Autism Awareness Month

Autism is a condition that is detected in early childhood. It is characterized by difficulty in communicating and in forming relationships with others. Using language and understanding abstract concepts can also be very difficult.

Autism is a spectrum disorder (ASD). This means that Autism may look very different for each person diagnosed with it.

Our son Jayce was officially diagnosed with Autism at the age of 3 1/2. Due to us being proactive parents and a wonderful program called WEAP (Wisconsin Early Autism Project) we have seen Jayce grow and overcome some pretty major hurdles.

There is no cure for Autism. We have no idea what the future hold for our little man. We take each day as it comes and embrace the joy he brings to our life through his amazing accomplishments.

Here are 10 interesting facts about our son that we would like to share with you.

1. Jayce is affectionate. Not all children on the spectrum are, but we are blessed with a child who want to be snuggled, hugged and kissed.

2. Jayce loves gadgets. We often feel he understands computers and iPads better than people.

3. Jayce likes routine. He embraces picture schedules and needs notice for unexpected changes that may take place in his day.

4. When talking with Jayce, conversations and directions need to be clear and to the point. Anything stated to him over three sentences will be hard for him to comprehend.

5. Jayce loves to interact with people, he is just uncertain on how to do it. He loves to wrestle with Daddy, to chase his sister and cousins in games of tag and draw with sidewalk chalk with Mommy. He just has trouble initiating these activities and sometimes staying in-tuned to them for a duration of time.

6. Jayce does have some sensory issues related to sound and texture. Jayce, also has a strong gag reflex that makes eating with him an adventure.

7. Jayce is blunt and honest. As he learns new things in this world, it is often hard for him to understand what is socially acceptable and unacceptable to say. Jayce does not experience embarrassment.

8. Jayce is a sensitive little guy. He will cry when his feelings are hurt or become frustrated with things he cannot understand. He has come a long way in being able to communicate his feelings to us.

9. Jayce is very smart. He is an excellent reader for his age. What is most impressive is his ability for creative and detailed story telling. Who knows? Maybe one day he might become an author!

10. Jayce has a smile and laugh that is contagious. We might not always know what he is thinking when we see that smile or hear that laugh, but it sure brings us joy seeing him so happy!

Light it up BLUE! Autism Awareness Day is April 2nd!

New School Update

We officially will not be able to move into our new school until the middle of August, but today we were given a very special opportunity to tour the building in the middle of construction.  My last post on this topic shared my excitement for finally having an art room with windows for natural light. Today, I just quiver in excitement of being able to set foot into my room to see how it is all coming along.  Again, I feel so lucky to work in this district and feel proud to work in a community that realizes the importance of how much our student's needed this new learning environment.

Me standing in my new classroom!

Weaving Bots

First Grade
3 Class Periods

Weaving Bots, First Grade Art Lesson

Day 1:
Students are introduced to the concept of weaving.  We discuss what a weaving is and create a list of things that we have seen that have been woven.  We look at several weaving examples that I have within the classroom.

We also discuss looms and what a loom can be made from.  After we look at several examples that I have in the classroom, together as a class we begin to construct our own loom made out of paper.

After our loom is created, students are then shown how weave the weft through their warp threads (paper strips cut within the loom).  The paper strips that we use for the weft are in warm or cool colors.  Students must make a choice to if they will be weaving in a warm or cool scheme.

For many students this is their first time weaving, so we spend a little time demonstrating the over-under process of weaving.

Once the weavings are complete, I have students glue their strips down so the weaving will not fall apart.

Students weaving on their paper looms.

Day 2:
I have students trim the edges of their weaving.  We then begin a follow along construction of a robot.  On this day we tackle the body, neck, head, arms, and legs.  We glue our robot onto a large piece of white paper.

Day 3:
We use day three to create the eyes, mouth, talking screen (white rectangle placed on the belly) and the hands and feet.  This usually takes about half of the class period.  We use the remaining class period to draw images or write words on the talking screen of the the robot.  Students are also allowed to add various pieces of shiny paper to their robot as they see fit.

Students adding details to their weaving bots.

Bolts are drawn with a sharpie marker to show how the robot is assembled.

Examples of Student Work:

Value Cakes

Fourth Grade
2 Class Periods

Value Cakes, Fourth Grade Art Lesson

Day 1:
Students began this lesson by doing a follow along drawing of a cylinder.  When students were shown how to draw the diagonal lines to create the illusion of a piece missing, the gasps from this magical transformation could make any art teacher feel like a rock star.

Students next divided up the inside of the cake into 7 layers.  We discussed parallel lines as we completed this step.

Students were asked to imagine themselves as cake decorators and were given full creative power to decorate and design their cakes as they wished.

Cakes were outlined with a sharpie marker.

Day 2:
I share the following you tube clip with students on the many cakes of Wayne Thiebaud as a refresher of what we are working on.  Since we discuss this artist in great detail in first and fifth grade, we do not go into any specifics about his life, just a few facts, such as he is a painter and is famous for his cake and pie paintings.  Most students remember facts on their own from first grade after viewing the clip.  Doesn't that make your heart sing?  I know it causes me to tremble with excitement when I hear them recite things they learned from me in previous grades.

On the second day of class, students were allowed to choose one colored pencil in the color of their choice.  Together as a class we created a value scale (showing a color go from light to dark) inside the cake.

Once students finished the inside layers, we flipped our paper over and made a practice value scale using only our pencil.  Students were instructed to color the rest of their composition using only their pencil.  Students were required to show a light, medium and dark range with their pencil.

Examples of Students Work:

First Race of 2015

For any of you that follow my blog, you know that besides art and teaching, one of my other favorite activities is running.

Me running the Lucky 7.  Seriously, who smiles like that when they run?  I guess, I do!  :)

I kicked off my race adventures for 2015 by running a 7K in Minneapolis, Minnesota on Saturday March 14th called the Lucky 7.  It was a perfect day for running...sunny with a slight breeze.  With my first race under my belt, I am eager to take on more. Three cheers for melting snow, clear pavement and spring like temps!

My sister, sister-n-law and I.  See the sunshine?

Love this shot.

My sister and I.