Art From Students

So I love when students make art for me on their own time. I wanted to share some with you.

This is from a second grade boy who races dirt bikes and loves Fox Racing. He did this on his own in his aftercare program. He was very proud of his rainbow F.

A little first grader brought me this poster one morning. I'm not really sure what each element means and I thought it was a class project. There is one element though that was so touching.

I just thought this was so sweet. Later I was talking with her teacher over lunch and found out that this was not a class project. She did this at home on her own time.

This picture is from a fourth grader. I have been working on portraiture with all of my classes. I've been trying hard to get my students away from dot eyes, point noses, and smile lines. I've been focusing on lines and shapes for a persons face and hair. After one class, this student went home and created her own portrait using the skills I taught her. 

This is what I live for. I live for the times students are so inspired by what's happening in class, that they create their own art. We're only one month in and I can't wait to see what else comes my way.

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Batman likes art too

Bulletin Boards for Open House

Let me start by saying that I love my school. Everyone is so nice, helpful, and welcoming. We've had students now for 2 1/2 weeks and I love all of them. They are sweet kids who so far seem to enjoy art. I can't wait to see what they create this school year.
Outside of my room there are four large bulletin boards just for me. It took me a minute to get anything on them because I had been spending so much time getting my room together. About a week ago we had our open house and I knew I wanted something up before all of the parents came in.

 I wanted one board to identify that you had arrived at the art room. I had this idea of showing some of the many mediums we use in the art room and having them flow into the word art.

If you've been on pinterest then you know that I did not come up with this saying. I researched the quote trying to find the origin, but couldn't find anything. However, I love this quote. I think it sums up what life would be like without the arts. 

I've gotten many complements on my boards and appreciate them all. I still have two boards open and I think I'm going to use them for an art showcase. I'll pick a couple of the best projects and put them out for viewing. 

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The Art Room Is Finished!

. . . well, almost. I'm not sure if I'll ever truly be finished. I'll always find an image or resource that I will want to hang up. I, as well as most teachers, constantly collect different materials and art related nick nacks. For the most part though, my room is finished!

I love having a word wall. Because I have multiple grades in one day, and limited time, I put up all of my words at once. I would like to put a word up as it's introduced, but that would be a lot of putting up and taking down.

This year I also get to implement my dream bulletin board. The artist of the week board! I have wanted to do this board in the past, but I didn't have the space. Each week I will put up a new image with facts about the artist. I will also try to tie them into the lessons if possible. The first two weeks we will be working on portraiture, so this board will fit in nicely. 

I of course have the class rules posted front and center. They include being safe, respectful, and always do your best with a great attitude. 

To the left of the board is where I display the lesson's essential questions and standards. I hot glued clothesline clips to the wall so that I could easily change out the questions and standards. I write them up and put them in the red folder for easy access. I know a lot of teachers have their own system, and some are a little bit easier to use, but this is what works for me.

Can I just say right now how absolutely excited I am to have cabinets! This is something I have not had in the past. I'm such an organizer and labeler that I have put a list of contents on each cabinet door. I taped sheet protectors to the door and inserted a typed list of contents. I like to keep a running inventory and what's great about this is if I run out of a supply, like glue sticks, I can write in dry erase marker on the sheet that I need more. That way, whenever I get a chance to order supplies I'll know what I need.

View from the door.

My desk. I love my desk! From the MOMA calendar to my Batman pen holder, I love my desk. On pinterest I saw a tutorial on how to make large tissue paper pom poms. I thought they would be a great elements to hang above each table to color code them. It took me 30 minutes to make each one. I had them hanging and got many compliments. I also got an education in fire safety and was told that I couldn't have anything hanging from the ceiling. My fellow teachers will understand when I say this, but if you didn't know, flexibility comes with the job. I thought to myself, "What am I going to do with these now, cause I am so not getting rid of them?" I decided to use them to decorate my desk. I really like it, and I've gotten compliments for this as well.

This is my color board. I hand made all of the elements except for the border. It took a while, but I think it was worth it. I did however run out of border if you didn't notice. Guess who went to the teacher store over the weekend. This girl. 

Now I have to give credit to The Bees Knees Cousin. I got the idea for the style of the art element posters from her blog. I enjoyed how clean and minimal they were. I am a minimalist at heart after all. 

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