My Free Art Summer

        

It has been the fastest summer ever, hasn't it? One fun thing I did was make tiny art to give away on Free Art Fridays. After participating in a few community and school art hunts over the last couple of years with my students, I started thinking about the kind of art I wanted to give away. Many artists who participate in the FAF movement have nicknames and recognizable logos or street art inspired characters. I decided that my favorite part was the surprise of finding treasure and I added the exciting element of opening a gift, so I decided to go with the project name "Check the Box." This way I can experiment with different kinds of art inside the box, and even collaborations with other artists, while keeping it uniform with the recycled, stenciled boxes - mostly matchboxes, gum/candy boxes and CD cases. 

Here are a few pieces I dropped at the Free Art Decatur art hunt in June, and a few finds, too. I also ran into a teacher from Chattanooga that I have been collaborating with - it was great to meet her in person! She had drops of her own and from her students to share from Tennessee.

Artists and hunters use social networking like Twitter and Instagram to leave clues about the drop spots and also to thank the artists when the piece is found.

The next pieces you see will be dropped in New York City by a lifelong friend of mine who visits NYC regularly because she's the smartest person I know with a super cool job there. I've never been there, but I've always had a feeling it would be my favorite place! I have also sent a few pieces to teacher friends in a few other places around the US, and even in my neighborhood's own Little Free Library :)

I am really happy to have learned about the Free Art Movement and I am loving being a part of it. My students have gotten a real kick out of it too. It really gets to the heart of what it's all about for me.

Thanks Mister Rogers and happy summer, neighbors!

"I'll be back when the day is new, and I'll have more ideas for you.

You'll have things you'll want to talk about, I will too."

There is always so much going on at the end of the year that I get overwhelmed and feel a little burnout. Remembering this song that closed out every episode of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood always makes me feel better! How many of you were affected by this show as a kid? It was a real centering point for me as a child, making me feel calm, accepted, interested, and generally okay all around! I am only realizing in the last ten years what an impact he still has on my life, especially as a teacher. I've even been wearing more and more cardigans and sneakers lately. Although I am tired and drained now, I will be back, full of ideas and ready to share!

We've had an amazingly productive year, and we continued working up until the last day. We sent home over 900 portfolios, full of art learning, practicing, and products - I so hope they are the subject of many family sit-downs and fridge hang-ups! Here are some shots from our final days of 2014:

5th grade weavings - prep sheet and weaving handout available now on Teachers pay Teachers: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Mrs-Knights-Smartest-Artists

First grade unit on African art wraps up with Anansi the spider collages and Ndebele house designs (below)

Third graders learn about art of Ancient Egypt

Awesome handmade gift by the talented Miss Leah, complete with upcycled gift box - love it!

Lots of writing and reflecting on goals and growth this year - wish I had remembered to get more pics of this kind of stuff - not used to taking pics of writing ;)

Fun face photography on a pretty spring day

Kindergarteners finish up their prehistoric unit with some cave drawing

Fourth graders try their hands at modeling some succulent plants based on beautiful samples sent to me from Calfornia art teacher Rita Vinetz. It was literally the last days of art so most did the coloring part at home. Luckily Model Magic is easy to color:)

Happy summer to everybody - take time to unwind, unplug, relax and refresh! So much more to share next fall... Goodbye neighbors!

International Day

Today was our first International Day, and it was full of excitement and colorful exhibits sponsored by the ESOL teachers and our international families. We even had workshops in the art room on calligraphy by a master artist from Korea - Mrs. Suh helped about 100 students write their names in Korean using the brush painting and ink grinding technique. Music, taekwando, and reading workshops went on in other parts of the building, as well as a large rotation of country displays complete with passport stamping! Such a fun day.