"You're Wonderful" INDEED! Children's Kinder Art Response

The Power of Affirmation: "You're Wonderful" 

The power of the educational blogging community is immense and just beginning to evolve and grow into the mega-force that will emerge over the coming years. I am just beginning to scratch the surface of this power. What a thrill that I am moving in the direction of connectedness! The lead-off artwork today is from a fellow blogger. A kindergarten teacher that I have never met. A kindred spirit for certain. Behold the work of the children of 'KinderKay' at "Love Those Kinders." 

     

"You're Wonderful" is one of the very first songs that I ever wrote and was recorded on my very first CASSETTE TAPE! {Yes, I'm dating myself. Raise your hand if you ever attempted to use cassette tapes in the classroom. How amazing the technological advancements. Marvel on.}  

   

It's the simplest of all my simple songs, "You're Wonderful." 

There are six words of affirmation that are repeated in each of six verses. Simple. Repetitive. Powerful. Tear generating. Evocative. Moving. Simple. Expressive. Mindful. Resonate. Simple. Eloquent. Touching. Articulate. Vivid. Striking. Simple. Soulful. Empathic. Spirited. Descriptive. Emotional. Forceful. Suggestive. Meaningful. Simple. 

   

Some day I'll have to write a book about all the 'stories' you've told me about how my song has been used to transform and inspire your students, your parents and yes, your community. That would be a book worth writing, indeed. Simple works. Simple works in kindergarten. Simple works with children. You know what? There is no 'shelf life' on affirmation. Turns out that 'simple' also works with early elementary. 

   

I was told by a junior high teacher of pre-algebra that there is no 'shelf life' on self esteem. She purchased my picture book version of "You're Wonderful" for her mature students. She looked me straight in the eye and said, "These are the most important words I can give my tween-agers. There is no shelf life on self esteem. These are the words they need. I'll use your quilted illustrations as a springboard for our math studies, but what I want them to hear are these words of affirmation." 

   

KinderKay used my song last spring with her K-kiddos as their end-of-the-year program performance. Kindergarten graduation if you will. These self-portraits were created with complete kinder joy and given to the parents as their end of the year gift. 

   

When I received the link to this work? I was in tears. They are glorious beyond description. The old elementary art teacher in me rejoices at this project. At the outcome. At the work. At the results. At the process. At the variation. At the originality. At the learning involved. At the complexity. At the boldness. At the color. At the use of materials. At the simplicity. At the treasured conclusion. 


   

This work truly is a demonstration of Arts Integration. It's taking AI to an absolutely brilliant level of sophistication as a result of KinderKay's insight and experience. Self esteem indeed. Affirmation personified. This work is indeed excellence in education. I couldn't have designed a more fitting response to my song and picture book myself. 

   

This is the power of the internet. This is the power of educational blogging. This is the power of things to come. This is the power of me getting connected. This is the power of my going 'digital' and long ago of leaving the cassettes behind, now having the ability to leave the CDs in their shrinkwrap and now being able to 'zap' a fellow educator a zipped file to be used in a heartbeat.  

Bulletin Board of Kindergarten Self Portraits in response to "You're Wonderful" 

Yes. It's a song. Yes. It's now a picture book. 

Yes. We took out a loan against our house, a second mortgage so that we could bring these simple words of affirmation into book format. Yes. You've probably never ever heard of me. Yes. This song, this book could be the backbone of your new year at hand. 

Yes. As a result of my giving the keynote at the international gathering of Kinder-teachers in Vegas last month, my picture book of this song is now headed to the NORTH POLE and Saudi Arabia, too! Talk about the amazing power of collaboration! Wish I'd told those teachers to pose their kids 'on location' and send me a photo! 

Here's another earlier peek at a collossal, all school response to "You're Wonderful." This unbelievable backdrop was created for my visit to Long Island, NY to have an author visit with students during the day and parents that evening. 



