Image Map

Monday, November 30, 2015

I LOVE Directed Drawings!

You know those things that you do with your students and just love??  The things that you make time for every week, just because they make you happy?  For me, directed drawing is one of those things!  And BONUS....it doesn't just make me happy.  My students absolutely LOVE this time!

I have directed drawing scheduled for 30 minutes every Friday morning and it is easily one of my favorite parts of our week.  Each student has their own box of 64 crayons that they only use during this time, which of course is special and super fun for them.  They love getting to use all the colors that they don't have in their pencil boxes.  I am not exaggerating when I say that they CHEER for directed drawing time!

I love this time for lots of reasons.  

1. The students are SO engaged.  You know your kiddos love something when you could hear a pin drop in the classroom.  Sometimes I tell students what we'll be drawing and sometimes I don't.  It is so much fun to hear them guess what it could be as we go.  They really stay equally engaged whether they know what we are drawing or not.  Either way, they are completely immersed in this activity every time we do it.

2. It boosts confidence!  EVERY child can do this.  Even the drawings that are a bit more complex always turn out awesome and adorable!  One step at a time, you can draw ANYTHING!  The kids are always amazed and PROUD of their finished products.  

3. It's a great, indirect way to work on basic shapes that are needed to write letters and numbers.  Vertical lines, curved lines, horizontal and diagonal lines, etc.

4. It's also a fun way to practice relational concepts.  Above, below, next to, around, etc.  

5. It's a chance to TEACH kids the process of drawing.  How do you draw a dog?  A shark?  A person??  Then, they take what they've learned and use it -- during writing time, choice time, and at home. 

6. Parents LOVE it too!!!  I have received so many positive comments from parents about the beautiful drawings their children complete at school.  They are always AMAZED at what their Kindergarten kids can draw.  These pieces of art are treasured masterpieces!! 

I would not consider myself a gifted artist. At all.  But even I can do this.  And if I can do it, I know that anyone can do it!  The step-by-step directions take things that look challenging, and make them completely doable!  For 5 year olds and even for their artistically-challenged teachers. Ha!

I haven't remembered to take pics of every directed drawing we've done, but here are some that we've already completed this school year.

We drew this dog on the first or second week of school.  A brand new Kindergarten baby drew this!

Spiders at the beginning of October.  We added them to glitter webs.

Pumpkins, also in October.  We painted these with watercolors.  They turned out beautiful!!

Scarecrows to start November.  I love these every year.


A couple of weeks ago we drew these Happy Thanksgiving turkeys!  Adorable!!
Each one has it's own personality.  Love!

In December, we'll be drawing elves and reindeer.

I have found free directed drawing how-to's by searching Pinterest, but here are two of my favorites that I've purchased:

If you haven't done directed drawings with your students before, I encourage you to give it a try!  So much FUN and I know that your kids will love it!!

Friday, November 13, 2015

Five for Friday :: November 13

 Hey there!  Happy Friday!

Every Friday morning during calendar time in my classroom, my students and I sing "It's Friday, it's Friday, it's Friday, Friday, Friday....wooooh!".  I've been singing it all day long.  Hip, hip, hooray for Friday!

Here's what 's been going on lately in my classroom!

1. Kindergarten students digging through their Halloween candy buckets to bring you your very favorite treats must be one of the most pure acts of love possible.  My sweet Kindies have been flooding me with Twix bars ever since Halloween.  Love them so much.  I know how precious Halloween candy is to kids.  Their generous little hearts are so special!
(And I'm just going to pretend that I don't see the calorie count on that full-size candy bar!  Yikes!!  Cover your eyes!  Don't look!!!)

 2. Sometimes teachers just need permission to take things one day/hour/moment at a time.  This verse has been in the forefront of my mind this week.  I'm so thankful for TRUTH and precious, timely reminders.

3. Few things melt me more than Kindergarten friends immersed in books.  Looking, talking, learning together.  I had to capture this sweet moment from today.

4. 'Tis the season for turkeys!!  We started these "Thankful Turkeys" last week and finished them early this week.  Love.

5. And we made these directed drawing turkeys today!  They turned out too cute for words!

Wishing you a relaxing and wonderful weekend!!