Self Portraits!

Hey Kinder Friends,

Well, with my room under construction it's fair to say that it has been an interesting start to the school year to say the least. I feel like I have been on a long scavenger hunt that has lasted a lot longer than I had anticipated. When I finally find something I am looking for it almost feels like Christmas. On the flip side of the construction, I really have learned a valuable lesson. As I tried to ease my nerves about starting a new school year without having every little thing in place, I learned that I had to let go of the idea of perfection and enjoy the joy in each day. And I learned that we really need fewer things to survive in kindergarten than I had originally thought. The kids were just happy to be in kindergarten finally and they didn't seem to care at all that things in the environment were not perfect.

As Open House was approaching I wasn't sure if I would be back in my old room or if I would still be in the new room. No matter what I had to get things ready for parents to come and visit the classroom. I will admit I had no grand plan. It was hard to get motivated considering I still felt like nothing was perfect or even close. I came in each day and stared at the walls and I was afraid to look at the shelves because they were not so organized but in reality only I would have known that!

As I passed my old room each day I knew I needed a pick-me-up and quick. We decided on self portraits because it is such a traditional kindergarten must. And I knew these would do the trick to add some life and color to the bare walls. But this time was different. A teacher friend of mine suggested that I include a you tube video to help facilitate the lesson. I believe this really helped the children produce such great self portraits. Not only could they visually see the process, they could hear the artist explain as he drew. The results were amazing.

We watched the video and used scrap paper to practice drawing our self portraits. I had plenty of paper on hand and we used it. Some children were happy with their first portrait and others were not. We practiced drawing a new portrait for five days and ended those sessions evaluating each portrait as they were shared. I believe all of us had a better idea of how to approach our final portrait after practicing for five days and learning how each person created theirs. The final products were amazing to look at. Each portrait had personality. I could not wait to hang them on the walls for Open House!

After the self portraits were up it started to feel a little more like home. I was able to throw together a few decorations behind my desk just in time. And the morale to this story is that the kids were happy to just be in kindergarten and it didn't matter if things were perfect. The parents were snapping pictures of the self portraits and the conversations were lively. Nobody ever knew things were not perfect or how I would have done this or that had there been no construction. I learned to not sweat the small stuff and move on and enjoy the joy in everyday no matter if it's perfect or not!

Too Much Glue Freebie!

Hey Kinder Friends,

Thinking about Back to School always makes me think of glue. I had my basket loaded with bottles just the other day and it seems like no matter how many bottles you have it just is not enough. So you probably have figured out that I use bottles in my class. Yep, plain old bottles of glue. It is what is on our supply list and it is what I get a few of at the beginning of the year. I have no fear of the glue bottles. I just have learned to deal with it. And right from the very start we quickly learn the expectations for glue.

A Dot Will Do!

After reading the book and having a class discussion the kids are ready to get some hands-on experience with glue. I make copies of the glue page on red, yellow and green copy paper and we are set for a couple of rounds of glue work. We practice gluing hole punched black circles onto the paper. We practice how to open and close the bottle. We practice where and how to put it away and clean up. It's a big deal. And we have fun with it.

Grab Your Freebie HERE!

Too Much Glue Freebie!





Hey Kinder Friends,

Just in time for Back to School comes the book Too Much Glue. You know I was excited to preview and read this book because I love glue and all things creative and messy. And this book sure is a cute one especially for this time of year when we are out and about shopping for glue and thinking about how to introduce the good old glue expectations for kindergarten.





After reading the Amazon review of this book, it kind of got that inner art teacher in me going! And here is what Amazon says:

Although Matty’s art teacher has warned him that too much glue never dries, Matty loves glue. After all, he and his dad make oodles of glue projects at home. One day during art class, Matty finds the fullest bottles of glue, and the fun begins. With a squeeze and a plop, Matty pours a lake of glue before belly-flopping right in the middle and finds himself stuck to the desk. When Matty’s dad arrives at the school, instead of being mad, he celebrates his son’s creativity and calls him a work of art. With vibrant language and artwork and a wild, silly plot, Too Much Glue is sure to appeal to all children who love to get messy.

Not only will this book appeal to children but it will appeal to any teacher who actually understands that glue expectations have to be taught to young children. You get what I am getting at. I thought so. And I am so sure we all have some fun and lively glue stories to tell...oh my.

At my school we do glue...as in bottles. There is no point in asking for sticks because we won't get them so we just deal with it. I could either run around for silly glue sticks or I could just deal with it. I don't do sticks or germy glue sponges. I do bottles and move on with life. I have bigger fish to fry in the scope of life. I am good with it. So, naturally I love the fact that I now have a book to go with the "glue pep rally" that takes place in my class year after year. I created the page you see above so that I could print it on colored paper like red, yellow or green and the children use a hole puncher with black paper for the dots. One by one they glue on the black dots. And the reason I say red, yellow and green paper is because in some years you might just need to do the glue lesson about three times!

