Showing posts with label butterfly. Show all posts
Showing posts with label butterfly. Show all posts

Saturday, May 16, 2015

Praise Report: The Arrival of the Butterfly, Seeking Support



Every year we take an adventure to Franklin Park Conservatory.
It has L-O-N-G been a favorite destination. 
This year on Mother's Day was palpably poignant. 

The butterflies have returned.
So much symbolism there.
From the depth of the dark chrysalis to the winged flight.
Faith. Hope. Trust. 
The unknown phase is where the faith journey begins. 
We had such an incredible romp through the beauty. 

I LUV'd seeing our WonderPeeps "share" their butterflies with other, younger children.
Trusting. Trusting. Trusting. 
Growing maturity. 
Hallelujah! 



It's been a CRA-CRA-CRAZY, Busy Glorious week!!!! 
These pictures are for you mom! 

We have been having such a great time together.
Mr. Long Lashes made ME the treasure box in Sunday School. 
We've been romping about the neighborhood! 
So exciting to see the new birthday-bikes in action! 



And there have been trips to parks! 
Near and farther: tree climbing and monkey barring:



                                         

Today we spent a rainy Saturday at a children's science museum. 
The intention was to return to roller skating,
but alas the rink was closed?!?! 
Thank goodness Sarah knows all of the child-friendly sites. 
This was a first for me. 

My favorite was this heat-seeking map. 
YUP. Looks like a rainbow-within-reach to me! 
That's three generations of good-looking-gals!



We were even able to get all 6 of us into one rainbow! 







I had two school visits in person this week here in Ohio,
and one via SKYPE back to FL.
That's a lot of delight to juggle.

There are so many blessings. 
So much to rejoice over and praise! 

I finally got to visit my Lamaze-friend-Betsy, 
in THEIR home. 
Our babies are 31. You do the math. 
How do I not have a picture of our reunion? 
Sometimes you just soak up time in your heart! 

Such a treasure to have a dear friend listen. 
I'm quite sure the visitor is to bring flowers, 
but my hostess sent me home with an arrangement.
Again. You do the math. 
There are angels in our midst.

Sarah appreciates the flowers, Betsy! 

That's the way of Lamaze buddies: listen-to-the-challenges. 
Listen with an open-heart. 

The truth of the matter? 
There are challenges at hand. 
On a daily basis. 
Reality is settling in. 
Change is a part of the calendar. 
Children are resilient in the end.
In the mean-time? 
 Adjustment. Confusion. Sorrow. Challenge. 

Your prayer support means the world to all of us. 
There have been any number of times when it is your prayers
that have kept me putting one foot in front of the other!

In our unexpected financial crush..... 
Our daughter Sarah had HUGE tidal waves of support 
for her initial efforts with her Younique business. 
Hallelujah indeed.
In the dead of winter your support was astounding!  
Her story is "on-going" in nature and she is searching for continued support: 
friends willing to host a cyber party for Younique cosmetics. 
If you're willing, it would mean the world to me. 
Just reach out and let me know. 
This week or next month. 

I have just opened a Younique party myself. 
You can order your goodies thru me
which supports her!



Our greatest 'influx' of new $$ has come through our distribution of Wobble Seats
This week was phenomenal on that front!
Every time you order from our website, 
some new $$ is generated
and we thank the heavens. 

This week has had numerous orders and NUMEROUS inquiries! 
Thank you angels. 
Hallelujah! 

This month promises to be my biggest on TeachersPayTeachers
I have the two digital download end-of-year songs
perfect for your concluding programs. 
Self-esteem tears of growth, or patriotism? 



Yes. Every extra five dollars is reason to celebrate. 
I have had 19 digital downloads and the month is hardly half over. 
I realize that number (19) is ludicrous small to the BIG sellers, 
but to me it is nothing short of God's manna from heaven.  

I thank you in advance!

***This week I got the contract for the US Army series of presentations in the Washington DC area just before Labor Day. 
If you want to get in on that tour, 
just let me know! 
How about launching your school year 
with an author/illustrator visit?
Our brown-eyed daughter is so thrilled that we're coming to her neck of the woods! 
HALLELUJAH!

