Glitter Lotion

This is something I have done in a variety of ways since I started teaching. My classes are on a point system with 5 being the best. If the class gets all of their stars/points then they get glitter lotion as they leave as their reward.
It has also been called sparkle spray when it was glitter spray from Bath and Body Works but I could not afford that forever. I was able to find glitter lotion at Dollar Tree a few years back which made life so simple. But lately I have had a hard time finding it in stores so for the first time in seven years I made my own!
I used aloe vera lotion and fine glitter from the Dollar Tree. I used an old lotion bottle I found in my cabinet and stuck a random sticker on it. The lotion is pink because I used pink glitter for that batch. If you are worried about the boys liking it-never fear! They love it! Very inexpensive and awesome reward for the kids. They leave the art room covered in sparkles!

Cupcakes

Peace Sign Cupcake

I saw this book on Amazon and knew I had to have it. I wasn't sure at the time how I would use it-you know I would figure it out later. So I ended up using the book for my first lesson with first grade. It has cute pictures and focuses on individuality and what makes us special. After reading the book my first graders created their own cupcake with any kind of special topping they wanted. You see in the book Cupcake is sad because he is vanilla and plain so he and his new friend, Candle explore different options for a special topping including pickles and smelly cheese. My kiddos drew with pencil, traced with Sharpie and then colored their cupcake. We then used a glitter blue watercolor to paint inside our circle. The cover of the book also has glitter! Then we used tempera markers to create our polka dots. It was super fun and the kids had a blast. Who doesn't love cute cupcakes?

Stronger

When I first heard this song I fell in love. I work in a school in which character education is a priority and I felt like this song was amazing all around!  What a confidence booster!  They sing along and dance in their seats.  It is pretty stinkin adorable.  When my students enter the room they get to hear this song if they came in making amazing choices.  It is only two minutes long and I use the time to take roll or ready supplies. 

 

Back to School

     There are so many art room blogs that inspire me! I thought I would give this blogging thing a go.  I can't make any promises to how good I will be at keeping it updated but just like I ask my students to do-I will give it my best.
      Another thing that I am inspired by is Pinterest (but who isn't inspired by Pinterest really?)
Here are some of the things I started the year with.

 

 

 

 

Crayon Kids!  I saw this idea on Pinterest as reward for students.  The original post I saw used stars and hearts but try as I might I could not find many silicone molds no matter how many stores I went to.  I finally found a Wilton silicone mold at Wal-Mart for gingerbread men and voila Crayon Kids were born!  My students adore them :)

Again on Pinterest I saw the Lego Van Gogh picture and was inspired to create a Lego bulletin board.  It is unfinished in the picture as you can see but the kids love it!  The finished version has the iconic Lego trademark right in the middle.  The kids love it and stop to stare at it when they are walking by my room.  Kids looking at art-win!