Rogers Middle School Art Webpage

Introducing my new website for the middle school.  I have a long way to go but here it is so far.  I use it all the time for kids to find resources for my class and as a way of communicating.  Come check it out!

Printable Worksheet for the Potato Skull Prints

Here is a link to the Potato Skull Prints worksheet I created to create the potato prints in an earlier post.  Feel free to use it!

Virtual Body

I did the skull prints with my middle school kids this week as we had a modified schedule for a week.  More to come about how I used it but I wanted to highlight this great resources, The Virtual Body by MEDtroplis.  We used it for an introduction of the bones of the body.  There is a nice narrative, a build a skeleton game, and you can zoom in on different parts of the body.  I loved it and the kids did too!

Slot Shelter

I want to get the word out for a new friend, Corinne.  Please read the below if you are an art educator in any aspect of the word.  This looks like an amazing project!

Hi All, 

This is an invitation to participating in another large scale collaborative design project that engages both national and international schools!

We are two artists and arts educators, Corinne Takara and Pantea Karimi, based in Bay Area, California; who are currently designing an exciting student collaborative art project, Slot Shelters, an exploration into shelters and patterns reflecting on community globally. This project will be conducted in various schools both inside and outside U.S.A. between Falls 2011-2013. We are partnering with Zero 1, the art and technology network based in San Jose, CA and have applied for a NEA Media Arts Grant (results of which will be known after May 2012).  Slot Shelters is starting now with a few schools and will be launched on a larger scale in the Spring and Fall 2012. 

Our project website: http://www.slotshelters.com/

We have submitted a Library 2.0 conference proposal regarding Slot Shelters:http://www.library20.com/forum/topics/building-visual-and-digital-literacy-framing-a-youth-conversion

Currently we have students participating from: 2 schools in California, 1 school in Hawaii, 1 in Utah, and 1 in Azerbaijan (where students conducted the Explore: Building Prototypes of Slot Shelters lesson last week. We will update our website with the outcome soon).

This year, the project is inviting 4th and 5th grade classes. We are looking to add to our pool of schools participating this academic year. If you are interested in joining Slot Shelters this academic year or are contemplating it for next academic year, please contact us! We’d love to hear from you! We have a teacher informational and instructional welcome packet to share with you.

Corinne Takara, Lead Teaching Artist and Project Lead
Pantea Karimi, Lead Teaching Artist and Project Co-Lead
www.okadadesign.com                       www.redcanvas.net      

corinne@okadadesign.com and pantea@redcanvas.net

Pinterest

I have heard of Pinterest but I just figured I didn't need another thing to do online.  I saw someone pinned me on Pinterest and when I clicked on it, lot's of people have 'pinned' my blog.  I had no idea.  What do you use Pinterest for?  How could you use it with students?  How do you use it professionally or personally?  Do I need one?

Potato Skulls

So fun!  The kids and I are going to have a party so we had to start on making the invites.  We decided on potato print skulls.

We used black acrylic paint, a brayer, and printing plate.

Both the kids helped print one skull on every invite.  They had a blast!  Me too!

SchoolArts Clip Card

I'm excited to announce that I have another clip card published in SchoolArts Magazine.  I was so proud of my student Paige W. that I had to send in her work.  She is a VERY talented little artist.  I love the digital magazine.  You can order it too.  Please visit SchoolArt Magazine to view Paige's clip card and read about many more wonderful ideas for you classroom.  Please see my previous post about this lesson.

You know you blog too often when...

... your husband sends you this clip and tell you it reminds him of you.  Thanks Mr. Hahn:)  You are too funny:)

Just a funny post for a Saturday:)

Lots of firsts...

It was my son's 1st day of kindergarten yesterday. This is an email I received from his teacher about midday. It got me through the day with a smile...

...He's doing great.  He said that if we don't behave on the bus our parents will write a note to Santa Claus. LOL!!!!!  Love his tie.

From, Mrs. G

Whoop Whoop for Google!

I love Bloggers new look!  For those of you who use google you would have noticed a bunch of change this last week, all for the better.  I like to look at my state of what people are interested in on my blog now and again and today I looked and I saw that I have had 110,000 previews to my page from starting it up.  I thought it was a fun looking number so wanted to post about it.  More then that I wanted to praise, and encourage others to use google.  There is nothing better then coming onto you blog, or google docs or any of the other great google wear out there to find out that there is upgrades done... No $ to you!   Very cool!

Eat that frog...

If you need a little boost this morning watch this video.  Brian Tracy has an interesting way of looking at things and it has really worked for me and my husband (who introduced this to my by the way).  Everyday I wake up and the first thing I decide is what my frog will be for the day.  My goal is to EAT THAT FROG by the end of the day.  Watch the video, and start eating frogs:)

Height Chart

This is a height chart I created for my kiddo's.  When we moved into a new home I really wanted to have something like this so I can move it with me (if we EVER move again:)) rather then being on a door jam.  I really like the way it turned out.  Here are a couple close ups.

Perfect Video...

This video (and many other great videos) were posted by Michelle S. from Gainesville, FL.  She placed it on ArtEd2.0 recently and I think it to be a good way to introduce expectation to students.  If you are an art teacher and do not belong to the ArtEd 2.0 Ning... you have to join and see what you are missing out on.

Tattle Monster

Love this idea!  I saw it on My Creative Wish List, and she saw it on Giggle Galore.  On these blogs they are using the Tattle Monster in the house but I thought this might be great in a classroom.  I have heard of other similar solutions but this one is just stink'n cute:)  Not sure how middle school students would feel about it but I thought I would pass it along in case it fits well in your classroom or home.