Spooooky Halloween Coffins - A Ukulele Box project with free brainstorming packet download

I hosted a special Sunday afternoon art project just before Halloween at my studio, No Corner Suns.  I had a fun group of K-2nd grade come in to make some Spooooooky Halloween Art.

I have an unlimited supply of ukulele boxes thanks to my music store owner husband,  I used them at my intermediate school last year to make Ancient Egyptian Sarchophagi, and when I asked my friend what else I could do with them she said "coffins!" and I said "eeeeeeeeeewwwwwww." Thinking of it as an old dusty archaeological find seemed way less creepy than an actual coffin.

We had 1.5 hours for this project.  I put together a brainstorming packet and we went to work. Students started by painting the outside of the boxes, then the insides black.

At a clean table, we drew something monstrous for the inside of our coffin.  We cut and attached ghosts, wolves, and skeletons!


Finally, we drew and traced the outside.


The paint was still wet when the kids left!  But they had fun and they looked great!


What else can we make from these ukulele boxes??

Anyone can Teach Art: On the Farm sub lesson, easy art project

I recently published "The Art Teacher's Substitute Notebook:  K-2 Lessons."  It is a compilation of 12 complete lessons for the art teacher to leave on her desk in case a sub is necessary.  Maybe you aren't interested in 12 complete lessons right now... don't worry, you can pick and choose one at a time!  Click the links to learn more about each lesson and see a preview of the pages.

On the Farm, now available.  This lesson concentrates on basic shape drawing and composition.  It comes with a detailed lesson, tons of examples, and a drawing worksheet.

Available now, Let's Face it! Basic shape drawing and portraiture lesson.  Complete with examples, a ton of illustrations, and beautiful worksheets.

The Name's the Thing!  This lesson combines, color schemes, design principles and fancy handwriting.  Includes a handout on how to write fancy letters.

 It's a Zoo! This lesson concentrates on basic shape drawing and composition skills.  Comes with an easy "how to draw" page and very detailed directions.

Also available, Big Butterflies.  This lessons concentrates on balance and pattern.

Available for free is Candy House. This lesson combines fairy tales and architecture and has great illustrations and a brainstorming page.

Free PowerPoint download. Paper weaving the secondary colors.

This one is a little specific!  But, could be useful.  I teach second graders paper weaving with papers we have painted.  We learn about mixing primaries to make secondaries and paint three papers, 1 for our warp and 2 for our weft.

This PowerPoint Presentation explains the process of weaving with some links and videos.  It also includes my "question deck" questions for summative assessment.  The second section is all about the primary colors and color mixing.  I've even included the link to OkGo's "Primary Colors" video.

Easy to teach art lesson: The Name's the Thing! Perfect for substitutes and uneasy classroom teachers.

I recently published "The Art Teacher's Substitute Notebook:  K-2 Lessons."  It is a compilation of 12 complete lessons for the art teacher to leave on her desk in case a sub is necessary.  Maybe you aren't interested in 12 complete lessons right now... don't worry, you can pick and choose one at a time!  Click the links to learn more about each lesson and see a preview of the pages.

Available now, The Name's the Thing!  This lesson combines, color schemes, design principles and fancy handwriting.  Includes a handout on how to write fancy letters.

 It's a Zoo! This lesson concentrates on basic shape drawing and composition skills.  Comes with an easy "how to draw" page and very detailed directions.

Also available, Big Butterflies.  This lessons concentrates on balance and pattern.

Available for free is Candy House. This lesson combines fairy tales and architecture and has great illustrations and a brainstorming page.

Easy first grade color wheel coloring page: Why aren't color wheels all the same?

I teach first graders how to mix primary colors during an oil pastel project.  I have always had the students practice mixing on a scrap paper as I demo in the front of the room.  I suddenly realized that the class should be mixing on a color wheel!  In Illinois, it's not technically an assessment till fourth grade, so I never even considered it!  However; the flow of the wheel would definitely help some students understand it.  Plus, it starts to make a basic foundation and connection to many projects in the future.

