for Art Educators

Issue 49

Exploration
& Discovery
Bundle

Check out our Special Events

coming up this January

Meet our Sparkler Spotlight,

Christopher Walters from
Cincinnati, Ohio.

January 2022
d e e p s p a ce s p a r k l e .co m
 What’s Inside
3 Letter from Patty

4 Exploration & Discovery Bundle Lessons

6 Exploration & Discovery Resources

7 Recommended Books

8 What’s New

10 Special Events

12 Team Bundle Picks

Article: How to Plan Your

14 School Year in Art

Sparkler Spotlight:
17 Christopher Walters

18 Seasonal Favorites

21 Teacher Features

22 January Calendar

2 Sparkle Magazine © Deep Space Sparkle

As we turn
the page...
...of our 2021 calendar and
start dreaming of a creative,
calm and graceful year, I
hope that you can reflect
upon the magic that you
have brought into this world.
Without YOU, children all
over the world wouldn’t have
had the chance to grow
creatively, develop an open
mind and express themselves
through their choice of color,
composition and paints.
I’ve always felt that art is the
shortcut to happiness and
there has been no better year
than 2021 to reflect that.
I’m proud of all the first- love for children. Sometimes it’s
year teachers who stepped really challenging to remember
into the arena this year and that these unruly sweet things
bravely taught art through are someone’s baby.
the many disruptions and
But you rise above this and
challenges that might now
show up each day to teach our
become our new normal.
children.
I’m in awe of the art teachers
You are amazing and I can’t
who lifted up their students
wait to see your sparkle shine
when times were tough, who
bright in 2022.
packed supplies and home
art kits when schools closed
and stayed true to their
passions and belief that art is
~Patty
the most important subject
for kids to experience. PS. We have some
Teaching art is tough. It’s not fun events coming up in
easy, yet everyone expects January so keep reading!
it to be. It takes patience, a
driving purpose and a deep
Sparkle Magazine © Deep Space Sparkle 3
 Exploration & Discovery
Engage your students in lessons that explore a part of their creative process.
variety of topics from the micro-world of cells to Integrate curiosity and cross-
discoveries on other planets with the Exploration curricular connections into your art
and Discovery Bundle. When you open this program with this bundle’s lessons, which
bundle, you will find lessons that have a strong include nature specimen collecting, printmaking
STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, nerve cells, color mixing,
the Arts and Mathematics) focus, which rocket launching, salt Access the
provides opportunities for students to engage dough mixing, rover
Bundle Here
in experimental learning and problem solving as designing and more.

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 Exploration & Discovery
Essential Question: How can exploration lead to discoveries that improve our lives?

Sparkle Magazine © Deep Space Sparkle 5

 Exploration & Discovery
Resources
• K-2 Adventure Backpack • Slide Decks (for every lesson and
• 3-7 Adventure Backpack within the lesson posts)

• Special Needs Adaptations

Access the Resources Here

Not a Member of the Sparklers’ Club?

Learn more about our thousands of fully
standardized lesson plans to make curriculum
planning effortless HERE.

6 Sparkle Magazine © Deep Space Sparkle

Need a book to supplement your Exploration
& Discovery Bundle? We recommend these!
The Watcher: Jane Goodall’s Life with the Chimps
by Jeanette Winter

Cells: An Owners Handbook by Carolyn Fisher

Curiosity, The Story of a Mars Rover by Markus Motum

Follow That Map: A First Book of Mapping Skills

by Scot Ritchie

Mission to Space by John Herrington

The Great Voyages of Zheng He by Demi

Life in the Ocean: The Story of Oceanographer

Sylvia Earle by Claire Nivola

Sparkle Magazine © Deep Space Sparkle 7

 What’ s
New?
STEAM Connections
Select lessons in the Exploration and Discovery
bundle include a new lesson plan feature: the
STEAM Connections page. Located on page
three, this additional page is designed to enrich
lessons with additional information, resources
and science and math standards for lessons that
feature STEAM content. Be sure to check them
out to take your lessons to the next level.
Next Month’s Bundle
February is going to be full of architecture-
based lessons and hands-on STEAM fun with the
Architecture bundle, which will be available
on February 1st for all Sparklers. Featuring a
healthy mix of art lessons, design challenges
and engaging resources full of imagination
and student choice, this bundle has a bit of
something for everyone.

