Holiday Workshop

Hey there!!  It's been a very busy last month!!  Right before Thanksgiving I went to San Antonio for the Texas Art Education Association Convention.  I had a great time and learned lots of new things to start teaching in January, so stay tuned!

 We finished up class projects to make way for holiday decorations....third grade is finishing up on some Picasso/Cubism-inspired artworks that they started back before the Holiday Play rehearsals began. Here are some of them from today's class.  Above are some first grade students painting on their ceramic ornaments!  So lovely and so much fun!

Here are a few of the plaster masks made by 5th grade--the subject could be anything. The lesson usually involves us sharing ideas, as well as looking at some actual Day of the Dead Masks from Mexico.  Enjoy!

Here are some photos of some of Mr. Caro's students creating their pinchpot pumpkins from clay.  They just took them home yesterday!!

Here are some of the completed pumpkins with paint and orange glitter glue.

Finally, here's a picture of the completed space capsule/time capsule that we used for our dedication of the new Ridgecrest.  Finally got that ribbon with its fancy sealing wax on tosafekeep all the mementos inside!  Now it's back on display in the glass case to the right of the 5th grade stair case.

October!

It's my favorite time of year!  Fifth Grade is finishing up their fantasy masks. Here is a photo of the finished space capsule. 

After 11 Tools Reflection

I think that Photostory is my favorite tool because it will be a way to show students what is out there in the (art) world. I look forward to making a "sights of Houston" and an Art Car anthology Photostory to share with students.

I think that learning in my art room will become more technologically visual as a result of completing 11 tools.

I am surprised that after such a bumpy start that I actually liked the later tools. I like the idea of having the 11 tools as a resource for when I need to refer to them. I also think I will use several of the tools more than I thought I would.

tool #11

Etiquette is important on the internet and especially in real life. This is something I address on a pretty regular basis, or maybe it just seems that way. So important in a room with so many tempting things to touch.

I would address the dangers of sharing too much personal information as well for all forms of communication.

The importance of not believing everything that is on the Internet is important, as well as the way citing sources and not plagiarizing work, are other topics to discuss as the need arises.

As with other subjects of importance, repetition and stating an idea many different ways is key to teaching these important concepts.

tool #10

I have my own I-pod touch that I use for personal use. We currently do not have them available in our classrooms but I researched some of the apps so that when we do get them I will already be ahead. The ones that I really liked were My Coloring Book and Toddler Counting. These would be good to use with the little ones.
Hopefully the district will see how useful these have been in the other classrooms and they will be able to get some for the Art teachers. I wonder what others think?