Random Awesomeness

I do a portfolio review at the end of each 9 weeks. In doing so, sometimes I catch pictures that might have escaped me previously.  While grading this past 9 weeks I've been snapping some of my favorite works!!  GOSH I LOVE MY JOB!!!!!!!!!

SORRY..I KNOW I DIDN'T TAKE THE BEST PICS...WAS IN A HURRY TO SNAP & GRADE & TALK TO THE STUDENTS ABOUT THEIR WORK ALL AT THE SAME TIME!??! 

Topographical Map Paintings: 3rd Grade

Students looked at a variety of topographical maps, and we discussed their function.  We also looked at the aesthetic appeal of topographical maps, talked about how the elements and principles of art played into them "accidentally".

Students created their own imaginary topographical map...and I can imagine this turning into a fun unit about geography, land forms, landscapes, and fantasy!!! I'm not sure we'll be able to dive into it that much, but something to think about for next year!!!!

Mayor's Art Show Selections 2012

The Mayor's Art Show is an annual event at the Frist Center for the Visual Arts in downtown Nashville, TN.  We are allowed to select 2 pieces of art from each grade level.  Here are the selections for this year's show!

Overlapping Donuts - Kindergarten

Crayons & Glitter Glue

Cat with Fish Toay - Kindergarten

Collage

Dino & Design - 1st Grade

Sharpie & Watercolor

 Interior Space with Cat - 1st Grade

Watercolor & Sharpie

 Still Life- 2nd Grade

Colored Pencils

 Abstract Expressionism - 2nd Grade

Tempera Paint

 Under the Sea - 3rd Grade

Paper Weaving, Collagraph Print, Collage

Pacific Northwest Fish - 3rd Grade

Tempera Paint

Pepper - 4th Grade

Watercolor Pencil

Banana - 4th Grade

Watercolor Pencil

Out of This World Art - TGE Annual Art Show 2011

This is my 10th year at TGE...and 10th year for having the all school art show, but this is the 1st year they have ever put it on the reader board!!!!!!!!!!!!  I was excited!

So I walked around the driveway this morning during arrival & this afternoon during dismissal advertising the art show.  The parents & kids seemed to enjoy my silliness!

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The pictures that follow are not the greatest...I did not realize till I uploaded the photos.  I also did not take pictures of the WHOLE art show.  We have 25 classes, so this is just about half of the work that is in the show.  All that being said, I hope you enjoy a glimps of the TGE Art Show!!

Fun family pic...next year this time we'll have a 3 yr old & a 9 month old!!!

Art Show, Aliens, & An Odd Day!

WHAT AN ODD DAY!!!!  We are having a make-up day for one of our many snowdays, but today was suppose to be the start of spring break?!?  3 weeks ago they(the powers that be...whoever they are) decided that this would be how we'd make up one of our days.  Then they tell teachers...you need to be their and your students need to be there...no excuses.  Spring break trips are often planned at the beginning of the school year when the school calenders come out.  So as you can imagine, there are a ton of teachers & students across the district who did not come today.  I heard we have 140 students absent(out of 520).  My classes have been small...so we have been prepping some things for the upcoming art show(April 7th).  I decided to create a mother alien to go with my 2nd graders bottle aliens.  It will go in the main lobby of our school with all the baby aliens around it....holding a sign that says..."TAKE ME TO YOUR ART WORK". 

 I crack myself up!

The start of Mama Alien.

She's pretty cute!

 

MAMA!!!

 

Gosh I love my job!!!!!!!!!!

Your Thoughts/Ideas on Math/Reading in the Art Room

So, I have just made more work for myself. Why do I get myself into these things?!?!  My 1st year mentor is now "Executive Director of Instruction for Elementary Schools".  He is over the instructional coaches for our district(my wife is one of them)...among other things.  I've told him about my desire to be a coach for the elementary art teachers for our district(we have over 90 elementary art teachers).  Well he had a great idea...why don't I work up something to show the instructional coaches for our district on how math & reading/writing can be incorporated into the art room.  I have many things that I do, but would like to hear from you...my bloggie friends...on what you do in your classroom to go cross curricular.