Arts & Crafts

Arts and Crafts – Make time for Creativity

Arts and crafts always seem to make it into my lesson plans; however, many times the arts and crafts activities are skipped or modified because of schedule constraints.  The benefits of adding creative activities to any type of academic program are tremendous.  I firmly believe that kids need to explore the arts hands-on using many different mediums.  When kids are able to use their imagination and explore their creative side, their ability to learn in all subject areas increases.  You may be fortunate enough to teach at a school or facility that has a structured art program with additional teachers, but if you don’t, you may be responsible for planning and teaching all of your arts and crafts activities.  Here are some ideas on how to plan for and incorporate creative activities  into your existing program.  You can assess your program by units, semesters, or for the year.

1. Assess your program – Make a list of the current arts and crafts activities that you do.  You may feel that you are not doing enough creative activities, but when you take inventory, you may realize that you are doing more than you think.  On the other hand, you may really be lacking in the area of arts and crafts.
2. Choose a unit to focus on -  Pick one or two units that you thoroughly enjoy teaching and brainstorm ways to incorporate meaningful arts and crafts activities into specific lessons.
3. Research appropriate art skills to focus on for different age groups.
4. Find the materials you need for the project and make high quality examples.
5. Prepare for the lesson – Take time to organize the arts and crafts materials and spend some time teaching kids how to use the the paint, watercolor, clay, or whatever material they will be using.
6. Have fun – Let your creativity flow!

“Imagination is more important than knowledge.
For knowledge is limited to all we now know and understand,
while imagination embraces the entire world,
and all there ever will be to know and understand.”
-Albert Einstein

Do you have a favorite art activity?  Please share your ideas.  We would love to hear from you!

Teacher Supplies Deals of the Day

We just launch our first deal of the day site for teacher supplies.  It will feature CRAZY cheap school supplies, with a focus on classroom decorations, bulletin boards, arts & crafts, and anything that is in our teacher supplies clearance department. It is a cool little micro site that will allow us to run deal martathons featuring dozens of items form a category, or just one deal a day.  We have been asked by several customers for a deal site.  Now it is here!!!

Teacher Supplies Deals of the Day