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In early December,
every member of Team
Sparkle embarked upon
Santa Barbara to spend time
together in-person developing
our focus for the coming year, something (SEL) to help students connect to themselves
we haven’t had the opportunity to do for over and others, which is more important now
two years. Over brainstorming sessions, hot than ever.
seats and dinners we discussed how we can So stay tuned for 2022, Team Sparkle has some
best support you, and in turn, the children great things in store for both you and your
you teach. students.
One recurring theme was our need to meet
both teachers and students where they are
at so they can feel successful and confident
in the art room and beyond. For teachers, this
means defining success paths to streamline
the content of the Sparklers’ Club to help
any teacher, whether they are stepping into
the classroom for the first time or a seasoned
veteran, feel confident and passionate about
teaching art to children. For students, this
means a renewed focus on lessons and
resources that foster social-emotional learning

Sparkle Magazine © Deep Space Sparkle 9

 Special Event!
Easing into 2022 with Clarity,
Compassion and Connection
It’s been a very challenging school year for
teachers, many of whom are still impacted by
student absences, new safety procedures
and a student population that is
potentially not at grade level.

Sometimes it feels like you are falling

behind, not moving forward.

I invite you to take a breath, pour a cup

of coffee and join me as we explore ways
to help ease into the new year with a
calm and clear focus.

When our new normal requires

a pivot…
About the free workshop…
For the first time in the history of our
I’m partnering with Heather
membership and certainly for me as an art educator, has there been a
Sparks, our lead lesson and
time in which what we taught in the past simply won’t work anymore.
curriculum creator for the
Responding to the social, emotional and cultural needs of our students membership, in a 60-minute
has prompted a pivotal change in the direction and instruction of our workshop that will share how
teacher resources and we couldn’t be more proud. teachers are using the planning
tools, curriculums and lessons
Helping students connect with one another through a journey of to plan their year with ease and
cultural experiences while also honing in on social and emotional sparkle.
needs has allowed teachers to honor their students in beautiful
new ways. We invite you to join us in this live,
one-time event on:
Art can be the roadmap for these important social and emotional
changes and we invite you to see how these ready-for-you lessons and January 6th at
curriculums can help. 3:30pm Pacific Time
(Los Angeles | 6:30 New York).
We believe you don’t have to do it all to be a fantastic art teacher.
As always, we’ll have a super
In fact, when you outsource lesson mapping, curriculum planning and
bonus for all attendees.
idea generation, you are freed up to do the essential work of inspiring
the minds and creative spirits of your students. We’ll have more event details
plus registration very soon, so
stay tuned.
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 Vision Board Workshop
Have you ever created a vision board?

A vision board is basically a collage of magazine

clippings and words pasted on tagboard with the
intention of placing it in a spot where you can see
it each day so that you can manifest your wishes
into reality.

The process of creating an intention or goal for

yourself is truly a powerful action. When you put
something out into this world, it’s surprising how
much of it comes back to you….but only if you
steer towards that goal each day.

That’s the purpose of a vision board.

I love the idea of creating these visual

representations but I’m not a fan of how
they look.

I’m trying my hand at designing an art-focused

Sparkler Session vision board by tapping into my visual side to create a piece of art
that represents the values, experiences and goals I hold dear.
Sunday, January 9th
I invite you to join me in this free workshop on New Year’s Day.
at 3:30pm PST
I’ll be creating in my newly renovated studio and will lead you
It’s time to Sparkle!
through the process I’m using to create a vision board that I can
Join Patty and fellow art proudly hang in my office.
teachers as we share our best
If you’d like to join in, I’m streaming the process as I go and invite
lessons and teaching tips from
you to create along with me. I’ll be here to answer your questions,
2021. This special event shares
show you my process and share how I use my intuition as a guide.
the journey of art teachers just
like you - at school, at home Join me HERE on New Year’s Day at 1pm PST
and in their garage studio.

