Monday Motivation! Inspired by @elementaryarts I plan on focusing on quotes each week that keep myself and my students encouraged. At some point, I plan on printing the quotes and displaying them in my classroom. I love the positive power social med… — Monday Motivation! Inspired by @elementaryarts I plan on focusing on quotes each week that keep myself and my students encouraged. At some point, I plan on printing the quotes and displaying them in my classroom. I love the positive power social media can have.

As I sit reflecting while our world changes to the new normal amid the Covid -19 pandemic, I am still processing so much. My original spring break plans were to chaperone high school students on a trip to the Grand Canyon. While I was disappointed for myself, I especially felt for these students, many of them seniors. Following the trip cancellation, the next news wave came around the country as schools closed and events were cancelled. So many students put so much hard work and energy into theatre, sports, and extracurricular activities that will be no more. I had been counting the days until the National Art Education Association conference in Minneapolis. The idea of meeting so many other Art Educators had been on my mind for a while. Of course that was cancelled. However, that convention will come next year in Chicago, and I already am looking forward to it. I knew the closure of my school district was inevitable. Two Fridays ago, I was extremely impressed with my co-workers and staff as we put together resources, materials and chromebooks for students to take home. I felt an unspoken understanding that my students understood this would be their last day seeing me for a long time. I’m thankful for having a small bit of closure now. I remember pumping hand sanitizer on their hands as they entered my classroom and the innocence of a student's question asking where I would go if they closed the school. My classroom is my second home, and I already miss popping in on the weekends to load and empty the kiln. It’s strange how slowly and how quickly the world can change. My mind races from being anxious, to thinking about the lives of others and my students, to other things I can’t control. My heart goes out to all the medical workers and everyone working to help in this time of need. There are a lot of unknowns if we will be teaching in our classrooms again this year. In the meantime I’ll be taking on virtual teaching. I guess this is the best time to start my YouTube Channel. I am going to look at this as a challenge to come up with new creative ideas. It’s already been fun seeing what other teachers are coming up with. When I see families outside walking and kids riding bikes, I am reminded we can find joy in nature and the ones we love. In this blog post you will find some highlights from the last few weeks in my classroom. I’ve included personal artwork I've made this week while staying inside. I plan on posting weekly lessons and art activities on this blog as I began my virtual teaching adventure.

We can do this!

Found Object Color Wheel Challenge that went viral!

James Goldcrown inspired student collaborated mural.

A very exciting day for students and staff with Wisconsin Governor Evers.

Over 100 students painted the mural with just a day of preparation for the Governors visit.

2nd Grade Drawing of Mr. Kemper with the Elements of Art!They remember my shirt from @artdaydesigns ! — 2nd Grade Drawing of Mr. Kemper with the Elements of Art!
They remember my shirt from @artdaydesigns !

Kindergarten student work inspired by the book If the Dinosaurs Came Back by Bernard Most.

Kindergarten Paper Line SculpturesLesson by Cassie Stephens — Kindergarten Paper Line Sculptures
Lesson by Cassie Stephens

Kindergarten student drawing from books on tempera painted paper.

Cartoon Mouths for Pets or Stuffed Animals! Fun Art activity

Assignment #9 Out Your Window Pen and watercolor. 🖊 I love our little house on the river.Check out artist Carson Ellis blog for more ideas!https://www.carsonellis.com/blog — Assignment #9 Out Your Window
Pen and watercolor. 🖊
I love our little house on the river.
Check out artist Carson Ellis blog for more ideas!
https://www.carsonellis.com/blog

Day 1 of @pinkstripeysocks rainbow paper plate weaving project. Since this is my last semester with the 4th graders

The Harlequin's Carnival by Joan Miró puzzle @allie.kemper17 put together. If anyone has a good elementary lesson with Miró please send it my way!

Kindergarten toilet paper heart prints with tempera paint.

Heart crayons I made for students for Valentines Day!

1st grade Pete the Cat lesson inspired by Michigan Art teacher Jennifer Hamilton Instagram @mrshamisartroom

Thanks @theartofed for the idea to use left over coffee grounds to paint with! I used them for my first layer and then added paint on top.

Excellent book I read with my Kindergarten students.

Needed to add this to my sketchbook. Last night at the @theartofed webinar @artroomglitterfairy shared her Kindness Poster lesson. I think this would be great for students to put up in their rooms or windows. — Needed to add this to my sketchbook.
Last night at the @theartofed webinar @artroomglitterfairy shared her Kindness Poster lesson. I think this would be great for students to put up in their rooms or windows.

Fourth Grade styrofoam printmaking on old encyclopediasLesson inspired from the very talented Cassie Stephens — Fourth Grade styrofoam printmaking on old encyclopedias
Lesson inspired from the very talented Cassie Stephens

Humming Bird painting Oil on Wood Canvas

Big cats with chalk pastels. Purex Sta-Flo liquid startch works great to blend without a mess. Thanks again Cassie Stephens!

You can buy this form Wal-Mart for around 3 dollars!

My latest series of 12 honey bee paintings.

If you have not noticed by now I love bees!

Love the excitement of students wearing art shirt to class.

2nd Grade self portraits. Look at their joy when I give them the old mirrors.

Just rocking my new Jean-Michel Basquiat tee from @target 👑

Took this photo in BrooklynStreet Art paradise Mural by @kobrastreetart — Took this photo in Brooklyn
Street Art paradise
Mural by @kobrastreetart

Celebrating Valentines Day in NYC love this mural and art work by Jason Naylor.

Print by Madison Illustrator Emily Balsley love having this in my art room.Instagram @emilybluestar — Print by Madison Illustrator Emily Balsley love having this in my art room.
Instagram @emilybluestar

Fourth Grade Robert Indiana inspired paintings

1st Graders painting inspired by Carolyn Gavin

Heart lines inspired from Elementary Art Teacher @2artchambers

Golden Gate Bridge print by a 4th Grade Student

Third Grade student remembering Kobe Bryant

Chris Uphues inspired hearts by 1st Graders

1st Grade Cassie Stephens inspired James Rizzi meets Picasso Cities. She has so many great lessons on YouTube.

Zoom lunch with coworkers the new normal!