E7U8VP5RI/AAAAAAAAAj8/CxjJNPUrMsE/s1600/20120514115457-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="302" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EAlwORG7kx0/T7E7U8VP5RI/AAAAAAAAAj8/CxjJNPUrMsE/s320/20120514115457-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FhASVNiv584/T7E62Oapi5I/AAAAAAAAAjs/Rqg9AbVeu7I/s1600/20120514115503-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="208" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FhASVNiv584/T7E62Oapi5I/AAAAAAAAAjs/Rqg9AbVeu7I/s320/20120514115503-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Love 'em!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Now with 1st grade I showed students how to create a turtle body using a "rainbow" line for the top of the shell then a horizontal line across the bottom to complete it. We use a triangle tail, circle head, and letter U's for the four legs. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QyO6amX5oxA/T7E7gbQGFYI/AAAAAAAAAkE/qQ1PNpcIJfg/s1600/20120514115530-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QyO6amX5oxA/T7E7gbQGFYI/AAAAAAAAAkE/qQ1PNpcIJfg/s320/20120514115530-1.jpg" width="142" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I told them to leave some "air" between each shell to leave room for legs. Each shell has been decorated with patterns using yellow and orange crayons.</span></div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Gx7AfG23Xjc/T7E7rz6SVFI/AAAAAAAAAkM/s50_dH1Obic/s1600/20120514115653-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Gx7AfG23Xjc/T7E7rz6SVFI/AAAAAAAAAkM/s50_dH1Obic/s320/20120514115653-1.jpg" width="146" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We painted the shells with liquid watercolor, turtle bodies with neon green tempera, and the background with yellow liquid watercolor.</span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pdiiuQxcBy4/T7E73OKpbqI/AAAAAAAAAkU/in1nzAHLgRQ/s1600/20120514115751-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pdiiuQxcBy4/T7E73OKpbqI/AAAAAAAAAkU/in1nzAHLgRQ/s320/20120514115751-1.jpg" width="156" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have tons more and each one is different. I'm going to ask a few of my students if I may borrow theirs to hang up for the new school year. Hopefully I will have a few turtles and watermelons to brighten the halls and greet us into the 2012 - 2013 year. :)</span><br />
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<u><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A note about Crayola Air Dry Clay:</span></u><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I do not have a kiln, nor the resources for one. I know this clay isn't particularly cheap nor is it perfect. However, I like the product. I've used it for many years with a rather high success rate. I can cut down 25 lbs of clay to meet the needs of 100+ kids. Its possible to do really amazing things with a small piece. The main issue every time I use it will be when my kids work too small, too detailed, or too thin. That stuff will crack and break easily. Thick and chunky construction is the best way to go. </span><br />
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</div>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05681744924507709011noreply@blogger.com1