calendar templates

There’s no better way to discuss self esteem in second grade than with the story of The Ugly Duckling.   You know the duck that did not look like all the others?  How many of you have students who feel they don ’t fit in?  My classroom is the place where anyone can excel and be the beautiful swan. Continuing with our thematic unit of Fairy Tales and Fables, students created their swans

Have you ever had a delightful class that really enjoyed their projects? Well, I have a terrific bunch of second graders. They are always excited about their projects, but this one was the favorite of the year. Our project is based off of the Grimm’s fairy tale The Frog Prince.  In the tale, a spoiled princess reluctantly befriends a frog by meeting him after dropping a gold ball

Recently I have received numerous emails asking how to make painted papers. The whole process of painting papers is the students favorite thing to create in the artroom. They love to paint.  With these helpful suggestions you will too! Construction Paper Step 1: Grab various paper. I used 12" x 18" drawing paper and  12" x 18" Tru-Ray Construction paper.   Tru-Ray is really strong and

My third grade teachers are loving their hallways. Why?  Because flocks of birds are hanging around their classrooms!  One class created painted paper bird houses with paintedpaper birds another  with flowering vines. We used all geometric shapes to create this project.  Circles, semi-circles, triangles, rectangles, and ovals for the birds. Pentagons, rectangles, and circles

We are in full production mode in our little classroom. We have been cutting, gluing and painting away! My second graders really enjoyed this project of the Princess and the Pea. I read the story first, then the students started stacking their paper mattresses. Twenty, yes, twenty mattresses with a pea underneath is what our story said the princess needed for a good night sleep. We used split

Many of you have asked about the poetry I use along with my projects. It is a collection of poems that compliment many of my projects. Many Waldorf families use this for their curriculum but it can also be used in any school setting. It has many seasonal poems, along with fairy tales and fables.  I purchased my copy through Amazon.

The Gnome by Margaret Morgan Deep down he goes, the little gnome, Deep down into his earthy home. Deep Down among the roots he lives; Such help to all the plants he gives. He helps the seed to split its skin; He helps the roots to settle in; He helps the shoots to stand upright And grow to reach the warm sunlight. Sometimes he comes above the ground; Sometimes his footprints

Just a little note to say Thank You for all the blog followers  and those who liked Painted Paper on Facebook.  May you have a wonderful Valentine's Day! xoxo Laura

Who doesn 't love patterns?  Two things that my students are great at are Painting and Patterns! In class we discuss what is a symbol versus a pattern? What is a complex pattern?  What is a motif? These fun folk art landscapes combine both concepts.   Fifth grade students looked at the work of artist Heather Galler's stunning folk art paintings.  She has awesome patterns so be prepared