words of wisdom for you on Thursday.

part of the problem that I have, is that my students like to act like they are- to use a phrase that they throw around a lot... "GROWN."  I'm assuming from the context that it means, they are acting like a grown-up, and not a child...however, I don't know many grown-ups that throw fits, and argue about colored pencils...


but I digress.



I guess the reason I call this a problem, is because I forget that they are kids sometimes...because they like to act like they are much much older.  or at least what they think older means in their definition.


so I found this on Pinterest today...and it really hit home...

I wish I could explain this to the kids in a way that made them understand...trying to figure out a way to really reach my monster class of almost 40- 4th graders.  because for some reason...they all seem to be in a REALLY bad mood when they get to my room...and I mean...first of all, how bad could it be?  being 10.  getting to go to school and art class?  I know it's not the same experience I had...but still...what happened to being nice?  do unto others? 


but now I'm going to go enjoy the last 20 minutes of quiet time I get...of the only 40 quiet minutes of my Thursday.  and when I get home.  I'm taking a big old nap.  or having a drink.  haven't decided yet.

student art from November

man, it takes FOREVER to get the photos taken and organized from my students work...I feel like I've gotten myself pretty organized in other aspects of my teaching...and last year I hardly took any photos until I realized how important it was to document the work that my students were making...so for now, I just have lots of files on my computer, waiting to be sorted into folders, and uploaded to my ArtSonia site (one of these days)...


but here is some of the awesome things my kiddos did before Thanksgiving break...

Pre-K made hand turkeys :)

Kindergarten made a mixed media turkey with the feathers as handprints


1st Grade made "Save a Turkey" posters- 4th grade did too...I like seeing the difference in the grades :)

2nd and 3rd Grades made Turkeys with patterned feathers

and 5th grade had trouble finishing their work...so I'll get those up when I can :)





 since not all classes met last week, I had some "extra" quick projects...Pre-K and K made fall trees- ask any one of those kids what the fall colors are...and they can tell you :)

and then the older kids made these owl pictures- they LOVED them!  keeping that kind of activity in my back pocket for days when classes come late or schedules get messy with testing...it's nice to know I have some things the kids really like to do...

just like the Day of the Dead skulls- another big winner with the kids...here are a few of my favorites from that activity

I also had a day when a bunch of classes were late in arriving and being picked up because of meetings happening in the building...so I threw this idea together after searching on Pinterest while I waited for the students to arrive...they made positive word "explosions"...thought these turned out really cool!

now we are into winter art...so stay tuned for that...maybe it will be up by January ;)

what would it take for you to give me $60?

that was the question posed to me today by one of my favorite students.  turns out he wanted to buy something, and it was $60.

sadly, my answer to him was, for someone to give me $60 I didn't need.



part of me was a little weirded out...I mean, I never would have asked anyone in my family, let alone my teacher for money- even $1 would have felt weird...


I guess I should feel good, that my students feel comfortable enough to ask me for something that important to them...but it also makes me feel bad that they have needs that aren't being met...obviously, the money he wanted wasn't for something that was a necessity, but still, feeling that desperate to ask...makes me wish I could do more for them.



but, today I finalized the details for starting up our Art Club...so I am excited to start that, and be able to reward the kids who are really talented with extra projects...

I also wish I had taken pictures before I left school today...some really awesome art is coming your way soon!



until then...here's a happy little picture to motivate you on this chilly Monday- oh and dark...daylight savings is throwing me for a loop!

student work!

yup, it's almost November...so I suppose I should post what my students have been doing in the Art room this year...


I know any veteran teacher will agree with this statement...but year two has been so much better than year one...so much more organization, order, and just productivity...


so in the spirit of that...here are a few of the things my kiddoes have done this year...I am definitely thinking of creating a second blog that would just be for Art teaching related things...but until then...enjoy!!


Pre-K pumpkins

Kindergarten Ghosts

 

1st Grade pumpkin patches

2nd Grade Candy Corn

3rd Grade Starry Night Pumpkin patch

4th Grade Secondary Color Spider Webs

5th Grade Cursive Name Skeletons

 

Enormous THANK YOUS!

WOW.

just wow.


I can not believe how awesome my friends and family are.  oh wait, I knew that :)

but they totally proved it in under 48 hours by helping me fund my first project on Donor's Choose- a non profit website where teachers can help acquire supplies and technology for their classrooms- and I wanted a document camera...so that I could project on a screen, nice and large, my examples, or show students step by step directions of their projects...

and literally, between Sunday night and the time I woke up this morning, I had already received enough donations to make my project a success!



so, not that this is nearly enough of a thank you...but to...

Rachel

Janvi

Kim

Jen

and Aunt Marilyn and Uncle Charlie

and two generous strangers...

THANK YOU!!!

can't wait to get my camera and start integrating technology into my room!

a little Art teacher humor

image source

yup, red and blue should make purple...

this made me laugh :)

happy Tuesday friends!