And why not blast off into the new year and do a little shopping? You know the biggest sale of the year is going on right now. Everything is on sale so click on the sale image to start shopping and don't forget to click on the image for the freebie glue fun!

 

The ABC's of Me!



Hey Kinder Friends,
What's in a name? You know we love those beginning of the year name games and activities. And we are the best at accomplishing those objectives while doing it too! Gosh, and incorporate some great books and it is a good time in Kinder. And when you add a little art twist, it is like the best of both worlds and a really good time! But you know I love double duty for anything. So when I was working on something for names I wanted something that I could keep up for Open House at the beginning of the year. So if you are looking around for something for names that you can put out in the hallway you might be interested in I Can Be An Artist~The ABC's of Me! All you need are some white crayons and watercolors. If you are feeling real artsy you can even make the art buddies you see above. If you need more information just click on the images!





This download includes:

Project Photos
Lesson Objectives
Supply List
Directions For Editable Printables
2 Color Printables-Teaching Watercolors Independently
1 Blackline Printable-I Can Work With Watercolors Independently
Lesson 1 Guided Step By Step Watercolor Lesson
Lesson 2 The ABC’s of Me!
1 Color Printable-I Can Be An Artist Mini Poster
Blackline Printables For Art Buddies Craftivity
26 Editable Alphabet Letter Blacklines
26 Print And Go Alphabet Letter Blacklines
Minimal art supplies needed-paper, watercolors, crayons, Crayola oil pastels ($5) optional but so worth it! 

For more information just click on the picture above.

Creation Station!

Hey Kinder Friends,

My love of art started when I was in Kindergarten and really has never left my soul. I have always loved to play around with creating anything. I love the feeling of getting lost in a project and forgetting the world around me. And as I was thinking about what project this summer I would get lost in, I remembered the Creation Station. At the end of the year we made some beautiful watercolor paintings and I remember thinking to myself that I wish I had one of those from my own child.

When these pieces were finished I could not stop looking at them and thinking about how simple they were to make. And I wondered why I didn't do it sooner in the year! And since I have had a few days of summer vacation to organize my thoughts and begin to think about the beginning of the year, I remembered these...

These were super simple to make and I loved how the personality of each child came through in each artwork. White construction paper was used and the child drew in pencil his or her portrait. They used watercolors to paint the entire page. After drying, they used black paint to trace the lines. Once the painting was dry they were ready for laminating which made the colors come alive! And although I am dreaming of creating, my mind starts thinking that these would be so perfect for portfolio covers. And once my mind started wandering in that direction, I remembered one little thing...

This is how I ended my year...broken pencils and crayons. I took a picture just to be sure that everyone has an idea of what a table caddy should not look like. Can't even believe I posted that picture because it makes my eye twitch just looking at it. Never once had this problem before and never gonna have it again!

Maybe this little book will help me begin the discussion on the care and use of materials.

So, if you ar thinking about getting a little creative this year and need a little help to get you going just click on the image above!

 

A Great Stock Up Sale! !

Welcome Kinder Friends,

I was a little excited when I opened up my email to find that Michael's is having Dollar Days this week. I have been waiting and waiting for this cart to go on sale and it's on sale today. At 40% off it sure makes it much more affordable and you can't forget the teacher discount too! I bought one of these last year and tried it out and used it for the year. I liked it and it took up little space so I knew I wanted another one. I used mine in my Creation Station in a small corner of my room and it held my art materials.

This year I am excited that this cart will hold my fully integrated Language Arts and Art materials for the Creation Station. And this summer I have been on the hunt for affordable art supplies. Michael's is also having a sale on Crayola products this week.

Here are a few of my favorites that I am on the hunt for. Maybe Michael's will have a few of these to add to my Creation Station. Who knows I might get lucky and find a few. And my newest favorite has to be oil pastels for so many reasons, especially because it pulls everything together and makes for great outlines plus you get to use your fingers to smudge it around. So you know I will be looking for those.  

Now is a perfect time to look for those great deals to stock up on all those creative materials with Back to School right around the corner.

I was super excited to see these foam brushes for 14 for a dollar in the add. I think I will be grabbing some of those! Have fun shopping friends!



Art Fun!

Hey Kinder Friends,

I just had to share. I was out and about the other day and found these super Creation Station supplies and just had to grab them all up. Can you imagine the possibilities with these? These could add some interesting background texture to any art project. Or some funky animal prints with these. And what about making some Eric Carle inspired art too. I swear these little ditties could make anyone an instant artist for sure! They seem to be well made and look like they could hold up to a lot of use. Can you imagine the paint combinations? And what about pairing these tools with this book for an author/illustrator study? Now we are talking, right?

