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Explore the Magic of Art Making on Transparent Surfaces
Reverse Painting on Transparencies: Letting Kids “Ruin” Their Art (on Purpose!) If you’ve ever watched a kindergartener or early elementary student gleefully scribble right on top of their own carefully drawn masterpiece, you know one thing for sure: kids LOVE to destroy their own art. Not in a negative way—but in a wonderfully curious, experimental…
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Exploring the Whimsy of Paul Klee’s Magic Squares
3rd Grade Art Spotlight: Building Magical Cities with Paul Klee Welcome back to the studio, friends! Today I’m thrilled to share a lesson that’s always a hit with my third graders — an imaginative dive into the world of Paul Klee’s Magic Square paintings. This unit is all about process over product — giving students…
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Exploring the Magic of Ancient Egyptian Art with Insects and Symmetry
🦋 Art Lesson: Symmetry in Nature & the Magic of Ancient Egyptian Colors In today’s art adventure, we’re combining observation, creativity, and a little bit of history! We’ll explore symmetry by drawing insects, then dive into the world of ancient Egyptian art, where the deep blues of lapis lazuli and radiant gold once decorated tombs…
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Exploring Portrait Painting with the Grid Method for Best Results
Using the Grid Method to Paint a Portrait As an art teacher, one of the most effective and approachable techniques I love to introduce to my students is the grid method—especially when it comes to painting portraits. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced artist, this method provides a structured way to transfer a photograph…
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Understanding Feelings By Learning To Draw Simple Facial Expressions
Understanding Feelings Art has always been a way for people to express themselves. For young children, drawing can be a magical way to show what they’re feeling when words are hard to find. Whether they’re happy, sad, angry, or excited, children often have an easier time showing their emotions through pictures than they do through…
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Colorful Recycled Bottle Flowers and Sharing the Planet
Turning Trash Into Treasure In a world increasingly concerned with sustainability, artists and crafters are finding innovative ways to repurpose everyday materials that would otherwise end up in landfills. One such material is the humble plastic bottle. Often considered a waste product, plastic bottles can be transformed into stunning works of art, from sculptures to…
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Exploring the Magic of Spring with Coffee Filter Flower Collage
🌸 Art Meets Science: Coffee Filter Flowers & Flower Anatomy Collage 🌱 This week, our art lesson blossomed into an exploration of spring, nature, and the changing seasons—all through a colorful and creative project that connected beautifully with our IB theme: How the World Works. As part of our ongoing inquiry into the natural world,…
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Exploring the Whimsical World of Paul Klee’s Magic Square Towns
Activity: Title: Design a Colorful Town Inspired by Paul Klee About Paul Klee and His Art: Paul Klee (1879–1940) was a Swiss-German artist known for his unique and imaginative approach to art, blending abstraction with playful simplicity. His works often feature bold colors, geometric shapes, and dreamlike scenes that evoke emotion, movement, and personal expression.…
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Learning All About Color Value with Ice Cream Cones
Exploring Color Value: Adding White and Black to a Hue As an art teacher, one of the most essential concepts I love teaching my students is understanding color value. Color value refers to the lightness or darkness of a color, which can dramatically affect the mood, depth, and dimension of an artwork. When working with…
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Exploring the Colorful World of Dale Chihuly’s Glass Sculptures
Statement of Inquiry: How can we use simple materials and creative techniques to explore the expressive potential of color and form, inspired by the work of Dale Chihuly? Related Concept: Transformation and Color Theory Global Context: Personal and Cultural Expression – Art allows individuals to communicate personal narratives while also reflecting cultural and historical influences.…
Rebecca Wacht
Art Teacher / Creative
Recent Posts
- Exploring the Magic of Winter with Aluminum Foil Monoprinting
- Exploring the Magic of Cubism and Picasso: Seeing the World from Different Angles
- Exploring the Magic of Autumn Leaves with Watercolor Resist
- Exploring the Magical World and Fantastic Creatures of Leonora Carrington
- Exploring Summer Under Water with Snorkels and Sea Life
- How to Make a Fun and Versatile Zine (No Staples Needed)
- Exploring the Magic of Pixels to Paint by Recreating AI Art
- How to Hone Observation and Composition with a Room
- How to Paint like Picasso: Painting through the Blues
- Exploring the Magic of Insects with Recycled Egg Carton Sculptures
- Exploring the Colorful World of Pop Art with Andy Warhol
- Kaboom! Exploring the Magic of Comic Book Drawing
- Applying the Magic of Chinese Writing to a Functional Art Piece
- Exploring the Fine Motor Skills Magic of Scrunching and Pressing Paper
- Exploring the Magic of Underwater Worlds with Collage Adventures
