Paper Mache Clownfish

When I taught first grade we used to transform our classroom into an ocean wonderland. This is one of the main things I miss about teaching first grade. Now that I am in second grade I think I may focus my attention to creating a rainforest wonderland, or perhaps a second grade version of the ocean wonderland my firsties and I loved so much!

I have had some questions about my paper mache clownfish that have been posted on the blog and Instagram. I thought I'd take this opportunity to post a "how-to" guide to help those of you wanting to create these adorable sea creatures with your class.

Here are the supplies you will need:

- Balloons (and pump if you want to make it easier on yourself!)
- Newsprint Paper
- Elmers Art Paste
- Small Containers for the paste
- Pitcher or Bucket
- Paint- Orange, White, and Black- My favorite brand is Jazz Gloss
- Model Magic
- Plastic Bowls
- Google Eyes
- Orange Foam
- Fishing Line
- Glue gun and hot glue

Step One: The first step is blowing up the balloons to your desired size and cutting or tearing the newsprint into pieces. Then make the art paste in a pitcher according to the directions. I find I usually need two boxes for a class of 24 students.

I like to do this project in small groups of 4 or five students, but it also works as a class. The easiest way to protect tables is to get plastic tablecloths to line the tables with. Towels are also great for spills and sticky hands.

Step Two: Pour a little paste into the containers and provide each student with a handful of newsprint. They will need more later, but give them a pile to start. I like to write their names on a bowl and put the balloon inside so it doesn't roll around all over the table. Have the students dip a paper into the paste and use two fingers to wipe off the excess into the bowl. They will then spread the paper onto the balloon. They will cover the balloon with one layer to start. Once the first layer is complete have the students cover the balloon with two more layers. You may take a break between layers and even complete layers on separate days (if you are willing to deal with the mess on multiple days!). Tip: sometimes the students' balloons get extra wet. Have the students just place dry newsprint on the overly wet parts without dipping back into the paste if necessary.

Step Three: Place the bowls with the paper mache balloons in a good place to dry. You will need to rotate the balloons so all sides dry.

Step Four: Pour paint into containers and have students paint the balloon orange. One balloon dries, I have them paint white stripes on the balloon. Sometimes it looks great to line the white with black marker or black paint.

Step Five: Pre-cut dorsal fin, and pectoral fins out of orange foam. Roll rings out of Model Magic for eyes and let them dry overnight.

Step Six: Call students over one at a time and have them show you where they want you to attach fins, eyes, and mouth. This needs to be hot glued, so adult help is necessary. Glue on the pieces according to student directions. At this point I also write student names on the bottom of the fish with permanent marker.

Step Seven: Poke hole in top fin with end of fishing line, knot the top and add a glue dot with glue gun to hold. Fish can be hung from the ceiling to create your ocean wonderland!

Please comment with any questions you may have about these adorable clownfish!

Here are some other resources for your Ocean Wonderland Transformation!

Clown Fish Diagram Freebie!

Ocean Animal Draw and Write 

Octopus Art Freebie

Sea Turtle Unit

Sea Turtles Unit

Whales Unit

3-D Mother's Day Flowers!

Mother's Day is right around the corner and I can't wait to make these amazing flowers with my students! They are simple, fun, and heartfelt! I know the Mothers and other special people in my students lives will love this cute gift! I just printed the template on card stock, colored, folded, glued, and after some adjusting this cute little flower was complete! Check out the tutorial for how to put them together! Click this link to my TpT store to grab the file! Leave a comment if you have questions! Happy Mother's Day!

Math Egg Hunt Fun!

Spring is one of my favorite seasons and this year I was so excited to try a new spring tradition with my class of second grade students! My wonderful teammates do a math egg hunt each year on the Friday before spring break. This is a great spin on the traditional egg hunt while incorporating some academic practice! I was so excited to be introduced to their tradition and I will surely continue this exciting activity each year.

Each child in my class was given a number and a color. The eggs were stuffed with candy, taped closed, and the math problems were attached to the eggs with labels and more tape. I had older students scatter the  eggs on the field. The students have to hunt for their color eggs, then complete a math problem to see if the egg is theirs to keep. This way I was able to differentiate the math problems to suit the needs of each student in the class. For example I had 4 students assigned to the number 24, but each of the students was searching for a different color. There were addition problems, subtraction problems, base ten drawings, coins, word form, and more. I found that when students went looking for eggs with a partner looking for the same color, they were more successful and seemed to have even more fun! 

