learning time

This is a fun way my kids learned to tell time (we've had it up for a few years now). All it takes is a clock, large embroidery hoop (mine is 18"), 12 clothespins, and cards. Instructions can be found on Martha Stewart for pinup wreath.

This helped so much when Cole and Sarah were little. Now, it helps reinforce the multiples of five.

At Christmastime, it serves the purpose of hanging cards nicely.

our art room

Here is the room that keeps me busy! Doing Art with K-6 kids, also homeschoolers, once a week is so rewarding. This is year two, and I'm still amazed at how full-time teachers do it!

I learned so much about kids last year, even though I have 3 of my own. Especially:
kids are so great
they expect you to remember everything they tell you
seating charts are great
organization is key!
I was so happy to get this paint palette up above our bulletin board this year; I was inspired by one in a Pottery Barn catalog, but made it cheaply with cardboard, paper plates and paint. Inside the palette are the words "Red, Yellow, Blue: I Hear You". (Not my idea, but this art teacher's, and it works to get attention beautifully!)

The table organizers were my idea, and have been so helpful. Scott helped to make them. Tools are kept in order by the student (not me!) since each seat is designated a color and side to the organizer. I can now tell whose pencil is on the floor! It's the little things...

homemade gifts: notepads

inspired by this diy project at Design Sponge

Time to think about Christmas gifts! I hardly have the time (who does?!) but handmade is so much fun to give away. Especially little notepads which are handy for most everyone. Think scrap paper, recycled chipboard (cereal, pop tart, cracker boxes), twine, staples . . .

fun

Usually the kids are the only ones having fun with paint, but not this time. It's been way too long since I've used watercolor. Always something else needs to be done. But sometimes I just need half an hour to make something without a purpose; something meant only for fun.


(inspired by this artist)

dot valentines

Cole was playing with the 3-hole punch when it came open and the dots almost fell out. He decided to pour them into a cup. The kids were fascinated by a bunch of paper dots, which gave me an idea for Chase's simple valentine. I poured glue in a heart shape on red rectangles.











He sprinkled paper dots on the glue and then shook them off. I backed the red rectangles with white and thought and thought, and finally came up with a saying to put on them.

Good job, Chase! I'm glad you had fun.

making valentines

This year Cole (8) is fond of robots:and Sarah (6) is all about pop-up hearts: (A little piece of pop-out gum taped inside is a nice surprise!)

I wonder how Chase (3) will make his . . . he is still crazy about Lightning McQueen, but I don't think he's able to draw him. Yet.

Last year, he painted a big watercolor and stamped hearts onto it, from which I cut hearts out and signed the backs.

I'm not sure what he will do this year, but I'm sure it will be fun!

boat making

When we get rain like we've been getting lately, the kids get the idea of making boats. With friends visiting, we pull out the recycling reserve and start building.

Kids notice the potential of a paper tube, yogurt container, plastic tray and whatever else is in the house! I love seeing their hands move with ideas. They inspire me to try without worrying so much about the outcome.













That smile says he's very proud of his go-fish boat!

facepainting

Facepaint practice day before painting at Trunk or Treat tomorrow. My kids get in line when these paints come out! Can you guess what he will be?

His favorite car. He'll probably never want this washed off!

reversible bag

I've had time to sew! Scott swam with the kids the weekend of my birthday while I made this reversible bag for Sarah. I love reversible, mainly because it means I don't have to finish the edges! One side is for dance, the other is for overnight.

She picked the fabrics from what I had. I said, "Are you sure?" As queen of all things un-matching, she answered firmly, "Yes".

The style is from the Japanese knot bag. (The long handle fits through the smaller handle to close. I started with an idea I found here, made it bigger and added pockets.) Her Nonnie embroidered her name on red fabric for the tags.

Pulling it all together was fun- using red stitching on pink fabric, applying part of an old ballerina t-shirt, and making piping with the unmatching fabric (around the bottom of the dance side).

One project down, and just in time for the first dance class!

kinder grad 2009

Does finishing Kindergarten deserve a celebration? We think so!

Especially since so much effort had been put into completing an alphabet book of work from the year. Thanks to My Father's World curriculum, which took us through the alphabet relating each letter to a Biblical concept. For instance, letter A teaches, "If I stay in Jesus I will have much fruit":

For each letter I made a badge with the lesson on it. Other letters such as G for goat and "Jesus died for my sins," H for horse (her fav), "I obey right away," and I for insect "I am a wise child so I work hard":For each letter we would get messy, like paint with bubble wrap for letter B and make a collage of tissue on sticky contact paper for letter C. Here's the cover to her book and a few pages:
Kindergarten was a lot of fun. On to 1st grade!