I'm in the process of migrating from Blogger to WordPress. I've been searching for ways to organize my blog more efficiently and add new content without packing everything onto my front page. Blogger has certainly grown into a terrific blog host but the time has come to take control over my own content. And WordPress allows me to do that. The look will be different--more "magazine" style--but I think it'll allow my readers easier access to my content. I can't wait to share it with you.
The last couple of years has been wonderful. When I first created Deep Space Sparkle, it was for the parents. I was so excited by the work my students did in the art room, I just had to share it with the school community. Strangely enough, few parents visited the site.
I did receive visitors though. You guys! Art teachers found their way to my site and began asking questions...and then more questions. I responded to your questions by turning simple posts of my student's artwork into lesson tutorials. At the time, I remember thinking how much I needed a site like this one when I first became an art teacher. I had no curriculum. I had no idea what students expected in art class. I was pretty much clueless.
During my first year of teaching, I waded through websites, books, anything...searching for lesson ideas. Many sites had pictures, but no instruction. What paper did they use? What technique? I studied the artwork with a fine-tooth comb, always asking "How did the art teacher teach this?"
Other sites had instructions but no pictures. Not great for a visual person.
Eventually, my lesson interpretations found their way onto my blog, which was actually a dual purpose blog combining my writing with the art lessons.
I love creating art lessons. I love reading how other teachers develop their lessons and what is important to them. I love knowing that I helped a first year teacher with some ideas to get her going. I love how many art blogs there are today compared with two years ago when there were just a few of us bloggers. Together we're starting an online community for visual learners and thinkers!
So this is my last post on Blogger and soon it'll be the beginning of a new look for Deep Space Sparkle. I'll still be the same. The blog will have the same spirit, just more of it!
See you at my new address www.deepspacesparkle.com It'll be up and running in a few days.
Thanks guys!
Patty
Thanks for the info Patty. I'll see you on your new site.
ReplyDeleteHooray for you, Patty. This blog has been such a success in this format. I can't believe how much information and help you have been able to give to so many new teachers, like myself. I will continue to follow you and wish you much more success.
ReplyDeleteI have a request, and sort of a question, why are there not more lessons on art history? And I don't mean modern artists. I would like to teach my kids about Caravaggio, Rembrandt, Rubens, Vermeer, Giotto, and others who paved the way for Van Gogh, Miro, Kadinsky, and Mondrian(these are themost common lessons I have found looking at the internet) I feel that I am not really teaching the whole story when I introduce Cezanne without a background for his revolutionary ideas at the time.
Again, Thank you for all that you do. You are very generous with your gifts.
Janice,
ReplyDeleteGreat question! Every now and again, someone asks me this. It's true, I rarely create lessons inspired by Michelangelo, DaVinci, Ruebens, etc. This has more to do with personal tastes than anything else. I certainly have a style of art projects that has worked for me and sticking to what I do well and am inspired by, usually translates best with my students
I do, however, teach art history. I feel it's exciting and essential for kids to understand how art has evolved throughout history and through different cultures.
I don't know, Janice, maybe you'll see more "Masters" art lessons in the future. Do you have any good ones to share?
Thanks for the great question!
I feel the same way you did when you first started teaching. This is just my 3rd year as the art teacher, and I still have so much to learn. This has been the best year, by far, because of all the art blogs I follow. I'm finally getting the idea. Thanks for being one of them.
ReplyDeleteI hope I can still follow you at your new site. Sometimes I can't figure out how to follow someone on Word Press.
Hooray for new beginnings and I remember the felling of what the heck am I supposed to be doing when I first started teaching art 12 years ago!! Now I'm (possibly) trying to get my old teaching job back and I'm a lot more excited about going back into the classroom because this time I have all of my old great lessons to fall back on plus wonderful resources (now!) like your fabulous website : )
ReplyDeleteCan't wait for your new WordPress site!
I know it will be sparklicious Patty!!
Fondly,
MaryLea
I'm right there with you on not really doing lessons with the "old/great masters"
ReplyDeleteElementary students quite frankly don't really like it- a lot of their material is too secular for the public schools (where I taught) and it kind of a snooze fest.
