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Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Conversation Hearts

Recycling an old favorite from my high school teaching days into something manageable for 3rd grade. I had seen a few variations on the notan square and yes, some with hearts. I wanted the students to be able to communicate something that was in their heart, something they love or felt. I was immediately drawn to the idea of the little conversation heart candies.









This lesson could easily get extended with another class on typography and graphic design, but for now, it's a two week lesson. While I've focused on balance and contrast, it could also be a study of organic shapes and symmetrical design. My own third grader helped me test out the lesson at home and my students started today. They were very excited and engaged as we worked. The two day plan and worksheet, along with step by step photos is posted to my TpT.

Friday, January 24, 2014

Elementary Texture Worksheet

Just whipped up a little something for a lesson I will be starting next week. You can download it here on my Teachers Pay Teachers store.

Tuesday, January 7, 2014

Viewfinders

Did you know that a 35mm slide mount is the same proportion as a piece of 12x18" paper (within a millimeter or two). Instant viewfinder.





















You're welcome!


Of course if you WANT to teach them how to make their own (and at a certain age they should know how), this may be helpful.

Monday, January 6, 2014

Melted Snowmen



It was a race to the finish, with two snow days before winter break, but thankfully all of my second graders finished their melted snowmen. This was a four day lesson. One day for inspiration, demonstration and sketching. A day to create the pinchpot snowman. A day to glaze and a day to add embellishments and make this adorable gingerbread gift bag to take them home in.



















I photographed each student with their snowman for the hallway so they could take them home right away.





Friday, January 3, 2014

Torn Winter Landscapes

I decided to mix up the panoramic winter landscape painting from last year. This year the first grade completed a torn paper winter landscape after reading the book "snowmen at night." Here are a few of their finished works. I have three sections and each class used a different background paper color (black, dark blue and dark purple). I can then mix them up in the hallway for displays and easily sort them to return to correct classes.