In the Art Room: Sub Plans that aren't subpar

Despite the fact that it was nearly 20 years ago, my first year of art teacherin' is burned into my brain. I can see the inside of the trailer that was my first art room when I close my eyes (they referred to it as a "portable" but, y'all. I lived in a trailer. I know what the look like, okay?). Back in those days, when you needed a sub, you just scrawled some chicken scratch lesson plans onto a sheet of paper (uh...still do that, not even gonna lie), called somebody mid-run to the toilet and accessed the damage the following day. Oh, would you look at that, all my markers have been de-capped and left to dry out on the floor. Another day in post-subday paradise.

Thankfully, times have changed (uh, except for those chicken scratch notes). These days, I leave pre-recorded notes for my sub. The idea behind this is two-fold: MRS. STEPHENS IS WATCHING...ALWAYS WATCHING. And the kids keep on creating! Imagine that, no more "read a book, draw a picture" but fur realz, bonafide lesson plans. That educate! And allow the kids to create! All while you are either praying to the porcelain princess or on that dream cruise, I'm not gonna judge. 

So, in this here post, I thought I'd share with y'all my favorite pre-recorded sub plans that have worked swimmingly in my art room. Feel free to use, y'all! And enjoy that "sick" day...wink-wink, nudge-nudge.

Are y'all familiar with Kelsey Montague? In an effort to introduce my students to contemporary artists as well as the street art movement, I wanted them to "meet" Kelsey. Her murals tie in so nicely with our kindness theme this year as they are titled "What Lifts You". I have this dream of my students creating several street murals throughout our school and this one they will start without me. I'll be sure to share the end result soon...but in the meantime, it makes for a super simple and fun sub plan!

This fun lesson was a quickie as I was only out for a pinch. But it kept the kids creating, using those elements of art and making adorable Love Monsters!

Just because you aren't there doesn't mean the masterpiece making can't go on! Last winter I had to miss several days of school due to jury duty. Thankfully, the show went on and the kids created the pieces to this beauty! 

By the way, you might be wondering just exactly how I get these videos to my sub. I've gone about it a couple of ways. I've used ClipGrab to save videos from my YouTube to my computer and left my computer for the sub. I've also sent my videos to myself via GoogleDrive or Dropbox. This works if you know you are going to be absent. However, if it is unexpected then having videos saved onto your computer, with supplies prepared, is your best bet.

Jury duty is no foolin, y'all. And just like most grown up stuff, it can take lot of time away from what you enjoy. Creating these sub plans for the kids made the whole experience less painful.

Everybody is a Star was such a fun sub plan! Going to the NAEA convention was a thrill for me...and knowing that the kids were still creating marvelous masterpieces for our art show really gave me peace of mind. 

I even think this lesson that I kicked off the school year with would make a fabulous sub lesson! You can find the blog post here and the finished mural here. 

So! Take that day of rest and be rest assured that your kiddos are still creating. Feel free to use these videos and lessons in your art room. Would love to hear your fabulous sub plans, friends! Tell me all about 'em in the comments.

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In the Art Room: Super Star Sub Plans and my NAEA Presentations

Hello, friends! I've been packing and preparing for my upcoming trip to Chicago for NAEA and I'm so excited. While I do love me some art teacherin' conferencing, I don't love the multi-day sub plan preppin' it entails. The subs I've lined up are super-fab and I know they will have fun creating with the kids. However, they aren't art teachers by trade so I do like to have sub plans that are not only easy for them to follow but ones they can do with all my classes. This means less confusion for them and less supply prep for me! I think I've come up with a plan and I thought I'd share it with y'all in case you wanna use it too.

It's an autobiographical three-dimensional star! Our school-wide art show is coming up and I love to have the kids do a little writing about themselves. What better way to let their star's shine than with this fun project? 

I mean, check out that three-dimensional star, y'all! I created both a sub video AND a photographed step-by-step. This way, if technology-town decides to be uncooperative, my sub-o can use the visuals. I'm printing each of the following photos with directions and plan to have them posted for both the students and the sub to refer to. But, before I get to all that...LET'S TALK ABOUT NAEA 2016! 

I'll be presenting a handful of times and meeting y'all at the AOE "Meet the Bloggers" event! Here are the deets...

