This month, I agreed to run two art clubs after school. I suspect I am insane for agreeing to this. Because I am still in grad school full time, and am trying to also tutor a student twice a week after school. And I have my practicum this term, at another school in the district, which is going to take every moment of time I have in order to complete the myriad requirements the professor has decided upon. I think I am supposed to squeeze some sleep in there, too, but that is unlikely in the next 30 days.
When I showed up for today's art club (now differentiated on my own calendar as Art Club 1), I was overwhelmed with excited children. 30 of them, in fact. Thirty. 3-0. Because I ended up with extra jars from the luminary project in the fall, I had decided this group would do one with a spring theme, and use up the rest of the jars (and Modge Podge). So I carefully counted out 24 jars, 24 paint brushes, and measured out 2 containers of colored Modge Podge for my 24 students. Now, I haven't always been the very best at math, but my subtraction told me I was going to have 6 very unhappy, brand new to the class, what on earth are they here for today, children. I ran down to the office, brought another adult back with me, and I kept my original, they were supposed to be there today, students. And she took the remainder down to the office.
Bless the office staff. Truly. Because they faced the parents who were angry because their teacher had mistakenly called them to tell them their kids would be in Art Club, not realizing there was a second one scheduled for the following day. And the young man who has been organizing these clubs? His car had broken down and his cell phone had died and no one knew what the plans were exactly. Turns out he is kind of a last minute planner, and that doesn't always work out for everyone else. Lesson learned - he is young, this is his first time trying to handle this, and I am sure he - and we - have all learned a great lesson out of this debacle.
So I took my kiddos into the staff lounge and settled them in, gave them directions and jars and flowers I had punched out over Spring Break, and they made luminaries. There are several boys in this class who believe the purpose is to be done as soon as possible, and one student refused to put any flowers onto his luminary. So it is just painted green. I will have to rethink my approach, since the idea is to spend some time really creating your best work, not being the first one done. This wasn't an issue the first time around. Hmmm.
On the other hand, I had a student who thanked me for the project "It was really fun!"
So why did I call this post "Calling Retired Art Teachers"? Because it is clear from the huge numbers of kids who want to be in this club, that kids are really eager to have some art in their lives. So retired art teachers, I have found a terrific volunteer position for you to pursue. Check with your local school, and see if they run after school programs. Offer to run a once a week (or more, if you desire) class on art for a group of students. Seriously. These kids need the exposure, they want to be creative, and some of the worst behaved kids enjoy these activities because they aren't based on standards, they don't have to read or add or find x. They just get to be kids playing with paint and glue and paper.
Pictures to follow once everything has dried.
Tuesday, April 1, 2014
St Patrick's Day Activity
Late post, I know.
I had something else planned for this day, but as the day approached, and knowing how excited children are to celebrate any holiday (and how many schools are evicting holiday observances out the window in favor of super boring but important academic standards), I decided the kids should be able to do something related to this "lucky" day. So I searched online and found a relatively simple activity: Tissue paper rainbows falling into pots of gold.
I assumed that everyone knew how the make a rainbow... the order of the colors, and whatnot. And this is what we get for assuming - even though I did specifically review the order of the colors of the rainbow with them. Oh well, it's art, it is NOT a standard, let's breathe. Maybe had this been tied to a science activity, there might have been more accuracy. But since we are talking pot of gold, accuracy might have be questioned, too.
The kids were most impressed and excited with the boxes of pre-cut square tissue paper I had found at Lakeshore. Best purchase ever, since I really didn't want to cut those squares up myself! Having already discussed to application of glue with this group, that also was easy breezy.
I heard a LOT about Minecraft from the boys during this project. Not having a boy at home myself, nor an avid player of the game, I have nevertheless heard about it from friends and their children, so I have a rough idea about the game. The boys really wanted to do some kind of Minecraft activity with these square tissue paper pieces. Really, really, really.
I had punched out many, many, many circles of yellow paper (gold), and limited the kids at the start to three pieces. Once I knew what I had leftover, I handed them out to the students and they were so excited. Wish it had been real gold instead, although with the reaction I received, it just as well may have been!
The result was a fun activity, fairly straightforward, and we ended with a funny read aloud from a pop-up book about a green frog. (I surprisingly have no books in my extensive classroom library for this holiday. Oh Goody! More book shopping!) They loved the pop-up aspect of the book, and I was able to retain hold on the book so the pop-up elements remained viable.
Someday, someone needs to explain to me regardless of what I do to edit these pictures, Blogger likes to change the direction they are facing. It really makes me nuts!
I had something else planned for this day, but as the day approached, and knowing how excited children are to celebrate any holiday (and how many schools are evicting holiday observances out the window in favor of super boring but important academic standards), I decided the kids should be able to do something related to this "lucky" day. So I searched online and found a relatively simple activity: Tissue paper rainbows falling into pots of gold.
