back-to-school bento box

I always get excited about the oncoming school year around this time, the last week of July.  School supplies, new sneakers and a new lunchbox are usually at the top of my wish list for fall.  This year, I am going to try something new for lunch - the bento box!  It combines three of my favorite things: Japanese art, food and being creative.  I got the idea while looking for lunchboxes online, and I learned that creating homemade lunches packed artistically in a to-go box is quite a popular thing in Japan.  After looking at examples on my computer, I can't stop creating bento boxes in my mind.  Here are some really fun ones I found, and maybe you want to give it a try this year. The boxes are inexpensive (I found some perfect ones at Super H Mart for only $1.99) and it requires no plastic baggies.  Give it a try... enjoy!

underwater self-portrait

Here's a fun idea for your summer sketchbook - draw your self-portrait in your goggles, diving mask, or scuba gear!  This example came from the very creative Spanish language art class blog Fem Manuals.

Let's trade ATC's this fall!

Last year I was asked to do an Artist Trading Card exchange with Ms. Hahn at Mini Matisse.  She was very helpful in sharing the how-tos of ATC's.  My fourth graders had a ball doing it.  I would like to do it again this fall with all of my fourth grade classes (I am expecting to have about five 4th grade classes of about  26 each) and possibly another grade level too if we have enough participation.
I would love to possibly exchange with some older art students as well as other 4th grade classes.
If your class would like to do an exchange this fall, please send an email to me at knighth@fultonschools.org, and we can email each other the information once the school year gets started.  I know it's a little early to plan for next year, but I was hoping to just get a list of people over the summer who were interested, before the craziness of the new year hits!
Also, if you have ideas or experience with themes or techniques for ATC's that you've found success in, please share in the comments.  Thanks!