Art Teacherin' 101: Episode 25

Y'all can tell it's the craziest time of the year when I start multi-tasking my blog posts. Allow me to introduce to you the first ever (and hopefully the last) What the Art Teacher Wore/Art Teacherin' 101/All Sorts of Other Stuff blog post! Yay! It's kinda like when your mama has too many small portion leftovers and decides that throwin' them all into a pot, heatin' 'em up and callin' it Goulash is making dinner. Welcome to my Bloggy Goulash. Grab your Tums. 

First order of business I want to share with y'all is that Other Stuff...I'll now be sharing one-minute videos on my Instagram, Monday through Friday! 

Be sure to follow me on Instagram to keep up with this new adventure. To join me during our Facebook Live chat, follow me here. And if you miss a video, all of them will be archived on my YouTube channel. 

I decided to do this because I remember what it was like my very first year teaching, in a portable (aka a trailer), isolated from the other teachers and definitely out of touch with other art teachers. I had so many questions! Now that I have almost 20 years under my sparkly belt, I thought I'd give back what I have learned (and am still learning!) along the way. If there are ANY questions you have for me, please feel free to leave them in the comments or shoot me an email (my address is to the right of this post). I'd love to hear any feedback about this new adventure, y'all! 

Now, on to this week's Art Teacherin' 101...LETTING GO OF NEGATIVITY.

I know I've been sharing with you recently my feelings of stress and how I'm attempting to address it. This week things really hit the proverbial fan with an art show added to the mix. Don't get me wrong, working with Artome was A DREAM (blog post to come, y'all!). However, I was on the receiving end of some not super polite comments from colleagues and, I gotta say, I really allowed that to darken my day. 

This was compounded with some other things that have happened recently. I discovered an entire conversation about me that was happening in a private art teachers group and let's just say there were some very personal and unpleasant words spoken about me. That really wore me out. Unfortunately, I have the habit of allowing negativity to play on loop in my head. Shoot, the words typed out in this email from many moons ago by a fellow art teacher still ring in my ears: It appears your priorities of late are to make a costume a day and write your blog. That is fantastic and shows what a dynamic artist you are, but it leads me to ask, "Do you have time to be a FSSD Art teacher and honor those obligations?"

So all that to say, we are ALL going through stuff. Everyone's got negativity to deal with. The best we can do is try our hardest to let it go. The black balloon visual works really well for me. Another thing we can do is NOT BE A BLACK BALLOON. Remember what your mama taught you: if you've not got anything nice to say then shut it. 

It's also good to know that you aren't alone. Keep that in mind when things start to wear you down. This time of year, everyone is tired and irritable. Just keep your head in the art teacherin' game and focus on the little artists who make you happy. Speaking of, I love these snowfolks created in one day by my firsties!

A good cry always helps. Mine have been coming in waves, sometimes out of no where. Just go with it. You'll feel so much better, I promise!

Retail therapy always helps me...which is why I hit the thrift store so often, it's guilt free!

Seriously, y'all, happy holidays. Stay positive, let go of that negativity and know that you aren't alone. Love y'all! 

In the Art Room: Elf on a Shelf

Every since the ole Elf on the Shelf hit the market, I wanted one in my art room. I love the idea of bringing magic into my kids' lives even if they don't celebrate the holidays...we can all believe in magic, right? I never really knew just how I would make it happen and I really didn't wanna splurge on that expensive book/doll set I'd seen at the big box stores. But this Thanksgiving, when I was at Michael's, I saw they had a colorful elf (and a wee elf door!) for 70% off and I scooped it up. I have a habit of over-thinking things and then not following through. With this elf, I really had no idea what I was going to do, how the kids were going to respond but just decided to go for it. Y'all...I'm so glad I did! 

Every since the first day Esmerelda appeared (by yarn bombing the entrance of my art room, making all of my classes crawl under the mess), the kids have been super stoked. They stop me every day to ask what she's been up to, they peak in my room at every chance, they leave notes and drawings for her outside of her door. I teach kindergarten through fourth grade and EVERY child is all in with this elf. I've never seen anything like it.

However, there are always the nay-sayers. Last week, when a third grade student claimed he didn't believe, another child spoke up. "You should set up a security camera, Mrs. Stephens. That would prove that she's real."

At first I scoffed at the idea. I ain't got time for that! When I shared the conversation with my husband, he was like, "No. You HAVE to do it!" We chatted about the scenario and even what music should accompany the video. I filmed and edited last night and I'm excited to share a preview with y'all. Here you go!

I cannot wait until Monday to share this with the kids. I really think they are gonna freak! My plan is to hide paper elves all over the art room and allow my best behaved tables to go on the hunt (it's THAT time of year where we need a little extra incentive to make good choices). Only a few of the elves will have a green hat which will get the kids a special surprise from Esmerelda. Oh, y'all. It's gonna be a fun week!

