Today the young visual journalists and I were very inspired by Susan's fabulous contribution to our art efforts.
Instead of using magazine images I did a brief demo of using patterned paper as a background then adding other elements over the top. I keep my demos as brief as possible and think aloud as I make my page. I want the kids to get a feel for the internal process that plays out inside my head.
My demo page is the SIMPLE page in the upper right hand corner. Afterwards, I let the kids select 4-5 papers and images from a pile strewn out across a table. There was A LOT to choose from. I swerved out of the way just in time to avoid the stampede to the goods.
I provide not a single iota of assistance in cutting or gluing. The kids do it all on their own. I'm like the Tim Gunn of the 2nd grade art set. Or at least in my mind that's who I am. The young artists are very definite in their opinions. 
I was dumbstruck when I started walking around and looking at these partially finished pages. I mean, holy crap. Are these cool or what?!
I marveled at the clever placement and design choices. And frankly I was surprised. 
Oh how my circus troupe shone with tricks a plenty up their sleeves! Just the kind of enlightenment needed when earlier lessons are met with dull stares and confused twitters. No need for me to worry in the Visual Journal 101 class. Nope. When this train pulled out of the station everyone was on board.
MARY ANN MOSS
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Oh my, your video makes my breath catch! Those sweet hands touching the papers, their voices “ooohing” and “ahhhing”. I so know how they feel!! What a wonderful opportunity you have given them.
Your art class is SO cool!
That is so wonderful! A new generation of paper fanatics- yippee! I love their repeated, “ohhhhh”s…
holy smoke mary ann – these journals are amazing, these kids are precious, and you are ‘the QUEEN’…i am bowled over and bowed down by your creative spirit, you’re a geyser.
oh wow, those are some amazing journal pages! and love the video…..”sparklies”! this is special stuff mary ann, rock on woman.
“Oh, mira!!!”
How come Ms. Moss’ class’ You Tube wasn’t up for a Golden Globe?? It was fabulous! Heart throbbing!! Star studded!! the journals, too! You all get a standing ovation from me! Bravo!! Bravo!!
Well, I would cry but that would be totally DUMB.
You are the Tim Gunn of journal making!!! The kids work is fabulous…as always.
Kids just get into the creative flow naturally. thanks for sharing.
Missy from the bayou
Very inspiring! And, all of their oooohhhhhs and aaaaahhhss were fabulous to hear. =) The child-like wonder of youth!
This is amazing, these kids put me to shame, they know how to appreciate things. the sound track really makes this. “Thats my purple”. Mary
oooh aahhh PURPLE! STICKERS! OMG I love this. I feel like I sound like this sometimes when I come across just the right things! It’s so universal – the power of art to inspire and enliven all of us! Right on. Thank you so much for sharing this Mary Ann – their journal pages are very beautiful – can’t wait to see how they develop. They have a lot to say and a lot to share. So nice to see that their sense of beauty and wonder is on full power. Just fantastic! xo fran
do you teach at a private school? I think this is just great that the kids have the opportunity to do this type of work and unfortunately can’t imagine it in my kid’s public school…though I might send this along to the art teacher!
ooooooooh….ohhhhhhhh….this is pricesless, your students are sooooooo lucky!
Wow, now those are some fantastic visual journals!
This is sooooo wonderful, MA!! What lucky kids to have you as their teacher, not just because of your own talent but your willingness to share your heart with them. Wow. These kids may not realize it now, but they will be forever changed. Beauty is a powerful thing.
Does it make your paper heart swell???
All the ooh’s and ahh’s on the video…
Fabulous work, maybe we’ll see them in print next, how thrilling would that be. They could have one of these journals for each class subject, much more friendly than blank white paper.
It is heartwarming to see the kids be so glad with just pieces of paper. Their pages look great.
like I said – waY BACK WHEN – i WANT TO BE ONE OF YOUR 2ND GRADE STUDENTS… you are the very best Miss Moss…
xox – eb.
Such talent. They did great work. I loved the video. They are so happy. It made me smile.
These kids are learning so much, seriously. What a gift you are to them!!!!!
What a cute video!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOL!!!!! I love how enthusiastic they are-way cool!!!!!!
LOVE their journals. They blew me away!!
I love hearing “Sparklies” and “Stickers” from those little sweeties. Their pages are coming along unbelievably and to see them so excited about the wonderful supplies…it’s just so great. You’re doing such an awesome job!
Peace & Love,
~Barb~
o.k. you rock. I am heading back into the pit to find more stuff for the ponies to feast upon.
Those pages knocked my socks off. How come you won’t have a class for adults?? We promise to act like children. Please keep us posted!!!
I totally agree: ‘¡la purple!” This is pure treasure. The paper packs are great but the true treasure is the absolute elation of the babies. This will last a very very long time. You are doing something significant.
i will get my stuff sent first of the week. the video just made me glow!
ooooooooh, yeah! I want in on that passion! Count me as a definite for donation of stuff. I can’t match the cool goodies that Susan shared, but I will dig deep recalling those ooos and ahhs!
Great work, Susan and MA!
amazing, all of that talent nearly went unnoticed. The video is very heart warming.
de Sponge Bob…and Loteria..I LOVE their voices. You’re a great teacher for exposing them to this!