Materials:

-watercolour paper – this is super important otherwise the art will just curl up.  You don’t need to buy expensive stuff.  I always buy the stuff from the kids section at Michaels and then use my 40% off coupon! I think I paid $12 for a package of 50 sheets the last time.
-paint – I just use the disk paints from our school
-brushes
-newspaper or any scrap paper to keep your surface clean
– painters tape
– a white crayon

PREP:
Tape the paper.  If you teach primary grades like I do, this is something you will need to do yourself before the students come.  If you teach older grades, I think they should be able to handle this step!

Step 1:

*optional but such a good way to start the lesson: Read the story Sky Color by Peter H. Reynolds

Step 2:

Students will take the white crayon and make the raindrops.  I encouraged my students to make their raindrops go all the same way as if the wind is blowing the raindrops.  I’m not going to lie, this was very hard for some of them because you can’t see the white crayons until after you start to paint.  Regardless, they all turned out beautiful!

Step 3:

Tell the students to try to stick to one or two colours for the sky.  I found if I let them get too crazy with the sky colours they just turned brown.  Also, remind them you want the rainbow to stand out so they will get to use ALL the colours then!  I gave them some colour combination ideas: blue & purple, yellow & orange, pink & purple, etc.

Next, students wet the paintbrush and mix it in the puck paint.  Remind students that they will need lots of water.  Typically, we tell them the opposite because we are usually using regular paper which will wreck if it gets too wet, but not today! Lots of water… this is watercolour painting!  I had to continually go around and remind them to keep their brush nice and wet.

It is important that students know to treat the paper as one piece.  I had many students wanting to paint each individual square.  I eventually told them to just ignore the green tape and to pretend that it wasn’t there encouraging them to make big long strokes horizontally / diagonally on the paper.

Step 4:
Let the pieces dry slightly. They don’t need to be 100% dry but just enough so that the colours from the background don’t mix with the rainbow colours. Have students paint the rainbows. Remind them to rinse their brush between each colour. This part is pretty straight forward. Just remind them that they are ignoring the taped lines and painting the rainbow right over top!


Step 5:
Let the pieces dry completely then slowly peel off the tape to reveal the masterpieces!!

*If you’re wanting to take this project a step further and add some literacy in, have you students write about their favourite rainy day activity!

VOILA!
Super easy and so pretty! I am constantly getting compliments on my bulletin board of them!
If you decide to try this with your class/ kiddos, please tag me so I can see their masterpieces

The post Rainy Day Art Project appeared first on Teach Me Style - A style, beauty and life blog..

I have been thinking about this post for a while now, and the other day I reached out to you guys for some help.  You guys are freaking awesome! I had so many people reach out with tips/advice and so many of you begging I share them! So, your wish is my command!

HOW TO SURVIVE JUNE:

1.) Make a list. Make sure you include all things big and small.  I find adding things like walk the dog, or make the bed, and then crossing them out makes me feel so accomplished, lol! Sounds crazy I know, but trust me!  Making a list will help you feel a little less scattered while trying to remember everything that needs to be completed.  Yes, it will seem daunting at first, but once you start to see more and more things get crossed off it feels SO good.

2.) Set a timer.  Maybe this is the teacher in me but sometimes having a visual timer helps me to stay focussed for that allotted time.  I set the timer, put on some music or Netflix on and get at it.  Once the timer goes off I allow myself a short “brain break” – get up, do a stretch, go for a walk, check my phone, do some online shopping.   Anything to give myself time to clear my mind and refocus.  *Careful not to get carried away with these… I am guilty of this!

3.) Work space. This one is so important for me.  For the most part I don’t like to take my school work home with me, but I make an exception during report card season.  I find working in my “happy space” makes it so much more enjoyable.  For me, this is in bed.  I know this is weird, and you’re not supposed to work in the space where you sleep, but I am most comfortable there.  I like to have fresh flowers on my nightstand, a cup of coffee (or sparkling water), a candle lit, and Netflix going for background noise.  Maybe for you it’s your patio, home office, or even your classroom.  Find the space that works best for you and stick to it.  When you’re comfortable it will make the work so much more enjoyable.

4.) Snacks!! Need I say more?  I prefer a buffet of gummy candies and sparkling water.

5.) Get an early start.  This is one I am slowly getting better at.  I typically work best under pressure.  I was that girl who stayed up all night in collage working on a project or finishing a paper.   But as of lately I have turned over a new leaf and it feels SO good.  I feel way less overwhelmed… perhaps now that I’m 30 I’m really growing up… that or I am old and need sleep, lol! #adulting

5.) Self Care.  Without a doubt this is the most important thing for me and for most of you as well. Whether that means walking the dog, reading a book, working out, going for a coffee with friends, or heading to the lake with family to rejuvenate.   If you’re not taking care of yourself you’re not going to perform to the best of your ability.  It has taken me a while to really understand the importance of this.  Be kind and patient with yourself.  Again, getting an early start on your to do list will allow you to maintain the kind of self care you will need to survive the madness of June.

And last, if none of the above helps, remember this: it will get done and summer will come.  It always does!!

There are even more tips on my Instagram, so I suggest you check it out here and read the comments!

The countdown to sweet summertime is on… YOU GOT THIS!

The post A teachers guide to Surviving June appeared first on Teach Me Style - A style, beauty and life blog..

Trina Markusson has been practicing and studying stress reduction for over 15 years.  Trina uses her life experiences and professional trainings in Mindful Teaching and Mindful-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) to help you “be” present for each precious moment and help you to deal with daily stress more effectively!   She has taught Mindfulness strategies to many people and looks forward to sharing these life-changing tools with you! She currently resides in Regina, Saskatchewan.

Having Trina join me last week was such an honour.  The woman has the most calming demeanour.  Simply being in her presence made me feel calm.  The way she speaks, and her passion about spreading mindfulness is truly inspiring.  During this live episode, Trina talks about how she began her mindfulness journey. She speaks about incorporating her mindful practices into her and her students’ daily lives and answers questions about how to incorporate mindfulness into the classroom! I strongly encourage you to take the time to watch the video even if you’re not a teacher.  There are so many strategies that both adults and children can use to manage stress!

Having Trina in to speak as a guest on my Teacher Talk Tuesday was especially fitting as she is also a teacher.  So, when she talks about incorporating mindfulness tools into your classroom, she really does know what she’s talking about.  She is in the classrooms and understands what teaching is REALLY like.  She has what some of us like to call, “street cred”

On top of being a teacher, Trina hosts mindfulness sessions for people of all ages and walks of life.  Classrooms, offices, and even sports teams. Trina feels living in the present moment should be a part of anyone’s life and I agree!  Looking to get Trina in as a guest?  Contact her here!

Last, I will be giving away one copy of Trina’s book Good Morning, Sunshine!

Here’s how to enter:

1.) Follow Trina on Instagram –> here

2.) Follow Trina on Facebook –>here

3.) Follow me on Instagram –> here

4.) Leave a comment on this blog post!  Any comment will do, if you have a question for Trina I will make sure she answers it for you!

That’s it!

Winner will be announced next Tuesday! Thanks SO much for tuning in!!

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