Artist-in-the-Schools: Author Illustrator School Visit! Venice, FL
What a thrill to have the opportunity to spend a day with THE BIG KIDS! My latest day in an elementary school included my giving one presentation for EACH grade level K THRU FIFTH GRADE! Yes. SIX presentations! I'm used to spending time with the primary grades, I LUV LUV LUV them. Every blue moon I get to have a truly unique experience and present my work to the mature classes!
Last Friday was just such one of those Blue moons! I was invited to return to Garden Elementary in Venice, FL. Getting to know their brilliant art teacher, Joanna Davis, fellow blogger at "Our Art Lately," over the years is one of my amazing cyber stories. The two of us began a cyber conversation years ago. We learned that we had overlapping stories that resonated from Columbus, OH (where her husband played basketball for THE Buckeyes) all the way to Door County, WI (where her grandmother lives and we are both members of the same local quilt guild.) Two years ago, I had an ALL day adventure in this same building! What an honor to return! "They like me! They like me!"
Getting six, FIFTY FIVE minute presentations into one school day requires a LOT of planning and supreme organization. Leave it to the teaching staff of Garden Elementary to pull all of the details together. Yeah Joanna.
Here's a peek at a collaborative mural that hangs in the hallway between the art room and the music room where I presented for the day. Did you know that I'm CRA-Cra-CRAZY about circles and polka-dots?
These colors and arcs resonate to my own 'quilt illustrations' that I designed and created for my book's pictures. Here's a peek at my first book "You're Wonderful." Now you see why I am wild about their collaborative painting above.
As a former Elementary Art teacher I always hope that there is enough time in my day to make a visit to the Art Room. Once I got all of my gear set up and organized: my laptop hooked up to the smart screen projection system and the sound system turned on..... I got to take a quick peak around Mrs. Davis' amazing Art space. I know that these images will be of interest to you.
It's getting to be that time of year again. When classrooms and hallways go awash with striped hats and cats! It's time to really finish up your plans for "Read Across America" and all things Seuss. I've gathered up some brand new goodies for your inspiration from my author/illustrator school visits across the country! The images today are from schools in Florida, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, New York and TEXAS!
How can you possibly go wrong with paper plates, pipe cleaners and torn construction paper.
Aren't these clever?
A craftivity to be sure, yet each character has their own unique spin.
They're a WIN in my book!
Think of all that fine motor development with the tearing of the paper!
Here's a bright bulletin board celebrating all THINGS Seuss.
Lucky Mrs. Wishard to have 'only' 18 THINGS to teach.
You may know that my first full time teaching position in public school was as the art teacher. My heart leaps and dances when I see such work as this composite of free hand drawings below. These clever renditions were created by kindergarten kiddos in my adopted state of Florida! I rejoice at the classroom teacher who values drawing as a foundation skill for young children. This level of work does not emerge from a class over night. This is the result of classroom teacher and students working in concert over many, many weeks to develop skills of observation and interpretation. FIVE STARS!! TEN STARS!!!! KUDOS!!! Winner, winner, Chicken Dinner! It can be done!
Gotta LUV the effort of this classroom door!
Just makes me smile from ear-to-ear!
Dr. Seuss: the original motivational guru.
So which is your FAVORITE Dr. Seuss Book?
Last year about this time I had a RoundUP of ideas spotted on my travels.
There are some real classics in this earlier article.
Here's a few of my favorite images from that earlier RoundUP -- in case you don't have time for the extra click. You'll have to go back to see the various 'apples-up-on-top' projects and green eggs. Plus the details surrounding the CLASSIC Lorax decorated classroom door are in the earlier article.
In real time. At this very moment I am sitting in the office of Crystal Radke, the beloved blogger at "Kreative in Kinder." She is hosting me for the weekend! We have been having so much fun together. Friday was my day to visit her school wearing my own author-illustrator hat. We gathered all of the Kinder classes and Firsties into their cafeteria for the fun. {Don't tell. A couple of the second grade classes snuck in at the last minute, too!} Here's a couple of glimpses into our shared fun.
We had enough time together to have a BIG ending for our show. I am something of an unusual picture book author and illustrator, as my books are the embodiment of original songs that I have written and recorded. I have turned three of my songs into the traditional picture book format.
So this next picture is a capture of the teachers joining me on stage for a spirited rendition of my "Piggy Rap." I think that you can see that the teachers DELIGHTED their students with their enthusiasm. BTW: That's Crystal right in the middle of the picture.
I received such a delightful surprise from Crystal's students.
She had them each draw a picture for me.
Then she bound them all into a book!!!
The whole thing is a treasure, but this little portrait has captured by heart.
Under the category of old dogs and new tricks!
Crystal and her teenagers have taught me MUCH!
Here is my first, ever fliptogram 'movie' WITH MY SONG!
If ever you need a pick-me-up, just click for the joy!
TODAY is SUPER in every way!!
Here is our CLEMENT CREW in their game face excitement.
There's no question about our family loyalty.
They live just outside Denver -- so we are ALL orange in their support!
It is also the traditional day-of-sales at Teachers Pay Teachers.
Many folks have decided to put their stores on sale for the day.
I have joined the fun!
How cute is this button from Surfing-in-Second?
My store will be on sale all day today and tomorrow as well.
You'll save 20% off of any of my products.
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This is an especially good 'deal' for my books!
Whew! That was a lot! Wasn't it? I hope that you've found some inspiration. I'd be so grateful for your pin. That's how people 'discover' me! Thanks. SUPER it up! I had a blog hop last year on all things Seuss and I have opened it back up. So if you have an idea, please add it to the others. I'd be so grateful for your link back here. It's the proper blog etiquette, after all. Wink-wink.
This has been a great year for me to learn new things.
I'm really late to the Instagram party, but I'm LUVin' it there. Here's my direct Instagram link! I LUV findin' others on the same creative-educational wavelength. Today Elizabeth from "Kicking it in Kinder" is hosting a linky to help everyone 'find' each other. Come join the fun. That's the two of us meeting each other for the first time in VEGAS last summer! Yes. She is that gorgeous, but the best part? She is just as delightful on the inside!
Instagram: IT'S VISUAL!!! I GET IT! It's also 'easy/quick.' Just gotta remember to post, comment, follow. Beware. Once ya get acclimated ya really do enjoy spending those very sparse discretionary moments of your day, on yet one more social network.
I have had a mini-goal of posting one image per day. I'm probably at about 91% of that goal. I've gathered up over 800 followers in these several months. I work hard to keep it visually interesting and upbeat.... and minimal on the promotional aspect. I also think IG is a perfect format for upbeat/motivational encouraging quotes and sentiments. So I have three categories when I think about IG. 1. Inspirational
2. School visit images.
I've also been sharing images from schools and sites where I make my author/illustrator visits.
3. Family Fun.
The third category I tend to share:
Things that make me happy......
and random bits of the day.
***Be sure that you're following my IG observations.
Be sure that you link up at Elizbeth's linky.
Be certain to follow 3 new folks from the linky!
Easy peasy.
While you have some time and you're linky hopping be sure you get over to Simply Kinder to find lots of other great blogs to follow. The investment of time will simplify your life in the long run! HoNeST!
