It's the end of the school year and we are celebrating students work in a big way at Hassan Elementary. Welcome to the digital gallery for kindergarten through second grade. Our K-2 at ISD728 uses Seesaw as a digital platform. Each frame below is linked to a Seesaw blog.
For a final project, students have been asked to create a tutorial to show us how to make something. I gave two options to create a tutorial and some students even created a video to share their 'lesson' with their peers. In the final week of school, Hassan students will be asked to learn from each other. They will be challenged to find a lesson that their peers have made and create something new. I really think this is a fun way to celebrate the Artists that we have at Hassan Elementary.
If you like this idea, feel free to use it. Below is a video that shows how I created the digital Art Show and why I created it in this way.
If you want me to slow down on how to create and find the best images for a slide show... here is another video focused on just that.
Dear Hassan Art Students who are using Flipgrid... This is a message for you!
Did you know you can see all your Flipgrid's at once?? Did you know you could see the feedback from your teachers?
You can and here's how.
1) Go to any of the Flipgrid's you have been invited to.
2) Click on your name at the top left
3) Then click on MyFlipgrid (also top left corner)
4) You will see all the Flipgrid's you have ever been invited to.
5) Scroll down to see feedback from your teachers
6) Click on the Blue View to see your video and below the feedback, you received from your teacher.
Here are some more videos to help out if you are a teacher using Flipgrid or if you are student who learns better from a video. Parents can benefit from this as well. Ask your student to show you the Flipgrids they have shared with their classes.
For Fashion Week (April 20-24th) for Hassan Elementary, Distance Learning Art Studio... I'm excited to give you an option that will allow you to learn how to use Google Draw. If you choose to make this Digital Fashion design, you have two options... Watching the first video for the basics of Google Drawing (7 minutes) OR ALSO... watching the second video as well to learn how to create a more advanced project (11 minutes).
Here is an example of how to create a very basic fashion statement. Here is the video (7 minutes) to support it.
This one is much more advanced! This is for the student who want to learn how to use the tool of Google Draw in a very advanced way. Warning... this project might take some time because you'll want to watch the beginner video (7 minutes) and the advanced video (11+ minutes). Then you make time to play around with the tool... but let me tell you, it's a lot of fun!
For ISD728 students specifically, here is a video (3 Minutes) of how to share your Google Drawing with other.
I'm really excited about this!! First, the information that students need to know about adding an image in FlipGrid is available now. MORE IMPORTANTLY, I was able to highlight a student leader even if we are Distance Learning. Thanks Easton for helping your teacher out today!!
Flipping the classroom is a practice that I have been actively doing for over 10 years for sure! My methods have changed throughout the years with new tools and devices. There have also been major advances in technology that has allowed me to move into a more streamlined creation of my flipped videos. Also... the many years under my belt have allowed me to be practiced which always makes it easier.
When someone asks me about flipping the classroom... kind of the how-to and so forth, I always give the same advice. Take the one thing you are so sick of saying. The one thing that you have to remind kids to do over and over... That is the video you want to make. Then record your hands explaining the process or the kids doing the task. Finally, bring it into iMovie and voice over, don't try to speak and act AND record at once when you are getting started. It's not worth it.
Here are the don't's. Don't record a lesson the first time you do it or before you teach your students. We all know that students will show us how best to teach students. How often do you do a lesson that you show the kids an then they say to you... oh... you mean like this. Then they give you the language that works for a 1st-grade brain or they show the method that is going to work for the kindergarten hand. That is gold. Record that lesson after you have taught it to 5 sections... just teach it one more time, record it, and put it on YouTube instead of placing the written version in an old filing cabinet.
Plus, if you share it, you have this document to share with families, students, and even other peers and art teachers (if you so choose). I think this is an amazing way to share with your global Art Education Tribe... so let me share my YouTube Channel. One of my goals this summer was to organize the YouTube Channel... but I have not. Maybe in the next couple of months. I'm always forgiving of myself when it comes to goals... get them met if you can but if you can't, put it on the list for the new deadline. Life comes first. Long way to say, please feel free to explore this HUGE list of flipped videos on my Youtube Channel!
Also, Be sure to check out my podcast about flipping the classroom on Everyday Art Room.
For the last week, I have been teaching my 2nd through 5th graders an introduction to an App Called Brushes Redux. It's my favourite free drawing app by far. I love putting this app in my student's hands so if they want to download it at home, there is no charge.
