We are the Sm'Arties

Summer Break for the Sm'Arties

School's out!

Inspired to Doodle

During Sm'Arties class time, we often sit on the floor with our 1-cent spiral notebooks (Staples Back-to-School sale), and do some directed-type drawing.  It's fun to see how the different children approach my little directions.  I love this floor time.  One scribbles away happily, says, "I'm done," and shows me a boisterous, messy drawing.  One ignores my instruction, in his own drawing world, then turns around and shows me some variation on my idea.  One gets very concerned if his drawing does not EXACTLY match mine.  (He has lightened up considerably over the last few weeks, and hasn't erased a hole in his paper since before Christmas)

I want the children to know they can take a few directions and play with their pens and pencils.  I want them to enjoy PRACTICING their drawing skills. I'm practicing, too.

This week we did a fun little doodling game.  Sitting in a circle, we each started an animal doodle (I think I said, "Draw some eyes"), and then, after a minute or two, I had them pass their notebook to the left and continue drawing.  It was a barrel of fun, at least at the start.  Now I know what rules we'll use if (probably when) we do this again. Rules like, "no just scribbling on the page," and "no writing 'girls rule'") so that we can all enjoy the whole process.

Take a look at these doodles.  I like the happy music, too.

Who are the Sm'Arties?

Sm'Arties is my name for the Homeschool Art class I teach.  My students are all Sm'Arties!

The girls say we need at least one more girl in our group.

These seven friends, age 7-11,  meet weekly, along with their four moms.  One mom teaches writing (IEW), one mom teaches science, one brave mom leads PE and games, and I teach ART! 

I thought teaching boys would be tough, but these guys are all just great!

I am not an artist.  In fact, I'm a little on the geeky side.  But homeschooling has awakened a certain inner artist, and the library, internet and generous real art teachers with beautiful, fun, creative books and websites have fueled this passion.  I am loving teaching art. I love giving these children the tools to see the world around them with an artist's eye. I love helping them with some skills to make their artwork good.   I want none of them to ever say, "I just can't draw."  I want ME to never say, "I just can't draw."  I want the other moms to say, "You know, we CAN do this." 

  I'm glad no one has posted a picture of me racing against Science Geek while blindfolded. 

I plan to post some of the lessons we are learning, some of the art we do, and many of my sources.  I pray it will be helpful to others.