Deep Space Sparkle Accessing Free Art Resources And Lesson Plans For Educators

Deep Space Sparkle is a comprehensive online platform offering art lesson plans, videos, and resources specifically designed for teaching art to children. The platform provides both paid and free resources, with free art projects and lesson plans available for educators, parents, and anyone interested in teaching art to kids. This article explores the types of free resources available, how to access them, and the process for obtaining these materials.

About Deep Space Sparkle

Deep Space Sparkle was founded by Patty Palmer, who also created The Sparklers Members Club. The platform focuses on providing creative, standards-infused art lessons that engage children. According to the information provided, the resources are designed to help teachers, both in classroom settings and homeschool environments, deliver art instruction even if they don't consider themselves professional artists. The resources include detailed guidance on set-up, supplies, teaching instructions, and expected outcomes.

The platform offers various forms of content including art lesson plans, videos, podcasts, and other educational materials. These resources are primarily available as PDF documents that can be downloaded, viewed online, or printed. While many resources are available for purchase, there is also a selection of free materials that educators can access.

Types of Free Resources Available

Deep Space Sparkle offers several types of free resources for educators:

1. Free Art Lesson Plans: The Art Library contains hundreds of free art lesson ideas and inspirations for teaching art to kids. These lessons are categorized by grade level, from kindergarten through sixth grade.

2. Freebie Packs: These are specialized collections of art resources that are available at no cost. These freebies are similar to paid products in that users must place an order for them, but there is no charge associated with the transaction.

3. Free Art Projects: The platform's Pinterest page features numerous free art projects that educators can implement with their students. These projects cover various themes and artistic techniques.

4. Teachers Pay Teachers Resources: Deep Space Sparkle also maintains a store on Teachers Pay Teachers where they offer free resources that align with educational standards.

5. Holiday and Seasonal Art Projects: Specialized art projects designed for specific holidays or seasons are sometimes offered as free resources.

Each free resource comes with detailed instructions, supply lists, and guidance for implementation. The resources are designed to be accessible regardless of the educator's artistic background, with clear steps and visual aids where appropriate.

How to Access Free Resources

Accessing free resources from Deep Space Sparkle involves a specific process:

1. Creating an Account: Users must first create an account on the Deep Space Sparkle website. This is different from signing up for the newsletter. To create an account:

   • Click on the "Login" icon in the top right section of the page
   • Under the "Create Account" heading, enter an email address and password
   • Click "Register"

2. Logging In: After creating an account, users must log in to access free resources:

   • Click on the "Login" icon in the top right section of the page
   • Enter the email address and password used during account creation
   • Click "Login"

3. Placing an Order for Freebies: Free resources are treated like products in the shop. To order a freebie:

   • Ensure you are logged into your account
   • Click on the "Shop" icon in the top section of the page
   • Navigate to the free resource you wish to obtain
   • Add it to your cart and proceed to checkout
   • Complete the order process without entering payment information

4. Accessing Downloads: After ordering a freebie:

   • Click on the "Shop" menu to access the "My Account" menu
   • Navigate to the "Downloads" section
   • Click the yellow download button to access your free resource

It's important to note that the email address used for the account must be active and accessible, as order confirmations and download links are sent to this email address.

Additional Free Resources on Other Platforms

In addition to resources available directly on the Deep Space Sparkle website, the platform offers free materials through other channels:

1. Pinterest: Deep Space Sparkle maintains a Pinterest page featuring numerous free art projects. These include themed projects like "Sun and Moon Craft," "Polar Bear Directed Drawing," and "Love Monsters Art Project." Each pin includes related interests and additional resources that educators might find helpful.

2. Teachers Pay Teachers: The platform has a presence on Teachers Pay Teachers where they offer free resources. These resources are often aligned with educational standards and include specific grade level recommendations. For example, one holiday-themed resource is designed for grades 1-6 and integrates literature with visual arts.

3. Workshops and Webinars: While many workshops are paid offerings, Deep Space Sparkle occasionally provides free access to specialized instructional content. These are typically promoted through the website or newsletter.