And when it is all said and done you have got to have some cute way of hanging things up and showing off your work, right? I thought so too. So look what I found.

Super cute art cut outs to put your artist name on and display away. How cute is that? Pick up a couple of these packs and you are on your way to some creative fun! Both of these goodies were found at Dollar Tree.

And while I was getting all creative and what not, I was able to post this to my stores! So super excited to have something this year to fully integrate language arts goals and art. I am so excited.

So this is what is inside...

Some pages are editable. This is a PowerPoint file!
This 280 page download will get your creativity flowing as your students learn to recreate the masters, evaluate their own artwork and the work of others and respond to art! You will be able to integrate with ease with this packed unit!
Table of Contents:
19 Colored Mini Poster Printables in Bright Chevron & Bright Polka Dot
Art Objectives
Recreating The Masters Projects featuring Cezanne Apples, Monet Water Lilies
& Van Gogh Sunflowers
Blackline Printables For Kandinsky & Mondrian Projects
Literature Connections
My Creation Station- Photos, Materials & Storage
15 Blackline Printables For Making My Art Notebook/Journals Including Covers, Inserts,
Writing Pages & Evaluating Art Forms
78 Blackline Printables- The ABC’s Of Art Handwriting & Sentence Writing Pages
Color Mini Poster Printable Rubric For Evaluating Your Own Artworks/Illustrations
2 Blackline Printables- Label The Artist
Self Portrait Project & Pictures
3 Blackline Self Portrait Printables Perfect For Student Portfolios
1 Color Teacher Big Book- We Can Be Artists
1 Blackline Printable Student Reader- We Can Be Artists
2 Blackline Printables Roll The Color Word
1 Blackline Printable Student Reader- Crayon Colors
1 Color Teacher Big Book- Paint Colors
1 Blackline Printable Student Reader- Paint Colors
2 Blackline Color Response Pages
3 Blackline Color It!- Color Word Pages
1 Art Buddies Craftivity & Patterns
Editable Insert Name Art Display Decorations
Editable Art Show Invitations
Editable Art Show Awards & Certificates- Color & Black & White Versions
13 Color Color Word Mini Posters

 

 



 

I'm still on the hunt for a few more supplies and I have my list ready to go just in time for Back to School shopping! You know I can't wait. I swear teachers need to hire a limo, map out a plan and go back to school shopping in style. I'm game! 

Only A Dot!



Sweet Summertime Kinder Friends,

It sure is nice to have the time to get things accomplished in hopes for a stress free year ahead. It's nice to look at the summer to do list and finally see some progress being made. It's also kind of fun to look back and remember what we did last year and decide if it is a keeper or not. The Number One Rule of Glue...Only a Dot Will Do! is a keeper for sure. This was a perfect way to introduce those glue bottles and expectations for independent use of glue. You know all they want to do is use those school supplies after bringing them in to school anyway. This sort of gets that right out of their system. This is a great one to print on colored paper and glue on hole punch black dots. If you are feeling real crafty you can add a worm to the picture. And if you need a little RTI for this activity just copy it on yellow or green paper next time and there you have it! If you need a copy just click on the image above.

Like I said scratching off things on that summer to do list has been fun. Just one less thing to think of and worry about for the coming year. And one of my goals has been to integrate my tiny little art center into something that supported Art and Language Arts goals. And one thing lead to another and soon there were over 280 pages of integrated good old fun. And then I walked away still wishing and wanting more...

And I really was happy for a while...or a few minutes. I still wanted more.

And even a little more...

I just can't help myself...it keeps growing! If you need additional information just click on the pictures above! And don't forget the Number One Rule of Glue!



Art And The ABC'S!

Hey Friends,

I have had some kind of fun blog hopping and internet stopping just trying to gather some new ideas for a little back to school fun. I recently saw some cute posts about painted letters on the internet and I wanted to give it a try. For that project I was going to need paint tape and I thought that might actually motivate me to get to the home improvement store. Just as I was about to make my list, I wondered if it would be possible to make letters without all the fuss and muss of paint tape and waiting for a class list to make the project. I really wanted a grab and go project that I could have ready now for back to school so that I could focus on the next project that came to mind.

For many of us the beginning of Kindergarten begins with letter activities and usually an All About Me unit. So I decided to give those two ideas a little twist. I created I Can Be An Artist~The ABC'S of Me! There are two lessons in this packet. The first lesson is a step by step guide to teaching children how to use watercolors independently and the second lesson focuses on using materials independently and the beginning letter of each child's name. This would be a great addition to all of your favorite name or ABC books that you already read. Once you finish the project, you have something to show for your work.