We can all use some amazing

tips and art hacks for the school
~Patty
year, right?

Join us on the Deep Space

Sparkle Facebook page to join
the conversation, win some
prizes and collect some art tips
for 2022.
Sparkle Magazine © Deep Space Sparkle 11
 Monthly picks from the
DSS Creative Team!

Amy’s January Bundle Pick:

Op Art Bundle
The Op Art movement of the late 1950s and
early ‘60s is a period in art history that deserves
a second glance, which is exactly what the Op Art bundle’s
lessons require because each uses line and color to play tricks
on the eyes of the viewer. Artists Victor Vasarely, M.C. Escher
and Bridget Riley are featured in this bundle along with
lessons about layering shapes, a geometric zebra, circles
that appear to be moving and tessellations. Each artist is
also featured on a poster in the bundle resources, which is
where you can find the Op Art Slide Deck to use with any
of the bundle’s lessons. Half of the lessons in this bundle
also include a full video tutorial that you can play
and pause for your students as they complete each
project. Perhaps I shouldn’t pick favorites, but I’ll Access the
share that my favorite lesson is the sixth-grade Op Bundle Here
Art Pyramids because it focuses on ruler skills, uses
simple materials (pencils and markers) and produces
fabulous results.

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 Heather’s January Bundle Pick: Access the
Bundle Here
Animal Bundle
January in the art room can be one of those months that drags on,
but it’s actually the perfect time to pick up the momentum and put to
use the skills that students have been learning all year long. The Animal Bundle is a
perfect pick for January because it not only features adorable subject matter like
the sweetest little porcupine, a floating sea otter and a grumpy monkey, but this
bundle also has a printmaking focus that makes each lesson even more engaging.
This bundle also includes two packs of drawing guides in the resource section that are
perfect to print out for early finishers or those students who just can’t get enough of
drawing animals.
Sparkle Magazine © Deep Space Sparkle 13
 Written by: Amy Clay

14 Sparkle Magazine © Deep Space Sparkle

 Teachers are known for being
experts in organization and you are
probably like me and love opening up a
fresh planner. But you’re not alone if you
feel like those blank pages start taunting
you to fill them and you just don’t know
where to start.
or semesters so that they are less overwhelming
and more spread out. For example, your list of first
quarter concepts for kindergarten may include:
line, basic geometric shapes, Piet Mondrian and
the season of fall. Now it seems like a list you can
work with, right?

I’m here to offer you a few guiding questions and

Match Art Standards with Lessons
practical steps to take as you start untangling Guiding Question: Which of the projects that
the matrix of possible art lessons to use and I’m excited about fit an art standard that I need
assessing the standards you have to meet, all to teach?
while providing an art experience that keeps a
spring in your step and produces happy art and Why? A lesson doesn’t need to be absolutely spot
happy kids. on to teach a specific art concept or standard.
You get the choice to emphasize whatever you
want when you are teaching a lesson. If you need
Teach from Your Passion
a lesson on line and are excited about a crocodile
Guiding Question: What projects excite you? project you saw inside The Sparklers’ Club lesson
library, emphasize to students the different types
Why? Your students will be excited if you are
of lines they are using to draw their crocodile. It
excited!
doesn’t have to be complicated.
Practical Step: Keep a collection of lessons that
Practical Step: From your list of standards
interest you organized by their grade level. Use
for each grade level, plug in lessons from the
whatever system works for you: Pinterest boards,
collection of lessons that you’ve saved. Once a
printed or digital lesson plans in folders, etc. You
may not use every lesson and that’s okay. What
matters is having a plan for where you will store
the ideas and inspiration that excite you.