The availability of resources on multiple platforms provides educators with flexibility in how they access and utilize Deep Space Sparkle's materials.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

When accessing free resources from Deep Space Sparkle, users may encounter several common issues:

1. Not Receiving Freebie Packs: If emails containing free resources aren't arriving:

   • Check the junk mail or promotions folder
   • If using a school email address, firewalls may be blocking delivery
   • Solutions include having the IT department whitelist Deep Space Sparkle emails or using a different email address for requests

2. Forgotten Passwords: If login credentials are lost:

   • Contact [email protected] for assistance
   • Use the "Forgot Password" option on the login page to reset credentials
   • For workshop-specific logins, use the dedicated portal at https://deepspacesparkle.mykajabi.com/login

3. Locating Downloads: If purchased or free resources aren't appearing in the downloads section:

   • Ensure you're logged into your account
   • Navigate to the "Shop" menu, then "My Account," then "Downloads"
   • Check that the email address associated with the account matches the one used for purchases

4. Accessing Workshop Materials: For workshop-specific content:

   • Go to www.deepspacesparkle.com
   • Hover over "Workshops"
   • Click on "Workshops Logins"
   • Enter the email address used with the purchase and the password

The support team at Deep Space Sparkle typically responds to email inquiries within 24 hours on workdays (Monday-Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM PST).

Terms and Conditions for Free Resources

While free resources are available at no cost, there are specific terms and conditions that users should be aware of:

1. Usage Rights: Free resources are intended for individual use. Single license products are for the user's personal use only.

2. Distribution Restrictions: Users should not resell or redistribute any part of a Deep Space Sparkle product. While handouts can be printed for students, the lesson plans themselves should not be distributed to other teachers.

3. Copyright: The materials are protected by copyright. Users should visit the copyright page for more detailed information about usage rights and restrictions.

4. Personal Information: The platform stores user email addresses, passwords, and billing addresses in their system. Financial information is not stored on Deep Space Sparkle servers; instead, PayPal transactions are handled through PayPal, and credit card transactions are processed through Authorize.net.

5. Refund Policy: Due to the nature of digital materials, refunds are not offered on PDF lesson plan products. Users with concerns should contact [email protected].

6. Newsletter Subscription: Signing up for the newsletter is separate from creating an account on the website. These are distinct processes maintained on separate lists.

7. Purchase Orders: The platform does not accept purchase orders for PDF Lesson Plan products. Payments can be made via PayPal or credit card in the DSS Shop for immediate download. For purchase orders, users should use the Teachers Pay Teachers store.

These terms ensure that the resources remain available for educational purposes while protecting the intellectual property of the creators.

User Experiences and Testimonials

Based on the information provided, educators who use Deep Space Sparkle resources report positive experiences:

1. Simplified Planning: One user noted that "Planning art is so easy with Deep Space Sparkle" and that the resources helped them regain joy for lesson planning, which in turn made other aspects of classroom management easier.

2. Improved Student Work: Another teacher reported that after using Deep Space Sparkle resources, their students produced higher quality artwork, leading to more confidence in participating in art shows and exhibitions.

3. Reduced Planning Burden: Educators working in homeschool settings found that membership in Deep Space Sparkle freed them from the cognitive load of planning lessons, allowing them to focus more on the teaching process itself and enjoy the creative activities with their students.

4. Accessibility for Non-Artists: Teachers who don't consider themselves artists have found the resources particularly valuable, as they provide step-by-step guidance that makes art instruction accessible regardless of the teacher's artistic background.

5. Comprehensive Support: The detailed nature of the resources—including setup instructions, supply lists, teaching scripts, and expected outcomes—has been highlighted as particularly helpful by users.

These testimonials suggest that the free and paid resources from Deep Space Sparkle effectively support art education in various settings, from traditional classrooms to homeschool environments.

Conclusion

Deep Space Sparkle offers a valuable collection of free art resources for educators teaching children from kindergarten through sixth grade. The platform's freebies include lesson plans, art projects, and educational materials that are accessible through a straightforward account creation and ordering process. While there are some technical considerations and usage restrictions, the resources provide comprehensive support for art instruction, regardless of the educator's artistic background.

Users can access free resources directly through the Deep Space Sparkle website, as well as through additional platforms like Pinterest and Teachers Pay Teachers. The platform's commitment to providing quality educational materials is reflected in the positive testimonials from educators who have implemented their resources in various teaching environments.

For those interested in art education, Deep Space Sparkle's free resources represent an accessible starting point for enriching children's artistic experiences and skills.

Sources

1. Deep Space Sparkle How It Works
2. Deep Space Sparkle Products and Freebies
3. Deep Space Sparkle Pinterest Free Art Projects
4. Deep Space Sparkle Teachers Pay Teachers Store
5. Deep Space Sparkle Main Website