Make It For Mom Or Anyone

Mother's Day is just around the corner.  Some years it comes and goes with little acknowledgement in my classroom.  It really depends on the lives of my students.  I always try to emphasize that we can honor everyone who loves us.

The next step is finding something to make that is not too difficult or too expensive.  This year my friend Kathy showed me these great paper and pipe cleaner flowers.  I thought they would make great pins.  So here is our flower pin project that we are making in stages this week.

All you need for this little gem is a piece of scrapbook paper, 4 pipe cleaners--12 inches and cut in half (8 that are 6 inches long),  one or more buttons, glue and a pin back

Twist the pipe cleaner so that it looks like a balloon with a string.

Glue all 8 of these onto the scrapbook paper.  Let dry overnight!

The next day cut out these paper petals.  Then choose the six you like the best and twist together to form a flower.  This step might need the most help!

Then glue on the button(s) and the pin back.  Let these dry overnight.

Then we are going to put them in decorated white lunch bags and make cards.

I wore the one in the top picture on Monday, and that made the students more excited to make these.

Are you making anything fun in your classroom these days

Making Time For Creativity

I am the last person who is going to tell you it is easy to find time to be creative.  In fact, I don't think we find time.  I think we make time by making intentional decisions about what to include in our lives.  It is not easy, but it is worth it--well worth it!  Here is my experience and my tips that grew out of it:

Waterscape watercolor created this weekend.

Close up flower corner of painting

Close up of beach grass

For most of my adult life I had lots of after work time when I could create.  I had few responsibilities or time commitments outside of work.  Somehow I was always busy--sometimes the busy-ness was productive and constructive, but sometimes I was busy watching TV or eating ice cream.

I am now the bread-winner in my house, and I live with an active 3 year old (I know that's redundant!)  I am busy and tired.  I have every reason to never take a photo or make a painting or blog or create products or events for Brave Teachers.

Here is what I know:

• I can create in very small snippets of time.  The painting above was created in many little 2 - 5 minute segments around spending time with my family.  Sometimes I'm tempted to think I need to go into seclusion for a week or at least a weekend.  That might be nice, but it's not necessary.
• I do not need a large space of lots of materials to create.  Most people would laugh at the cheap watercolors I use, and my camera is just a little Cannon Powershot.  I usually paint in a space off our kitchen that is 4 x 7.  It's enough.
• I can include my family in many parts of creating.  We love to walk in the woods or hike the Towpath.  I usually have my little camera with me.  The bonus is that I get many fun photos of my family that I wouldn't otherwise get.  My son LOVES to watercolor with me, and sometimes I just set aside my project to have fun with him.
• I can schedule times for creativity.  I have a couple BIG projects that I'm going to unveil for summer.  This is the 2 week window in which I am just creating--this stuff will evolve into posters and calendars, but for now I'm just creating.  {It's VERY fun and freeing!}  By making a schedule and a timeline I am able to feel really good about creating now, and not worry about what is not getting done.
• I can ask for help and time.  I am just learning how to do this, and it's hard!  My husband spends the day with our son, and then he has other plans several nights a week.  I told him that I needed one evening a week to plan, recharge, and be.  I go from school to yoga and then to creative time on Wednesdays.  I have a favorite coffee shop, and I plan blogs, plan in notebooks, and sometimes create there.  It's amazing to me what comes to me in that 1 - 2 1/2 hour block each week.  It's a start!
• It has to be fun.  If I'm not excited about it, everything else will suck me in.  {I know it's time to revaluate when I am mopping the kitchen floor rather than create!}

If you're looking for more on this topic the most powerful voice in my life on this topic is Melody Ross over at Brave Girls Club.  She is so inspiring because she really walks the walk.  I highly recommend the online classes as a  reason to be creative and figure out priorities for yourself and live the life that was meant for you.

Make It Monday: Wind Vanes and Anemometers

For Make It Monday, I'm offering up two things we're doing in Science this week.


