International Dot Day, based on Peter Reynold’s book, The Dot, is coming up on September 15th. The Dot is the story of Vashti who is overwhelmed at the sight of a blank piece of paper. Her art teacher gently encourages her to explore art her way. Most art teachers consider Peter Reynold’s books essential reads for the art room as he addresses the issues children face when learning how to be an artist.
What I love about the story is the underlying importance of expressive art. This episode takes a look at why expressive art is so important for children and offers you a variety of art projects that are not only perfect for Dot Day.
I can’t wait to hear how you celebrate Dot day and what projects work for you!
IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN:
- Why expressive art is so important to include in your art room plans
- How The Dot can help you create a new focus for your class
- What lessons can be learned from The Dot to overcome various challenges and empower your students
- Why you need to take a cautious approach to doing any kind of directed drawing project, especially with younger children
- How craft paper can be used for projects that all children contribute to
LISTEN TO THE SHOW
My best advice for teaching art to kids.
International Dot Day, based on Peter Reynold’s book, The Dot, is coming up on September 15th. The Dot is the story of Vashti who is overwhelmed at the sight of a blank piece of paper. Her art teacher gently encourages her to explore art her way. Most art teachers consider Peter Reynold’s books essential reads for the art room as he addresses the issues children face when learning how to be an artist.
What I love about the story is the underlying importance of expressive art. This episode takes a look at why expressive art is so important for children and offers you a variety of art projects that are not only perfect for Dot Day.
I can’t wait to hear how you celebrate Dot day and what projects work for you!
IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN:
Why expressive art is so important to include in your art room plans
How The Dot can help you create a new focus for your class
What lessons can be learned from The Dot to overcome various challenges and empower your students
Why you need to take a cautious approach to doing any kind of directed drawing project, especially with younger children
How craft paper can be used for projects that all children contribute to
LISTEN TO THE SHOW
SHOW NOTES:
Dot Day Song
Dot Day Lyrics
LESSONS FROM THE PODCAST:
Here’s a short video I created for a watercolor project to celebrate Dot Day. All you need is a square piece of watercolor paper, water-soluble oil pastels/gel sticks OR you can use non-soluble oil pastels to create a true resist.
Then, just use liquid watercolor paints to create this happy dot. Reminds me of a Yellowstone’s Geyser!
https://d3ndagut9sanks.cloudfront.net/2017-D/VID-09/Dot+Day+Watercolor.mp4
Tint & Pattern Circles
Kandinsky and the Rainbow Art Project
Color, Line and Pattern Art Project
Hundertwasser Art Lesson for Kids
SHOW NOTES:
LESSONS FROM THE PODCAST:
Here’s a short video I created for a watercolor project to celebrate Dot Day. All you need is a square piece of watercolor paper, water-soluble oil pastels/gel sticks OR you can use non-soluble oil pastels to create a true resist.
Then, just use liquid watercolor paints to create this happy dot. Reminds me of a Yellowstone’s Geyser!
Kandinsky and the Rainbow Art Project
Color, Line and Pattern Art Project
Hundertwasser Art Lesson for Kids
My best advice for teaching art to kids.
Yes, the day has come!
After a long time deciding if, I finally said when.
Thank you SO much for your encouragement, show suggestions and help getting Art Made Easy off the ground.
Many of you were so pumped about this show but confessed that you had no idea what a podcast was. I love you guys for your unbridled enthusiasm.
Here’s a quick definition of a podcast & what to expect from Art Made Easy:
A podcast is a free radio show. The host (me!) interviews guests or talks about a favorite subject. You get to listen through your computer, laptop or smart phone. I like to listen to my favorite podcasts in my car during long travel days or on my walks via set of ear buds and my iPhone.
You can subscribe to the show via iTunes and Stitcher radio. The benefit is that your free podcast ap on your iPhone will automatically be updated with all the podcast episodes from any show you subscribe to.
Go ahead and give it a try!
To listen on your laptop or computer, just click the play button in the colored box below.
To listen via iTunes, click on the “play in iTunes” banner and click subscribe.
And now onto the show…
For my first show, I wanted to tell you my story of how I became an art teacher. We all have different paths and this one is mine. I’ll share advice to those who are just starting out as an art teacher and some of my best tips for teaching art to kids.
This episode is for anyone who thinks they may not have the qualifications to be an art teacher. Teaching art to kids doesn’t have to happen inside a classroom. You can teach art at home, at a summer camp and even as a volunteer (like I did).
If you are an art teacher just beginning your journey, I’m sharing my best advice to get you through that tough first year. Download my free handout and keep it in your teacher planner and refer to it when you have a tough day.
LISTEN TO THE SHOW
SHOW NOTES:
Drawing With Children: A Creative Method for Adult Beginners, Too
Art Lab for Kids: 52 Creative Adventures in Drawing, Painting, Printmaking, Paper, and Mixed Media-For Budding Artists of All Ages (Lab Series)
National Art Convention
CreativeLive- free online classes
Art Teachers Facebook Group
Website: Painted Paper in the Art Room (Laura Lohmann)
Website: Art of Education
Book: Classroom Management for Art, Music, and PE Teachers
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I just listened to Art Made Easy 065 about the Dot Projects for the first days of school. The color examples are easy to decode along with the descriptions and the suggested age levels. You make everything so easy and fun for the kids …and also for me as a teacher. I’m going to try this out in the after-school art enrichment program that I teach in. Thank you!
Janet Crawley
You are so welcome!
Thank you so much for posting these lessons and videos. I love all the projects you do. It is awesome that you are willing to share. I’ve used quite a few of your ideas in my classroom, adapting them as needed for my students and what we are aiming to produce.
Your podcast and Dot lessons came at a perfect time! Today was a practice watercolor day for my 4th graders – so we made it an International Dot Day! It was nice (and easy) to have the kids make their own circles in various sizes instead of my teacher made worksheet – what a great buy-in from all the kids! Thanks for creating a quick 1-n-done practice for my kids – what fun 🙂
That’s so good to hear! Thanks Mary Anne!
can you link to the first lesson you described? the watercolor drip
I created the video for this post but didn’t create any written documentation. It’s for your viewing pleasure only!
Great ideas Patty! Thanks so for always sharing with us!
I always enjoy your ideas, patience, sense of humor and creative spirit!
Fantastic advise Patty on your Successful Management Plan talk! I truly appreciate all your wonderful advise. You have helped guide me so much in the past year and I am beyond grateful. I can’t thank you enough.
Thank you for this. As a past Sparkler and current teacher trying to simplify lessons for virtual and in person learning I am thankful you shared this today. I’ve got to figure out the no shared supplies thing for that collaborative circle lesson for my lessons tomorrow! Thanks again.
Very inspiring. Thank you. I love your experiences in the real world. Very helpful.
Hey, I enjoyed the show. I have my students participate in International Dot Day. Thanks for sharing your lessons for creating expressive art.
Thanks for tuning in Natalie 🥰
Hi Patty?
I have listened to and watched your pod cast for years. I love your lessons . I have used some of your ideas over the few years. Thank you for sharing your ideas , projects and love through your art with the world and with me.
Gladness and Joy be yours,
Leslei
Thank you so much for the kind words Leslei 💖
Thank you so much for sharing such inspiring ideas!!! You are so generous with tips and links, of course I will let my students know where I got the ideas for Virtual Art Class…
Great inspiration. Thank you patty
Irene