This lesson was very focused on a couple of technology systems. I believe you don't teach an App, you teach the systems the app uses. In this case, the BIG one is using layers. Layers will be found in any Art based program such as illustrator, photoshop, and so on... if students as young as 8 can start learning the power of layers, they can have higher success later in their education career when they are in classes such as media and TechEd in our district.
The lesson above is what was taught to the kids. It will most certainly have to be paused if used, I go through the information fast. Every student was amazed and focused during. When you listen to the way I taught, think of what other subjects you could create with your students as the school year continues. Trust me, your kids will love this app (and so will you).
This 'Studio Story' lesson is inspired by Oliver Jeffers book, "It Wasn't Me". I feel in love with the illustrations the first time I picked it up. I love the simplicity. I love the story told without words. Take a look at both the story and some thoughts about the illustrations in the video below.
I have created a digital lesson inspired by this book. I think so often we teach students to 'use an app' when we should be teaching them to 'use a system'. In this case, I will use two apps to prove my point. One of the biggest systems and hardest concepts in digital Art is layers. Layers are used in some of the most advanced digital Art programs such as Photoshop and Illustrator. I used every chance I get to show students as young as 2nd grade how to use the idea of layers in drawing apps.
The first app I want to talk about is Brushes Redux... This app is not very highly rated, but it's one of my favorites for my younger Artist. I like it because it's free! Anything that students can go download at home as soon as they learn it, earns extra points in my book. I also like how simple the program is... but that also means that it's simple... don't expect a TON of options. One thing that Brushes has... LAYERS and that is the 'system' that I'm trying to teach in this lesson.
First, choose a canvas for your image.
Then I change the brush to be solid... I have shown how to do that above... One thing that you can't see is the 'Dynamic' has three settings... I put them all in the middle.
On the first layer, I drew two of the characters from the book. I'm using my finger to draw the simple black lines.
On a second layer, I play with the colors of the characters. I added the colors right over the top of the line drawings. At first is looks like I'm covering up the drawing I just created... but then I 'WOW' the kids with a switch of the layers. There are three lines by the layer and if you press your finger to them, you can move them up or down. This is magic for anyone playing with this app.
With the next step, students are playing with the transparency of the brush. Take a look in the second image where the blue color is being selected. You can see the bar below it allow you to make the brush more transparent or more opaque.
This too will be added onto a new layer.
The last layer bit is the 'discussion' in the bubble... I choose to make this an argument like the book... but I could see leaving this portion of the assignment open-ended so that the viewer must guess what the conversation is by looking at the clues in the bubble and the body language. As you can see, I used a new layer for every color in the 'conversation'. This way I can play with the layers, moving them up and down to create the best composition.
And there we have it.. a finished work of art. If you are using Brushes Redux, it also records your process so when you are completed, you can see the steps you took to make your Artwork... another big 'WOW' portion of this app.
The next app that I used to explore this lesson is Tayasui Sketches Pro... as well as Tayasui Sketches... the free version, and that is really good too... just fewer options. I happen to love this app so I bought the pro version. Also, in my research, I found a Tayasui Sketches School. Not sure what the deal is with this version of the app, perhaps you can get a class discount for your app purchase. Really, all of the apps by Tayasui are pretty amazing. I'm a huge fan! So here we go with this app.
I like on Sketches that you can choose the canvas. Here I have a watercolor paper behind my image. I'm also using an Apple Pencil in these examples, not something we could probably use in a classroom setting for too many Art programs.
As you can see, I'm using the layers as well on this app... It's easy to switch the layers on this app as well as change the 'medium' or brush. It's very intuitive.
My favorite tool on Sketches is the ability to fill a shape with any of these options. It comes in handy! I used it for the speech bubbles in this case.
Again, each layer has some 'conversation' on it. That way I can play with the placement of all the elements by moving the layers up or down. I also had fun with all the 'mediums' or brushes in the side for this portion of the Artwork.
Here is my final artwork above... can you tell what they are arguing about? Below I have several examples of kiddos in my life doing this lesson with me. These examples range from age 6 to 10 years old.
For this lesson, don't get stuck on the app. Think about the system. Use any app that you have available to you and your students.
Using patterns in Art Class is critical to my curriculum. Kindergarten student start learning patterns in Math class early in the year school, so by the New Year, it's a good time to bring it into the art class and do a little review for students who might need to work on the ideas of patterns in a very visual way. Since this concept is new in the Art Studio, I like to give my class a chance to create patterns in the security of a group for the first lesson. I developed a Collaborative Patterns lesson last year. See the previous post for pictures and an explanation video that is student friendly.
