Teacher Tools

Online Tools
* I just discovered the most awesome art teachery site! It's a title generator called Content Idea Generator. (Not too exciting a name, but it's well designed & looks amazing!). I am SO using this site next year for my classes! Give them a topic & have them create whatever pops up. Fun!!!

* Who hasn't used Pixlr?!?! In my opinion, it's the closest thing to free Photoshop I've ever seen. It has it's limitations, but when I want to do a graphics lesson with my middle school students on their laptops and they don't have software installed, this is a great alternative.

* Another great photo editing site is Fotoflexer.

* A good tool for review is Spiral . Input your questions, add images if you want. Students use their phones or laptops to go to a link (Spiral gives students a link & login code), and they answer questions live.

Art Educator's Sites
 * One of my favorite art teacher blogs - I love her sense of style! Even though my personality won't allow me to dress with as much flair as her, Cassie Stephens has inspired me to start using my wardrobe as another teaching tool. I've started learning to sew and I'm adding jewelry & clothing as I find it. I found her sight right after I painted my Starry Night dress. :)


Classroom Videos 
* Monument Men - An unlikely World War II platoon is tasked to rescue art masterpieces from Nazi thieves and return them to their owners. Based on a true story.

*Woman in Gold - Maria Altmann, an octogenarian Jewish refugee, takes on the Austrian government to recover artwork she believes rightfully belongs to her family. Based on a true story.

* Vincent and the Doctor (Dr. Who) - The Doctor (Matt Smith) has taken Amy (Karen Gillan) to the Musée d'Orsay in Paris, where they admire the work of the post-impressionist painter Vincent van Gogh.

* Exit Through the Gift Shop -  I found this on Netflix. The story of how an eccentric French shop-keeper and amateur film-maker attempted to locate and befriend Banksy, only to have the artist turn the camera back on its owner. Good for teaching about graffiti art.