Emilyafox Illustration: May 2011 Some guesstimation in life drawing: Well atleast there is room for improvement! Science CPD for Science Educators | Science CPD For Science Educators Spring has Sprung It seems as though spring has taken a bit longer to arrive than normal. Here in Ontario we’ve had a mix of rainy and snowy days the last week or two, but it looks like the rain has arrived. Well April Showers are the official welcome of spring, so we have some spring projects for you today. Spring Watercolor Flowers Marshmallow Rainbows Reuse paintings Sponge Rainbows Butterfly Art Tulip Art Colorful Tree Art Paint bleeding Rainbow Art Raindrop Suncatchers
Earth's Water Cycle 1. Discuss how much water the ocean contains. Display the MapMaker Interactive and make sure students can all identify which areas are land and which are ocean. 2. 3. Stage 1: Evaporation—Explain that sunlight hitting the surface of the ocean causes liquid water on the surface to change to water vapor, becoming part of the air. Discuss what happens to rain and snow on Earth. 4. Have students personalize the water cycle by connecting it to where they live. 5. Where did the water drop go on its journey? 6. Extending the Learning Conduct a simple science experiment so students can see firsthand how water evaporates, condenses, and precipitates.
Amazing face masks - Fun Crafts Kids Some children just don’t DO fancy dress, so often, amazing face masks are a way around this, as a shy child will feel as if they are hiding behind the mask, and not drawing attention to themselves. You can do SO much with a mask though, from theming them to work with a school’s Egyptian Day for example – an amazing face mask of a Pyramid with eye-holes could be just as effective as a full Pharoah’s outfit! We loved these Inspiring and Amazing masks from Mini-Taller-dArt in Spain – These masks are so fabulously inventive, and the oversized nature of them really makes them quite something! We are definitely going to have a go at these, and think that they would be a really fun activity for a party – if you prepared the basic structures beforehand and then the kids all had a go at creating these VERY photogenic masks – what a brilliant way to upcycle some old egg cartons for the eyes, and cereal boxes for the cut out shapes – we can’t wait to give this a go!!
MaryMaking: Lois Ehlert Inspired Bird Collages My experiment made from leftover paper from my I was inspired by this Winter Bird Art Lesson from Deep Space Sparkle. My Children's Book Art group looked at the collage work of Lois Ehlert in her books, Snowballs, Pie in the Sky, and Top Cat. My students created a variety of patterned paper using watercolors and acrylics. A background in chalk pastels was created and next some birch trees (inspired by Ehlert's work in Snowballs) using cardboard and black acrylics. Wax Paper Crayon Melts {Think Outside The Toy Box} - View From The Fridge | View From The Fridge Do you remember melting crayons between wax paper to formed ‘stained glass’ when you were little? Well … we gave this a try yesterday. Today marks the 7th week of our fun Summer series … Think Outside The Toy Box, a collaboration with five other bloggers and myself to try to come up with NEW and CREATIVE ways to use household items (that aren’t traditionally thought of as toys). Before we begin … have you seen some of the awesome wax paper creations out there? Or this Faux Shell Wall Hanging from Alexis at Persia Lou … Or this stunning DIY wax paper backdrop created for for a wedding … Or this chandelier … Okay … sorry, enough gawking at these gorgeous projects, and back to OUR task at hand: My goals for this activity yesterday were simple … #1. #2. I was sort of successful I’d say. Here’s what you’ll need: CrayonsPencil Sharpener (I used an extra eye liner sharpener that my mom had on hand)Wax paper. Using the pencil sharpener, sharpen your crayons all the way and save the shavings. d Katie
Live, Love, Teach: This is it... Heart pounding, rapid breathing, nightmares...yep, it's that time of year. Back to school...dun dun dun. Okay I actually may be a little dramatic there (ask anyone who knows me, it's not uncommon!). There are many things that I worry about before the school year starts. In reality all of it is out of my control. To add to the unknown I am getting an intern this year (woo hoo!). So, as I count down my last few hours of summer, here are a few pins that I found inspiring as I began planning for this school year, and a fun purchase that I made to use in my room this year.
a shoebox of photographs: Growing The little trees are growing in numbers here. I think I'm going to miss these colourful little pieces when they aren't here, brightening up this old house on cold wintery nights. They're off to the Jazz up your Nest exhibition at Fledge Design Studio very soon (more info if you click on the picture to the right). I had a bit of a shuffle around, and the trees and fairy lights work I shared below will now also be in the same show, along with these works I blogged about a few months ago, and the map paper cranes I showed in previous posts (you can see more pictures of them in my flickr photostream). And another larger tree painting, all going well! Tetris Psychedelia is still in progress, and still doing my head in. I finished another new painting this week.
Birdhouse and Paper Bird Art Lesson Drawing a birdhouse is easy and satisfying for second graders. By combining some basic shapes, kids create a bird sanctuary complete with their very own feathered friend. This lesson is fairly easy. It only requires two 40-minute sessions, but you could extend it to three classes by adding a more detailed background and more decorations to the bird. Drawing and painting the birdhouse Using an oil pastel, make a dot at the center of the paper near the top. Set out a pre-mixed palette of tempera paints. Paint the roof, birdhouse and stand. Outlining the painting Some days, I just forget my camera. Creating the paper bird Now that the background is done, bring out a tray of colored and printed papers. Second graders make the loveliest birdhouses, don’t you think? Share
Picasso Portraits - Kindergarten Style! Picasso gives us many great opportunities to teach about abstract art! I like to do this lesson with my Kinders after I teach them the more “traditional” methods of drawing portraits. They really enjoy this chance to “get a little crazy” with their art! Begin by showing students some examples of Picasso’s work in the various different styles he worked in. Use a black “F” Sharpie and crayons for this project.… no drawing first with pencil and no erasing. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. *If you’re talking to 1st graders, say “the 1st grade way”, etc. GiddyStuff: August 2010 After watching The Great British Bake Off last week I decided to invest in the series book. I don't know how many cookery books I own, there are too many, but I really felt that I needed one with basic baking skills in it! When you bought a new cooker years ago you used to get a baking book with it! My mum still has her Cannon cookery book, and still uses it! The first surprise about this book is the book underneath the dust jacket, how lovely is that? The photography is lovely, pictures of each recipe and images from around the country.It really is designed to become an heirloom book. Some of the recipes are traditional, some are recipes devised by the contestants taking part in the bake-off. Breadmaking is thoroughly explained, as are a variety of pastry making techniques.