handprints

We just came across this picture, that T and I colored a year ago. Sweet memories.

"Cold" Sketchbook Prompt

Nature Man's "cold"

The Artist's "cold"

My "cold" prompt

I find it funny that The Artist and I both drew a "cold" woman. ;-)

Two -faced Sketchbook Prompt

One of the latest Sketchbook Prompts was "Two-faced."

Nature Man's artwork below:

and flipped:

Another of his:

The Artist's picture:

And hers flipped:

My artwork:

Mine flipped:

I can't tell you how much I'm enjoying these afternoon art sessions with the kids!!

Art Prompts

The kids and I have started The Sketch Book. Every afternoon (after schoolwork, so we don't become consumed,) we'll do artwork, using different prompts. It may be an artist study, word, photo. Most recently we did the word "stretch." Whatever they wanted.

I did a freaky stretchy face. Trying to get back into art, and think outside the box. If I do these lessons with them, it holds me accountable to my art time, and encourages them as well. And it helps me let go of perfectionism. I'm not exactly a perfectionist type person anyway, but I often hesitate sharing my art because there are so many dang-good artists in my family, and I feel my stuff pales in comparison. That's the point, though, isn't it. I'm wondering if I measure up... and that's not what it's about.

The artist drew a "limo car," and even used "stretched letters" to label it. hee.

Nature Man drew people stretching out rubber bands.
Dash decided not to participate. No pressure on him. I want him to love art, not think of it as a chore.

Body Snatchers

This homemade "switch-the-bodies" book is purely for fun. I can't think of a single educational lesson from it. oh, well. Sometimes it's okay to have fun for the sake of having fun!

We glued pictures from magazines, coloring books, and photos onto card stock, and then attached them to a manila folder with key chains.

Fire

This was Trevor's idea, and he completed it with minimal help from me.
Yes, seems rather scary for a just-turned-5-year-old to do a lapbook on fire. However, his Papa is a fireman and he hears about it often, and visits the fire department about once a month. Better to be prepared.

Side flap:
Top flap:On right side flap:

Bottom left side flap:
Middle fold out form:Flip-up firetruck booklet:
There's also a pumper truck underneath, not shown.

Under the firetruck booklet:
Top right flap:Back of folder:
And, because we included the firemen "puppets," I'll tag this as toddler-friendly.

Space Travel

This one is Ethan's. It wasn't assigned, so he worked on it during his free time and over Christmas break:

We've really enjoyed this site about the International Space Station.
The videos are great!

http://www.nasa.gov/externalflash/ISSRG/

Is there life on other planets? Ethan thinks so.
A UFO is lifting the house off the ground.
(This picture of his is a flap that lifts up.)

And, on the back, is his alien: