Convention Time

I've had a busy 2 days at a National Convention in Minneapolis. I attended several sectionals at the event. Luckily, I have a few vacation days before we are due to resume classes after our spring break. I am glad because it gives me time to plan my final lessons for the fourth quarter.

I will need some captivating ideas for the ending of the school year. It will be especially important that I choose the right lesson for the graduating sixth graders. They may need some extra motivation in the coming weeks.

Dick Blick had a simple, but eye catching display in the expo hall. They brought along all the examples that are written up in their latest lesson plan sheet. I think I received my copy at the end of March with a sale catalogue. Seeing the projects in real life was 10 times more impressive than the flyer.

The layered earth strata, a coil vessel, and a canvas covered book box were the lessons I will consider for my challenging sixth graders. One of these lessons is sure to draw out their creative spirits. I hope they will find the same inspiration I felt as I walked up to Dick Blick's booth at the convention earlier this week.

The art that most caught my eye was a plastic layered mosaic that looked like transparent glass mosaic tile.

It was mounted on white card stock and had a layer of large bubble wrap to lift it 1/2 in off the surface. The separation from the background gave just enough light to illuminate the art work. Surprisingly, most of this composition was made from twisted plastic shopping bags and plastic food wrap. It was recycling at its finest!