 One reason I'd never done an elf before was because I wasn't sure how to do it and if I'd have the time. Let's face it, this is the busiest time of the year. Here's how I do it: every morning, I come in and slap together the most insane mishap in less than 5 minutes as that's all the time I have. I do something different everyday because the kids ask EVERY DAY what she's been up to. Not only that but I do see some classes from one day to the next. 

The best part of having an elf is that you can be messy! I'm leaving up her holiday decor as I feel it embodies my life right now. 

 An incentive for a kindergarten class? If you behave, Esmerelda will let you have one of her special snowballs. 

I'll keep you posted on Esmerelda and her adventures! Stay tuned to the reaction to the video, that should be super fun. Love to hear if you have an elf on the shelf or any other magic happening in your art room!

In the Art Room: Fourth Grade Faux Stained Glass

Hey, y'all! Today I saw a couple of fourth grade classes for their second day working on their Faux Stained Glass Winter Scene project. I was so impressed with their beautiful work that I thought I would share and let you take a peak at how these 12" X 18" beauties are turning out. In case you missed the demo video, here it is:

On our first day, we sketched out our ideas, enlarged our favorite onto our 12" X 18" piece of paper and drew the lines in either black glue or puffy paint. I decided to change the size of the artwork to better accommodate frames. I have had parents tell me that when we do odd shaped artwork, it is difficult for them to frame. I really love the idea of them framing their child's work so of course I'm going to make some changes to have that happen!

Today we watched the second half of the video and dove right into chalkin' it up. I stressed the following: no more than three colors per shape; colors had to be analogous; keep your fingers clean by washing and drying regularly. 

 About 1/3 of the kids finished today, some used glue today (because they were absent last time) and others are still in the middle of creating. Yay! That should be real fun to coordinate all those finishers/almost finishers/no where near finisheders. Such is art teacherin' life. I plan to provide some open ended projects for those wrapping things up as that will be our last class before break. 

 This project was inspired by the success of this third grade project!

One of the half dozen freshly-glued designs from today. We dry these on our messy mats on the floor. I found that placing them on the tilted drying racks causes the glue to run.

The partially finished pieces really stole my heart. These kids were serious about taking their time and doing their best. I love this Hershey Kiss tree!

 This one is really so stained-glass-esque.

 This artist got a big warm hug from me. So stunning!

And this artist, ah! I was so concerned when I saw his glued design as I thought, that is gonna take him forever! I was worried that he wouldn't have the patience to fill it in the best he could but he really is rockin' it!

And this one says Paul Klee to me! 

Please feel free to give this project a go in your art room! I'd love to see the results if you do.

What the Art Teacher Wore #170

Most Wonderful Time of the Year Monday: Y'all know I am the proud owner of just a coupla outfits, right? Well, when it comes to Christmas, I have to clear out a portion of my closet just to make room for all of my holiday-wears. I ain't proud...I'm just sayin'. sweater: DIY, made by me many moons ago; scarf, skirt and blouse: vintage, thrifted; boots: Frye, paint splatters accidental; tights: Target; belt: Pinup Girl Clothing

Well, hey there, hot stuff! Long time, no What the Art Teacher Wore. Like, seriously, long time. In fact, I just checked, the last one was mid-August right before school was really rollin' and I lost all control of my time. Things are always the craziest this time of year and, lately, I have been really feeling it. So much so that Monday I had the pleasure of experiencing my first panic attack...at least I think that is what that overwhelming sense of stress, ear-ringing and quickness of breath was indicating. In an effort to slow things down a pinch, I delivered my first "no" this week to an art teacherin' bunch I wouldn't normally say that to. However, my state of mind couldn't handle the thought of one more thing on my plate. So even though I hated to say "no"...I really did feel much better afterwards.

But boo! We're not hear to listen to me moan and groan! I decided to bring back What the Art Teacher Wore this month because, well, I do love to dress Christmas-y. Halloween and Christmas are my fave times of year and my wardrobe would most certainly agree. I cleared out a large portion of my closet recently to make room for all of my holiday clothes. If you follow me here, you've seen several of these snaps already. I thought I'd also share what's goin' down in the art room this week, the most exciting being Esmerelda the Elf! Anyone else have an Elf in their art room? Y'all, it has been so much fun and really sparked the kids' imaginations. 

I hope y'all have a fabulous week! 

 Second grade weaving is one of my favorite projects! The kids love it and now that these are all warped, they are really gonna love the weaving process. We are ready to roll next week! If you've never done this project with your students, it's perfect for those in second grade and up. You can see the lesson on that here (great visuals to print out and provide your students) and video tutorial here. 

