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Bravely embracing creativity

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WELCOME

Welcome to Artful Mommy! I'm Monica Lee, an art teacher and artist. I created this space to share projects and activities that will foster creativity at home, and at school.

Scroll down for inspiration! Or check out my paintings here.

What I Learned Moving from High School Art to Elementary, and Beyond

What I Learned Moving from High School Art to Elementary, and Beyond

What I Learned Moving from High School Art to Elementary, and Beyond

This post is going to be different from my usual art project posts. I want to shed light on something I’ve seen far too often: elementary art teachers are simply not valued the way high school art teachers are.

Jun 24 min read

Art Supply List for the Elementary Art Teacher

Art Supply List for the Elementary Art Teacher

Art Supply List for the Elementary Art Teacher

Today I want to help everyone out! Keep reading to see my list of materials that are must haves for a basic art class!

Sep 23, 20244 min read

Painting a Color Wheel - What are the real Primary Colors?

Painting a Color Wheel - What are the real Primary Colors?

Painting a Color Wheel - What are the real Primary Colors?

Hey there, fellow artist extraordinaires! Guess what? I stumbled upon a mind-blowing revelation not too long ago - brace yourselves - Blick

Jul 12, 20245 min read

Jungle Design: An Exciting Second Grade Art Project that Explores Creativity

Jungle Design: An Exciting Second Grade Art Project that Explores Creativity

Jungle Design: An Exciting Second Grade Art Project that Explores Creativity

Recently I completed a project with my second graders that was super creative, successful and fun.

Apr 19, 20243 min read

Alphabet Art, one of the best first grade art projects!

Alphabet Art, one of the best first grade art projects!

Alphabet Art, one of the best first grade art projects!

I've seen different variations of this project on the internet and decided to give it a try with my first graders. Alphabet Art is an...

Apr 12, 20242 min read

Fourth Grade Abstract Trees in Oil Pastel

Fourth Grade Abstract Trees in Oil Pastel

Fourth Grade Abstract Trees in Oil Pastel

This was SUCH a fun and successful project. I introduced my fourth graders to the abstract art of Wassily Kandinsky. Kandinsky is most...

Feb 29, 20242 min read

First Grade Colorful Bug Illustrations

First Grade Colorful Bug Illustrations

First Grade Colorful Bug Illustrations

Coming up with projects for the first graders is always the most challenging for me. I avoid crafts and draw alongs. Instead I focus on...

Feb 23, 20243 min read

Painting to music, a fun and engaging elementary and high school art Project!

Painting to music, a fun and engaging elementary and high school art Project!

Painting to music, a fun and engaging elementary and high school art Project!

This art project is based on the art of Wassily Kandinsky and the children's book "The Noisy Paintbox." This is a fun project for grades...

Jan 18, 20243 min read

Second Grade Clay Family Plaque

Second Grade Clay Family Plaque

Second Grade Clay Family Plaque

This project has been a second grade art project for many, many years at my school. Kids and parents love it. There is a lot of prep that...

Nov 7, 20232 min read

The Best Fourth Grade Fall Painting Project!

The Best Fourth Grade Fall Painting Project!

The Best Fourth Grade Fall Painting Project!

This week 4th graders started their pumpkin painting with a "Starry Night" project. If you are looking for a challenging project that...

Sep 20, 20235 min read

A fun Middle School Painting Project!

A fun Middle School Painting Project!

A fun Middle School Painting Project!

I've been doing this Candy Corn painting project with my 6th Graders for the past 3 years, and it always turns out great! It's definitely...

Sep 8, 20233 min read

What to do on the First Day of Elementary Art Class.

What to do on the First Day of Elementary Art Class.

What to do on the First Day of Elementary Art Class.

The first days of school are always hectic and stressful. If this is your first year teaching elementary art it probably feels downright...

Aug 31, 20233 min read

Why I don't do draw alongs and what I do instead.

Why I don't do draw alongs and what I do instead.

Why I don't do draw alongs and what I do instead.

Draw alongs became very popular during the covid lockdown. Lot's of teachers and kids discovered draw alongs for the first time. Many...

Aug 31, 20232 min read

The best First Grade art project ever!

The best First Grade art project ever!

The best First Grade art project ever!

Sometimes you do a project with your students that is just so perfect for their age level and ability that everybody is happy with the...

Jul 10, 20233 min read

The Best Second Grade Art Project Ever!

The Best Second Grade Art Project Ever!

The Best Second Grade Art Project Ever!

This is one of those projects where they all come out looking different and fresh! It is something that parents will want to hang on to....

May 1, 20233 min read

Imaginary Landscape Chalk Drawing

Imaginary Landscape Chalk Drawing

Imaginary Landscape Chalk Drawing

Imaginary Landscape Chalk drawing. Elementary art project.

Mar 17, 20233 min read

Eric Carle Inspired Animal Collage

Eric Carle Inspired Animal Collage

Eric Carle Inspired Animal Collage

Children's books make a great jumping off point for art projects. One of the most well known children's authors is Eric Carle. Most kids...

Feb 16, 20232 min read

How to create a Peace Bridge at your Elementary School!

How to create a Peace Bridge at your Elementary School!

How to create a Peace Bridge at your Elementary School!

Have you ever heard of a Peace Bridge? Elementary schools are very focused on giving children the tools they need to work through...

Jan 21, 20232 min read

Classroom Window Paintings

Classroom Window Paintings

Classroom Window Paintings

One of my favorite things to do in my classroom is paint my windows. I have a few windows that are open to another room, and I've painted...

Jan 20, 20231 min read

First Grade Winter Collage - Pointillism, size and placement

First Grade Winter Collage - Pointillism, size and placement

First Grade Winter Collage - Pointillism, size and placement

This was a fun two day project that I did with my first graders based on the book "Snow" by Uri Shulevitz. This project was definitely...

Jan 11, 20233 min read

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