***I also have a mini Ohio tour unfolding for November!
Where are my Buckeyes that need an author-visit? 

Let me conclude right now with my memory verse of late: 

"Vengeance is mine says the Lord." ~~ Romans 12:19

I've added a new memory verse: 

"For it is indeed just of God to repay with affliction those who afflict you and to give relief to the afflicted." ~~ 2 Thessalonians 2:6-7

Or here's another suitable verse to consider: 
"Thus I will punish the world for its evil, 
And the wicked for their iniquity; I will also put an end to the arrogance of the proud, 
And abase the haughtiness of the ruthless."
~~ Isaiah 13:11

Or something especially pithy? 
"Assuredly, the evil man will not go unpunished, 
But the descendants of the righteous will be delivered." ~~ Proverbs 11:21


It is during seasons like this,
and I have outlived earlier such seasons..... 
that I turn to the ancient scriptures for insight and
"BLESSED ASSURANCE." 
{Please start singing that hymn here.} 

Just as the caterpillar goes into the darkened cocoon, 
so we await the emergence to a brighter day. 

In the meantime? 
We rejoice during this our time of austerity.
We are told to rejoice in all circumstances:
"More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us." Romans 5:2-5
over the joy of the playground park, butterflies,
 your prayers and other heavenly gifts. 

"And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you." ~~ 1 Peter 5:10

Saturday, April 4, 2015

Blessings of Easter: Praise Report!

EASTER weekend. How will you celebrate? 

Since today is Saturday, this is my time to stop and reflect on good that has come my way over the last week. Life is filled with so many blessings. I am appreciating the discipline of taking the time to enumerate the good I've experienced. 

A gratitude list. My gratitude list!

Holy week is THE week of focus and reflection. From Sunday's Hosanna palm waving, through yesterday's darkness over the dramatic loss brought on by our humanity and failing, and now from here on to the vigil tonight for the dawning of Easter's GLORY! 

Where do I start? How do I begin this week's list? 

1. My biggest blessing is a life of faith. My parents blessed me from before my first breath. From the very beginning of my first winks and blinks they were certain to shape my life by immersing me in a world of faith. Their world of faith. As my life story has brought a variety of "train wrecks" to my Earthly experience, I have the best great gift of knowing that the cocoon is not the end of the story. The tomb is not the end. 


This photo that I took years ago, was the beginning of my experience of treasuring the gift of having a camera in my hand. I've told it before. My falling in love with that specific flower in Door County during a pause in my bike ride, that brought me to full and complete attention. 

I stood there basking in the contrast of the blue sky against the delicacy of the petals on that specific flower. I stopped. I thought about everything I ever heard anyone say about taking a picture. Sun behind you. Squeeze the shutter button slowly. EXACTLY at the moment I got myself all organized, that monarch came and posed. When I think of Easter miracles, I think of that monarch. Sent from heaven. Treasured forever. 

The butterfly is THE image for Easter and I'm grateful for my divine encounter.


Make-over painted angel in memory of friend in heaven from Breast Cancer

1.B. After my family, on Easter weekend, I think of my dear friend SAINT. The life she lived. The faith she exuded. Her premature angel status. Our fun times together. Our tears together. The miracle of her extra innings despite the doctors best insight and predictions. Her leaving Earth on Easter weekend. Me painting the weathered angel over Good Friday to Easter, to give it new life. {She supervises me still from her polka-dot perch. She will forever be "my people."}

The fact that I heard from her dear husband today just makes my heart sing. Literally. That we remain friends. That he will trek up to our place 'up nord' this summer so that we can reconnect and share the latest chapter, the newest people. I know that Pat will be laughing her head off over our antics and the stories that we will share. It is a fitting time to take a minute of silence for those we miss. It is fitting to rejoice over her place in heaven. It is fitting that she left us on Easter.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 2 Corinthians 5:17 

2. On April Fool's Day, my nephew {the kindergarten teacher in Paraguay} announced that his dear wife is pregnant AGAIN. In quiet demeanor he mentioned they were having twins. Much of the world thought that he was joking, what with it being April first. NOT! It seems that twins DO indeed run in our family. What an amazing time lies on the horizon for them! Wrap them in prayer. 

Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD. Psalm 127:3



One of my favorite bumper stickers! "She who laughs..... lasts!" 

3. Since this is the week that started the new month, I have written an article over at our collaborative blog, PreK+K Sharing. I did a WHOLE lot of research on the value of laughter, as it relates to the classroom, to teaching and to behavior management. I have dozens of terrific links to studies, suggestions and insight! Plus a couple of terrific YouTube videos on the value of play and laughter as it relates to creativity. I hope that you can click over and pin the article for your later edification.   

