This is my second year teaching a summer art camp from home.  It's a great opportunity to try out new materials or ideas and to teach lessons that I can't do in my classroom because of budget, time, or class size.

 This year, I had students ranging from entering kindergarten to fourth grade. This is what kept us busy: 
Sketchbooks, bingo dauber painting, washable glue batik, CD printing, sewing, color mixing with frosting, and LEGO printing.

This year, I showed artwork by Elizabeth Pawle when teaching embroidery to my first graders.  They adored her and her use of bright colors and interesting shapes and stitches.  I would even catch them talking about her when they were working.  "Who is Elizabeth?" I asked.  "You know, Elizabeth Pawle!"  They asked me to send her pictures of their work, so I had to, and I received the greatest response.  My little ones were overjoyed!  

Please go see her gorgeous work on her website!

This is one of the lessons that I absolutely love teaching, and first and second graders love embroidery!  First grade explores with the materials until they fill the space.  Second grade follows along a heart I traced on the 5x5in piece of burlap and then completes the artwork with their own designs.  

On the first day, students learn how to get the yarn on their needle (Paper hot dog!  Put the yarn inside and slide it through the eye of the needle) and how to make stitches in a line.  On the second day, I allow students to use the yarn boxes and I teach them how to sew on beads.  Some classes take four weeks on this project, others need five or six.  

For managing yarn, I have had no issues with using a plastic yarn box.  I keep two boxes and have tons of colors for students to choose from, because new colors each week is quite exciting.  Getting a new piece of yarn is easy: students simply pull the yarn to the tape on the bottom of the cabinets and cut at the top line.  If the yarn does get stuck, students know to just come get me and it's usually an easy fix.  I keep scissors on top of the boxes, so no one is walking around with them.  To start the project, I have students take a piece of pre-cut yarn to help reduce the amount of new procedures.  

​Kindergarten students made heart prints around Valentine's Day.  We did this last year, but we decided to take the lesson a step further to incorporate tracing, cutting, and gluing skills and sewing!  I was inspired by some of Cassie Stephens' lessons and decided to tackle yarn with kindergarten!  I thought it would be a great introduction to sewing before first grade when we sew on burlap with yarn and a plastic needle.  These hearts turned out beautifully and I will be displaying them at the kindergarten Mother's Day breakfast later this year.