GROUNDHOG DAY!

Greta The Ground Hog

By:  Mrs. R.

Gretta the ground hog likes to take long naps in the summer sunshine.  Gretta likes to eat berries, seeds, grasses and leaves.  In the autumn, she begins to eat a lot of grasses, seeds, berries and leaves.  When her tummy is quite full, she builds herself a winter home called a den.  She makes her den deep down inside the ground. 

 When the weather gets cold, Gretta goes down into her winter home, which is cozy and warm.  She makes herself comfortable and falls asleep, taking a very, very long, winter nap.

 Gretta wakes up on a very special day, February 2, Groundhog Day!  She shakes the sleep from her big, brown eyes, stretches, and peeks her head outside of her den.  “Humm…”   Grettta thinks, “Still pretty chilly out here.”  But she has a job to do.  For it is Gretta’s job each year to let everyone know if there is going to be six more weeks of winter.  Or not.

 So, Gretta stands up, nice and tall, and looks for her shadow.  The legend is that if she sees her shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter.

When Gretta is done looking for her shadow, she returns to her den and begins to prepare for her spring leaving.

 When the weather is warmer, Gretta leaves her den for the open fields.  Gretta loves spring!  It is her favorite season!  She loves the warm sunshine and the gentle rains.  She finds a new, summer den.  And once again, there are lots of grasses, seeds, berries and leaves for her to enjoy!

In April or May, Gretta’s babies, which are called cubs, are born, usually about five babies, girls and boys.  The babies follow Gretta around and she shows them how to find and eat grasses, seeds, berries and leaves.  In July the babies, who are quite grown by now, make their own dens.

 Gretta is quite pleased to have some time to herself now, eating her grasses, seeds, berries and leaves.  And once again taking her long naps in the summer sunshine.   “Oh, another year has gone by,” sighs Gretta.  But she smiles a great big groundhog smile, because she really loves being Gretta the ground hog!

 The end!

Hi!  I'm Gretta!


Please visit my web site for lots of fun Groundhog Day Activities and information!  There are quizzes, art projects and learning activities!

http://artisjoy.com/ghdayactivities.shtml

 

 

Congratulations Lauren, Lucas and Jonah!

Congratulations Lauren, Lucas and Jonah!

 Once again I am soooo proud to announce that the art work of three Greenleaf Way Special Artists has been accepted into VSA Ohio’s Accessible Expressions Ohio annual juried art show!  Such “warm” news for this time of the year!  Lauren has been submitting for six years, Lucas and Jonah for four years now I think.  Accepted every year, it is such a compliment to be recognized among peers! Last year, Ohio State University purchased a group of art work from the exhibit which included Jonah’s “The Phantom of the Opera” and Lauren’s “The Twin” to be permanently installed at The Nisonger Center at OSU in Columbus, Ohio.  (Note:  Lucas’ “Petropolis” was not for sale.)

VSA  Ohio (an affiliate of VSA International, program of The John F. Kennedy Center) implements programming and services that provide inclusive environments and opportunities for people with disabilities to celebrate through the arts. They advocate for accessibility and equality and are dedicated to improving the academic achievement of Ohio’s students through  arts integration.  For more about the many things they do, visit their web site:   http://www.vsao.org/

 This year’s Opening Ceremony is Saturday March 8 in Columbus.  After that, the tour will be

divided up into smaller groups and will tour various public locations in Ohio.

 

Their artwork is for sale;  purchases can be made through VSA.  Inquire on their web site.

For more about Greenleaf Way Special Artists visit my web site:    http://www.artisjoy.com/teaching_special.shtml



Lauren

 

Lauren's "The Blossom"
18" x 24"
Oil on canvas, 2012
 

Jonah

Jonah's "Spartan Meets Pyramid Head"
12" x 12"
Acrylic, glass beads, and mixed media on canvas, 2013



Lucas

Lucas' "Inception"
17" x 22"
Pencil on paper, 2013


 

ABSTRACT SQUARES

Abstract Squares!

I often get ideas just from looking at magazines.  This idea actually came from a dish I saw and I fell in love with how simple this project can be.  This is great for students of all ages!

Supplies: 

15" x 15" piece of BFK Reeves printmaking paper
pencil, ruler
watercolors or acrylic inks
brushes
a nice 2" mat (mat board or even paper)


Dish advertised in a magazine

Procedures:

• Use a pencil for the marking and measuring
• Measure and mark a 1 1/2" border all around the paper ~ this is to allow for matting of your artwork when done
• Make a grid using 2" squares
• Without a ruler, put another square inside each of the 2" squares, don't make them exactly perfect, this will give the art a casual and free feel to go with the flowing watercolors/inks
• Using your watercolors or inks, paint each of the large and small squares
• It is OK to view the pencil marks in this work as it sort of adds to the personality of it
• Create a mat for your work, hang and enjoy!

  

  Artist:  Sydney, age 7

  
  

  

  Artist:  Mrs. R.

  
  

  

  Artist:  Oliviana, age 9

COLLAGE MOBILES

Collage Mobiles!

Supplies:

• Pieces of white (or color) card stock cut into rectangles of various sizes ~ 8 1/2" x 2", 8" x 1", 7" x 1/2", etc.
• Have maybe about 12 pieces, different sizes, can repeat some sizes too
• A variety of painted and patterned papers ~ could have a theme ~ a season, a holiday, etc.  For our samples we chose red, white and blue for the Fourth of July
• scissors
• glue sticks
• hot glue gun
• ribbon or yarn like material, about 60" in length ~ you can always shorten or length it depending on how high your place is from which you will be hanging your mobile
• paper punches ~ we used a star one

Procedures:

Using the glue stick, cover your rectangles with a variety of collage papers ~ mix, match and have fun! 

You can add other craft trims as well if you like ~ we added some stickers and little ribbon foo foos!

Most of us chose to do something to both sides of the rectangles since the mobile moves with air currents and can be viewed from both sides

When finished, hot glue the collage rectangles in place on your ribbon/yarn like material.

Hang up and enjoy!

We enjoyed this project so much that we plan to make some interesting ones for Autumn!