Recycling for the Kids during Spring Break!

A few (82 to be exact) recycled marker caps, two markers and 12' of rope and I've got a great gift for the kids for use at recess.  This jump rope was created by stringing on the marker caps with the addition of two marker bodies to create handles.  Students have been tying together two smaller jump ropes for group jumping.   As I watched them jumping, I knew just what I would be doing during spring break.  I just wish I had brought home more dead markers so I could have strung together two.  I started by taping the caps side by side in a row using wide masking tape and then wedged them as a group into my clamp.  They drilled out fairly quickly and easily using a drill bit that was slightly larger than the nylon rope that I already had; left over from another project.  I could have taken the time to create a pattern but chose to just add the caps on in a random fashion.  By removing the end plug of the marker body, I was able to string one on each end and hide the knot inside of what would now become the handle.  I put the end plug back into place once the knot was securely tied.  Melting the end of the nylon rope insures that the knot will not become loosened.  I'm looking forward to having the 3rd graders give it a test run on Monday!

Classroom Hacks

I had a blast presenting at the Massachusetts Fall Conference yesterday.  We were assigned the 9 am slot which was great, got over the nervous butterflies first thing in the morning and was able to enjoy the rest of the day.  I can't believe I didn't think to take a single picture of our set up.  The tables looked great, if I do say so myself, and it would have been a great way to share with you all.  But I never took my iPad out.  For this morning, before I head back out to the conference, I will share one of my hacks with you.  I have had weaving on the brain this fall.  I think it is because I have been researching floor looms and especially the Friendly Loom to purchase for my classroom.  I like the idea of the Popsicle stick looms that you see on Pinterest but I wanted to make something a bit larger.  I must have been mulling it over in my sleep because I woke up last weekend with the idea to make the old Popsicle loom but using paint stirrers. 

I used 6 stirrers with two on each side to reinforce the rectangular shape.  Warp your loom with an odd number and start to weave!  The needle was cut out of the lid of a plastic container, no chance of someone getting stabbed and they won't break.  Happy weaving everyone; I can't wait to do this with my kiddos in the Art Club in a few weeks.

Massachusetts Fall Conference

Impressionist style art by a 5th grade student

For the first time ever, I will be presenting along with a colleague, at our states fall conference next weekend.  I have done this type of thing before, just not in my art world.  Needless to say, I have put a lot of thought and hours into preparing for next Saturday morning.  Our theme is Classroom Hacks.  At first, I felt a little stumped with what I could bring to our presentation.  I wasn't sure I really did anything that would qualify as a classroom hack.  Not to mention the added fact that I am an avid Pinterest follower so I was concerned about presenting ideas that everyone has already seen because the market is so saturated.  I began first by making myself a list.  What exacting did I do that might be worthy of sharing with other people and also have a bit of originality to it?  I began incorporating some Reggio methods to my Kindergarten curriculum this fall and had attempted to create stations with little to no out of pocket expense so that seemed like a good place to start.  Before I have ventured very far, I had filled a full paper with ideas of methods I use in my classroom that I could consider hacks.  I realized that many of my ideas had come initially from Pinterest but, as is usual for me, I had taken them in other directions to make them work more effectively for my personal needs.  So, I guess I am ready.  Since some of you just might be in my session next week, I won't let any of the hacks leak right now but I will share with your after next weekend.  If you haven't signed  up for the Massachusetts Fall Conference, I think you still have a day or two left to sign up and join us.  I hope to see some of you in North Adams this weekend.  You will have access to Mass MOCA, The Clark Art Museum, William's College Art Museum and Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts.   Be sure to say "HI" if we cross paths.  See you there!!!!