Artist inspiration for lessons: Ben Heine Pencil Vs Camera

The art project, "Pencil Vs Camera" by Belgian artist, Ben Heine, just begs to be used as inspiration for art activities in the classroom. He has drawn pencil sketches and incorporated these into photographs to create an unusual effect. (If working with young children, just be careful as to which pieces you choose! Some may not be suitable for your classroom!)

All images below from Ben Heine's official website

Paper Flower Tutorial - perfect for classrooms, home decor and hair accessories!

I went a bit mad last year making tissue paper flowers for my classroom. They're very simple to make and it they're a very pretty addition to display boards. These would also be very nice for a wedding, baby shower, house decoration or even to clip in your hair for a fancy event (just make sure not to let it get squished!)

You will need:

• Tissue paper - I got the green and blue paper from Tiger and the greeny-blue spotty paper is from the Carolyn Donnelly Eclectic Collection at Dunnes Stores.
• Scissors
• Thread - any colour will do - you don't see it on the finished product.

Step 1:
Cut out 8-10 rectangles the same size.


Step 2:
Fold the tissue paper into a fan. (ie. Make a small fold, turn over the paper, fold this back on itself, turn and repeat.)

Step 3:
Run your fingers over the fan several times to ensure the creases are well-set.



Step 4:
Fold your fan in half as shown in the picture on the right.

Step 5:
Tie some string around the crease that you have just created.


Step 6:
Snip the both ends of the tissue in a pointed or curved shape. This will give the petal shape.

 Step 7:
Hold the fan by the string and open out one half.



Step 8:
Pull the top layer of tissue up towards the centre.

Step 9:
Pull the tissue layers up, one by one.

Step 10:
Spread out the fan and separate the layers on the other side. Then, play around with the layers to fluff it out and make sure the petals look even.

Here are some pictures of how I have used tissue paper flowers at home, at school and in my hair.

Owl About Me freebie from Classroom Freebies

I stumbled across this "Owl About Me" freebie from Diane at Classroom Freebies. It's a very cute owl template. It has 8 boxes in which the children write information about themselves. The key for these is on a coloured owl which can be placed in the middle of the display. This would be a lovely activity for the first week back at school, particularly if your classroom is owl-themed.

Hop on over to the original blog post to download this for free.

The owl-themed crafting continues - paper lantern owl display

As you've probably noticed from my previous post, I've gone a little owl-mad this summer. Taking inspiration from Pinterest, I decided to make a 3-D sign for my reading corner. 

Quite often, when I make something crafty, it doesn't turn out exactly how I planned it. This was one of those occasions. The phrase "Pinterest fail" (if you haven't already Googled that term, you're in for a treat!) kept springing to mind. 

Originally I had planned to use 4 owls - 2 multicoloured and 2 blue, reading "We love to read!" - but one just wouldn't work. It ripped, it fell out of shape and ended up being a horrible patchwork thing full of staples, glue and tape. Eventually, I threw it in the bin - a much better place for it! Now, my 3-piece owl display reads "We love books." 

Please ignore the drippy glue. It will dry in clear!

I've learned from my mistakes and offer these tips for future paper-lantern-crafters!

• Make sure the lantern is made from strong paper that won't rip if pulled firmly.

• Get the type of lanterns that have a plastic or metal piece running from top to bottom to hold its shape; otherwise you'll end up with a saggy, rugby-ball shape after some time!

• If it's really not working, bin it and start again!
  

Summer crafting, owl-themed!

I must confess. I have been making things for my classroom already. I saw some cute mixed pattern owls on Pinterest about two years ago and had forgotten about them. I was reminded again when I found this patterned paper in Tiger a few months back. I bought it on impulse and put it in my wardrobe for a summer project. 

Being in Ireland with most people my age long-gone from the town, what better way to pass some time than making some owls?


Here's what I did:

I've been making and downloading lots of owl-themed things for my classroom. I thought it'd be better to cut out  lots of display materials when I'm watching TV or sitting in the sunshine rather than when I'm focused on planning at the start of the school year. Watch this space for more owl-themed resources!

Tiger: Stationary Heaven for teachers, parents and crafty types!

Being a self-declared stationary and craft supply addict, I often get jealous, reading American teaching blogs. They seem to have so many places to buy stationary at incredibly cheap prices. I found it very difficult to find affordable materials when I moved to Italy. Then, last year, a Tiger Store opened in my city and my crafting life changed. I will warn you in advance, the Penney's/Primark Effect may take a hold of you and you will leave the shop with your arms full every time!

The shop has all sorts of things. It reminds me of a pound shop but the items are much better quality and, most importantly, oh so cute! In there, you'll find craft supplies, fancy dress items, toys, cosmetics, bicycle accessories, kitchen things and much more.

Irish teachers, there are 10 shops in the country.
Other readers, they have 317 shops across 21 countries.

You're welcome (for the wonders you'll buy) and I'm sorry (for your new addiction)!

image source

Look at all that ribbon!

image source

This would be great for a reading corner. I think it costs about €15.

image source

Storage boxes galore:

image source

These big foam dice are great for maths activities and classroom games.

image source

And I couldn't resist these watermelon flip flops!

image source

IB PYP Poster Kit

Calling all IB teachers!

I am very excited to announce the addition of a GIANT IB PYP poster kit to my Teachers Pay Teachers store.

The kit contains:
10 Learner Profile Posters
12 Attitudes Posters
8 Key Concepts Posters
5 Transdisciplinary Skills Posters
Headings for all of the above sets
6 Transdisciplinary Themes Posters (and a display idea)

Where necessary (regarding the spelling of "organise" and "behaviour"), I have included two versions, one in American English and another in British English.

All of the poster sets are available individually in my store. The total cost of all of these is $12. If you purchase this bumper kit, you can save $2 (and buy yourself something nice!).

This is a fantastic purchase for an International Baccalaureate school, especially at back to school time.

Click here to download the IB PYP poster bumper kit!