You can learn a lot about a culture from its art work! On my recent trip to Haiti, I learned that the Haitian people are both resilient and resourceful. Their resourcefulness is easily seen in their artwork, especially these collaged note cards that they make and sell, using local organic materials to create simple scenes of everyday life.Materials:leaves, pressed in a book … [Read more...]
Houses for Haiti Lesson Plan
Two amazing teachers in Florida came up with a creative idea to raise money for Haiti after the 2010 earthquake. After discovering "Haiti Houses" on the internet, I was inspired to try it for myself and make a few changes. Below is my version of this project. Visit haitihouses.org to see how much money has been raised for Haiti relief with "Haiti Houses". Objectives: … [Read more...]
Houses for Haiti… and a Rabbit Trail
While researching new ways to raise money for Haiti, I came across a great idea that I can't wait to try with my students.... "Haiti Houses". As Art teachers today, we are blessed with so many fun sites for finding creative lesson ideas, and often one leads to another, which leads to another... as happened to me with this lesson! So, here's the "rabbit trail" that led to this … [Read more...]
Kids Express Themselves with Art
These are just a few of the amazing paintings done by children in the tent cities of Haiti, on the anniversary of the earthquake.Sometimes I get so caught up in the academics and "mechanics" of teaching art (the elements, principles, and "how to's") that I forget the importance of art as a means of self-expression. On my recent trip to Haiti, I was enormously blessed to get to … [Read more...]
Haitian-Inspired Foil Cross
This project was inspired by the metal art of Haiti, and makes a great project for Easter... or anytime! I'll be doing this with children in a couple of orphanages in Haiti next week. I'll try to post some pictures when I get back! "Foamies" and 3M foil tape are the secret ingredients for this project! You can buy these thin sheets of foam in a 9x12 size at any art or … [Read more...]