Mad Hot Crayons

Here is a really cool crayon art project for you.

I first heard about this from my good friend, Roo Roo (thanks Roo!)

Then stumbled upon this idea again a couple of months ago while I was looking for a fun arts and crafts activity to do with the kids (although I decided not to do it with my students just because it is messy and I couldn't imagine blow drying 31 art works... instead, I decided to make a little something something for my room).

This project can be EASILY adapted for ANY age!

WHAT YOU WILL NEED

- 2 boxes of NEW OR OLD crayons (I used ROSEART crayons but I wonder if a better brand will give you better results?)

- A blank canvas (any size depending on how large you want your art work to be)

-Glue gun (every artist needs one of these bad boys)

-Blow dryer

-Black marker OR black paint

STEPS FOR MAD HOT CRAYONS

1) First, decide if you want a background picture on your canvas. I decided on something sentimental... maybe it's all the Valentines day advertisements I've been seeing but this was what I was inspired to draw. :) I did a quick sketch on my canvas using a pencil.

2) Next, fill in your background picture with a black medium. I used BLACK acrylic paint but I'm sure you can use a black sharpie. 

3) Glue gun a row of crayons (with the tip facing down) on to the top of the canvas.

4) Find a place where you can stand you canvas up and blow dry (make sure you COVER your workspace because it will get messy!)

5) Take a blow dryer and blow dry the crayons on high heat (about 4 inches away from canvas) with the mouth of the dryer facing down so that the crayons will melt down towards the bottom of the canvas. You will see that you can easily maneuver the direction in which the crayons melt. 

6) Stop blow drying when you are happy with your melted crayons. Let it stand and dry for about 20 minutes. 

7) Enjoy your MAD HOT CRAYONS! 

I hope this inspires you to go a little crayon-zy! 

Dismissal Time

Dismissing the kiddies at the end of the day is always bittersweet.

Bitter because... okay, fine maybe not so bitter. Haha.

Sweet because...

There is a great sense of tranquility and peace once the kiddies leave for the day. 

There is something VERY peaceful about a classroom that was ONCE bustling with ALL kinds of noise and learning that is NOW completely empty and quiet!

All the chairs have been put up,

pencils have been lost, 

and pieces of paper remain on the floor for the custodian to sweep away. 

After school hours is when I do my best teacher thinking, I think.

I love an empty classroom!  

Do you? 

From the Hearts of My Kiddies to Yours

EDIT: THIS IS A BELATED POST I WROTE BACK IN NOVEMBER BUT NEVER GOT TO PUBLISH. ENJOY! 

For FUN FRIDAY today, we decided to write cards to our neighbors & friends affected by hurricane Sandy. Specifically, the kiddies wrote to families in Staten Island. I will be volunteering all day in Staten Island tomorrow, "gutting out" houses that have been damaged by Sandy.

After a brief mini lesson on writing a letter/card, the kiddies got to work. I could tell they were really excited because they looked so happy as they wrote and decorated their individual cards. You would think that maybe 7-8 year olds wouldn't fully understand the concept of  being there for one another but from the beautiful cards they created, it's evident that even their little hearts broke for our friends and neighbors in Staten Island.

Whether you're in Staten Island, New York City, or anywhere else in the world.... and if you've lost something or someone, I hope that the these cards will give you hope and courage through whatever difficult time you are going through. Specifically, if you were affected by hurricane Sandy.