With each new school year, teachers everywhere face the daunting task of learning the names of all their new students. Whether you teach a single grade level class of 20 students or you teach multiple classes of art, music, or PE and see the entire school every week, you’ll want to learn your students' names fast…. and the faster the better! Why is … [Read More...]
Latest from the Blog
How to Make an Origami Flower Ball
The Japanese art of making an origami flower ball always seems like a fitting thing to do at Christmas. It’s peaceful and calming, almost meditative to work on, and it makes a beautiful decoration when finished! As with many origami projects, this origami flower ball ornament looks much more difficult than it is. It’s really just the same simple sequence … [Read More...]
Origami Crane Ornaments
Students love to bring home these exquisite origami cranes to hang on their Christmas tree! I make these with my 5th & 6th graders, and even though this is not a beginner level project, every year I have at least one student with a passion for origami who already knows how to make them! While these cranes are challenging, they're … [Read More...]
How to Make a Japanese Notan-Inspired Ornament
My 5th graders loved making these Japanese Notan-inspired ornaments. "Notan" is a Japanese word meaning "dark/light". It represents the design concept of arranging dark and light (2D) shapes together in a harmonious way. The Japanese Notan effect is easy to achieve with cut-paper. It tends to look more complicated than it really is, and students are … [Read More...]
Candy Cane-O-Grams
This "Candy Cane-O-Gram" is a favorite project year after year. It may look like an ordinary paper candy cane, but it contains a special hidden message for it's recipient. Once kids make their first one, they'll be "hooked" and they won't want to stop! 1. Use a ruler to draw parallel lines in holiday colors along the edges of your paper. Make some lines … [Read More...]
Faux Stained Glass Ornaments
Are your kids bouncing off the walls with anticipation of the coming holiday? Need a last-minute project to engage them? Try making these glowing ornaments with the look of stained glass! Students in grades 3 and up will enjoy spreading Christmas cheer when they hang these faux stained glass ornaments on their tree or give them as gifts. Make your own faux … [Read More...]
Autumn Leaves with Crayon Resist
This fun autumn leaves art project is perfect for grades 1 & up. It's easy to do, everyone can feel successful and the results are beautiful. Try one yourself! Autumn Leaves Art Project with Crayon Resist inspired by Andy Goldsworthy Materials: • 12x18 white construction paper• black crayon (or oil pastel), broken in half with … [Read More...]
A Creative Color Game for All Ages
Hues and Cues (affiliate link) is a fast-paced color game that all ages can enjoy together. It's easy to learn and can be adapted to suit a variety of situations. From the classroom to family game nights, this is a game that's fun to play for any group, no matter the age or skill level. How to play The object of Hues and Cues is to score points by … [Read More...]
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Recent Blog Posts
20 Ways to Learn Your Students’ Names FAST!
With each new school year, teachers everywhere face the daunting task of learning the names of all their new students. Whether you teach a single grade level class of 20 students or you teach multiple classes of art, music, or PE and see the entire school every week, … [Read More...]
How to Make an Origami Flower Ball
The Japanese art of making an origami flower ball always seems like a fitting thing to do at Christmas. It’s peaceful and calming, almost meditative to work on, and it makes a beautiful decoration when finished! As with many origami projects, this origami flower ball … [Read More...]
Origami Crane Ornaments
Students love to bring home these exquisite origami cranes to hang on their Christmas tree! I make these with my 5th & 6th graders, and even though this is not a beginner level project, every year I have at least one student with a passion for … [Read More...]
How to Make a Japanese Notan-Inspired Ornament
My 5th graders loved making these Japanese Notan-inspired ornaments. "Notan" is a Japanese word meaning "dark/light". It represents the design concept of arranging dark and light (2D) shapes together in a harmonious way. The Japanese Notan effect is easy to achieve with … [Read More...]
Candy Cane-O-Grams
This "Candy Cane-O-Gram" is a favorite project year after year. It may look like an ordinary paper candy cane, but it contains a special hidden message for it's recipient. Once kids make their first one, they'll be "hooked" and they won't want to stop! 1. Use a ruler to … [Read More...]
Faux Stained Glass Ornaments
Are your kids bouncing off the walls with anticipation of the coming holiday? Need a last-minute project to engage them? Try making these glowing ornaments with the look of stained glass! Students in grades 3 and up will enjoy spreading Christmas cheer when they hang these … [Read More...]
Autumn Leaves with Crayon Resist
This fun autumn leaves art project is perfect for grades 1 & up. It's easy to do, everyone can feel successful and the results are beautiful. Try one yourself! Autumn Leaves Art Project with Crayon Resist inspired by Andy Goldsworthy Materials: • … [Read More...]
An Engaging Art Museum Activity for Kids
Here's an engaging art museum activity that's perfect for kids of any age. It's low-cost, low-prep, and guaranteed to get kids talking! Last weekend I was thrilled to visit the Baltimore Museum of Art. (The BMA has the largest collection of works by Henri Mattisse - in … [Read More...]
TIP #66: 10 Ways to Save Money on Art Supplies for Kids
When I taught K-8 Art at a small private school, my budget was always, “Spend as little as possible”. But I found ways to make it work and give my students great art experiences despite the shortage of funding. If you're in a similar low-budget (or no-budget!) … [Read More...]
Better 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 kids learn the correct way to use their supplies, their paintings will … [Read More...]
Review the Elements of Art with a Beachball Scavenger Hunt
Helping kids review the Elements of Art & Principles of Design is easy when you make a game of it! This beach ball scavenger hunt is adaptable across a wide range of ages. I’ve used it from 1st grade through high school by customizing my questions or directives for … [Read More...]
Make a Crazy Crown Craft
Kids will enjoy making this Crazy Crown Craft to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II. A "royal jubilee" is a special celebration to mark the number of the years a king or queen has reigned. It doesn't happen every year, but only certain years. … [Read More...]
Use Art Postcards to Teach or Review
Have you tried using art postcards to teach or review important art concepts? It's a fun way to expose your students to great artwork, teach or review important concepts, and provide a hands-on learning experience all at the same time. Where to find art postcards All … [Read More...]
How to Have an Elements of Art Scavenger Hunt in a Painting
An artist will combine some or all of the Elements of Art (line, shape, form, space, texture, value, color) to create a painting, drawing, or sculpture. Having an Elements of Art Scavenger Hunt in a Painting is a fun way to teach these concepts. When you teach the Elements … [Read More...]
Colorful Paper Flowers for Cinco De Mayo
These colorful paper flowers for Cinco de Mayo are fun and easy to make. While orange marigolds are customary for Day of the Dead, you'll find Cinco de Mayo flowers in every color of the rainbow. The annual celebration of Cinco de Mayo (held each year on May 5th), … [Read More...]
Mix 100 Colors – a Color Mixing Art Activity for Kids
This fun color mixing art activity is perfect for kids in grades 2 and up. Originally, I created this project to celebrate our "100th Day of School", but kids will enjoy doing this anytime! Your students will gain valuable color mixing experience while creating a … [Read More...]