I assumed that everyone knew how the make a rainbow... the order of the colors, and whatnot. And this is what we get for assuming - even though I did specifically review the order of the colors of the rainbow with them. Oh well, it's art, it is NOT a standard, let's breathe. Maybe had this been tied to a science activity, there might have been more accuracy. But since we are talking pot of gold, accuracy might have be questioned, too.
The kids were most impressed and excited with the boxes of pre-cut square tissue paper I had found at Lakeshore. Best purchase ever, since I really didn't want to cut those squares up myself! Having already discussed to application of glue with this group, that also was easy breezy.
I heard a LOT about Minecraft from the boys during this project. Not having a boy at home myself, nor an avid player of the game, I have nevertheless heard about it from friends and their children, so I have a rough idea about the game. The boys really wanted to do some kind of Minecraft activity with these square tissue paper pieces. Really, really, really.
I had punched out many, many, many circles of yellow paper (gold), and limited the kids at the start to three pieces. Once I knew what I had leftover, I handed them out to the students and they were so excited. Wish it had been real gold instead, although with the reaction I received, it just as well may have been!
The result was a fun activity, fairly straightforward, and we ended with a funny read aloud from a pop-up book about a green frog. (I surprisingly have no books in my extensive classroom library for this holiday. Oh Goody! More book shopping!) They loved the pop-up aspect of the book, and I was able to retain hold on the book so the pop-up elements remained viable.
Someday, someone needs to explain to me regardless of what I do to edit these pictures, Blogger likes to change the direction they are facing. It really makes me nuts!
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| Table full of artwork, waiting to dry. |
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| Severeal students liked the idea of crunpling up the tissue into small balls and adding it onto their pot. Great dimensionality! |
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| You end up with blurry pictures when you are handing out the artwork at the end of the period and kids are trying to take it while you are trying to record their work simulatenously. But I loved how this student used the pieces. |
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| This is almost exactly like mine. I think this student was the one who took my example and copied it, adding extra "gold". |
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| This student decided to take an extra pot from my pile and make it more colorful. |
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| This was that Minecraft influence I was talking about. |
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| Guess the rainbow didn't quite fit in the sky. And yes, I know, now it looks like an octopus. |
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| Another project that Blogger carefully turned around to look like an octopus. |
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| I am going to guess this student only likes the University of Oregon Ducks, based on his color choices. |
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| Rainbows are hard to get in the right order. |
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| Love how this one "diffused" the light of the gold with extra tissue. |
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| I know which student this came from, so the smiley face in gold is not surprising. One of the most cheerful kids I have ever met. Thanks for stopping by... |
Friday, February 28, 2014
Initial Clothespins
Today we are making what should be magnets, with clothespins attached to the back of the first initial of each student. (Look at the pictures, this explains a lot!) Parents can add magnets to the clothespins, if desired. Due to time constraints and the fact I did not want to use a glue gun to attach magnets in class with small children, I opted not to include that step.
This group is such a great group - the follow durections, tidy up after themselves, and create great crafts waaaay better than my examples! Love what they do!
First, I gavce the students letters - I bought letters like teachers use in classroom bulletin boards, and cut out a few extras for students, because there were not enough J's or M's! Students could color them (except we found out that since the letters were a little glossy, markers did not work quite as well as we had hoped), but the kids were very flexible.
Then, after a quick demonstration of how to use glue bottles (as in white glue, not glue sticks!), the kids were able to use the glue to decorate their letters. I provided googly eyes (always a favorite), a variety of stickers, sequins of all shapes and colors, and paper flowers. They went to town! Some of the kids were very specific about what they included, and others just loaded up their letters.
I carefully added a clothespin to the back of the letter, and we set them aside to dry while we cleaned up. What a great class! They were excited to create, glue, and clean up. They were happy to take them home.
Next week... Name Tiles... I think. Might be too similar to what we just did. Hmmm.
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| Front |
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| Back |
This group is such a great group - the follow durections, tidy up after themselves, and create great crafts waaaay better than my examples! Love what they do!
First, I gavce the students letters - I bought letters like teachers use in classroom bulletin boards, and cut out a few extras for students, because there were not enough J's or M's! Students could color them (except we found out that since the letters were a little glossy, markers did not work quite as well as we had hoped), but the kids were very flexible.
Then, after a quick demonstration of how to use glue bottles (as in white glue, not glue sticks!), the kids were able to use the glue to decorate their letters. I provided googly eyes (always a favorite), a variety of stickers, sequins of all shapes and colors, and paper flowers. They went to town! Some of the kids were very specific about what they included, and others just loaded up their letters.
I carefully added a clothespin to the back of the letter, and we set them aside to dry while we cleaned up. What a great class! They were excited to create, glue, and clean up. They were happy to take them home.
