Mrs.Williams Art Room

Teaching the weaving process has not always been easy for me to teach. Students struggle with the concept of over and under and being able to see the pattern. That all changed for me when I decided to create these large paper looms. Students were given more practice and able to work with their peers for extra guided practice. To make this even better, I turn it into sort of a competition, the group that finishes first and does it correctly may move on to the individual paper looms. They love the intrinsic reward of finishing and moving to the next task.  I hope that this helps you if you struggle like I did with paper weaving.  Each student gets one strip to weave correctly. Students may verbally assist each other in their own group.

This lesson is a real hit with my middle school students. We learned to create a stuffed felt pillow. I have used a variety of themes for this project but the list is limitless. I have done stuffed emoji's, and winter holiday characters you can have your students create all kinds of things. Our first step is to create a template of there design using carboard or paper. It must be large enough to fill with stuffing and able to be sewn or glued around the edges to seal shut. Pick two sheets of felt and trace your template onto the felt. Cut out your design and begin adding details.  Connect your two pieces with needle and thread, hot glue or fabric glue. My students used needle and thread as this was a sewing project for them but I have used hot glue guns with them when we are in a time crunch.  The hot glue or fabric glue can be used to add embellishments too. Below are some pics of my Art ED colleagues at a PD that I facilitated. I introduced this lesson to them to take back

One of my favorite modern/Instagram artist to teach about is Chris Riggs, his work is simple but edgy and has a great message of love. I decided to use his layering style in a cut paper collage project for my middle school students. I used a video to demonstrate the cutting technique and once they got that, the rest was history.   Supplies needed: 12x18 Black or white construction paper 5x5 inch construction paper variety of colors Scissors Glue Pencil and eraser   Loved how students tried new shapes to create their design. 

Merry Christmas Everyone! Wishing you a blessed and prosperous New Year!

As promised, I have included a video tutorial of my art projects. This project is inspired by James Rizzi's Birds. My fifth grade students have been begging to do more clay and so here's there first clay project of the year. Stay tuned for student art work. My    u J ames Rizzi was born in 1950 in Brooklyn. He studied art in Florida (Gainesville), where he started experimenting with printing, painting and sculpting. Rizzi’s work often shows his birthplace New York. His paintings look sometimes childishly native, with many the bright colors.  Students at work Love how this one is turning out! Can't wait to see more! Supplies needed: Clay Rolling Pin or something to make clay flat 4.5 x 4.5 inch template square toothpicks Water dish Clay or non-clay tools                                                Check out my YouTube lessons. Subscribe to my channel for more art lessons @Mrswilliamsartroom.

Boy, has it been a while since I have blogged!  Please forgive me...life has been busy. For some of you who do not know, I'm not only a full time K-8 art teacher, but I am a business owner, traveling art content leader for my school,  and outreach art instructor. I travel and participate as an art vendor and  I participate in art shows throughout the year so my mind goes from one place to the other. This year I have traveled to New York to facilitate  an art teacher workshop with some amazing art teachers and I have helped coach over 20 new art teachers during our professional develop training. Whew!! It's been a ride!  Well, I haven't totally left the seen, I'm preparing a few lessons to share on my blog and on YouTube. I have decided to share my classroom video tutorials with you. I love making videos to show my students how to create our art projects. I do have an Elmo in my room that displays what I demo on to the whiteboard, but it gets difficult trying to demon