Then our mouth was filled with laughter And our tongue with joyful shouting; Then they said among the nations, "The LORD has done great things for them."  Psalms 126:2 

4. Last week I told you that a powerhouse in the ECE world recommended me for a speaking presentation next fall. WOW! The details have been confirmed. I will be giving the KEYNOTE at an event in October! Since my expressing my appreciation? She's sent my name on to two additional event planners. Thank you God. 

"Therefore, whatever you want people to do for you, do the same for them, because this summarizes the Law and the Prophets." Matthew 7:12

As my way of sending that gratitude forward? I had a planner reach out to me for a date on the calendar that was already spoken for. You bettcha! I gave her the name of one of my peer's that's hungry for an opportunity. We hold each other up. Planting seeds. 


5. "The RAINBOW Times." Goodness emerging from challenge and struggle. Difficulty teaching new lessons. Triumph over tragedy. This is the true measure of our character.

I've thought more than once this week about the clash-of-absurdity of this GeeGee WORKING to grasp the opportunities of technology that avail themselves. This week I'm grateful for the discipline of sharing on Instagram. Because of asking myself to post something daily on IG, I 'posed' this ceramic plaque above that I've had above my desk for a very long time. It is from the talent of Mary Anne Radmacher. Because of one of my IG followers asking, I visited Mary Anne's website for the first time ever. Little did I realize. She's written NUMEROUS books. What an inspiration! Wow. Thanks IG. Thanks Mary Anne. Thank you heavens for being just a click away from inspiration. 

"I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth."  Genesis 9:13

6. We continue on weekly with our Tuesday night #TeacherFriends 9 PM twitter chat. What a crazy, brilliant, inspired idea that has developed from my "lightbulb" moment. Last summer I thought it would be FUN to bring other early educators to Twitter. Little did I realize what would unfold! 


This week I gave a SKYPE visit with BIG kids {third graders} in Pennsylvania, me in FL! How delightful that we can share the fun, without me leaving our dining room! The uncensored questions of children have to be one of my very favorite parts! 

“We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach;”  -- Romans 12: 6+7 

7. This week we chatted about finishing strong, and celebrating and commemorating the "End of the Year" with tradition and style. Preparing for our chat reminded me that I had written this little dittie below.



This week we chatted about finishing strong, and celebrating and commemorating the "End of the Year" with tradition and style. Preparing for our chat reminded me that I had written this little dittie above. I like it better this year than when I originally wrote it. You can download it as a FREEBIE over at our 'Early Education Emporium.' {Go right into the middle of the page to get the download.} Print it and personalize it and share with your peeps! Thank you God for giving me a wordsmith mommy as an example of the power and permission of using the word. 

"His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'  Matthew 25:21

8. If you are here regularly you may have read me blather on about the discovery of the "Painted Bunting" in our micro-backyard and the renaissance of spirit they have given me. This spring we are now up to at least three pair of bunting, visiting us daily. 



This photo is the first evidence that we have two pair visiting. These are the males. We have both seen three male Painted Buntings at once!!! They are rather skittish and they don't appreciate me screaming my excitement upon their arrival. I don't know if I will ever capture all three feathered rainbows sitting there in our midst, but it is exciting to consider the challenge. Serving a creator capable of hand-dipping feathers as we paint Easter eggs brings me joy! 

“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.... Matthew 6: 25-34

9. I got an email from a kindergarten teacher in Chicago inquiring about my giving a SKYPE visit to her kinders. Little did she realize that we will be driving THROUGH Chicago later next month! Guess what? Guess where I'm going! YUP. You guessed it. Here's the way-cool part. In our talking, she mentioned that SOOOOO MANY of the bloggers that she respects have mentioned me and my work. What a blessing. I have been lifted up by others that I respect. They are introducing me to others. Thank you to my blogging brethren. 

"He who walks with the wise grows wise."  Proverbs 13:20 



10. This week someone on Facebook apparently shared one of my favorite spring-time ideas that I saw in Amber's classroom a spring or two ago. It has sent forth a ripple into cyber space. It has catapulted the article into the #10 spot on my top 10 list. Out of oblivion into the tenth spot! Do people realize that their voice changes the lives of others? Thank you unknown FB sharing person! 
The YOUNIQUE Team is Available to Create your Dream!