That's another earlier peek at a collossal, all school response to "You're Wonderful." This unbelievable backdrop was created for my visit to Long Island, NY. The entire student body created this 'quilt' for my author visit with them, the students during the day and parents that evening. 

I would be so grateful for your pin of this incredible response. 

As a self-published author/illustrator, I rely on your word of mouth excitement over my work. 

Your pin sends a ripple to a whole new audience and I am so grateful. 

Thank you for trusting me. I promise you'll be glad you did. 

Art History 102: Extending The "Masters" in Early Elementary

Last Spring's Art Shows

I realize that school start-up season is at hand! Some have already made their way back and are getting into new routines and others will be headed that way very soon! Yet here I am still 'unpacking' my memory cards from last spring. 

The images in today's Art History exhibition are a compilation of several of my spring Author/Illustrator visits across Ohio elementaries. What a joy to capture the hard work of students and teachers alike. It is no small feat to display dozens/hundreds of projects. 

Let's start with Monet and his iconic water lilies. First off are renditions painted by kindergartners in NE Ohio. 

It's always helpful when observers of a student exhibition have a point of reference for the student work. Including a reproduction of the 'master' inspiration is always beneficial. 

Seeing an entire floor-to-ceiling wall display of the water lilies was breathtaking. 

Meanwhile, back in central Ohio Monet himself stood at the school's front door to welcome the admirers. Ironically, I visited this school in Hilliard two days in a row and was able to see the display 'emerge' over time.  

This student work 'floated' on free-standing display racks in the school's central hallways. What a joy to see the work being hung and the excitement level raising. 

Now let's leave Monet and take a look at some kindergarten work in the style of the final collage assemblages of Matisse. Bright, simple designs cut and glued together were a great introduction to this master's last work. 

The kindergarten students also studied the bold work of Miro. These colorful designs were crafted on the computer. 

From Miro to Kandinsky! 

Designs this time in the form of concentric circles. 

These filled the space above the window area, as you will see shortly. 

Now from the work of the Kindergarten children and their first grade counterparts, 

to the projects of older and more capable fingers. 

Behold. 

"The Scream" by Edvard Munch. 

These pastel works are striking and show a great deal of capability. 

While I only saw the 'completed' projects, I am guessing that the self-portrait component may have been a photograph which was then enhanced with pastels. Whatever the technique, the outcome is memorable. 

To conclude today's Art History lecture, let's end with a smile. 

Imagine if you will Leonardo's "Mona Lisa." 

Then consider updating and creating your own masterpiece with folded hands. 

Quite an array of insight and interest in this work. 

This is the second installment in what can now be considered a series. 

*As a former elementary Art teacher I LUV seeing this type of work happily on display in schools where I am visiting. 

Click the image below to see the first set of ideas.

Here's the next installment. Just click the picture for the next set of ideas. 

I have a plethora of ideas for art teachers already chronicled around here. 

Just about a year ago I organized images that I'd viewed in Art rooms wide and far in this article. 

Just last month I just had an article on primary and secondary colors featuring the designs of first graders. 

Here's an earlier RoundUP of Color Theory Ideas for Young Students: 

And finally, here is my directory of "Art Pinners" 

-- those who pin from an Art perspective! 

I share all of these resources in the hopes of capturing the attention of some new art teachers, 

to familiarize you with my picture books --

 in the hopes that you might be inspired to have your students respond to my work. 

Every one of your pins matters to me. 

I'm so grateful for your sharing the excellence-in-education that I have the opportunity to observe

through your pin and the ripples that it creates. 

Your pin will introduce my work to others. 

Thank you! 

I will be joining the family of TeachersPayTeachers sellers

and putting my entire shop on sale later this weekend. 

This is the perfect time to purchase my picture books (which would then be shipped) 

or the digital download, zipped files of my songs. 

Here's the link to my TpT store. 

I'm now at 130,408 followers!     

Click this link to go there directly! 

Now at 534 followers!