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Educate & Motivate

Lesson ideas, organization & management tips, and general insights within the world of Art Education.

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Nature Weavings with Andy Goldsworthy

Use tree branches as looms to create beautiful weavings with your students! Inspired by Andy Goldsworthy, this lesson challenges students to learn weaving techniques and grows their creativity with unique materials.

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Cubist Paper-Slotted Animals

Challenge students’ creativity and engineering skills! Teach your students how to use the paper slotting method to create clever 3D animal sculptures, inspired by Cubism.

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Pop Art Collagraphs

Pop Art Collagraphs are a great way to get students into printmaking, needing only a simple material like cardboard as the printing plate. Add a pop of color, and these candy designs turn out so fun!

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Art Icebreakers

Bingo is a great way to get students interacting on the first day of art class, and I love these icebreakers because they get the students also talking about artwork!

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Ways to Stress Less While Teaching Art

As art teachers we have a lot going through our heads constantly (and the to-do list is seemingly never ending). Here are some ways to intentionally not overextend yourself and continue having fun teaching so that is doesn’t become stressful or overwhelming!

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3 Art Projects to Display Permanently at Your School

Have your students create these super fun, high-quality art projects that are great for permanent display at your school. Ceramics wind chimes on trees, clay bells, and paper mache plant sculptures stand the test of time!

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2 North American Art Projects to Try This Fall

These unique projects are inspired by art styles native to areas within the United States—teach your students about the amazing art that gets made in North Carolina and Washington!

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Easy Plaster Garden Gnomes

Use plaster strips and tin foil to create super cute and easy garden gnomes with your classes!

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Paper Mache Plants

Use recycled materials and mixed-media to create large, realistic plant sculptures with high school art students!

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