Next week... Name Tiles... I think. Might be too similar to what we just did. Hmmm.
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| A group of letters drying |
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| Close up of the "O" |
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| I have yet to figure out how these pictures load upside down...or how to correct that. |
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| A few more drying while the kids cleaned up |
Sunday, February 9, 2014
No Valentine's Day Card Making After All
I am sitting at home, curled up with a roaring fire and surrounded by pets and family as I check the newsfeeds, finding out that school is closed tomorrow, meaning no Art Club. Bummer!
I predict that students feel differently, now being able to enjoy a four day weekend, since school was closed last Friday as well. We have been enjoying the beautiful snowfall, and staying off the roads as the freezing rain fell down.
Hopefully, students and families will take some time and start making their Valentine's Day cards tomorrow, since parties are scheduled for Friday in celebration.
I will see you all in two weeks, since next Monday is another holiday. We will be making initial magnets. In the meantime, stay safe, stay warm, and Happy Valentine's Day!
I predict that students feel differently, now being able to enjoy a four day weekend, since school was closed last Friday as well. We have been enjoying the beautiful snowfall, and staying off the roads as the freezing rain fell down.
Hopefully, students and families will take some time and start making their Valentine's Day cards tomorrow, since parties are scheduled for Friday in celebration.
I will see you all in two weeks, since next Monday is another holiday. We will be making initial magnets. In the meantime, stay safe, stay warm, and Happy Valentine's Day!
Thought I'd share what I was going to try and inspire the kids with...
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| I stamped these in grey and then left them white for the kids to color in.They could then layer them onto red cardstock. |
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| I can't seem to figure out how to make my images lay out the way I want them to. This one is obviously sideways... I have been punching hearts out for a couple of weeks while watching TV at night so the kids would have lots of choices to play with and get creative with heart shaped critters. |
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| And this last one is also sideways... I cut the patterened papers for the kids to glue down and then I made a bunch of the ribbons for the kids to add as well. |
Monday, February 3, 2014
Snowflake Resist - Our First Meeting of the Term
Finally, we were able to begin Art Club today! Hooray! With a new group of 22 students, mostly new faces, it was quite delightful.
I introduced myself, gave students a general idea of what to expect, established the "no poking" rule, and then we jumped right into the project. Students used white crayons on watercolor paper to draw snowflakes. ("What do we know about snowflakes?" "They are made of snow!" "They melt quickly!" "Some look like stars!" and finally, the answer I was after, "They are different shapes!") I asked students to cover their sheets with snowflakes, using the light to catch the waxy shine of the drawn flakes to see what they had done so far. They quietly worked, holding up their papers to examine their work, comparing it with their neighbors, and bringing it back to the table to add more.
I had made a "spray box"so that I could spray blue and purple watercolor over the papers without it making a mess everywhere else. The kids made a line (!) and waited for me to spray their papers, returned to their places with foam brushes, and began covering the paper with the watercolor. I also brought some spray bottles with water, so that students wouldn't use too much water on their own, drowning their work. (See, I learned from the last time we used watercolors.)
Suddenly, it seemed I was in the desert, with parched voices calling out, "Water! I need water!" They laughed when I asked if we were in a desert, and they were so good natured as I reminded them that I could only help 1 (or 2) of them at a time. It seems I can use 2 spray bottles on two art pieces at once! Completed papers began to decorate the back table and students lined up to wash their hands, which had become a lovely shade of purplish blue, matching mine. They also stacked the paint brushes by the sink, and returned the crayons into a baggie. Students talked and laughed about their violet fingers, and scrubbed with baby wipes, and finally it was the squirt of hand sanitizer that seemed to help eliminate most of the color.
Students cleaned up quickly, and I was able to take pictures of each student's artwork as I handed it back. Students loved that some of their work had turned a funny hue of pink... like those last light rays in the night sky. We were the first to head outside, meet parents, and get everyone safely home.
Returning back to the lounge, I found it easy to clean up the room, rinse out the brushes, and pack to go home. Hopefully, parents won't be too unhappy about their children's blue hands, and will enjoy their beautiful artwork. If it is any consolation, my hands still look like I was squishing blackberries between my fingers!
I am excited to see them again next week! We will be making Valentine's Day cards. In the meantime, please chill out with today's work...
I introduced myself, gave students a general idea of what to expect, established the "no poking" rule, and then we jumped right into the project. Students used white crayons on watercolor paper to draw snowflakes. ("What do we know about snowflakes?" "They are made of snow!" "They melt quickly!" "Some look like stars!" and finally, the answer I was after, "They are different shapes!") I asked students to cover their sheets with snowflakes, using the light to catch the waxy shine of the drawn flakes to see what they had done so far. They quietly worked, holding up their papers to examine their work, comparing it with their neighbors, and bringing it back to the table to add more.