11. This is the week that my brand new recruit to our Younique team has signed HER first recruit! Mrs. O has given one of her friends a whole new opportunity for growth, development and financial improvement. We're looking for others that need a boot strap to pull upon. Here's the link to all the info you need to make the decision to join us! Ask me some questions! Thank you angels for this unique opportunity with YOUNIQUE! Our daughter is paying her bills and keeping the lights on as a result of her hard work.

12. My Fitbit step counter keeps me moving forward! I got a new badge for continuing to take one more baby step! I hit 500 miles this week! Does that make you start to break out in song? 500 miles: Peter, Paul and Mary or (I'm Gonna Be) 500 miles by the Proclaimers. Which ever song resonates? Just keep taking one more step. They add up in time! I have stayed at this 'smaller and more improved' version of myself and everything FITS better! 

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. " Proverbs 3:5




13. In my searching for material for my article on laughter, I unearthed this quote, with the concept of living "Happily ever Laughter." I plan to incorporate that into the fabric of my life. I'd like to live happily ever laughter. 

Wednesday, June 5, 2013

Eric Carle Birthday Party: RoundUP of Children's Art


photo of: Eric Carle Birthday Bonanza Bash: Children's Art Response to the Classics at RainbowsWithinReach

Happy Birthday, Eric Carle!

Welcome to my happy rainbow of delight, color, children's art, excellence-in-education and early literacy. I'm a newish children's picture book author-illustrator. I marvel at the Master. I travel the country making "Author-Illustrator school visits." While I'm on-site, I take as many photos as time will allow ~~ to share with you here. 

photo of: Eric Carle Picture Book RoundUP of Children's Art Projects via RainbowsWithinReach

Let's start at the very beginning. What is an illustrator? In my own visits, that's one of the concepts that we attempt to sort out: the difference between author and illustrator. Trust me. That's pretty high-faluttin' in PreK and kindergarten. 

This little corner in an Indianapolis Kinder-room made my heart sing! What a delightful way to connect-the-dots. What I LUV about Carle's work is that it is 
'so approachable' for children. His work has a childlike flair and simplicity. 
That is why we treasure him. 

photo of: Easel with Definition for Illustrator at RainbowsWithinReach

Today we gather to celebrate a legend-in-our-midst. Eric Carle has a birthday coming up on June 25th. I've been saving these images for the party! Are you ready to look over my shoulder? I can only take credit for capturing the photo-images of this amazing work and hope that it serves as inspiration for your own extensions of the Carle classics. 

Let's get our party started with THE cornerstone character:  
the crawling caterpillar. 

photo of: Eric Carle's Hungry Caterpillar Classroom Decoration at RainbowsWithinReach

These first several images are CLEVER ways that this ubiquitous character has crawled out of the book and into young hearts. These first caterpillars are actually crawling across classrooms and become a part of the decor and backdrop for early learning. The three dimensionality and size is what lights up the bulletin board in this case. Thanks to Heidi up in Hudson, OH for this beauty! (She was my hostess just last week, so I have that chronicled easily in my memory card.)  

photo of: Bulletin board of Eric Carle's Hungry Caterpillar Classroom Decoration at RainbowsWithinReach

Let's continue in the three dimensionality back-drop mentality. Look at this next caterpillar in mid-air flight. Suspended animation. This character is part of an earlier Florida 'classroom-crashing' article here and is well worth your time to take a look around the rest of her room for inspiration. {Notice the black & white polka dot valances. You know I LUV'd everything about this decor!}

photo of: Classic "Hungry Caterpillar" Display via RainbowsWithinReach

This next fellow is a hybrid of the over-sized tissue-paper poms for body segments and the suspended-from-the- ceiling concept. I saw this next one during my Valentine's Day visit to a site serving young children with special needs. I shared this delightful young teacher's amazing "Elmer" canvas backdrop in an earlier article. (Don't get confused, that would be mixing illustrators I realize.)


