3-D Birds

This is a lesson that was done by one of my student teachers several years ago, Jennifer O'neal.  Originally, we did this with 4th and 5th graders.  I believe we spent at least 3, 50 minute sessions on this project.  I was a great project, because once we got the major features done, the kids were free to decorate their birds as they wished.  We had hula birds, superhero birds, ballerina birds, ninja birds...so in other words, the possibilities were endless.  I did these once again with my art campers this summer.  We didn't get to spend the time on them I had hoped for, but they still came out really cute.  

Jeweled Sketch Book

So, I had to blow a thick layer of dust off these babies.  I think these were done about 12 years ago by my 4th and 5th graders.  Most of these are pieces left behind by kids that moved before the year was up.  The kids first used the math manipulative pattern blocks to layout their design.  They traced, then added color with oil pastels.  They were asked to tint and shade to make it look more jewel like. Raffia was used to bind the papers into the sketchbook.  If I do these again, I will make them smaller, they were really big, like 13" by 14", plus they were really thick because of the paper I selected for the outside cover.  So, trying to find space for these was an issue.  Hind sight is always 20/20, right!!

Clay Seahorse

I don't have very many examples of these colorful seahorses, only a few kids did these.  But, I am adding them to my to do list with a grade level.  These started out as approximately 9" by 5" slabs.  Then  a cardboard template in the shape of the seahorse was used to trace and cut.  Texture was added with the plastic texture plates.  And lastly, the fin was a triangle cut out, textured and attached as well as the eye.  

Saying Goodbye Is Hard To Do!

 I officially got my 15 year service award, a nice watch with the Hays logo on it and my 15 year pin. Very exciting and also a bit surreal.  With all that excitement, also comes some sadness.  After 15 years at the same school, Kyle Elementary, I am leaving my position there to become part of a job share at another of the districts elementary schools.  I am very excited about working part time and being more available for my family.  However, I know that my time at KES was amazing and I have fond memories.   I learned a great deal about myself and I discovered the kind of teacher that I wanted to be.  I had lots of people that became wonderful mentors to me.

Outside my art room on meet the teacher night with my girls

Last year when we finally got to bring Lucy home from the hospital after being there for a month, this is what I walked in to see filling my dining room.  Letters, cards, artwork, food, gifts, flowers, and balloons!  Overwhelmed and grateful!

This was the first day of school this year.  My oldest daughter about to start 4th grade, and My youngest about to embarce on her adventure in Kindergarten!  

These are two of my specials buddies, Coach Pinckard and Mrs. Pena, holding my Lucy.  I'm sure going to miss them.  They were both here when I started teaching 15 years ago.  They will always be dear friends!  

Three of my sweet girls posing with me for a picture at the art show.

My Ellie getting one last squeeze from Ms. Pena, it brings tears to my eyes!

Portrait Silhouettes and characteristics

Well, once again, I know I saw something like this on pinterest, which I thought I pinned...nope.  Not there, searched pinterest, can't find.  Google search, can't find.  I guess I liked it enough that it just stuck on my brain.  So, if anyone knows who to give credit to, please comment.  I think that typical black/white silhouettes are beautiful, but this adds an element of fun, and gives the young artist a chance to think about what their strong, positive characteristics are.  This art piece really worked well with the range of ages too, which was 6 up to 11, plus I let my teen helpers do one of their own.  Megan, who I believe is 13, did the 3rd pic down.  The silhouette, which was a black and white photo copy, was colored in with one of the wide tip sharpies, you can still faintly see the details.  At first, I wasn't sure I liked it, but in the end it worked better and faster than paint.  The canvas was divided into sections and painted with acrylic paint.  Words were written with sharpie and details added with oil pastel.   

Clay Day Training- Robots

This was such a fun day.  I love getting the chance to play with clay and just sit my bottom down and not spin myself silly trying to get to what feels like 100 kids needing my help all at once.  And doing that 5 more times during the day, and then repeating that for the rest of the week.  Ugh, am I the only one that feels that way about clay?!?  In college I couldn't wait to get to clay, it felt like all my troubles "slipped" away, he he, had to throw that one in.  Anyway, I thoroughly enjoyed making these clay robots, but I wouldn't dare do this with a whole grade level.  This is more like art club with 6-10 responsible 4th or 5th graders.  More like art therapy for art teachers 5 days after school has ended, thank you Hays CISD for this therapy session!!! 

This is the example done by the Mayco rep, so fun!!

This is my little guy!  His glasses didn't make it to the firing process.  Think I will attempt some wire ones later.   Now to the garage to find some goodies to add to my Mr. Roboto.

Art teacher Melanie C's twin robots.  (She stayed in from lunch to do the second one)  Not me, I'm a mommy of three, I saw my chance at a serene and peaceful lunch... by myself!

Louise Nevelson Art Box

I have a dear friend who's husband likes to smoke cigars, so when he is done with a box she sends them to me.  So, I have been looking for the perfect project to do with them.  Then, I ran across some images of Louise Nevelson.  I knew that it would be a great art project for my campers.  While I do wish I had gathered a few more items, they did turn out well.  Most of the kids personalized their box with an initial. We used items like pony beads, feathers, shells, straws, crayons, chenille stems, nails, and paper clips. They used good old Elmer's for most things, but some required hot glue.  Once everything was dry, they had the option of using white, black, silver or gold spray.  Don't worry my campers didn't use spray paint, although I have to say that according to them, their parents don't mind and they use it ALL the time at home.  

Roller Coaster Portraits

I did not do a very good job of keeping up with pictures on this art camp.  So I only have a few of this project.  These were very awkward getting started, the kids didn't quite know what to think.  My art helpers and I started by tracing each of the kids on a large butcher paper.  In the beginning, I have to say, I was a little worried.  This was a three day art camp, and this is a BIG picture.  We could eat up a lot of time on these and they could turn out, well...bad.  The idea was to capture a fun summer moment.  What is more fun than amusement parks and roller coasters to a 7 year old, not a whole lot!!  And while they did take a lot of time, I think they are fun, a reminder of what summer is supposed to be!!

This was my daughters picture, she is 6.  You can see she got a little confused, she started to add fingernails to the fingers.  I got to her moments after she capped the SHARPIE, then I explained that normally when your hands are up like that, it is the palm side.  Anyway, we decided she was just wearing some crazy rings!  It works :)

Clay Snails

These snails were created by my 4th graders.  They were each given two small chunks of clay.  Each of those clay pieces were rolled out into a coil.  The first of the coils was then rolled flat by a textured roller.  Then I had them turn over, score and roll up that clay into a spiral.  With the second coil, we did a pinching technique to give half of the clay coil a wavy look for it's "foot".  The other half was sculpted into the head.  The students scored and attached the spiral to the other clay piece.  Then details were added, we made a hole in the head with a coffee straw to be able to add the eyes later.  Day two the kids added their glazes. And the final touches, chenille stems and google eyes finished these cuties up.