I prefer the Impressionists, Abstract expressionists, and current children's book illustrators for my lessons. If they want to study the great Masters they'll become Art History and Studio Art majors in college like I did and they'll get PLENTY of them then!! ; )
Thanks so much for your work and for creating this website. I am an elementary teacher who is back to work as a k-3 art teacher. I found your website and it has been life saver! Many sites do have great projects for inspiration, but I often wonder, "how'd they do that?". Your website always answers that question. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteCan't imagine your blog any better - I love it so much. But will totally look forward to the new one. :-)
ReplyDeletePatty- I think you will enjoy Wordpress. I use of for my blog and it's very professional and has a great backend interface. I am loving your new look, it really lets the artwork shine. Good luck!
ReplyDelete-Jessica
The ART of Education
Hopefully I'll still be able to figure out how to follow you on Wordpress, since yours was the first art teacher blog I discovered.
ReplyDeleteI also haven't done much with the old masters. Definitely harder to teach w/elementary kids. Though, I do go back 17,000 years when we learn about Lascaux, and the kids follow up with a painting project done while in the "caves" (sitting on the floor under the tables). So I suppose we could get back under the table to paint a ceiling ala Michaelangelo.
Patty I have only been a recent visitor to your blog. I assume everything will still be available on Blogger for a little while just to make sure it all migrates across- I did that for the dog club just to be sure. Catch on the new one
ReplyDeleteCheryl
I also think the students prefer the Bright Modern ART - which does reflect my tastes as well. My curriculum reflects more of the Australia Artists and Aboriginal art which is deemed more relevant to our kids. I generally have a free hand in creating the lessons. Once a year we have a look at the old masters with a short review and reflection of their contribution.
ReplyDeleteCheryl
love you on blogspot and I am sure i will love you on world press! thanks for all you do and share!!
ReplyDeleteHi all,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the kind words! And the conversation on The Masters. It's a good topic.
Regarding the blog, all the posts on this site will be on WordPress. I intend to make a few changes and introduce some new categories, but overall it should be the same.
I'm hoping to continue with my Google Friends Connect button, so you shouldn't have problems following me. Although, I'm crossing my fingers on that one!
love your website, i will check it out once you get to wordpress :)
ReplyDeletejust starting up my lesson plan blog...
www.ourartlately.blogspot.com
THANKS!
Can't wait to see your new site. I so appreciate all that you share here. I get great ideas from you for my homeschool and have often thought how nice it would have been to have had blogs back when I was a public school teacher in the early 90's. Man what a better teacher I'd be for those kiddos today!
ReplyDeletePatty, "if you build it (we) will come." I look forward to the many wonderful lesson plans and ideas you will share with us! You have been such a help and inspiration.
ReplyDeleteI've loved reading your work here, and will definitely plan to come on over to the new site. Thanks for all the inspiration!
ReplyDeleteBoy, have you been busy! I love the sneak peak that I have seen already! I will def. follow your fab ideas! :)
ReplyDeleteLaura
I can't wait to see how it could possibly get better! This website has been such a huge blessing to me! I am a homeschool mom who has gathered 35 other homeschooled children together for weekly classes, one of which includes art. I ended up the art teacher with absolutely NO clue on what to do or how to do it! Your blog has saved me and actually made it a pretty fun class for all of us. I look forward to my class each week and love what I am learning as well. Thank you for all you do;)
ReplyDeleteWill be still be able to access all the lessons here?
ReplyDeleteLittlemom,
ReplyDeleteYes. All the lessons will be transfered.
congrats.. on the move.. and lots of parents just dont' take the time to tell or look at things like this.. I guess they have passion.. but I don't see where it is??? but I love your material.. as a parent of my own child.. and an art teacher... so I will be heading over to www.deepspacesparkle.com
ReplyDeleteI hope the move goes well! I've really enjoyed your blog the last two years. On the topic of teaching Classicism, Neoclassicism, and Renaissance artists, I have found that it's a lot more relevant with older children (Middle or High School aged). It's a logical connection when learning ideal human proportion in Figure Drawing, for example, or chiaroscuro when exploring charcoals, or perspective. But I do try to bring them in when it relates (like DaVinci's invention drawings or grotesques when doing certain projects in Elementary). Also, I think it's more developmentally appropriate to target modern and postmodern art with younger children (it's generally more schematic).
ReplyDelete