Identify Your Art Standards

Guiding question: What are the national, state
and district standards that you follow for knowing
which art concepts to teach to which grades?

Why? We’re teaching our students to value art, to

be able to appreciate it, understand it, as well as
being able to express themselves through it. We
want to give them a well-rounded art education.
Here’s a great post about de-mystifying art
standards.

Practical Step: Look at the yearly standards for

each grade level and divide them into quarters

Sparkle Magazine © Deep Space Sparkle 15

 lesson meets a standard, cross the standard off standards. As a teacher, you know that factoring in
the list. If you exhaust your list of favorite lessons flexibility will serve you well.
and still have standards to meet, leave that lesson
Practical Step: See that beautiful, shiny plan you
spot open. Go back to step one and find even
just created for your year in art? Nice job! Isn’t it a
more lessons that excite you and see if they can
relief to have a plan? Enjoy your year in art!
be the missing pieces in your curriculum puzzle.
Download our FREE
Be Flexible 2022 Monthly Art
Teacher Calendar
Guiding Question: What if my plan gets
messed up?

Why? Snow days, sick days, assemblies and fire

drills will be quick to throw off your perfectly
designed curriculum. Not to mention, seeing the
new Sparklers’ Club bundle for the month and
obsessing over how you could squeeze a few of
the lessons into your art program this week. It’s
okay to swap out lessons, rearrange your plan
and double-check that you are still meeting your

Want in-depth lessons with accompanying

standards and assessments? The Sparklers’
Club has thousands of fully standardized lesson
plans to make curriculum planning effortless.
Join the waitlist for the Sparklers’ Club!

16 Sparkle Magazine © Deep Space Sparkle


We’re excited to introduce
you to Christopher Walters!
Christopher had a paintbrush in
hand at around the same time
that he held his first sippy cup. He
doesn’t remember a time when art
wasn’t a big part of his life...
As a child, Christopher spent most
of his time creating artwork that
would proudly be displayed on the
front of the fridge in his childhood
home. During his elementary years,
Christopher’s art teacher often
saved his artwork as the student
example, and this, along with
years of kitchen fridge art galleries
helped him feel confident in his
ability to create artwork worth
sharing with the world around him.
Christopher’s art teacher was
instrumental in his discovery
and passion for art. He pursued
a degree in art education with
the intention of sharing the joys
and wonder that art brought him
throughout his life, but ultimately,
he wanted to emulate his art
teacher. She stayed prominent
in his mind during his college
P H E R WA LT E R
C H R I S TO S
Sparkler since: March 2021
years and inspired him to make his students feel the same energy,
encouragement and love that he received from her. He tells us, “I saw
how all the other students looked up to her, and looked forward to
her every class… I wanted to be that person for my students.”
Christopher’s passion for his students has always
been top of mind, and at one point when he
was struggling to find a direction for his art
program, a friend introduced him to Deep
Space Sparkle.
After scanning through what was available in the
Sparklers’ Club, he couldn’t wait to join and his
worries about his art program faded away. His
favorite thing about the Sparklers’ Club is how
easy the lessons are to follow. The Sparklers’
Club has helped him organize and streamline his
year, giving him the time to connect, encourage
and support his students.
Christopher’s love of art and passion to
encourage his students are why we chose him as our Sparkler of
the Month.
We’d love to hear from you….Was there an influential art teacher who
guided your path to teaching? Have you always known you’d teach art?
Email us at support@deepspacesparkle.com to share your story
with us. Who knows, maybe it will inspire others!
Christopher Walters is a K-5 art teacher
from Cincinnati, Ohio. He’s been teaching art
for five years and joined The Sparklers’ Club
in March 2021. Christopher likes to stay very
active; he’s an adventurous hiker and enjoys
spending time outdoors. If he’s not teaching,
sketching or baking, you’ll find him relaxing
in his hammock by the lake. His favorite
artist is Vincent Van Gogh because of his
brushwork and use of color, but he finds most
of his inspiration from his students and their
endless creativity.
Sparkle Magazine © Deep Space Sparkle 17
 Seasonal Favorites...
Virtual Teaching
that Sparkles
Training
Teaching virtually doesn’t
have to be scary if you’re
a Sparkler! This training
is designed to help you
get the most out of your
Sparklers’ Club membership
while connecting with your
students virtually, no matter
what platform you are using.
We will walk through a
sample lesson to give you a
framework for success and
also review the Sparklers’
Club usage policy so you
know exactly how you can
use the Sparklers’ Club to
help you shine!