Rockin' and Rollin' Tuesday: Next week, we have our musical performance/art show/book fair because at our school, we are all about DOIN' EVERYTHING ALL AT ONCE! I'm so excited, our kids our so stinkin' talented. sweater and tights: Target; skirt: DIY, more here; blouse, scarf and pin: thrifted

 When I see my third graders, I see two classes at once for an hour. This particular group is ahead of the rest so to slow them down a pinch, I decided to have them work on a new mural to be featured outside of the art room: a James Rizzi-inspired funky town! I can't wait to see these funny buildings lining the halls to the art room. More details on this lesson soon. 

Merry Kitschmas! Wednesday: So I've been weeding out my closet and I'm slowly saying goodbye to clothing that is not vintage or made by me. What I'm left with are some fun outfits that make me so happy to wear like this plaid dress in Christmas colors I picked up in a resale shop. dress: vintage

 Last year, my sweet kindergarten teacher friend Heather had an Elf on a Shelf and I thought it looked like so much fun. Lo and behold, wouldn't you know that on Wednesday, December 1st a wee little door appeared outside my art room. Upon entering, the kids and I discovered that an Elf had strung yarn all over the entrance of my art room! We had to do the limbo just to get around the strings (because touching it might chance Esmerelda losing her powers!). The kids are IN LOVE with this little art room elf of ours. Our elf is considered to be magical (much like fairies) and doesn't just celebrate one winter holiday but many! I've hesitated in mentioning that she's watching for good behavior after one first grade class refused to take their eyes off her! "She's watching us, guys! I just saw her blink!"

Tree Skirt to Lady Skirt Thursday: Every year for the last several, I've managed to make a tree skirt into a lady skirt. It's like my fave thing ever. I'm on the hunt for this year's skirt! tights: Amazon; shoes: Converse, Marshall's years ago; top and suspenders: thrifted; skirt: made by me! See my tree skirts here, here, here and here!

 Not even gonna lie, I'm a little jelly of all the attention that Esmerelda is getting: notes, gifts and drawings. Like whut?! How this wee elf more popular than me? 

Trees from the Ceiling Friday: Obviously Esmerelda doesn't care about fire codes (ahem) -- look at those trees she hung from the ceiling! We talked about the celebrations that happen during winter all of the world after 'Melda reminded us of several with her message. I'm loving having this Elf, y'all! Love to hear if you have an Elf in your room as well. tacky sweater: made by me, more here; dress: made by me, deets here; boots: Frye

In the Art Room: Sound Effects!

Hey, kids! In lieu of Art Teacherin' 101, I'm hanging out with The Art of Ed this week talking about how I love me some sound effects in the art room. I actually have a slight sound effects addiction (yes, that is a thing and no, I've not been to my last coupla meetings). The Dollar Tree is one of my fave places to find fun stuff like that hand clapper and a service bell, to name a few. Here's more:

So, yeah, funny story about how I acquired the gong: I was at a musical instrument store with Mitch (the hubs) and I remarked how much I dug the gong. I vaguely remember saying, "I need one of these for my art room!" Fast forward to our 10 year wedding present and THIS was gifted to me, "wrapped" with a sheet thrown over it. The kids LOVE this thing! I'll occasionally get the overzealous kid who hits the gong hard, gives us all a fright and has us falling out of our chairs in laughter. For the most part, it's got a great calming effect. Now, if only I could get the kids to remember that it is a GONG not a DONG or a BONG, that would be fabulous (that time my principal walked in and a kid was shouting across the room to the gong-hitter, "HIT THE BONG! IT'S TIME TO HIT THE BONG!" was not my finest hour).

One thing I use multiple times daily is that energy chime. Shameless-husband-plug: these are handmade in Nashville (and signed by the artist) by my husband's company Treeworks Chimes! You can find them for under $12 and you won't regret it. Mine is covered in paint and well-loved. 

I love these little red guy. I've seen these guys at shops like Old Navy, Target and Kolh's...but if you need one in a pinch, there is always this place. I mentioned us playing this during the Smartest Artist which is a favorite wrap-up game for my kids. 

In other news, I'll be apart of The Art of Ed's Winter 2017 conference! I'm sharing my tips and tricks on making fun video content for your art rooms (trust me, it's easier than you think. I can't even open my email but I can make a video...so there's that). Here's a better description of my chat: 

Recording Instructional Videos with Personality and Flair

Creating filmed lessons for your students is a wonderful way to insure that each of your classes receive the same quality instruction every time. But what if you want to take those videos one step beyond instruction and make them fun and entertaining for you students to view? In this presentation, I’ll share with you how to film and edit videos that will have your students learning, laughing and excited to create. You’ll even find out how to rope your coworkers into the art teacherin’ film makin’ mix. AND, action!

Until the end of this month, use the code SAVE10WITHCASSIE to save 10%! With that savings, you can go invest in some fun sound effects, right?