64 Colors

To kick off painting in my middle school classes this year, grades 6, 7, and 8 all did an exercise where I challenged them to mix 64 different colors using only primaries (red, yellow, blue) and white paint. I gave them a grid with 64 pre-printed squares (I just made it in Microsoft Word by using the table maker) on 11x14" copy paper. We didn't bother with water and instead blotted brushes on dry paper towels between colors. The paper towel method has been a favorite of mine this year...in a room with no sink it really saves time now that I don't have to fill water containers on painting days! Another perk: my students have much more sophisticated colors due to the inevitable color mixing!

Ch-ch-changes!

This poor blog could use a dusting...sorry for disappearing! I am in my 6th year teaching and have a 14-month-old daughter! I now teach preschool in addition to Kindergarten through 8th grade. Prepping for 10 grades and being a full-time mama has kept me busier than I'd sometimes (okay, most of the time) like.

Any teacher-moms out there have any tips for being a great teacher AND a great mom? I feel like I am always behind at work and home. Over my 5:45am morning coffee today I read this article about ways to be a better mom and latched on to #9:

"Stop chasing work/life balance. It doesn’t exist. Seek out opportunities to demonstrate work/life harmony instead."

I hope to be back soon with some of this year's new projects and look forward to catching up with all of you!