Other Blogs

1. Mrs. Crawford's Corner
http://www.ecapteach.com/moodle/mod/forum/discuss.php?d=19532

2.Ballentine Blog
http://www.ecapteach.com/moodle/mod/forum/discuss.php?d=20589#p22988

3. The link to my blog
http://www.ecapteach.com/moodle/mod/forum/discuss.php?d=19884#p22990

Wikis

Cindy Sherman Assignment

I found Wikis to be a great tool for creating assignments.  Because it is collaborative, I can post the assignment online, and allow for my students to ask any questions they might have on the same page so everyone else in class can see as well.  This allows students to see things they might not have even thought of yet.

Wall Wisher

I played around with the WallWisher website today.  I think building walls would be a great way for the students in my class to brainstorm and bounce around ideas before getting started on a project.  I set up a page for them to discuss what they were thinking about doing for our next project, conceptual photographs inspired by Cindy Sherman.  Other students in the class would be able to see their ideas and give feedback or suggestions.  As the teacher, I would be able to make sure that my students are on the right track and understand the give assignment.  To look at my page, click on the link Cindy Sherman Project Ideas

Digital Storytelling

Digital storytelling was a little difficult for me to understand at first.  However, once I saw how you could create digital stories using free tools on the internet, I saw the potential it had for the classroom.  I used a program called toondoo (toondoo.com) and was able to play around with some of the available applications.  I even created my own toondoo that describes what has been going on at my school right now.  Check it out... ToonDoo

Pinterest- Project Inspiration

Pinterest- artists to study

Pinterest-Teaching Middle School

Pinterest-Art Club

Pinterest-Art Lesson Plans

Pinterest Crafts

Frida Kahlo Quiz

Quiz

7th and 8th grade students,

Be sure to click on the link above or on the Web 2.0 Applications page to access your Frida Kahlo quiz.

Delicious.com

Using a new tool, Delicious.com, to save time when creating my lesson plans.  This helps me organize all of the great websites that I take inspiration from.  It was a little difficult to navigate at first, and figure out the tagging, but after playing with it for a while, I see what a great tool it will be!  Check out my link... https://delicious.com/margaretrmckinney

Break the Chain

As a teacher at an all female school, this is a great service learning idea that I will be sharing with my students...

As they begin to talk with out counselor next week about teen dating violence, they will be introduced to the 1 billion rising movement.  The girls will have the opportunity to join in with people all over the country, and participate in a flashmob to stand up against violence towards women.

Check out the site for more information, and how you can get involved  http://onebillionrising.org/

printmaking for the classroom.

One of the reasons I first fell in love with pursuing art as a a career, was my freshmen year printmaking class at TCU.  Silkscreening has been a big passion of mine ever since, and I am constantly searching for new materials to print on.  I am drawn to the work of Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein, which first made me appreciate the art form...the bright colors, the pop culture element, I love it all!

I think with teaching, it is important for your students to see that you are passionate about what you teach.  Why would they care to learn about something that you aren't passionate about.  I have been searching for a way to incorporate printmaking in the classroom since the first day of school.  With school budgets being the way they are, and never having enough supplies, I have been putting off the project.  Now that we are into the second semester, I think it is about time that I just find a way to make it work so I can share my passion.

After scouring the wonderful resource that is the internet, I found a video posted by a fellow art teacher with a great idea for a cost effective way to make prints with my students....    Creating A Monoprint

I love the idea of incorporating this technique with a lesson plan on "pop" portraits.  This website has some great ideas about teaching the importance of Andy Warhol's work...Pop Art Portraits