Of course, 30 minutes before my class I get this grand idea.  I google "Color Wheel Coloring Page ."

  I sift through a million results and cannot find a nice basic six color - color wheel with yellow on top.  Every color wheel I have ever had hanging on my wall has yellow on top.  The concept can be confusing enough to some kids, changing the order could really mess them up!

So, I made my own.  The Color Wheel Coloring Page for primary and secondary colors only, with yellow on top, is now available for download.  Enjoy!

Informal Interview: Formative Assessment tool and how I made a kindergartner cry.

If you want to know about a student's artwork, just ask them!  Asking about their art in general terms will often illicit real and thoughtful responses. 

I learned early in my career that a simple, "tell me about your picture" is a very powerful conversation starter. If it is obviously a portrait, or landscape, the artist will start describing colors they used, share a story about the image, or even just blatantly describe their process.  If you have no idea what is going on in the child's art, a "tell me about your picture" will give you the answer.  

It can be damaging to ask specifics, or even comment on what you think is going on in a young child's art.   "I like that picture of the cow!" could bring a kindergartner tears.  That wasn't a cow, it was a killer whale, and you just pointed out what a terrible terrible artist that 5 year old is. (This happened to me while I was student teaching.  A powerful lesson for me.)

Informal interviews can also be used as a formative assessment.  It sounds like small talk, but the briefest of answers can clue you in to what the students have learned.

During studio time, I walk around with a clipboard and a stack of the Informal Interview forms.  I jot down the child's name and occasionally jot down specifics of their answers as they talk.  They do not mind when I start writing - actually - they kind of like it.  I keep the stack of interview forms so I have a record of who I'm keeping tabs on, and who might not be getting enough personal attention.

The Art Teacher’s Substitute Notebook: K-2 Lessons is now available for download!

This notebook provides 12 complete curriculum appropriate lessons designed to be taught by anyone without an art education background.

Each lesson:

•has an introduction to the lesson basics and theme

•shows several student examples and graphics to inspire the students and teacher

•includes all the necessary worksheets and brainstorming pages

•can be taught with minimal supplies (paper, pencils, markers, scissors, glue! That's it!)

The Art Teacher’s Substitute Notebook:  K-2 Lessons includes lessons based on the themes of identity, and architecture.  The elements of line, shape, and color. The principles of balance, emphasis, and pattern, basic shape drawing, the parts of composition, AND MORE!

The lessons in The Art Teacher's Substitute Notebook: K-2 Lessons would also be great for home schools and classroom teachers who need to add art to their curriculum!

Twelve complete lessons include eight ready to pass out worksheets, two ready to pass out handouts, and peace of mind!

We’ve all had terrible substitutes enter our elementary art room and destroy it.  Not following plans, using special supplies, or letting kids run wild.  Even substitute teachers with good intentions can often wreak havoc on an art room, or be scared to teach the prepared lesson. The Art Teacher’s Substitute Notebook:  K-2 Lessons, combined with The Art Teacher’s Substitute Notebook: The Basics will benefit your sub, your students, and you.  

I’ve been developing this notebook for over six years.  I’ve left these lessons for subs, and even taught them myself.  They have been proven to be simple to teach and educational.  Substitutes will not be afraid to teach art anymore!

Available on TeachersPayTeachers for $26.99

The Friendly Loom: Troubleshooting a collaboration in the textilescenter.

I have a Friendly Loom in my textiles center in my K-2 building and 3-5 building.  Last year, collaboratively, intermediate students only completed one weaving, and left four not even half done.  I was disappointed that it wasn't getting more use. Card-loom weaving has always been popular with the kids, and I personally enjoy weaving very much.

I had the opportunity to get a Friendly Loom for my K-2 building and jumped at the chance.  I had to troubleshoot how to make weaving more enticing and easy for the kids to come work on.

