African Rock Masks

After putting together a power point presentation about African Masks and showing with pictures "How" to paint the rocks, the kids went to work.

These rocks are bigger than the size of a sixth grade hand. The students first drew around the rocks and then sketched on paper what their mask would look like. We talked about symmetry and where the eyes should be placed. We also talked about colors and how to create different designs. Once painted and dry they were sprayed with a clear sealer.

Some got it

Some did not

These are children who do not necessarily want to be at school at 5:00 pm

It is hard to keep their attention

Some just do the projects to humor me.

This is the hardest part of the job.

Does Anyone teach kids who do not want to be in art class? Any ideas????

Mirror Names

On someones blog I found this great idea. ( I will look around and add the site as soon as I relocate it)

 I have a tough group of sixth graders and this was perfect to start out their 10 day session. 

They were not willing to participate at first, 

But once I insisted they 'TRY'

They complied, reluctantly.

The girls wanted to have their friends 'sign' the outside of their frames. I was not sure at first, my gut said.....ARE YOU KIDDING?

But the more creative side of me said.....It's your art. If you would like that, then go ahead!

All in all, they seemed pleased with their creations.

I think I gained the respect of a few attitudinal sixth graders.

Their work was displayed for them to see the next day.

Thank You Everyone!

I have been blessed with my teaching dreams coming true. I have always wanted to be a classroom teacher, and now I sort of am. I got married and started a family right after high school, now with the babies both in college and my wonderful husband of 21+ years supporting my quest, I am an after school art teacher. I have my own dedicated room and I serve 60 students in grades 2, 4 and 6. I am in heaven.

Now that I have someone to 'teach' I have been browsing blogs day & night to find neat projects to share. I am posting Line Drawings inspired by St. Basils Cathedral. I found this by Patty at Deep Space Sparkle.
It was meant for sixth grade, but I attempted it with 4th. The projects that have been completed so far are looking good. It fell perfectly in place following my Zentangle lesson. The students are really enjoying it, so again I say Thank You to Everyone who shares their ideas on a blog.

Chinese New Year of the Rabbit 2011

It is here, The year of the Rabbit in the Chinese New Year. What better way to celebrate in art class than painting Rabbits on rice paper from China.  The 4th grade students were taught the proper way to hold the brush. I used a pattern from a Walter Foster book as a sample. The results are amazing.

Here we Create!

 My Sample

I have been so lucky to get a position at the local elementary school. I will be teaching arts crafts to 60 students after school. There will be 20 at a time and the grades are 2, 4, 6. Each grade will only be attending one hour a day for 10 days in a row Monday through Thursday.In addition, all students visit (one group at a time) for an hour every Friday.

I am excited to find new things I can expose the students too.Here is what I came up with so far.