Easel Elementary

Just a little background information for all: I taught reading, math and science (among other subjects) to kindergarten through fifth grade for 31 years.  My dream job of being an art teacher came through four years ago.  So if you are good at math you can figure out that I have been teaching for 35 years.   31+4=35.  We can turn that into a word problem but I am here to focus on merging math, reading and science with art.  A lesson I taught a FAEA Conference this year focused on merging math with art.  The math standards covered are lines, angles, measurement and radial symmetry. Art standards: line, value, radial symmetry, complimentary color and blending. Optical Illusions: Day 1 & 2  MATERIALS White paper (measure and cut into a square) 5" x 5" works the best. pencil ruler black sharpie or black marker color markers Finished optical illusion using only black and white HINT: if you place your pencil where your first two lines intersect and then

Art Lessons There are many things you can do at home that don't require a lot of supplies.  We all buy food coloring and rarely use all of it.                                                                Recycled Art *New Crayon Creations: If you have old broken pieces of crayons you can make mixed crayons. Materials: crayons, muffin tin, sunshine Peal crayons and fill muffin tins with crayon pieces.  You can line muffin tins with cupcake liners.  Leave out in the sun and in an hour or so the crayons will melt. Move indoors and let cool.  You now have new crayons. *Water Bottle ideas Color water bottle with permanent markers to create a fish. Use the bottom of a water bottle or soda bottle to make prints.  The bottoms dipped into paint create pretty flowers. Go outside and draw your neighborhood. Make cards. Get out the side walk chalk and decorate for spring. Sunshine is a great for your health. Stuck inside: Go onto Viewpure.com ( This site cuts the commercia

Wednesday, June 26 Starry, starry night. Paint your palette blue and grey, Look out on a summers day... I looked forward to this exhibit more than anything else.  I don't know when my love for Van Gogh began but after seeing this exhibit I feel an new found respect for him not only as an artist but as someone who encouraged and supported other artists.  I can't even put into words the scope of his talent.  The graphite pencil drawings and watercolor pictures, so detailed and full of expression.  The way he captured light and moments.  I wonder what his photographs would have looked like had he been behind the lens.   I am going to let a few of the photographs of his work speak for themselves. Graphite pencil: The details, the light... Sunflowers I might have shed a few tears in front of this painting. Pair of boots:  Self portrait Van Gogh's Chair

I am taking a break from writing about my awesome trip to London this summer to explain how I recycle in the art room. Recycling in the art room is more than just saving those scraps of paper or bits of yarn.  I recycle some items to make life in the art room a little easier and on a limited budget it saves money.                                                         My top 5 recycling ideas: 1. Cardboard drink carriers : We all know how when kids are using watercolor paints, someone no matter the grade spills their water container.  I have pretty much solved this problem by using drink carriers and yogurt containers. The drink carrier holds 4 cups/yogurt containers.  The Yoplait fit in there snugly.  I lay the paint trays in the middle with the brushes. It's organized and clean up is easy. 2. Plastic Creamer Containers: (liquid) (Coffemate or those similar) I use the extra large ones to fill with water and the kids can pour it into the yogurt containers when we are waterco

Thursday: June 27                        The Albert and Victoria Museum Hallway in the V&A Off we went to the Albert and Victoria Museum, where a love shared by the queen and her prince would change British culture forever.  They believed that the public, no matter your stature in society, your wealth or education should be able to experience art.  Victoria and Albert were both artists and collectors.  The "Cast" Room Sapphire crown of Queen Victoria Courtyard at the V&A It has a wading pool with fountains . Cast of David, originally they had a leaf covering part of David's anatomy but Queen Victoria had it removed to stay to true to the original sculpture. More of the "Cast" room Panoramic view of one side of the "Cast" room. Pieces from Queen Victoria and Prince Albert collection. I want this sapphire necklace. A cool pin for all the dog lovers out there. Loved

June 22- June 25 London and the surrounding shires or towns have so much to offer outside the museums.  When not in class at the museums we were free to travel . One of our adventures was mastering the London Tube. There are these different lines, you had to pay attention to make sure you were on the right platform and that you got on the correct tube since several tubes came through but went in different directions. Kings Cross was a huge station, you could shop, eat, and get lost as to which direction you should go.  By the end of the week we pretty much figured out whether we needed to be on a District line or Circle line. It was most definitely the best way to travel. If you go to London, download the Tube app. you can plan your route, and it gives you cost options as well.  But be sure to "mind the gap" when exiting the tube. Tube information   In Bath we ventured away from the Roman Baths and walked the streets where we heard beautiful music from street mus