Art Class: Fresh From the Oven Art Sketchbooks

Last week was the deadline for their sketchbook design. For the past few lessons, I've gather all the art materials on the trolley and bring them to class. In our first lesson, I introduced the usage of the materials. For materials that are more straight forward such as coloured markers and papers, I don't have to give them more air time. Two hot glue guns were placed on the teacher's desk so that I can monitor their usage from time to time while allowing them some autonomy. I have goggly eyes of various sizes, coloured pompoms and glitters. The students viewed some sketchbook design ideas online and I left the rest to them. Different art materials call for different types of glue. It's a good idea to go through the requirements and recommendations before letting them loose. 

Art Class: Patterns using lines, dots and shapes

Hi! For some years, our school's art sketchbook has a printed cover. My students used to cover the printed cover with coloured papers before starting their design. It was only last year that I found out that I could ask for thicker plain cover for the students to design their own! So, look at the beautiful blank canvas with children's mark making. Our first lesson of the year is learning about making patterns and writing their bubble letter names. Check back again!

 

Art Class: DIY Stickers

I've designed a set of motivational stickers inspired by the plushies found at home. Procreate drawing app is user friendly but looking for a suitable vendor to print the kiss-cut stickers is taking more time than I'd expected.

Art Class: Scissors Safety

Hi! I'm sharing about scissors safety to my students this week. If I've learnt anything about teaching, that is not to make assumptions. Using a pair of scissors might seem like a no brainer to adults but some children struggles with it because they lack practice prior to entering primary schools. Some children can be good at hiding this inability, they opt to tear the paper or say that they just want to limit the cutting needed intentionally. Since most scissors are made for right-handers, children who are left-handers would feel awkward using them (if you're a right-hander, try using your left hand to cut, that's how it feels to them) and thus it becomes a disadvantage when the art task demands cutting competency. 

I've made a pair of giant scissors so that the children can better remember my instructions for using scissors. Check out the video below to see the artmaking process.

My mum found this box!

Using scissors to cut scissors

Artventures: Book Bug Cards

 The community library has some brilliant ideas. Check out this machine:

When you've accumulated enough points from borrowing books. You can claim some book bugs cards from the machine. I received a card that's holographic! The illustrations and text on the card are professionally made. I didn't study the instructions as I'm not a fan of games but the free teaching resources are worth my time. 🙌 What are some unconventional materials you keep for teaching? 

Housekeeping: Art Trolley

 

Look at the bright colours on the trolley! Chances are if you are an Art teacher, you would start to be pushing cart this year. Initially, I tried to stuff my big bag with art materials but my shoulders are screaming for help. Get a sturdy trolley *cough* not this type from ikea *cough* with quality wheels and you can fill the art cart with enough materials for back-to-back classes. Most of the basic materials are owned by the students so I'll only provide other materials to individuals or those that they had forgotten to bring. 

Reads: What the Art Teacher Reads

 

Hi! I've contributed to a biannual e-magazine for teachers. Sometimes, I adapted teaching ideas from the issues that were published. It goes way back to 2012 and it's nice to see how the content has developed over the years.