* "Come Blog with Us - Three Art Ed Bloggers Share Tips" 
Thursday, March 17th // 12 - 12:50pm
McCormick Place, North Building, N426c, Level 4
A presentation I'll be doing with some of my fave bloggy friends, Laura Lohmann and Phyllis Brown! Thursday, March 17th // 12 - 12:50 // McCormick Place, North Building, N426c, Level 4

* "Dress Like a Masterpiece: Needle Felting Wearable Art!"
Thursday, March 17th // 1:30 - 3:20pm
McCormick Place, Lakeside Center, E272b, Leve 2
PLEASE NOTE: This is a ticketed event. It is currently sold out. Sorry, buddies! 

* "Leaving a Legacy Without Losing Your Mind"
Friday, March 18th // 8- 8:50am 
McCormick Place, North Building, N227a, Level 2
I'm so excited to present with Janine about something we are both passionate about: school-wide collaboratives! For some reason, NAEA has me listed as Cassandra Stephens (which, technically, is my name but I ain't fancy so I never use it!). 

* "Meet Your Fave Art Teacherin' Bloggers!"
I'm super excited to meet y'all and my fave art bloggers! Here are the deets in a super cute graphic that I didn't create (thanks, Alecia and AOE!)...

I'm seriously cannot wait to see/meet/chat/high five all y'all! But until then, let's sort out these subbie plans, shall we? Below is the video I am leaving with the sub. I don't anticipate that she'll get thru the entire lesson while I'm away. However, this will be a super great way for me to ease back into things, what with the kids all working on the same project. I like a mellow-comeback after being gone for a spell, don't you?

Here's a wee list of supplies used in this here art makerin':

* Copy paper cut to a square 8.5" X 8.5"
* Sharpies
* Markers
* 12" X 12" black construction paper
* Metallic markers 
* Glue
* Chalk

This project was inspired by my current obsession with Sly and the Family Stone and the song Everybody is a Star. Take a look-see!

And here's my sub plan video! (By the way, in case this sub plan doesn't suit your fancy, check this one. Also, I'm always sharing video'ed plans here so you might wanna subscribe). Sidenote: I am going to have my sub create a stockpile of these stars for my kindergarten friends and for any kids who have a hard time following the directions. We don't wanna leave any artist behind!

(Please ignore the crazy image...and the fact that I have blue chalk smeared on my cheek for about 1/8th of the video). In case the video isn't the best format for y'all, I also snapped step-by-step photos because I'm such a giver. Here you go!

1. Fold copy paper square in half. 

2. Be sure to press the fold down firmly. 

3. Each corner has been labeled (my apologies for the blurry photo). 

4. Take corner C and bring it to the middle of the line segment between corners A and D. 

It should look like this. Press the fold firmly. 

 5. Then bring D up and fold a small triangle. 

Press firmly.

 It should look like this!

 6. Now bring the left hand side over to the right. 

It might be difficult to fold all of those papers. Be patient with yourself and your paper!

 It should look like this. 

 7. Now, using a pencil, put a dot in the corner of the two angle lines on the left side...

and another dot on the other side just a little below the middle of that line segment. 

 Like this!

 8. Connect the dots with a cut line and...

Snip!

 9. Open it up and you are now the proud owner of a three dimensional star! Congratulations!

10. Now, using a Sharpie, start in the middle of your star and trace each creased line that you made with all of that folding. 

You'll end up with ten sections to your star. Each section you can decorate with a different pattern and design.

 Here are some ideas for you!

 11. Draw your designs in each section. 

12. Use markers to add color. 

13. Once you are finished, place your star in the middle of a piece of black paper and trace it. 

 Your pencil lines will be barely visible and that's perfect!

14. Let's write about what makes us a star! As you write, be sure to hop over the outline of the star. You might want to begin each sentence with "I am a star because..."

 Fill up that whole page!

15. To get your star to pop out, all you have to do is fold along the long lines of the star. 

The long lines of the star should be folded up (that's called a mountain fold) and the short lines of the star should be folded down (that's called a valley fold!). 

16. Add a tiny dot of glue to each tip of the star. 

17. Press each tip of the star and hold for about 10 seconds to get it to stick. 

18. Use chalk to color on your pencil line of the star. 

 Which should look a little like this when you are done. 

19. Use your finger to push the chalk away from the star. 

20. Let's do the same thing to the outside edge of the square! Color... 

Then smear and viola! You are finished and YOU are a STAR!

Art teacherin' friends, I do hope to see y'all real soon! PLEASE feel free to use this lesson. I'd love to see what your kids create. You can always snap a pic and share it on instagram (you can find me here) with the hashtag #everybodyisastar. 

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