Access the
Training Here

18 Sparkle Magazine © Deep Space Sparkle

Home To Home
Teaching Bundle
This very special Home to Home Teaching Bundle has been
crafted to assist during unique teaching seasons of remote
learning. This bundle has tools to help you engage virtually
with your students, from your home to their homes, simple
lessons and draw-alongs that students can create with
you with the supplies they have readily available, fabulous
coloring pages, options for a virtual art show with a Sparkler
exclusive template and an opportunity to gain PD hours
with a guided training. This bundle has truly been crafted
to meet you wherever you are. Make sure to print out the
Teaching Guide so that you can map out any virtual class
sessions. Sparklers, this bundle was made just for YOU so
that you can SPARKLE in all circumstances!

Access the
Bundle Here

Sparkle Magazine © Deep Space Sparkle 19

 ...Seasonal Favorites
2022 Digital Planner 2022
The Digital Planner is packed with organizational tools and Bundle List
amazing visual assets for all your planning needs for the
new year! That means images, stickers, Sparkler lesson Our official 2022 Bundle list
decals galore! This is something you can create online and is here! The 2022 Bundle
access your plans easily through Google Drive OR you can list is perfect for planning
print them out for your classroom binder with beautiful ahead based on the
customizable options. It is located in the Teacher Aids Tab monthly bundle themes and
under “Worksheets & Resources.” key learning topics that will
be focused on throughout
Access the Digital
Planner Here the year. The 2022 bundle
list is located under the
Teacher Aids tab on the
website.

Access the
Bundle List Here

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 Want to be Featured?
Share your students’ artwork
with us on our DSS Sparklers
Member Facebook group or tag
us on Instagram:
@deepspacesparkle.

Angry Like a Tiger

Artwork By: Michele Findlay
Debuisne’s
second and third-grade
students
Emotion & Self-Expression Bundle

How to Teach
Proportion: Snowman
Artwork By: Linda Tvedt’s
kindergarten through fourth-grade
students

Sparkle Magazine © Deep Space Sparkle 21

PRINT
ME!
January
SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNE

2 3 4

Sparkler Session
9 10 11
Deep Space
Sparkle Facebook
Page 3:30 PST

16 17 18

Martin Luther Paul Céz

King, Jr. Day Birthd

23 24 25

30 31
Ted Harrison
Inspired
Polar Bear

Olympic Art Project

y 2022
Happy Paper
ESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY Penguin Art
Project

Bundle Day! 1
Vision Board Workshop
Deep Space Sparkle
Facebook Page 1pm PST
New Year’s Day
Sparkler Winter
5 Enrollment Training: 6 7 8
Easing into 2022 with
Clarity, Compassion
and Connection 3:30 PST

Sparklers’ Club
Enrollment Starts

12 13 14 15

Sparklers’ Club
Enrollment Ends

19 20 21 22

zanne’s
day

26 27 28 29

Jackson Pollock’s
Birthday

How to Teach
Proportion:
Snowman Project
for Kids
Editor in Chief
Rebecca Hoepf

Contributors
Patty Palmer
Heather Sparks

Amy Clay

Melanie Maricic

Mabre Lencho-Armstrong

Photographer
Patty Palmer

Graphic Designer
Alexis Watters

© D E E P S PA C E S PA R K L E
support@deepspacesparkle.com

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Santa Barbara, CA 93101