This was one of my favorite tables I have ever put together. My idea was to experiment even deeper with “not teaching.” As art educators, we feel like we always have to communicate the subject matter, explain the process, or give directions. But what if the materials became the teacher? What if you set up…
process art
Children experiment with wire and threadable materials
I have a huge collection of pinecones because I cannot stop myself from collecting them whenever I see their perfect, symmetrical shapes lying on the ground. Big, small, and in between. I now have to sneak them into the house because nobody can know this collection is getting bigger, not smaller. The pinecone is such…
Process Art with Recyclables: Collaborative & Big!
It has been 8 years since I wrote a blog post about gluing recyclables onto a big piece of cardboard and inviting my art students to mix their own colors and paint the structure up on the wall. Since then, I have added this project to my book, Carboard Creations, and seen hundreds of art…
Mixed-Media Process Art Weaving Invitation
It’s been a while since I’ve written about my open-studio library events. This mixed-media process art weaving invitation that I set out for a multi-age group was more prep than I usually do, but it was worth it and as successful as I had hoped! I will admit I was a little ambiguous about how…
Celebrate Earth Day! 40 Ways to Use Nature and Recylables in Art with Kids
Earth Day always sneaks up on me and sometimes I even miss it! But this year I am here to help you get organized and be prepared to celebrate Earth Day all month long, with 40 ways to use nature and recyclables in art and creative play with kids! The very best and most simple…
Art and Play Activity Guide for Learning at Home / Week 7
Week 7 of our Art and Play Activity Guide is all about Provocations! Provocations week will be a little bit different than our other weeks. Instead of asking children to act on an idea that we present, we will be asking them to take the lead and show us what they can do! This week…
Art and Play Activity Guide for Learning at Home / Week 6
This week we celebrate the fiber arts as we play around with FABRIC & YARN! Yay!! It’s also Earth Day on Wednesday so we’ll be honoring Mother Earth, too. Many of us are spending time decluttering and cleaning out closets. This week we’ll use some of our old clothes for fabric collage, or cut up…
Art and Play Activity Guide for Learning at Home / Week 5
It’s Painting Week! Before you run in the other direction or call us out for being totally crazy to make a whole week of painting experiences, worry not, we’ve got you covered. In Week 5 of our Art & Play Activity Guide for Learning at Home, we will be holding your hand every step of the…
Art and Play Activity Guide for Learning at Home / Week 4
It’s hard to believe that this is our FOURTH guide for learning at home! We are thrilled to hear that so many of you have established a rhythm and routine for the day through our weekly guides, found bright spots of curiosity and creativity, and created memories while making things together. This week is no…
Art and Play Activity Guide for Learning at Home / Week 3
Welcome back to Week 3 of our Art and Play Activity Guide for Learning at Home! Shannon and I hope these guides have been helping you loosely frame your days. Children need routine because it makes them feel safe and more relaxed. And parents need routine because it allows them to find some time for…
