Kirigami Art

My 5th grade students just learned all about the differences between Kirigami & Origami 

This was a lesson I found on another art blog I follow. I really like how they turned out. I think my big kiddos enjoyed the fact that I busted out the glitter just for them! :) 

DIY-Valentine Gift Crayons

I have been waiting MONTHS to try this pin out--

a pin I saw on Pinterest during the summer!

I am a huge advocate of RECYLCING esp. when it comes to art. My school loves me for it, and I have taught my students to view things in a different light. They are constantly bringing me things they think they can make art stuff out of!

I had been saving crayons that were getting down to the nubs, and this is what I did with them!

The original pin said to bake them at 230 Degrees for 15 minutes. I baked mine at 240 degrees and for 20 minutes. I think the time will vary on your stove and such! 

I plan on giving these to the staff at my school in their mail boxes as a V day Gift--a way of saying thanks for all the donations they have given me to help keep making our art project better and better! 

Helpful word of advice:

DON'T use your one and only good butcher knife on cutting your crayons up! It WILL DULL the blade! just a heads up! Our knife was dull as it was, so it wasn't a loss for me! 

Don't forget to link up with the lovely Michelle over at Vintage Apple! 

Current Stats

A blogger a week or two ago asked me how many "hits" my ring link up got (page views)

I decided to check out my stats page to see if my Ring Bling linkup beat out my all time page views on other former posts.

Eh. Not even close.

What are your surprise top hits for posts you have written on your blog? Were you as shocked as I was?

Artsy Fartsy Artwork

It's been a busy 2 weeks since returning from X mas break! I've had my students buried in finishing up their art projects!

This is my Valentines Day Box! First grade teachers asked me if I would help their little ones create a box for their big Valentine exchange. SWOON. One of my favorite holidays as a child! Who didn't LOVE getting those paper valentines with a message from all your classmates!?!?!

First grade also recently learned about Laurel Burch. She's a great artist and a lot of art teachers more and more seem to be resorting to her for ideas/lessons about CATS!!! 

4th Grade 

My 4th graders I am so proud of! I haven't taught this lesson since I taught it 6 years ago in Yuma, AZ! 

Students (esp the boys) really enjoy this lesson. It's very hands on and of course made out of RECYCLED soda cans!!!

We also used: Brads, Colored Sharpies, Tin Foil (Aluminum Foil) and Hot glue

3rd grade finally finished their Babushka Dolls! They turned out SO CUTE! They all can recite to you if asked what it means, what country they learned about, and how many dolls (true nesting dolls) are suppose to have! 

This last project is from my After School Art kiddos. It's their first week back for the second art semester. I lost eight kids and gained eight new ones, so we did a getting to know you project! :) 

My Castle example for 6th grade--completed! 

Some of the finished castles!

It was surprisingly a hit for both the boys and the girls. Most were happy to even touch clay, as they have told me over and over that when they were in 5th grade (last year) their art teacher last year didn't let them make anything in clay since they were really naughty. 

Clay castles

Water color paints

Skewers for Flags

Glitter

Hot Glue