I previously kept a box of yarn, fabric scraps, and scissors in the textile center.  I wrapped the warp, and taught the students how to choose and begin their weft.  At the beginning of the year I had started each weaving with a mock-shuttle.  The shuttle would last for about one kid.  It was a total pain too because I cut them out of mat board with scissors - yikes.  To conquer that mess, I hung up pictures and showed the kids how to wrap a butterfly bobbin to get themselves started.  This did not work at all.

Most students preferred to cut their own yarn (too short) and just begin weaving.  The fabric scraps confused them and the color schemes and patterns were ugly.  The students did not like what another kid had previously wove. The textiles center became a knotted mess.

Starting fresh this year, I wrapped the warp on my Friendly Loom into four new weavings.  Next,  I spent about 20 minutes or so wrapping shuttles.  I cut 2" by 4-5" mat board scrap and wrapped the weft thread around it.  I chose my thickest yarn and only used a handful of colors.  I read Tumblr and talked with coworkers as I did this, so it was pretty painless.  I started one shuttle and left the rest (with ends taped) in a bin by the loom.  I will not bring out any more yarn till these shuttles are gone.  I will also not have any fabric strips anywhere near the Friendly Loom.

Making choices is such an important part of being an artist. Working together when the other person is not present can make our choices confusing. With this medium, and the age level of my students, having the Friendly Loom set-up fool proof will definitely yield more positive results.

Interior of a House: Brainstorming handout.

Just like the Exterior of a House handout, here is a quick reference for the Interior of a House.

A quick lesson on interior and exterior is to have kids fold a paper and make the outside the exterior, and the inside of the paper the interior.  This little page gets them brainstorming all the things that belong on the inside, all the rooms they need to include, all the furniture, and all the little details.

Exterior of a House: Brainstorming handout.

A great lesson for primary students to learn a little about architecture is to have them build or draw an exterior of a home.

Your class knows what belongs on the outside of a home, but they do not always know how to draw it.  I usually have them call things out and I draw them on the board for them to reference later.

That doesn't always work.  Some classes perhaps can not handle that experience.  That is why I drew up this Exterior of a House brainstorming handout.  It's not the prettiest.  I know I did it just before a class came to see me, but it has the basics.  The kids always have better ideas then what I drew, and that is exactly what it is for!

Drawing Masks - Another Substitute Lesson

Here is another lesson I made inspired by a worksheet in Ande Cook's book Art Starters.

Here is the lesson and here is the page to help your students out.

Bas-Relief Fish Bowl in Model Magic - Pre K to first grade

Materials

Pencils

Sketch paper

Soft Air Dry Clay (Model Magic)

Modeling tool or Plastic Knife

Watercolor Paint

Brushes

Water cups

Tempera Varnish

Procedure

1.  Discuss creatures that live under the sea.  Together, using basic shapes, draw many sea creatures and fish found in the ocean.  Show photographs and fine art featuring sea creatures and show students examples of sculpture and bas-relief sculpture. 

2.  Each student should receive about 1oz. of soft air dry clay.  Students should quickly rip their chunk in half and roll each chunk into a sphere. Have students take the larger of the 2 spheres and flatten it into a pancake using the ball of their hand.
3.  Using the modeling tool or the plastic knife, students will slice off the top of the pancake to make a fish bowl.
4.  Take the sliced off portion (the top of the circle) and start tearing it into a bunch of small pebbles. Once they have a small pile, they may attach them to the bottom of their “bowl.”  The soft clay will attach without hatch marks, slip, or glue.  Students will just need to press firmly. 

5.  The second sphere will then be flattened into a pancake.  Using the modeling tool or plastic knife they will gently scratch their fish or sea creature on this pancake. If necessary, demonstrate on the board how to draw a simple fish using ovals, triangles, and circles. The students will cut the fish out and reshape it onto the surface of the bowl.  Using the rounded edge of the modeling tool students may add texture to their fish to show scales.  The extra soft clay may be used to add plants or bubbles or more fish!

