Exhaling...

Creative endeavors are like oxygen for me. When I'm not involved in one...or too many at one time...I do not feel alive. With all the recent events in my life (marraige, family visiting from Europe, a new job, etc) I have not had a chance to sing, dance, create, or post.

Now that things are settling down, I can breathe again. Meaning, I have time to do the things that I love!

During a recent afternoon at Barnes N Noble, I decided to head over to the children's section, in search of some new books for the Kids Read and Rock Out portion of Teach With HeArt. I found several old favorites and skimmed through a few new literary companions.

I also sat down and read through three or four magazines, including an excellent creative writing journal that was bursting with prompts!

Finally, after contemplating the purchase of a make-your-own mandalas craft kit in the bargain area, I made my way to the art area, and settled on a new pack of oil pastels.

When I got home, I pulled out an old coloring book and announced to my better half, "I'm going to color one of these every night this week and post it on my blog." I immediately got to work with my Sharpies :)

The next morning, whilst catching up on my Daisy Yellow reading, I noticed a coincidental challenge. Tammy was linked to Leah, the author of Creative Every Day, who has challenged people to create something every day in November.

I have accepted the challenge, and will be posting a new piece of artwork every day in photo gallery "My heArt."

Water Colors...

Not in the traditional sense.

This morning's rain reminded me of one of my FAVORITE art projects, to do with my students...

Simply get some dried tempera paint. Allow the students to sprinkle differnt colors all over a large sheet of manilla paper.

Place the paper out in the rain, and watch the water work it's magic!

You'll see color mixing, and create great textures with no hands.

Getting to Know You...Getting to Know All About You

 

Once your cozy classroom environment has been created, you must get to know your students.

Why? Because, getting to know one's students is essential to managing the classroom, and modifying lesson plans to accomodate all cultural backgrounds and learning styles.

I say,of course, "Do it with heART!"

Many teacher-training manuals, offer worksheets that you may copy and pass out to your students. They ask questions like, "How many people live in your home? Who are they? Do you have any pets? and, What are your hobbies?" Students simply fill in answers.

Such worksheets are a great jumping-off point, however, they may present problems for children who cannot yet read, ELL students, and pupils who are visual or kinesthetic learners.

To avoid these road blocks, supplement the worksheet with art! Or, ask students to create a work of art alone. Colors, textures, photos and other visual representations allow you to see deep into a person's heart and mind, without the use of words. (And, it is effective @every grade level!)

REAL LIFE EXAMPLES:

In my "History of African American Women" course, at the University of North Texas, we were assigned a "Soul Project." We could paint, sculpt, write a poem, sing or dance. The objective was to represent ourselves in a manner not typical of the andro-centric/Euro-centric classroom. Inspired by my students at the Reggio Emilia preschool, I painted.  This was the FIRST canvass I ever had the guts to paint... at 23 years of age! (see above)

Tammy, the author of Daisy Yellow, asked her daughter to create an "All About Me" collage. I think this is a great way to get to know your elementary school students!

List Maker, List Maker, Make Me A List!

I am a list maker. I jot down the tasks I must accomplish during the day, grocery lists, and packing lists. I even compose lists of my ideas for Teach With heART! (SEE PIC ABOVE) 

I am currently reading a book about my obsession called, To Do List. This book by Sasha Cagen is a collection of lists that everyday people have written. At the bottom of each page, Ms. Cagen has included a fun "Do It Yourself List Idea."

I highly reccomend this book! It has made me realize that no matter how much you think other people have it together, they don't. We are all struggling to accomplish goals,and sometimes to simply make it through the day. And we all have our own, quirky little ways of organizing our world :)

What's Your Style?

Students Contribute

Your classroom should not only reflect your personality and style, it should incorporate your students' as well. What better way to do this, than including student artwork!? My favorite pieces to display are students' paintings, photographs and bead-work.

There is usually a great deal of free time during the first few days of school, as you are teaching your rules and getting to know your students. UTILIZE this gift! Give each of your students some manila paper, washable paints, a paintbrush and let them go.  You will love the new colors and textures they create! Once the paintings are dry, choose a few to hang in black frames with white mattes. They will look very classy, and the children will know that their input is valuable :)

Another way to include the talents of your pupils in creating your visual classroom aesthetic, is to create a "Family Photo Collage." Send a disposable camera and a letter to parents, at the beginning of the year. Ask each student to take a few  pictures of his/her family. (The important thing here is that the child operate the camera) When the cameras are returned to school, have the film developed and create your collage. I have used a "Family Tree," and attached the photos to a large paper tree. A friend of mine hung hers on a fishing net with clothes pins, when her room had a tropical motif.

*Having family photos in early childhood classrooms is especially comforting for children embarking on their first year at school. In addition, the photos will spark social studies lessons as children begin to compare and contrast their family dynamics. I LOVE emergent curriculum!

** A variation of this activity for middle school and high school students, would be to have them photograph their friends and favorite activities. Peer acceptance and finding one's self become important in adolescence.

Finally... beading!!!! Work with your students to create long strands of beads. You can hang these in the window as curtains, create dividers for your centers or hang them from the ceiling to add depth to your room.

*Not only are beads beautiful, they enhance eye-hand coordination and promote early math skills, as children develop their own patterns.

**Hanging beads in the window might also be a chance for emergent science lessons, as the sun shines through the beads and creates a rainbow on your floor!