You've all had that day right? Ketchup Day; the day you dedicate in your classroom as a means to regroup before plunging into another adventure, or to utilize as a way to try and get classes working at different paces within grade levels a chance to align with one other.
A multitude of sources could be used during this time. Perhaps a class gets extra time to add more details to a project; perhaps it serves a a way to encourage discussion and reflection in between projects; maybe it just a fun day to allow students to explore. However it occurs, ketchup ("catch up", get it?!) days are essential to managing a smoothly run classroom.
I look forward to ketchup days. It is a great time to notice and make changes; an opportunity to try something new; a chance to stop and breathe...or to squeeze even more into the day (or into this post!).
Working with elementary students has been fantastic and I have been beyond excited to share some of the many successes and lessons that have occurred. Unfortunately, the days have been so full from start to finish that the entire experience seems to have flown by without me realizing it. In fact, in just two days it there will officially be only 3 weeks left! Just three!!! That is so mind-boggling! I cannot believe how much I have learned and done in just a few weeks. So, without further adieu, and with as much clarity as a ketchup day can muster, I give you a brief review of the last few a-ma-zing weeks.
A multitude of sources could be used during this time. Perhaps a class gets extra time to add more details to a project; perhaps it serves a a way to encourage discussion and reflection in between projects; maybe it just a fun day to allow students to explore. However it occurs, ketchup ("catch up", get it?!) days are essential to managing a smoothly run classroom.
I look forward to ketchup days. It is a great time to notice and make changes; an opportunity to try something new; a chance to stop and breathe...or to squeeze even more into the day (or into this post!).
Working with elementary students has been fantastic and I have been beyond excited to share some of the many successes and lessons that have occurred. Unfortunately, the days have been so full from start to finish that the entire experience seems to have flown by without me realizing it. In fact, in just two days it there will officially be only 3 weeks left! Just three!!! That is so mind-boggling! I cannot believe how much I have learned and done in just a few weeks. So, without further adieu, and with as much clarity as a ketchup day can muster, I give you a brief review of the last few a-ma-zing weeks.
Kindergarten channeled their inner Little Gophers from "The Legend of the Indian Paintbrush" and learned to paint the sky with tempera cakes, tear up the ground with construction paper, and design teepees with crayons. First graders also emulated Little Gopher by using oil crayons to tell a story with symbols; patterns helped provide interest while students while emphasis determined which symbol stood as the main character.
From clay turkeys to Georgia O'Keeffe inspired Navajo blankets, the second graders are cruising along. Third graders were featured in an amazing "Empty Bowls" presentation complete with clay bowls and paper turkeys. Since then they have jumped into the holiday spirit with their festive tangled-up moose.
Fourth graders are making paper mâché birds (so messy and so much fun!) and holiday penguins. Having finished their Charlie Brown's and clay penguins, fifth graders engaged in a fun review of the elements of art that involved multiple stations and a da Vinci's mystery box. The entire event got them out of their seats, talking with others, and practicing problem solving skills!
The jump from middle school to elementary was fast and furious and I recently had an opportunity to go back and see how some of the projects came to completion. Check out the finished 7th grade mixed media one-point perspective projects.
The jump from middle school to elementary was fast and furious and I recently had an opportunity to go back and see how some of the projects came to completion. Check out the finished 7th grade mixed media one-point perspective projects.
Lastly, 6th graders were hard at work on creating posters for the Lions Club International 2015-2016 Peace Poster contest. Eligible 7th and 8th graders were able to participate as well. Students created a poster that showcased the theme of "Sharing Peace" and engaged in an activity that brought together thousands. Take a look at some of the Jefferson Middle School peace posters and congratulations to the 7th grade Jefferson Husky whose poster was chosen to represent Midland, MI!