Great video on making a wind vane:

How to Make a Wind Vane on Howcast

Great pdf on making an anemometer. This is different then the ones we made last year. I'm hoping they will be less saggy!
How to make an anemometer

Here's a video of how the anemometers did and didn't work last year!

Here's a great kid site for all things weather!
Great weather site!

I can't wait to see how it goes!
What hints do you have for hands on weather in 4th grade?

Make It Monday: Simple Pear Tart

OK, ok, I know this is not exactly a tart, because it doesn't have crust. It is, however, a super yummy and simple dessert to make. Where I live in Ohio it's easy to find a variety of pears reasonably priced in many different markets.

I just made it again last week. I also added plums and fresh ground nutmeg. It had a great, gentle flavor.

I know I found the recipe on the web, but I could not locate the source. If you find it, please let me know so that I can give credit where credit is due.

Recipe:

Pear Tart
2 eggs

1/4 cup milk

1 cup granulated sugar

pinch of salt

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

2 pounds fresh pears, preferably Bosc or Anjou (about 5 to 6)

butter for dotting the tart

12 whole cloves (optional)

Instructions:
Preheat the oven to 375ºF/190ºC with a rack in the upper third of the oven.
Peel the pears, cut in half lengthwise, and core to remove the seeds. Slice the pear halves into thin slivers.
Beat the eggs and milk in a bowl. Add the sugar and a pinch of salt and continue beating until well-blended.
Add the flour to the eggs and milk. Mix to form a thick cake batter.
Add the pears to the batter and mix gently until the slices are evenly coated. Deposit the batter in the greased and dusted cake pan.
Top evenly with small pieces of butter and whole cloves (if using).

I think this is a surprisingly flexible recipe. Use different fruit and spices. The quantity can very, and you'll still end up with a yummy dessert. I bet it would work with different sweeteners and with whole wheat flour!

Happy cooking!

What are you making today?

Make It Monday: Vision Board

I love making vision boards. Today I'm sharing the vision board I made for 2012. (I also think this would be a super fun thing to do with kids at the beginning of the school year or in January, but I never have done vision boards with kids!)

Here's all you need:

• Lots of magazines and catalogs
• Scissors
• Glue
• Some sort of backing paper

Here's what you do:

• Cut out all the words and pictures that speak to you.
• Then arrange them and glue them down.
• Now look at it! What stands out to you? You'll be surprised at what you see!

Here were some of the surprises on mine--multiple placements of the words "nourish" and "fresh" I was also suprised by how prominently the color green appeared.


Here is the finished vision for 2012! I really like that it's orderly but not symmetrical or square.

What's your vision for 2012? Have you made something like a vision board? Have you ever used vision boards with students?

Make It Monday: Altoid Tin Upcycling

Welcome to Make It Monday!

When I have a little project that I've made or want to make, I will share them here on Mondays in the future.

Today I'm sharing an ongoing project in this ongoing series. I'm going to share different ways I'm using Altoid tins. I love these things! I shared my first project HERE last summer. I still really like my little box of affirmations.

I've been thinking what else I could do. If you like the box in the photos above, here's how to make your own:

You need: empty Altoid tin, your choice of tissue paper (torn into pieces the size of postage stamps), Mod Podge, a foam brush

1. Apply a layer of Mod Podge on the outside of tin
2. Begin applying layers of tissue paper. (I applied about 4-5 layers)
3. You're done with this part when you like the way it looks!
4. Use scraps of scrapbooking paper or colorful index cards
5. Write journaling prompts for yourself (or your students) on the cards.

Here were some of my prompts:
~What enchanted me today?
~What did I do today that could be enchanting?
~What could I do to feel more enchanted and magical?
~What did I do today that required courage?
~How would I like to enchant others today (or tomorrow)?
~Did I resist being enchanting or enchanted today?
~What do I observe right now in this moment?

I'm sure you can think of lots more that serve you!

I think this would also make a fun little gift--a blank book/journal, a pen (or set of pens) and a tin full of writing prompts! I know I would like to receive such a gift!


Another site with "manly" projects with Altoid tins is HERE. (Love these!)

What are you making these days?