Step back just a few steps so you can get the relative size of how much of the corner this creature actually takes up! LUV me some DIY mentality! 

photo of: Classroom Decoration of Eric Carle's Hungry Caterpillar in Eric Carle RoundUP at RainbowsWithinReach

Now let's take the three dimensional aspect of the caterpillar and apply it to a project that the children themselves can create. These images are closeups from the bulletin board for "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" featured in the photo just beyond. 

photo of: Very Hungry Caterpillars from Eric Carle RoundUP via RainbowWithinReach

This bulletin board gets my two thumbs up award because it has the total metamorphosis displayed. The finished butterfly painting is obviously a class collaboration. Two thumbs up indeed! 

photo of: Eric Carle Caterpillar to Butterfly Bulletin Board from Eric Carle RoundUP at RainbowsWithinReach

This next bulletin board is currently on the display at the Bexley, OH JCC (Jewish Community Center.) There are so many things to 'like' about this gorgeous wonder! This is the perfect way to celebrate Carle's birthday -- by immersing young children into PROCESS art. Can I give it the three thumbs up? Is there such a thing?


photo of: Bulletin Board of Eric Carle's Hungry Caterpillar as Process Art for Early Childhood via RainbowsWithinReach

Each oversized segment of the caterpillar is a delightful piece of media energy, enthusiasm and exploration. Open-ended and fun for young fingers and orchestrated and managed by the insightful teaching staff from conception to finished display.

Look closely and you see that there are coffee filter butterflies hanging all about the perimeter of the bulletin board. Complete metamorphosis -- all on one display.

photo of: Bulletin Board of Eric Carle's Hungry Caterpillar as Process Art for Early Childhood via RainbowsWithinReach


Here's one part of a hand-painted mural in a Wisconsin school library.

photo of: The Very Hungry Caterpillar as Mural in the School Library via RainbowsWithinReach

Did I just say, 'hand-painted"? 
This caterpillar has been reproduced in all sorts of hand-painted variations. 
These characters were on the drying racks in Tennessee during my visit. 
All they need are some awesome eyes to come to life! 
Cutie-patootie award.

photo of: Very Hungry Caterpillar Painted Handprints via Eric Carle RoundUP at RainbowsWithinReach

These next finished pieces are under glass.  
What an incredible mother's day gift of love. 
In this case, the projects were directed by 'grandma' to give to her own daughter as a surprise. 
Follow this idea to add razzle-dazzle to your next Mother's Day observation. 

photo of: Eric Carle-like Painted Handprints for Mother's Day via Eric Carle RoundUP at RainbowsWithinReach

Note-to-self. 
Transport this idea to my Mother's Day RoundUP 
that was such a hit last month! 
BTW: Here's my Father's Day RoundUP! 
I digress.

photo of: Eric Carle-like Painted Handprints for Mother's Day via Eric Carle RoundUP at RainbowsWithinReach

Next up is a Texas beauty collaboratively creeping across the bulletin board. 
Wouldn't that make a spectacular 'auction' idea? 
Or a treasured keepsake for a retiring teacher? 
How about using this concept as a thank you for volunteers? 
Easier to do if you only have eight students. 
How cute would it be if you had twice that number? Three times? 
Send me a picture! 

photo of: Classic Classroom Caterpillar made out of painted hand prints (via RainbowsWithinReach)

These next images have graced my pages here earlier. 
In an effort to simplify your life, I transported them from this earlier article. 
So you have arrived at the EXPANDED Encyclopedia RoundUP! 
ENJOY! 

photo of: Individual circles of 'open-ended' paint exploration converted into Very Hungry Caterpillar Bulletin Board (via RainbowsWithinReach)

photo of: Caterpillar Crawls on School Wall in Study of Eric Carle (via RainbowsWithinReach)

photo of: Preschool Bulletin Board for Very Hungry Caterpillar (via RainbowsWithinReach)

photo of: Construction Paper Crawling Caterpillars (via RainbowsWithinReach)
Michigan Hungry Caterpillars Creep and Crawl

Look at this dazzlingly glorious and ENORMOUS school hallway mural! 

photo of: School Wall Mural of Very Hungry Caterpillar Characters (via RainbowsWithinReach)

photo of: Mural in Elementary School: Hungry Caterpillar

photo of: Mural in Elementary School: Hungry Caterpillar

LOVE these Hoosier Butterflies created in the art room. 
Love everything about symmetry projects! 

photo of: spring bulletin board of Eric Carle style paintings

photo of: Tissue Paper Butterfly 'Sun-Catchers' by First Graders

photo of: Butterflies for conclusion of The Very Hungry Caterpillar (Eric Carle RoundUP at RainbowsWithinReach)

ERIC CARLE'S ADDITIONAL CLASSICS

Did you pour a cuppa-cuppa? 
We're just getting started. 
I tell you this a PARTY for a MASTER! 