I had made a "spray box"so that I could spray blue and purple watercolor over the papers without it making a mess everywhere else. The kids made a line (!) and waited for me to spray their papers, returned to their places with foam brushes, and began covering the paper with the watercolor. I also brought some spray bottles with water, so that students wouldn't use too much water on their own, drowning their work. (See, I learned from the last time we used watercolors.)
Suddenly, it seemed I was in the desert, with parched voices calling out, "Water! I need water!" They laughed when I asked if we were in a desert, and they were so good natured as I reminded them that I could only help 1 (or 2) of them at a time. It seems I can use 2 spray bottles on two art pieces at once! Completed papers began to decorate the back table and students lined up to wash their hands, which had become a lovely shade of purplish blue, matching mine. They also stacked the paint brushes by the sink, and returned the crayons into a baggie. Students talked and laughed about their violet fingers, and scrubbed with baby wipes, and finally it was the squirt of hand sanitizer that seemed to help eliminate most of the color.
Students cleaned up quickly, and I was able to take pictures of each student's artwork as I handed it back. Students loved that some of their work had turned a funny hue of pink... like those last light rays in the night sky. We were the first to head outside, meet parents, and get everyone safely home.
Returning back to the lounge, I found it easy to clean up the room, rinse out the brushes, and pack to go home. Hopefully, parents won't be too unhappy about their children's blue hands, and will enjoy their beautiful artwork. If it is any consolation, my hands still look like I was squishing blackberries between my fingers!
I am excited to see them again next week! We will be making Valentine's Day cards. In the meantime, please chill out with today's work...
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| OK, this was mine - the "demo" piece. |
Monday, January 13, 2014
Winter Term of Art Club
Looking forward to returning to my Art Club kids. I spent some time this morning organizing some of the projects I am planning for the term. (No hints!) I was told I had about 40 students want to sign up for the class, but the folks in charge limited it to just 22. Phew! I use 3 large tables, and that means 7 kids per table and 8 at the third table. And I won't have to poach the chairs from the PSO room every Monday.
There are so many Mondays off, either due to holidays or due to staff days that I won't see my kiddos too often this term. In fact, we won't start until February. I don't know who I have in the club this term, but I am hoping to see some returning faces... my God-daughter and her friends, the funny kindergartners, the quiet artists... it will be a fun term.
Most of the projects are more on the crafty end of things, but I want to try to incorporate more artists or specific artistic styles into the club. Not to make it like Art Literacy, but to have these kids see different works of art, different styles of art design, and different mediums. On the other hand, it seems like the students really enjoy the basic crafts.
One challenge I have set for myself this term is the art of glue application. Not with glue sticks, but using actual white glue. I am thinking about using a small pool in a paper plate and having students use a q-tip to apply the glue onto the item. We will have to see.
Anyway, looking forward to seeing what they do this term! See you next month!
There are so many Mondays off, either due to holidays or due to staff days that I won't see my kiddos too often this term. In fact, we won't start until February. I don't know who I have in the club this term, but I am hoping to see some returning faces... my God-daughter and her friends, the funny kindergartners, the quiet artists... it will be a fun term.
Most of the projects are more on the crafty end of things, but I want to try to incorporate more artists or specific artistic styles into the club. Not to make it like Art Literacy, but to have these kids see different works of art, different styles of art design, and different mediums. On the other hand, it seems like the students really enjoy the basic crafts.
One challenge I have set for myself this term is the art of glue application. Not with glue sticks, but using actual white glue. I am thinking about using a small pool in a paper plate and having students use a q-tip to apply the glue onto the item. We will have to see.
Anyway, looking forward to seeing what they do this term! See you next month!
Friday, December 6, 2013
Happy Holidays, Art Clubbers!
The principal came in this week when I was working with my Homework Club (different group of kids, different day) and said that there would be no Art Club next week. Bummer! So my last planned project won't happen after all. Considering that next week also happens to be finals week in college, I'm not crying too hard.
The next series of Art Clubs won't start until close to the end of January, and with all of the Mondays off... it may a short series. I have all new ideas for projects, so when my promised smaller group of kids shows up, we will be ready to start up right away. Yay!
In the meantime, Happy Holiday wishes to everyone. Wishing you a safe, warm, and family-focused holiday season. And thanks, so very much, for your support. It is appreciated more than you will ever realize.
See you next year!
The next series of Art Clubs won't start until close to the end of January, and with all of the Mondays off... it may a short series. I have all new ideas for projects, so when my promised smaller group of kids shows up, we will be ready to start up right away. Yay!
In the meantime, Happy Holiday wishes to everyone. Wishing you a safe, warm, and family-focused holiday season. And thanks, so very much, for your support. It is appreciated more than you will ever realize.
See you next year!
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