Bypass the YouTube Block

Posted on 29. Nov, 2008 by in All Posts, Cool+Creative, Tech Stuff

If you are like me, you may have had the following situation happen to you.

I was at home researching how to teach about the “Blue Dog” by George Rodrigue and found the PERFECT YouTube video to introduce his work (an excerpt from CBS Sunday Morning). Excited and ready to share with my students, I typed in the YouTube address at school and got the dreaded school filter message: “Access Denied”.   My great introduction to “Blue Dog” was blocked and my lesson plan quickly changed.

Not too long ago, I came across a blog post from Free Technology for Teachers that solved my problem. I experimented with a few YouTube converter sites (ConvertMyTube, Media Converter, and Vixy) that take the video you need and download it to your computer.  Since I was blocked at school, I started by accessing the YouTube video I wanted to download from home.  I copied the URL address (ex. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qp_UhYOhulA) and pasted it into a converter site.  I like ConvertMyTube best of the three for its simplicity. Once my George Rodrigue video converted and downloaded to my computer, I just emailed it to myself at school.  Problem solved.


Here is the George Rodigue YouTube video I used with my students. Go to YouTube and try converting one yourself using one of the converter sites listed above!
Know of a YouTube video that would be great for teaching students? Add it in a comment below!

Review: Bubble Gum Artist

Posted on 25. Nov, 2008 by in All Posts, Books, Reviews

Book Title: Lester Fizz, Bubble-Gum Artist

Author: Ruth Spiro

Grade Levels: K-8

Category: Books, Art History, Teaching Resource

Product Review: I was introduced to Lester Fizz, Bubble-Gum Artist at an art education conference and couldn’t wait to bring him back to my classroom! 

The story describes a fictional young artist, Lester Fizz, a dreadfully unsuccessful painter.  His life was changed when Uncle Edgar (yes, draw the art history reference) introduced him to a three-dimensional world.  Filled with wonderful references to famous art and artists, Lester’s bubble-gum blowing skills transform into pink sculptural masterpieces.

My students were completely engaged throughout the story as they listened to the clever writing and studied the fabulous illustrations.  On the author’s website, you can find an activity guide, artist word search and bubble gum fun facts to reinforce learning and make curriculum connections.

Bucket Rating (out of 5):

(5) Love it! Need it! Gotta have it now!

(5) Love it! Need it! Gotta have it now!

Click here to learn more about the bucket rating system or to submit your own review.

Speed Painting with Ketchup and French Fries

Posted on 10. Nov, 2008 by in All Posts, Cool+Creative, Neat Video

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I love this video! It just goes to show art can be anything and is everywhere. I could see this inspiring some unique high school video projects. Does it give you any creative ideas? Share your thoughts in the comments section.

Energize Your Classroom Management

Posted on 10. Nov, 2008 by in All Posts, Clssrm Mgmt, Off-task Behavior

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The Power Teaching’s Classroom Management System is an active style of engaging students. I found a demo video on Youttube and thought it was very interesting. I use some similar strategies with direct instruction lessons for pacing my students, especially at the lower levels like kindergarten, first and second grade. I think there are numerous instructional techniques shown in the video that could be adapted for the elementary art classroom.  What kind of active movements or vocal responses do you use with your classes to keep them engaged?  Do you have any silly sayings that help kids remember art facts? Do you think the approach taken in the video would work for students with behavior issues? Give us your feedback, tips and creative solutions in the comments section.

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Art and Science Collides with Paper

Posted on 05. Nov, 2008 by in All Posts, Cool+Creative, Neat Video, Tech Stuff, Techniques

Check out how the art of paper folding intertwines with math and science in Green Fuse Films’ new award winning documentary “Between the Folds.” Just from watching the trailer, I’m totally intrigued and can’t wait to see the whole film. I can already think of several ways this documentary can inspire or teach my art students. Share the trailer with your students and they will see the passion these artists have for the discovery of science and math through the art or origami. Below is a short description of the documentary from the films official site.

Film Overview

GREEN FUSE FILMS’ new documentary “Between The Folds” uncovers the stories of ten fine artists and intrepid theoretical scientists who abandoned careers and scoffed at hard-earned graduate degrees – all to forge unconventional lives as modern-day paperfolders.

As these offbeat and provocative minds converge on the unlikely medium of origami, they reinterpret the world in paper, and bring forth a fascinating mix of sensibilities towards art, expressiveness, creativity and meaning. And, together they demonstrate the innumerable ways that art and science come to bear as we struggle to understand and honor the world around us – as artists, scientists, creators, collaborators, preservers, and simply curious beings.

With breathtaking cinematography, animation and a beautiful original score, the film paints an arresting portrait of the mysterious creative threads that bind us all – fusing science and sculpture, form and function, ancient and new.

ABSTRACT "CRUMPLED" ORIGAMI BY FRENCH ARTIST VINCENT FLODERER

HUMAN FIGURES BY GIANG DINH