Let's leave the creeping, crawling, caterpillar for Carle's 'newer' books. 

I will continue to cull through my camera memory-cards to find additional selections to add. 
Birthday Cupcakes for Carle, indeed. 


photo of: "Draw Me a Star" by Eric Carle (Paintings in Eric Carle RoundUP via RainbowsWithinReach)

These glories were in the hallways all throughout Evamere Elementary in Hudson. 
My time in their midst was cut short by the need to attend a family funeral, 
so I never had the opportunity to meet the school's obviously incredible art teacher or tour the art room. 
Maybe I can wrangle my way back for another visit in the future. 
This is my type of building! 
The entire building is filled with Kindergarten and first grade ONLY.

photo of: "Draw Me a Star" by Eric Carle (Paintings in Eric Carle RoundUP via RainbowsWithinReach)

photo of: "Draw Me a Star" by Eric Carle (Paintings in Eric Carle RoundUP via RainbowsWithinReach)

This delightful mural was HUGE HUGE HUGE HUGE!!! 
The picture below feels like a teeny thumbnail in retrospect. 
It was made on that over-sized roll-of-paper, that you might use to cover a bulletin board. 
In this case, the black backdrop went the length of the hallway. 
The stars swirled in a VanGogh-like starry night scene extra-ordinaire. 

There I go again, mixing my metaphors again. 
Here's the link to my recent Art History 101 RoundUP

photo of: "Draw Me a Star" by Eric Carle (Paintings in Eric Carle RoundUP via RainbowsWithinReach)

BEHOLD! 
APPRECIATE!!
Eric Carle Extension!!!

photo of: "Draw Me a Star" by Eric Carle (Paintings in Eric Carle RoundUP via RainbowsWithinReach)

Shift gears again. 
We're going to take a look at Mrs. Gilmore's direction of their annual kinder response to 
"The Tiny Seed." 

Here's this year's interpretation. 
I LUV the collaboration here. 
I LUV the kinder-handwritten labels. 
I LUV the color. 
I LUV the arrows! 
Believe it or not, this year's version is down-sized from last.

photo of: Collaborative Mural of Eric Carle's "Tiny Seed" (Eric Carle RoundUP at RainbowsWithinReach)

Now for some close-ups of each season.
These are brilliant in their execution. 
I LUV the arrows that direct you from one season to the next.


photo of: Collaborative Mural of Eric Carle's "Tiny Seed" (Eric Carle RoundUP at RainbowsWithinReach)

photo of: Collaborative Mural of Eric Carle's "Tiny Seed" (Eric Carle RoundUP at RainbowsWithinReach)

photo of: Collaborative Mural of Eric Carle's "Tiny Seed" (Eric Carle RoundUP at RainbowsWithinReach)

Take a look at last year's version of the same picture book. 
This was HUGE! 
These seasonal pictures were each GIGANTIC! 
The finished display went from floor to ceiling. 
What is similar from one year to the next is the innocence and delight! 
[The photo collage below if of my making and doesn't follow the circular path laid out in the work above.]

photo of: Four Seasons Art construction for Eric Carle's book, The Tiny Seed, kindergarten collaboration

We pop from the hallways of Hilliard, OH above to Wisconsin for this rendition of 

"Papa, Please Get the Moon for Me." 



I LUV when an image of the book and art being studied is displayed among the student work. 
That is such a brilliant idea. 
Helps the students. 
Helps the parents. 
Again. Connects the dots. 
Leads to meaningful conversations. 
Now. We're back in Hudson, OH for these clever spider webs. 

photo of: The Very Busy Spider by Eric Carle

Remember scratch-off papers that reveal a rainbow spectrum below? 
This is the perfect project to combine that opportunity with early literacy. 
Even though each student is creating a spider web....
They are each completely unique! 

photo of: The Very Busy Spider Kindergarten Art Response (Eric Carle RoundUP at RainbowsWithinReach)

photo of: The Very Busy Spider Kindergarten Art Response (Eric Carle RoundUP at RainbowsWithinReach)

photo of: The Very Busy Spider Kindergarten Art Response (Eric Carle RoundUP at RainbowsWithinReach)

photo of: The Very Busy Spider Kindergarten Art Response (Eric Carle RoundUP at RainbowsWithinReach)

By far the most recent of Eric Carle's picture books 
to receive attention in my RoundUP today is: 
"Mister Seahorse" 
released in 2004. 


