Something magical happens this time of year

in a kindergarten classroom.

The kids start getting it.

Like, really getting it.

Light bulbs start going off everywhere. 

They are eager and finally ready to learn.

All of the practice and training and investment

 from August through December

starts to pay off.

And the dividends are huge.

My babies that used to crawl under the table for half the day

are writing letters and words and

putting little thoughts on paper.

And thrilled about what they can do.

They are writing.
They are reading.
They growing up.
No longer babies.
Getting ready for the big kid playground.

And every single year,
right about now,
without fail,
I am amazed by them.

I love how each is similar, but not the same.
These Dr. Seuss portraits were directed drawings.
I draw each part on the white board,
and the class draws theirs.
Kids (and I) are often astounded by
 what they can create when they're given
direct instruction in art. 

I have been buried
under report cards & conferences
for the last couple weeks.
But I'm coming out from under the pile...



I heart George & Abe



I love February.

Not only is it a love fest,

but I get to talk about George and Abe

I am a big nerd when it comes to these guys.

I heart them both.

Kids love learning about them.
I love teaching about them.

and you know what I love even more?

4 day weekends.

Most people will find this really boring. 

But, if you have a crush on George Washington, too
this is a great documentary.
probably not going to go viral.
but interesting.

Lovefest 2011

In kindergarten Valentine's Day is

a complete love fest.
Pure sweetness all day long.

And for the teacher:
double sweetness.
Pure love.

All day.

Getting a little paper Valentine
might not seem like the most exciting thing,

but to 6 year olds, it's right up there with Christmas.

and not just getting one, but 20.

and giving them is equally as thrilling.

they've never done this before.

and they just bask in the love.

they are utterly shocked.

all day.

 Overheard 1176 times:

"Mrs. B.! Ellie gave me a card!"

And the are so delightfully surprised

by the whole thing.

 

My favorite part:

It's pieces of paper.

Not expensive toys.

or an amusement parks.

Little scraps of paper sent with love.

Hoping your day is full of delightful surprise.

Kindergarten Self Portraits

My kindergarten students drew these self portraits for Open House.

I gave a directed drawing lesson, guiding them through each part of the portrait.

I can't believe how they turned out. I love them.

Some are so expressive and revealing.

Others are simple and sweet.

They each have their own style.

and interpretation.

They started off a little hesitant,

but most ended up loving their work.

I always let kids have as many "chances" (pieces of paper) as they need so they can create in freedom, without fear.

There is nothing that paralyzes me more than thinking that I only have one chance.
I made them draw at least three portraits, and I let them create as many as they wanted to, and choose the one they wanted to display.

We had a little critique at the end (only positive comments) and they were so sweet and proud of their little portraits.
Now the question is: am I brave enough to attempt this assignment?!?
Why are self portraits so difficult? So painful? so... yuck...

You learn something new every day.
Kinder Student: Did you know that when you are a really good friend to someone, then you become cousins?

I am where I am supposed to be

Limitations live only in our minds.
But if we use our imaginations,
our possibilities become limitless.
Jamie Paolinetti

The more I art
(as a verb, invented by Janne)
the more I realize that everything is possible.

Now I just have to figure out what I want.

I've been saying that over and over lately because
artfest kind of turned my world upside down.

i thought i knew what i wanted.

i thought i wanted to make my fortune doing what I love: making art.

But, when I got a little time and space to think about it at artfest...
i don't think that's what i want.

if i had a million dollars...

i would keep my job, part time.
i love my job.
i teach kindergarten 2-3 days a week with the best partner in the world.
i read and sing and paint and encourage and get hugs all day long.
and it's one of the most important jobs in the world.

and i feel about teaching kindergarten,
the way I feel about creating.
I feel like it's where i am supposed to be.
Like i was made for this.

plus it makes me shower
and iron my clothes
and feel like a real person some days.

In my search to find out what I want in my art explorations,
i have to start with what i don't want.
and i don't want what i thought i wanted...

when i consider trying to make a living creating art,
i think i could pursue it
if I put everything I had into it.
but honestly,
i don't want to work that hard.
i don't want to have to make art.
i don't want to have to travel.
i want to get paid for my time.
i don't want art to be another obligation,
but an outlet.

so now, maybe the answer lies in knowing what I don't want.

or maybe it's okay not toknow
just to wander
and linger
and explore.

So, what is it that you want out of this artful life?
Is it what you thought you wanted when you begna this adventure?
What have you learned.

I really want to know...

Painting a Mural for the Kindergarten Yard

I fell off the blogging wagon, but I'm climbing back on. I've missed you guys, my blogging family.

Here's where I've been: at my school.
We have a great group of kinder parents at school this year who planned + made a kindergarten garden. When they asked me to help with the murals for the kindergarten yard I was more than happy to. I've never done anything on this huge scale before. I love large. Really large. And it was so fun.

Last Saturday 4 families came + we primed the walls to get ready for the big painting event. We all had a great time.I don't know why, it was just really, really fun.


Especially Jack. Ummm, are you supposed to painting that? I don't think so.


Then I spray painted the outlines for the 2 murals. An ocean on the handball court...


and a garden for our garden.


Yesterday a bunch of our kinder families came out to help paint...

and paint.

There is still a little more to be done + details to be added, but we got most of it done.

And today we're taking a break.
I missed you. I'm happy to be back.