In the house and watching it snow

Haven't had much to post lately.  We were on February vacation, it snowed way too often and I've been busy working on my readings for an online course through AOE.  I'm enrolled in Assessments in Art Education.  If you haven't checked out AOE classes you truly should.   They will work for Professional Development or can be taken for Graduate Credit.  I am feeling just as challenged with this course as I did while working on  a previously completed Master's degree and am particularly appreciating the opportunity to dialogue with other Art Teachers.  Too many of us work in a bubble, this is a terrific way to poke a hole into that bubble.  With that said, I promise to work on posting students projects again really soon but for now, just have patience with me and stay warm!

Connecting to the Common Core Training

Day 1 of the county wide training today at MCLA.  The highlight is always meeting with like-minded people with a common goal.  For our studio activity, we began to create a book.  Since our focus is connecting to ELA in the arts, a book seemed appropriate. Here is my little book.  I'm not sure how I will be filling it.   Ah, the possibilities!  The second photo is a great little cartoon I discovered in one of   the magazines.     I'll make a poster for my classroom out of this one!

"See Son, that's what happens when you
don't wash properly"

AOE Convention

WOW!   What a day.  So much information and new ideas and brain overload!   I am so inspired in so many ways.  I now know how to take those wonderful art videos off of you-tube and use them in the Art Room.  I have a full list of I-pad apps to explore and learn.  Thank goodness summer has only begun...I have so much to do!

AOE Convention tomorrow!

Starts tomorrow!  I'll be sitting by my computer to connect with presenters from the blogging and professional art world.  I can't wait!

Literacy in Art

I had the pleasure of attending a Professional Day at the Williams College Museum of Art yesterday where we viewed an exhibit on literacy integration into Art.  I always enjoy the opportunities at WCMA and walk out with something to incorporate into my teaching after every PD opportunity.  

With yesterday reflecting on my mind, I opened a blog post today from a fellow blogger at Teach Kids Art who has shared links to popular children's books that might be incorporated into lesson plans in the art room.  I am inspired to think more deeply about what I am already doing and how I might further incorporate literacy into my lessons.  I recently ordered a new book by Barney Salzberg "Andrew Drew and Drew" that will definitely be the delight of my Kindergarten classes.  I already share "Beautiful Opps" with them.  Check that one out as well if you are not familiar with it.  I try to begin every session with the Kindergarten classes with a children's book.  I don't necessarily use the book to create the lesson every time but it might some how connect.  

For instance, Kinders are currently learning about the circus and drawing animals using shapes.  I read the book "The Circus is Coming" by Hilary Knight before we begin drawing.  My focus is really on shapes and how they can combine in drawing but the circus is a great way to pull the students in prior to the drawing.  Most of my focus with Kindergarten is on the mechanics of tool use and shapes.  They learn to color "slow, slow, slow around the edges" so they obtain the mastery to stay in the lines and to visualize how every thing can be created if they can identify what shapes are used.  My purpose is to lay a foundation for less structured drawing in the later grades. 

 I hope to create an addition to this blog over the next few days/weeks showing my favorite books that I currently used in my teaching.  Check back, okay?!