In which I reveal I'm a Word Search Grinch....

So, the reports are under control (or they will be soon)  and we're ready for some fun. So are our students. More than ready! But, of course, we're 21st Century educators and we're all on board with making the most of the valuable learning time remaining until Christmas.  And so the cry goes out - "Break out the Find-A-Words!"

Sigh.

I think this is one Christmas tradition that we can quietly retire.  A find-a-word is a fun way to while away a long train journey - well, it was before we had mobile phones. (Oops showing my age again! ) Does that make word-searches the new retro hipster thing now? Hmmm.....maybe there's a market..... but not for school! At this time of year, the Christmas word search book should be a stocking filler not a classroom time filler.

'Tis the Season to Imagine! What better time to spark some imaginative writing integrated with art and design? Choose just one of these these tasks for a class brainstorm and watch the creative ideas fly. Even reluctant writers will be inspired by these Christmas Writing and Design prompts which are a little bit different to the traditional letter to Santa. Use as task cards for individual choice extension or develop a whole lesson sequence around them. Each task which can be scaffolded to address a variety of needs and abilities as students develop their skills with imaginative and persuasive texts. Students will be able to work individually or collaboratively in small groups or on a class-wide project.

This collection of eight creative Christmas prompts includes something for a variety of interests, from the future automotive (or aeronautic) designers, to the fashion-conscious, to the foodies. A range of texts are suggested, including personal narratives, plays, poetry, comic strip, and screen and paper-based advertising.

Check out  "Tis the Season to Imagine!" writing and design prompts for your class and retire the find-a-words. Give the photocopier a rest. Save them for your next long trip and save on phone data and battery too!

Friday Fireworks!

20% off all my TES resources.

Comprehensive, flexible and adaptable lesson packs for Picasso and Christmas. More Christmas lessons coming soon! Can be used as stand-alone lessons or bundled for units of work. Games and activities for the Elements of Art. All your assessment requirements in lesson packs as well as assessment planning resources, incorporating self and peer assessment.

All the hard work is done so you can relax and enjoy some art with your students.

Click on the pic! Happy Friday! (New TES purchasers, also look for the NOVEMBERNEWBIE code)

Get Moving in Art!

With terrific timing, the good people at tes.com have scheduled a Bundle Bonanza with 20% off all resource bundles this weekend, October 28-31. Good of them to coordinate their sale with the kick-off of the Tick the Art Box Shop!

Get your art students moving (and talking and writing) with the  Use Your Art Words bundle. Games, activities and challenges for teaching about Line, Shape and Form as Elements of Art include engaging physical movement games, as well as Quick Draw and Quick Sculpt challenges and activities integrating technology. So with links to PE, Maths and ICT these games work across the curriculum while reinforcing Visual Art and Literacy concepts. Each set of challenges include suggestions for variation and differentiation, and can be implemented as individual, small group or whole class activities. They can be used as "station" activities, warm-ups, brain breaks or form the basis for entire lessons. Use them to spark your students' creativity or your own. Make some art, or make some more games!

An extensive set of Vocabulary Cards for all Seven Elements of Art is included, as well as an editable template for creating more. 

Selections from the Line Games and Activities pack (included in the Use Your Art Words bundle) can work as warm-ups for the Get in Line with Picasso lesson, looking at Picasso's animal line drawings.

Get in Line with Picasso can be taught as a stand-alone lesson or as part of the  comprehensive Picasso Artist Study  (Bundle also on sale this weekend). 

Slip over to Tick the Art Box to save yourself some planning time this weekend.