The Week After Grinchmas.

'Twas the week after Christmas, when all through the house, the only creature stirring is my computer mouse (and my racing heart because I have waaaaaay OD'd on the coffee)...

I've had my eye on these Anthro pencils for quite a while.  I'm a big fan of having different pencils than the Art Room ones my students use, so I can attempt to stay as cootie-free as possible.  If my students find Miss French Fry's pencils around the room (which is always bound to happen), they are always quick to return them to me, mostly boogie-free.

I couldn't quite stomach paying one buck a pencil (I know, I am seriously cheap-o), and may have mentioned something to my awesomely awesome mother.  So, below is my totally thoughtful and sweet Christmas gift from her.

I tend to burn through my art journals and this one is absolutely gorgeous!  The pictures do not do this bad boy justice.  It is travel friendly and the color is so robin egg-y and happy (always much needed during these Midwest winter months).

Teal journal with color pencils: TJ Maxx

Eco Paper Wrapped Pencils from Nepal: TJ Maxx

Tamarind Branch Pencils from Thailand: TJ Maxx

These pencils are STUNNING and exactly what I was looking for.  They are clearly different from the Ticonderoga pencils my students use, and they are just so darn happy.

Just goes to show that TJ Maxx does do more than post suggestive advertisements in their store.  There's good stuff in there!

Well done Momma French Fry, well done.

Part 3: Art Supports

Just wanted to continue some of my previous ramblings from here and here.  I've taken inspiration from Peter Jackson's Hobbit and broken my posts on Art Supports into three lengthy pages.  Unfortunately for you, none of my posts feature any of the sprightly hobbit-y songs to keep you from falling asleep during those LOOONG shots of the New Zealand landscape.  But, Hobbit you stick around, grab your elevenses, and stick with me, eh?

Sometimes, I have little Art friends who:

A) Need a chill break to regroup and calm themselves

or

B) Choose to continue flicking clay boogers at their tablemates (or other such naughties)

That's when the Choice Chair enters.  This space is in a nice, quiet nook of my Art Room, and gives kids the opportunity to use strategies to calm their bodies.  For some of my students with autism or behavioral needs, this spot gives them an opportunity to regroup and then rejoin their classmates.  The Choice Chair has zero negative connotation, and my students are really kind when a classmate is using the chair.  At the beginning of the year, part of my Art Room spiel is going over the Choice Chair and its use, so the kids have heard from me, it's okay to need a break!

My students love the Break Box.  Sometimes, if a child is having a difficult time (meltdown, sensory overload, etc.), they struggle with verbalizing their thoughts.  There are other times where students ask to use the Choice Chair for a few minutes to calm down, recognizing that they need a break.  This is an opportunity where I would really praise the student after he/she has calmed their body.  My students understand that sometimes we just need a break.

My Break Box contains:

• Breathe Bottle - this is simply a water bottle filled with water, glitter glue, and loose glitter)
• Sensory Balls - these are great for some of my tactile little learners who need a squeeze break
• Sand timers - I have timers for 3, 2, and 1 minute breaks
• Deep Breath Cue Sheet - this is a laminated sheet with cues to take 5 deep breaths

Depending on the student using the chair, I will set out the Break Box (or certain items from the box) and ask the student to start the sand timer.  There are cues posted above the Choice Chair and students know to raise their hands when they feel ready.  The visual cues are extremely helpful for my students with autism, as well as, my students with limited English proficiency.

For the Deep Breath Cue Sheet, some of my students will use a dry erase marker to "X" out each number as they take their deep breaths too.

Whew, that was a lot of information! Thanks for hanging around to read this post (or skim it, or heck, even just look at the pictures).  I think I need a break, but the chocolatey Kit Kat bar type of break of course!

It's a Shire bet I'll be posting some of my other favorite Art Room spaces in the very near future.  That's all for now, Mordor less.

Scandinavian Christmas.

Does anyone else find this marketing at a recent store hilarious/inappropriate?  I couldn't contain myself when I saw this sign and was guffawing in the store's back corner.

Seriously?  So, apparently all teachers deserve lingerie, eh?  If I get lingerie from one of my students next year, I am blaming TJ Maxx.  Someone had a sense of humor (or indulged in too much Christmas glogg) when they put together this display.


Well, in light of a smooth segue, on to the family Christmas 2013!

Tablecloth: Estate Sale score

Runner: Ikea (a few years ago)

Metal tray: Thrifted

Candles: hand me downs from grandparents

My recent Goodwill picnic basket find.

No real tree for Miss FF this year, but I worked with what I got. 

Green River Crate: Local Flea Market

Tree Skirt: Made by Mother in Law

Danish Flags: Bought in Denmark

Angel Chimes: from my great grandmother

Wood Bowl, Made in Denmark: Goodwill

No Christmas is complete without oranges.  Growing up, we always celebrated St. Nicholas Day and would put out our shoes on the eve of Dec. 5th.  We would awake the next morning to a shoe filled with oranges, pencils, and some chocolate.

White Milk Glass Vases: Goodwill

Boot Tray: Estate Sale

Leopard Coat: Forever 21

Flower Pin: Made by Miss French Fry

Scarf: Vintage Brooks Brothers

Boots: Kamik Boots and Frye Rider Spur

No Scandinavian Christmas is complete without a whole bunch of fish, of course!  The hubs smoked my Georgian summer catch of a monstrous rainbow trout for our delicious meal.

Before:

After:

God Ferie and Godt Nytar to one and all!