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I was so excited to get to school today and open the Kiln. I did the first firing of my Chihuly inspired  4th grade pottery pieces.  I used Trinity white and stoneware clays that the students rolled into slabs and cut organic circles using various 4 inch to 6 inch circle tracers.  We used pin tools to trace the circle and smooth the rim. They had a choice to put the slab in or on the back of a bowl that was in a plastic bag to prevent sticking. I added their names when the slab was leather hard.  I purchase the  Sax True Flow Colorburst Glazes  to resemble the Chihuly Macchia glass pieces. I can't wait to display them.The students are super excited to see them finished too.  I usually wait to do my super cool lesson at the end of the school year to keep students engaged, but I may have to do this one for our Art Night next year! 

I love this book about spring and art.     I introduced this lesson with the super cute book,   Butterflies for Kiri ,  to my first graders earlier this month to introduce Origami. On day one of the lesson, we enjoyed the book and made an symmetrical origami kite.   I used 6 x 6 inch white construction paper for the kite. I hot glued it to the corner of blue construction paper for them based on which hand they used to fly a kite.  The students could design the kite using any type of drawing as long as it was symmetrical.  On day two of this lesson we discussed what it was like to fly a kite and what the landscape would look like. I also found this quick video for students that have never flown a kite.  This lesson is also a great way to assess the basic landscape vocabulary.  I had the student's draw the horizon line and we worked together to draw themselves from the back flying a kite. They were on their own with details, fine sharpie markers and cons

My super art smart husband brought me some stamps from  Restoration Hardware  today.  I know my student's will love having them in the stamping center, but I may use them first!  I added some old stamps to a tote tray from my Stampin days.....  I can't keep enough ink pads for my early KDG and 1st grade finishers.  I need some ideas from my teacher friends!!!! Do you have stamps, and what type of ink?