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A Heart for Moms…. or Anyone!
Hearts, flowers, and a handmade touch are things that come to mind when I think of a gift for Mother’s Day. So why not combine all three to show some love to a mom…. your own or another special mom in...
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Sunset Cityscapes
The examples in this post were done by 1st graders, but older kids will enjoy this, too. “No Rulers Allowed!”…. if you want results that are charming and almost “Seuss-like”! For a typical class that...
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2 NEW Tips for Using Prang Watercolor Sets in Your Classroom
For decades, the Prang OVL-8 Watercolor Set has been a staple in elementary classrooms far and wide. Their convenience, consistent quality and affordable price is hard to beat. A while back I posted 6...
View Article6 Tips for Watercolor Success with Kids
Watercolor is a great medium for kids! It’s affordable, mixes well, cleans up quickly, and (usually) doesn’t stain clothing. Here are six tips to help you and your younger students find success when...
View ArticleHow to Ruin a Paintbrush in One Simple Step
Watercolor or tempera paint in cake form offers lots of advantages for elementary students. But this kind of paint can also be hard on brushes! When younger students are used to painting with liquid...
View ArticleIllustrations with Surrealism
What better way to celebrate April Fool’s Day than with an image of Salvadore Dali caught in the act of pulling a prank??! Surrealism is a cultural, artistic, and literary movement which began in the...
View ArticleArt for the Differently-abled
I wasn’t looking for a new teaching position when I got the phone call last spring to “just let me show you our facility”. The call was from the director of the Stroke and Disability Learning Center at...
View ArticleHow to Care for Your Art Room Brushes
Let’s face it, art room brushes take a beating. But don’t throw them away – rejuvenate them instead! I used to think “The Masters” Brush Cleaner and Preserver was only for my expensive art brushes at...
View ArticleThe Great Tertiary Color Debate
The internet…. that great supplier of information at your fingertips, making it fast and easy to find answers and share them with the world! But what if those answers being shared are incorrect??...
View ArticleHearts and Grit
Four years ago, I wrote a blog post about Hazel McNab, a woman who challenged herself to design a heart to go with an inspiring quote every day for a year. She held herself accountable by posting her...
View ArticleA Heart for Moms…. or Anyone!
Hearts, flowers, and a handmade touch are things that come to mind when I think of a gift for Mother’s Day. So why not combine all three to show some love to a mom…. your own or another special mom in...
View ArticleSunset Cityscapes
The examples in this post were done by 1st graders, but older kids will enjoy this, too. “No Rulers Allowed!”…. if you want results that are charming and almost “Seuss-like”! For a typical class that...
View Article2 NEW Tips for Using Prang Watercolor Sets in Your Classroom
For decades, the Prang OVL-8 Watercolor Set has been a staple in elementary classrooms far and wide. Their convenience, consistent quality and affordable price is hard to beat. A while back I posted 6...
View ArticleSend a Handmade Postcard to Support the Arts
Show your support for the Arts with a handmade postcard! January’s #CMACIVICKIDS Digital Challenge is a Postcard Party. When you send a postcard to one of your elected officials with your original art...
View ArticleA Child’s Prayer for the World
This “Child’s Prayer for the World” lesson is an updated repost (from my archives) of a project my friend, Barb Mendence, did with her 2nd graders every year. A project like this never goes out of...
View ArticleHelpful Tips for Painting with Kids
No one likes having a “bad hair day”…. not even your paintbrush! When younger students are used to painting with liquid watercolors or liquid tempera, they often forget to add water to their paint when...
View ArticleEasy Father’s Day Cards with Style!
Are these the cutest Father’s Day cards, or what??! My friend, Kindergarten teacher Lori Dueck, shared this project with me years ago and I was amazed by how adorable every finished card turned out! A...
View ArticleCrayon Resist Snowflakes with Watercolor
One of the many fun ways to combine art and science is by making crayon resist snowflakes with watercolor. Students as young as kindergarten love learning how to draw snowflakes. And it’s even more fun...
View ArticleChinese Brush Painting for Kids
Chinese Brush Painting dates back to 4000 BC, with techniques being handed down from master to student. In contrast to what most of us are taught about art today, copying and the perfection of...
View ArticleBetter Paint Brush Habits for Kids
Are paint brushes with unruly bristles a familiar sight in your elementary classroom? Better paint brush habits can prevent damage to your brushes and paint sets, and increase their useful life. When...
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