Last year, I shared the lesson with pictures on Seesaw and the parents were very receptive. I wanted to show them the process this year. Show them all the excitement and teamwork that goes into this project. I created stations by taping down a sheet of large format paper and set some blocks or bottle caps beside it. I chose to set up iPads over each of the stations. Once the kids were in place I simply started the time-lapse on the iPad.
One of my favorite parts of using the iPads is the ability to show the videos in class using AirPlay. It's a bit glitchy for me sometimes, but when it works... it's amazing! In the video, you can see that the students watch themselves all at the same time. I do this kind of review for stop-motion projects as well.
When finished, I used AirDrop to send all the videos to my one iPad and I placed the clips together in iMovie. With a little editing (adding music, speeding up the time-lapse) I then shared it to Seesaw. A quick caption in Seesaw explained to parents the concepts covered for the day. In this case, patterns and working collaboratively.
This process of recording in time-lapse can be used for all learners. With older students, you can have them recording their process on their own, and sharing it on social media. I use it for my lessons too. I often record the process in time-lapse so the kids can see all the actions but in a short amount of time. If you are unsure of how to use time-lapse, check out this blog post by Matt Klein, How-to Geek.
Image found on HTG by Matt Klein
I know some of you are wondering where do I get those awesome iPad sands. I know I would be. Get decided to purchase them through curriculum review and I use them on a very regular basis. Here is a post explaining where to get these great iPad Stands (click here).
Thursday night we had a #k12ArtChat that highlighted Empathy and Kindness (click here to see the questions asked). It was a well attended and active chat and I was so happy to be hosting the discussion. I was with my (online) Tribe. Always a good place to be. In all the fun, I forgot to share a gift I made for you... any of you. In the book, Unselfie: Why Empathetic Kids Succeed in this All-About-Me World, by Michele Borba, a suggestion of a digital reminder of kindness was given. Borba said to encourage kindness, Placing an image on your screen saver is a good idea, so I created a screensaver to share with you. Please feel free to share it with anyone you want... It's my gift to you! Happy Holidays!
Here are just some of the discussion from the chat the other night...
I posted this, inspired by my principal, Kari Sampson.
The first day of the calendar suggests that we share the participation in this project! Allow me to do so... I invite you to print this out, place it on your desktop for the month, or just read through it for inspiration! Lot's of people have retweeted and are participating. Share your actions on Social Media hashtag it #HappierWorld... or even Tag @actionhappiness. Allow me to celebrate your actions too by tagging me @MiniMatisse in it or our #K12ArtChat. Sometimes the change we want to see in our classroom must start with a change in yourself! Allow this activity to help focus you on Kindness this holiday season.
I'm inviting you to join me for a Twitter Chat! I know... that can sound scary to some people but don't shy away yet. I have made a tutorial for you to view if you would like to give it a try. If there is one thing that educators are good at... It's continuing to learn and grow throughout their life. Click here to get a link to a 'how to' of a Twitter chat.
Our #k12ArtChat is one of the most visual chats you will find online. Most of the time you will find a large amount of Art Teachers throughout the world joining in. Sometimes we talk about some very Art-specific topics... but not this Thurs. at 8:30 CST... We will be talking about Empathy and Kindness! This is a universal subject and should broaden our target market to... well... everyone!
I was inspired by a book called Unselfie: Why Empathetic Kids Succeed in our All-About-Me World by, Michele Borba. Many of the questions asked in this twitter chat revolve around this book and the ideas presented in it. It's an amazing read as a parent and teacher, filled with probing questions, inspiring stories, and jammed packed with resources and activities to help encourage better people, more empathetic individuals. Reading this book is NOT required to be successful in this chat, it was simply the inspiration for this weeks conversation.
On Sunday, November 26th I'm starting #k12artchat out with a slow chat question. What does this mean? Well, it's when you answer at your own leisure. You don't have to be there at a certain time. You just answer the question and hashtag it with #k12artchat. If you watch this hashtag, you will be able to see how other people have answered the same thing. I would love to celebrate your posts as well, just tag me in the response, @minimatisse.
On Nov. 28th I will post a second slow chat question. This is the same as above, answer it at your own time, give it some thought, reflect and share.
Then we have the gathering of our #PLN (Professional Learning Network). I'm so excited to host Thursday night, Nov. 30th at 8:30 CST. We will be continuing our conversation about empathy and kindness. Here is a preview of the questions. I like giving participants a full view of what we will talk about so you can gather examples and give these questions some thought.
