I really feel like an art teacher

Two things today (well, maybe 3) that really made me feel like an art teacher!

First, I painted with my kindergartners at the school where my art room has no water (not even in the same building -- I have to tote it across a parking lot). We drew birds and painted them with watercolor. When I left the building the K class was at recess and one of them yelled at me (at the top of his lungs), "HI MRS. BURNS!!! I LOVE PAINTING AND DRAWING!" How could that not make me smile???

Then, at the other school, I have all my classes draw something when they first come in. My "entering art class" ritual. Today it was scissors. The point is to really take your time and observe what you're drawing, and then draw what you see. My 4th graders were AMAZING. Their drawing is improving. They are really OBSERVING. I asked if they noticed that their drawing was getting better and they all happily agreed.

Oh, and then I taught my first drawing lesson about the elements of art and principles of design. And I really felt like I knew what I was talking about. Wow!!!

Might as well face it . . .

I'm addicted to blogs. If you were around during the 80's, Robert Palmer is playing in your head right now. Well, he is in mine anyway. I'm addicted to many blogs, but the ones I'm most addicted to right now are art teacher blogs. Thanks Kristen :)! She turned me on to some great ones, which in turn led me to other great ones. Lots of great inspiration. I don't even pretend to be a great art teacher (yet), but here are some projects I've done with the kiddos so far, and one I'm going to start next week. With the middle schoolers. Who are my greatest challenge.
Exciting . . . my name is above the door!!!
Graph paper designs.

Turtle directed drawing line/pattern study with K & 1st grade.

Kandinsky circles with Kindergarten.

Name line study - 4th & 5th grades

Project starting next week with middle school. I had fun starting this one! It's a color-wheel, color-mixing mandala. FUN! Can't wait to see these completed. I love color!

It flies

Time, that is. Seriously.

I have no time, these days, it seems. At least no time with much energy.

I love my new job.

I really do.
But I'm exhausted when I get home.

And I only do it 4 days a week!

The pictures above are of a fishing trip in early AUGUST! Yes, I have been so busy they have just been waiting on my camera for me all this time. It was before school started. Just before.

Last weekend we went on our first college visit. KU. This is at Emporia State.

I am so not ready for this. Time flies with kids too.

We got together with my sister. This is my pitiful attempt to take one of those self-portrait picture all the kids are so good at. Pretty good huh?

Wow

I got some new books to use as art class inspiration. They're by Peter H. Reynolds and they're really good. "Ish" is my favorite. You should find it and read it (I could loan it to you unless I'm using it in class :). I like "The Dot" too. I just found out tonight that he has another book called "The North Star" and you can read it online here. I'm not a big fan of reading online, but it's nice sometimes. It's a great book encouraging kids to follow their own star and take their own journey through life, not just follow the crowd.

*This picture has nothing to do with this post, but check out those clouds! It's from the week I cooked at Camp Mennoscah in early July. The last night, the kids were doing skits and that cloud bank started showing up. I went to listen to the radio and there were big storms in Wichita and home, but nothing at camp. Thank goodness. Cabins full of freaking out youngsters isn't fun!