We bought cute little Easter baskets with grass and an activity book from Oriental Trading Company. I used the activity book for early finisher activities, and the paper served as space to work out the problems during the hunt. I also wrote the students' numbers and color on the book so they would remember as they hunted for their eggs. I also matched their basket color with the color eggs they would be searching for during the hunt. These cute little baskets were perfect for fitting the 8 eggs each student found. 

My class had a blast and we only had to abandon one purple egg, which was never found. Luckily I had an extra egg of each color as back-up in the classroom. We did have a few overeager students take eggs that belonged to others, but each color group would sit together and double check the problems to determine which eggs needed to be switched. It was not only great math practice, but problem solving as well! 

Here are some links to the products I used for our hunt. Comment with any questions you may have!

Easter Baskets from Oriental Trading
Easter Basket Grass
Activity Books

Cloud Lamp Tutorial!

Since posting my cloud lamp on Instagram,  I have had many questions about how I created these adorable lamps for my classroom. They are so simple to make and they look terrific hanging from the ceiling! I was originally inspired by some color changing clouds I saw at an amazing art installation/experience called Meow Wolf in Santa Fe, NM. I decided that my classroom needed cloud lamps, so I researched a little and decided to give my clouds a try. In my classroom I will have two cloud lamps and three regular clouds that will hang from the ceiling (for these I covered the holes with the Poly-fil before hanging). I have a quick tutorial and affiliate links for the products I used below! If you have any questions feel free to DM me on Instagram or leave a comment below!

Supplies Needed:

1. Paper Lanterns

2. Color Changing Bulbs with Remote- You can choose to use a regular bulb if you do not want the color changing/strobe/flash features.

3.  Poly-fil- 1 bag can make 5 lanterns with plenty left over. 

4. Lantern Cord- I purchased the 20 foot cord to ensure it would be long enough to find a wall socket!

5. Hot glue gun and glue- Use high temperature glue, as it adheres to the lanters more easily than low temperature glue.

Happy Creating!

All About Me Posters

I am loving my summer break, relaxing, traveling a little, and of course thinking a bit about the next school year. Recently I have been brainstorming new ways to get to know my students for the start of the year.

Building relationships is so important and I love turning this "get-to-know-you" time into a hands-on art project with my students. Each year I have made interactive 3-D posters with my students and this year will be no different.

In the past I have created hanging posters like the one pictured below. Click here to grab the hanging posters.

They looked great hanging on our wall (or from the ceiling)

There is even a little tutorial to assist in the folding and creating.

One year we created cubes. These were hung from the ceiling. Click here to grab the cube posters.

When I taught older kids we created dodecagons. We also hung these from the ceiling and they looked amazing! Click here to grab the dodecagon posters.

I also have a tutorial for how to put the dodecagons together (although it is using a report dodecagon and not an "About Me" dodecagon, but the steps are the same).

This year, going back to the little ones, we are going to make butterflies! These butterflies are created so they are double-sided and will hang all around my room! I also made a single-sided version perfect for the bulletin board. The students will write their interests in each butterfly wing section. I can't wait to get to know my new kiddos! Click here to grab the Butterfly All About Me Posters.

These butterflies also come in a life cycle version!

If you have any questions for me, feel free to leave them in the comments! :) Happy classroom and Back-to-School planning!

Hello Second Grade!

Over the past school year I was consumed with everything intermediate. From familiarizing myself with the standards to researching classroom management strategies for older kids, I was "All In" when it came to my adventure wth a 4/5 combination class. It pushed me out of my comfort zone, but I had so much fun with my students! From teaching complex math concepts, to experimenting with STEAM, we had quite an exciting year. Although I had an amazing year with a new grade level and new school, I am soooooo excited to be coming back down to "primaryland", where I will be teaching second grade!

With a background in teaching reading and working with primary students, I can't wait to dive right in... although before I do I want to post some pictures of what life was like in intermediate. If you have any questions about any of these projects, just leave a comment!

Cheetah Pastel Portraits

 Earth Day Watercolor Paintings

We loved coding with our Ozobots, which were fully funded by Donor's Choose!

We had a blast making robot hands and rollercoasters thanks to Mystery Science!

Of course I can't forget the favorite project of the year... Clay Dragons! A blog post will be up soon with details on this project!

Can't wait to share my second grade journey with you all soon!