Art is Basic

Cardboard Creations and a Blog Layout Review

Marcia Beckett — Wed, 22 May 2013 01:24:57 +0000

Hello all! Wow, summer is almost here! It’s hard to believe, right?

I entered a blog giveaway to receive a free layout review from a web designer. I won! She posted the review on Blacksburgbelle’s blog. Bottom line: reduce the clutter. I think it was very useful and gave me a lot to think about! Maybe you will get some ideas from her review. This will be a little project to work on during the summer.

Building with cardboard and free expression

These second graders had a blast creating sculptures and designs with a box of cardboard scraps. They used regular Elmer’s glue and some colored tape to put the pieces together. Sometimes just allowing students the freedom to build what they’d like is a great way for them to loosen up, explore and play.

It is important to allow time for exploration and open-ended projects.

The students also used wall paper scraps, paint and little wooden shapes (that I picked up for free at an art supply swap.)

These projects focus on the PROCESS not the PRODUCT.

Lots of problem solving skills were used as the kids tried to figure out how to choose or cut the proper sizes, how to balance and secure the pieces and where to add color.

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Oklahoma love

Marcia Beckett — Wed, 22 May 2013 01:06:02 +0000

It’s hard to know what to say when a tragedy strikes. Art speaks.

A friend I knew from the pen pal world back in the late 1990′s lives grew up in the area. Her friend created this beautiful drawing and she shared this on her Facebook page.

Artwork by Rick Weston

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Paper Weaving with Kindergarten

Marcia Beckett — Sun, 19 May 2013 21:48:38 +0000

I introduce paper weaving with my kindergarten class.

We use colored strips, scrapbook paper and wrapping paper. Here is a paper weaving tutorial.

Check out my Weaving Ideas Pinterest board if you want to see more fun weaving techniques.

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Smart Fab Winner

Marcia Beckett — Sun, 19 May 2013 19:04:51 +0000

Congrats Melanie! Send me your address: marciadotcom@yahoo.com so we can get your samples sent out. If you didn’t win (or enter the contest) stay tuned as I will have another product giveaway shortly.

Melanie May 14, 2013 at 5:09 pm

who said, “I got a roll at the FAEA conference but not sure what to do with it and that one roll would be enough for an entire grade level to use. Would love to win some more AND to hear ideas on how to use it!

If you are looking for ideas… check out their video

and Smart Fab ideas on Pinterest.

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Still Life Paintings in the Middle School Art Class

Marcia Beckett — Fri, 17 May 2013 02:30:26 +0000

From time to time, I will show you some artwork from the middle school classes. I teach K-6 and Rebecca teaches the older students. These paintings on canvas were particularly beautiful.

Painting water and glass is definitely challenging, but these kids did an awesome job! The 7th/8th graders set up their still lifes and took a photograph of the setup. Then, they used acrylic paint to paint them.

I will be picking the winner of the Smart Fab sample rolls tomorrow night, so if you want to enter, now is the time to leave a comment. The odds of winning are pretty good right now!

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