6. Once fish bowls have air dried, students will stain their fish bowls with watercolor paints.
7. Finally, a coat of tempera varnish to the entire front side of the bowl will make the bowl shine!

see more at:  http://www.artsonia.com/museum/art.asp?id=5541099&exhibit=195682&gallery=y

Frank Lloyd Wright Home & Studio, Robie House teacher packet

The Frank Lloyd Wright Preservation Trust provides this fantastic packet for teachers.  The packet provides information on visiting the Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio in Oak Park, IL or the Robie House in Chicago.

The background information is nice and concise.  You can learn a little about each building and Wright's inspirations.  It also lists other resources on Wright that are available.  It further explores the relationship of Wright's architecture to the Victorian style.

One of my favorite parts is the list of vocabulary words and definitions.  This is a great resources for any student studying architecture!

There is also a nice letter from Llewelyn Wright that is pretty interesting.

When my fourth graders were studying Frank Lloyd Wrights Art Glass, I found another very helpful packet online.  You can read more about it in my earlier post.

Substitute Lesson for K-2: Line Caterpillars.

I rolled out The Art Teacher's Substitute Notebook:  The Basics yesterday, and today I want to give you a preview of The Art Teacher's Substitute Notebook:  K-2 Lessons, coming soon!

*** The Art Teacher's Substitute Notebook:  K-2 Lessons is now available! Click here to get your copy!

The lesson Line Caterpillars is one of 10 highly detailed and easy to understand lessons in The Art Teacher's Substitute Notebook:  K-2 Lessons.  It may seem a little confusing to look at, so I've included the How to use this book page for easy reference.

Portrait of a Friend Handout and art class substitute lesson

Here is another Ande Cook Handout from SchoolArts.  The Portrait of a Friend handout is a good lesson for substitute teachers!  I even wrote up a lesson with super easy to follow steps.  Print them out and leave them with your sub binder.

Invent Your Own Cartoon Character! handout

From SchoolArts in 2001, here is a Invent Your Own Cartoon Character! handout.  This is fun for all ages!  This can be a sketchbook supplement, in the drawing center, or used as a resource for a unit on cartooning!

Ancient Roman Mini Mosaics Worksheet

This Ancient Roman Mini Mosaics worksheet introduces primary students to mosaics as an art form and to the art of Ancient Rome.  This is a great primer for some construction paper mosaics, or even the real deal!

Musical Clip Art Handout brainstorming reference

Music is a great subject matter for visual art!  With primary students it can reinforce instrument names and types. Intermediate and secondary students can relate more to the sounds and songs they like, and think about visual rhythm.  Clip art is never a good substitute for something drawn or created by the students, but it works well as a reference and to get students brainstorming.  This Musical Clip Art page is exactly what it sounds like.  Several clip art instruments on one page for quick reference.

Nefertari Coloring Page

This Nefertari Coloring Page was originally from a book that I unfortunately have no recollection of.  It is a quality picture and a nice supplement to an Ancient Egyptian unit.

Breakfast Food Color and Cut page handout

Breakfast food is a great subject matter to explore in art class!  It is relatable to every kid and it usually does not incite yucky noises and disgust the way dinner can.  Vegetables, am I right?

The Breakfast Food Color and Cut page was made for kindergarten students.  Similar to the Fruit Color and Cut page, I used this during a unit on still life drawing.  Kindergartners would draw their own placemat, plates, forks, drinks, and napkins onto a piece of construction paper.  They would then color and cut out the breakfast foods they wanted to include, or they could of course draw their own.

I drew these pictures probably 10 years ago.  I used tracing paper, tape, and Sharpies to turn them into a handout.  I still had the originals in my file.  I thought it was kind of funny that I had to go through all that to make these simple illustrations. Now, I can do it so much faster and with better results on the iPad or computer.