UPDATE: I'm an Empty Nester

Well that day has come, I'm officially an empty nester.  Everybody has flown the nest and have made a new home for themselves somewhere.  I'm yet to find out where, but I certainly hope they come back to visit.

Oh, what did you guys think I was talking about?  If you're confused rightfully so, but check out my previous post and it might make a little more sense.

These guys grew so fast in the mere 10 days that I knew them.  Thank you Rocky and Hermie for letting me be your friend.  You know watch you grow up.  You were pretty ugly at first, actually really ugly at first, but once you sprouted a few feathers you weren't so bad.  I still don't understand why you wouldn't eat the worms I chewed up for you, it did kind of hurt my feelings, but I guess it's okay.

To you Momma Robin: I'm glad to see you go.  You gave me the stink eye as if there was no tomorrow.  If looks could kill, you got me good.  You pooped everywhere and made the front porch a mess.  I only wanted to participate in the growing up of your children so swooping down at me was not very nice. 

      

Fly free Rocky and Hermie.  I'll catch you later.  But I am glad I can open the front door again.  Come back to visit, as long as you bring me back presents. 

(In other news my Summer School class has been learning all about Art in Motion updates on that shortly, you know after I share some of the end of the year projects and get over my bird depression.  Do you think if I'm sad enough I'll inflict Bird Flu on myself?  Just a thought) 

Things that Fly

1st graders last projects of the school year were all about balance and symmetry.  We started off by talking about the asymmetry of kites when it comes to the patterns and designs.  

 The borders around our kites were just a combination of leftover scraps from the year--never let anything go to waste!  You can tell the students who just threw on random colors and those that took the time to sort through all the colors to create a pattern.

Next up we talked about the symmetry of butterflies and created these simple crayon, watercolor & salt, compositions.

Speaking of others things that fly, as of late I've become quite the birdwatcher.  If you follow me on twitter you might have noticed my obsession as of late with ornithology.  Well guys, it's real.  This bird just HAD TO make a nest on the wreath on the door and torment me.  

I almost died taking this picture.  In order to make this picture a reality I 007-ed and Mission Impossibled this like there was no tomorrow.

Check ya, later peeps. Only 9 more days of summer school and REAL summer begins!

My Eraser Soapbox.

Remember these?

Well, here I am at the end of week three of school.  Things certainly have not slowed down yet, the art room is in full force.  With school starting and the beginning of my quest of grad school underway I'm looking  ahead to the long weekend and can only be a little thankful to put my feet up and say "phew."

On another note, I have a serious issue at hand. Erasers.  First you need a little back story.  When I student taught (3 years ago) I had an awesome, groovy, cool cooperating teacher.  She gave me many "aha" moments and set me up to be successful as I started off on my own.  One of the biggest, but small things I took from her is she didn't have erasers out for students to use.  She was a K-5 teacher and NEVER ONCE did I hear a student complain or whine about not having an eraser.

Having an eraser seems like such a small thing to be worried about.  I see more and more students being afraid to just create and becoming more concerned about it being perfect or just right.  I always tell my students "if you make a mistake it's not a big deal just make it in to something else." I took the no eraser practice with me.  I'm in my third year at the same school,  students know I don't give out erasers, yet they still always ask.  Then they start to complain and throw a fit.  Some become wise and bring their own, which is fine if they don't leave it in my room.  AND when an eraser does get left in my room what happens?  Everybody thinks it's a good idea to poke their pencil in it and then it falls apart into a million tiny pieces crushed into the carper and who gets to pick it up?--ME.


What's your take on erasers?  Seriously, am I the only one with a vendetta towards the "E" word?


My favorite Art Professor in college taught me one of my favorite things.  When drawing or painting, even the masters left behind marks.  Evidence of the work that had been done, they weren't perfect, they didn't get it in one try.  It gave you a chance to see the history of the work, where it started and what it became.

Eraser Soapbox done.

On another note, I hope your summer was awesome.
Here's a quick photo montage of mine.

What was your best moment?