Let's conclude with these amazing pieces on display outside the art room in Wisconsin. 
They feel like they are the grand-children of the work of Eric Carle.
Student work that reflects: 
The colors. 
The simplicity. 
The layers. 
The vibrancy. 
The innocence. 
The joy. 
The merging of art and subject. 


A quick web-search leads you to all sorts of brilliant support materials. 
Did you know? 

At the top of my professional bucket-list of field trips for sure! 
Speaking of me. 

Very humbling to even suggest that my work belongs in the same article. 


The quilted illustrations I created for my first book, 
have some resonation to Mr. Carle's crisp design.
At the very least, I hope they demonstrate my appreciation for his lifetime contribution, 
as I have been a life-time fan.

As a former art teacher charged with the responsibility for projects such as these in response to Mr. Carle's work, I am gonzo excited to see what others create in response to my work. 

Take a look at this incredible gymnasium size work. 

photo of: Colossal Collaborative Quilt in Honor of Debbie Clement Picture Book "You're Wonderful"

My book is based on my earlier original-song for children.
Teachers kept asking me for support materials. 
Pretty soon, it started to feel like a new project. 
It felt like a book! 


I adore seeing my work translated by children. 
Look what Carie had her Kinderoos create earlier this spring!
Her school residency was defrayed by the area reading council.  

photo of: Quilt Welcome to Washington School via RainbowsWithinReach
Collaborative Quilt in Honor of my Arrival in Central Illinois

My song is now available as a digital download! 
It's a perfect way to end your school year. 
It's an even better way to begin next year with a whole new group! 

photo of: "You're Wonderful" by Debbie Clement Digital Download Available Now

My work is available on my website and at our new collaborative: 

It is also available at TeachersPayTeachers. 


I am hoping that you've found this article inspirational. 
I am hoping that you will be kind to 'pin-generously' from the many images. 

Pinterest is by far and away my main source of marketing. 
As a 'self-published' author-illustrator, I count on your word-of-mouth support. 

Your pin-of-finger support ripples out all across cyber-space. 

Thank you from the bottom of my heart. 


photo of: Eric Carle Birthday Bash of Children's Art in Response to the Classics at RainbowsWithinReach

-- Debbie -- 

P.S.  I'm not quite finished, in the hopes that you might be an art teacher looking for additional inspiration, here are some quick links here within my blog that I think you will find helpful:  

Art History 101 Children's Art Responses

photo of: Art History 101: Art Projects for Early Elementary via RainbowsWithinReach

Directory of Fellow Art Teacher Pinterest Links of 432 Pinterest Links

photo of: Pinterest Directory for Artists, Art Teachers, Teaching Artists + Creative types LINKUP (via RainbowsWithinReach)

photo of: Art Room RoundUP and Organization via RainbowsWithinReach

RoundUP of Art Room Organization



75+ Favorite Arts and Crafts Projects 

P.P.S. And some final footnotes of other great fellow bloggers and their projects: 

Visit Fit Kids to see how pool noodles were used to create a caterpillar and other goodies. 

What a clever and inexpensive way to build your own sculpture. 

A very hungry caterpillar activity Caterpillar to Butterfly with play dough

Take a look at this well-loved copy of the classic and then be SURE to follow this link to see how this incredible response was created at Powerful Mothering. You owe it to yourself to see how the 'butterfly' looks. BREATH taking! 

Thanks again for your pin!

Follow Me on Pinterest
I'm now at 123,089 followers!     
Click this link to go there directly! 
Pre-K, Kindergarten, First, Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth - TeachersPayTeachers.com
Now at 368 followers!
KindergartenWorks

Pin It Tuesdays
Yes. I am a new Amazon Affiliate. 
That means every time you click from here to purchase, 
you are supporting my theoretical retirement. 
I benefit from your going to purchase, by starting from here. 
I have an ENTIRE store of some of my favorite things, up-top, in my tabs. 

I've already done the window shopping for your ease. 



There is an entire industry of creations to support this amazing work. Maybe just a few more?
These next ones are included for the 'serious' new grandmothers included in my readers. 


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Thanks for your support! I am so appreciative of your pins!

Thanks for your support! I am so appreciative of your pins!
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