 

And if you are feeling real crafty, you are thinking of ways to display your first process art project of the year. Sure you could staple them up and they will be cute because they are made by your favorite new class of Kinder Kids or you can make Art Buddies shown above to hang your work. So cute and simple! If you are interested... just click on the images above!

Table of Contents:

Project Photos

Lesson Objectives

Supply List

Directions For Editable Printables

2 Color Printables-Teaching Watercolors Independently

1 Blackline Printable-I Can Work With Watercolors Independently

Lesson 1 Guided Step By Step Watercolor Lesson

Lesson 2 The ABC’s of Me!

1 Color Printable-I Can Be An Artist Mini Poster

Blackline Printables For Art Buddies Craftivity

26 Editable Alphabet Letter Blacklines

26 Print And Go Alphabet Letter Blacklines



Art!

 

Hey Kinder Friends,

So super excited to share this with you. I finally finished my Creation Station unit I have been working on for what seems like forever. I can't wait to get started with this with a new batch of excited Kinder kids. I just want to dive in and get creative. With so many great books out there to use with art and integrate with, it is so hard to pick a favorite. I think I want them all.

I am equally excited about some new art materials that I have found. There is nothing more exciting than new art materials. I still remember my first box of 64 Crayola Crayons. And I remember like it was yesterday discovering the metallic crayons and saving them for special projects. Those moments in childhood...priceless. As I was creating this unit and searching around for art materials I came across many old favorites and some new favorites too!

These are Crayola Oil Pastels. They are sold in a pack of 28. I bought them for less than $4 and they are worth every penny. The colors are varied, bright and vibrant. The crayons are sturdy, thick and will hold up to any Kinder kid. But the best part is that they make any wiggly lined drawing transform into what seems like effortless art. Using your fingers to smudge and smear the crayons over line drawings makes a finished piece. And believe it or not it is not messy, just a little on your finger. The possibilities are endless.

These are Crayola Watercolor Pencils. Yep, a new product to me too! I love the simplicity of these. These are the perfect addition to any art toolbox. For Kinder kids these will stand up to lots of use. The colors are vibrant and crisp. And what I love about them is that you color with these and paint and blend with water. Yes, I said that...water. It's a no mess kind of art tool. And it is the perfect tool to use with other tools in a layered effect. I would consider using these for smaller artworks instead of large projects because they do take time to fill in any drawing. I found these for $8 dollars and they came in a large pack. I still think they are worth every penny. Both products were bought online through Amazon simply because I saw them online and had to have them fast instead of hunting them down.

We will use both of these products when we talk about apples in the fall. By looking at the picture above you would never guess just really how simple this was to create with art materials made for kids believe it or not. It looks intimidating but it's not. If I can pull this one off I swear you can too. Watercolor pencils were used to fill in the apples, basic watercolors were used for the background and oil pastels were added to fill in and create the think smudgy lines. And don't the lines make it all look so official?

If you are interested in exploring more here is what is inside:

This 280 page download will get your creativity flowing as your students learn to recreate the masters, evaluate their own artwork and the work of others and respond to art! You will be able to integrate with ease with this packed unit!

Table of Contents:
19 Colored Mini Poster Printables in Bright Chevron & Bright Polka Dot
Art Objectives
Recreating The Masters Projects featuring Cezanne Apples, Monet Water Lilies
& Van Gogh Sunflowers
Blackline Printables For Kandinsky & Mondrian Projects
Literature Connections
My Creation Station- Photos, Materials & Storage
15 Blackline Printables For Making My Art Notebook/Journals Including Covers, Inserts,
Writing Pages & Evaluating Art Forms
78 Blackline Printables- The ABC’s Of Art Handwriting & Sentence Writing Pages
Color Mini Poster Printable Rubric For Evaluating Your Own Artworks/Illustrations
2 Blackline Printables- Label The Artist
Self Portrait Project & Pictures
3 Blackline Self Portrait Printables Perfect For Student Portfolios
1 Color Teacher Big Book- We Can Be Artists
1 Blackline Printable Student Reader- We Can Be Artists
2 Blackline Printables Roll The Color Word
1 Blackline Printable Student Reader- Crayon Colors
1 Color Teacher Big Book- Paint Colors
1 Blackline Printable Student Reader- Paint Colors
2 Blackline Color Response Pages
3 Blackline Color It!- Color Word Pages
1 Art Buddies Craftivity & Patterns Editable Insert Name Art Display Decorations
Editable Art Show Invitations
Editable Art Show Awards & Certificates- Color & Black & White Versions
13 Color Color Word Mini Posters

Many of the resources go along with the art you already do in your own classroom!

Click on the preview images for more information.

 



 Have fun creating friends!