29 March 2014

Clip Art Addicts Unite...

Hola, peeps!  Stacy here from Funky Fresh Firsties.  I hope your weekend is off to a FAB start!  Stopping in to do a short post today and I wanted to share something that I do that makes hallway displays pop!  I have a crazy collection of clip art {we're teetering on a full blown addiction....shhhhh}.  I use my clip art to make classroom products obviously and I even use it to cute-sy up my newsletters, etc, but making my clip art into posters is one of my favorite things to do!  It is easy, fairly quick, I can get others to help, and I can use them over and over again! Here's my latest project with clip art posters:
We've been reading Lulu Walks the Dogs in class the last week or so and also working through my book companion.  The students complete character webs for each dog and I wanted to display those in a cute way.  I opened the PDF file on my laptop and projected it onto the SMART Board.  I used the zoom (+) button until the dog filled up the poster and taped the poster to the SMART board!
Then I traced the dog with a ball point pen fairly lightly.  It didn't need to be perfect because I would be outlining it more precisely later

Once I have the image (Cordelia the Dachshund in this case) traced... I go back with a FAB marker and outline carefully.  I love, love, really love the flip chart Sharpies!  I normally buy a few packs at the beginning of the school year at Really Good Stuff.
Yep, all outlined is so much better!  Now you can color it in or get the kids involved and let them help (if your OCD is minimal)... or enlist the help of parents, or husbands, or aides!  One of my favorite things to do is color the posters in with chalk.  I got some cheap chalk at IKEA on my last visit {swoon}.

A video of me coloring?  That's right... you're welcome! :)  In case you needed a tutorial!  Side note: it's hard to video yourself coloring with one hand...  this took some serious skill peeps!
Once you have your posters all finished... be sure to laminate for durability.  They look so amazing in the hallway with student work!  I like to try to add a 3-D type element to mine.... so this time I added yard between Lulu and all 3 dogs to look like a leash!

I made these to go along with the hallway display.  If you read Lulu Walks the Dogs and would like them... you can download them HERE!!!
Also, if you are in need of a book companion, you can find mine HERE!  I would HIGHLY recommend the Lulu books for 1st and 2nd graders!  Lulu and the Brontosaurus is amazing... and Lulu Walks the Dogs is also equally entertaining.  Grab both and watch your kiddos sit and listen in AMAZEMENT!
I hope that y'all will have a great weekend and that it will go by super SLOWLY!  You can keep up with my on FB over at Funky Fresh Firsties... let me know if you try the poster trick!!!  Talk to y'all soon!

9 comments:

  1. We read Lulu and the Brontosaurus and my students loved it! I have Lulu walks the Dogs on order. Is it as good as the first? We might have to try it next!

    What I Have Learned

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    1. Jessica, I thought it was equally as awesome! The kids love these books! I found Lulu Walks the Dogs for $5 (hardcover) in the Scholastic book clubs this month if that helps! Glad you stopped by! :)

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  2. My class loves the Lulu series. The new book, Lulu's Mysterious Mission, comes out in April....so the fun can continue.

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    1. I know... I"m so excited! I have mine pre-ordered... I think it ships the 8th or 9th of April!!! Can't wait to read it!!! :)

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  3. This is nothing short of genius!! I can't draw to save my life...but I am really good at tracing!

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  4. I just got the Lulu book with my Scholastic order and can't wait to use your book companion with my seconds! I have two old rescue hounds that I share stories about all the time, so we are a dog-lovin' class!
    Thanks for the great clip art poster idea!
    ~Jennifer

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  5. I'm becoming quite the clip art addict as well! Maybe a support group will start soon ;) I absolutely LOVE your idea about using the projector to get large representations of clip art! I'll definitely be trying this when we get back from Spring Break! Thanks for sharing!

    Theresa @ True Life I'm a Teacher!

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