The Best Teachers Know When To Shut Up and Sit Down! (figuratively speaking)

Today I learned an incredible lesson.  The lesson was taught by 5 and 6 year olds.  They didn't know that they were teaching me, nor do I think they cared-but what I learned today will forever change me as a teacher. 

I have been teaching color theory, the color wheel, and mixing colors since my first year as an art teacher.  I have done this many different ways with many different variations on projects.  For my very youngest students I use the book "Mouse Paint" and then step-by-step we go through the color mixing process.  As I ended the lesson yesterday I had a conversation with a VERY knowledgeable Para regarding why I felt it so necessary to lead the students step by step through mixing primary colors to make secondary colors.  As I spoke with her it became clear to me that she thought that the kids would be much better served by experimenting instead of me taking them step by step.

All hail Para-educators!  I took her idea and ran with it.  Today I read the book, and then I did a short demonstration of how to get two different colors of paint onto their papers and "mix" them.  I have a "coloring page" with 3 mice on it with very large ears that the kids glue onto a 12 x 18" piece of drawing paper to give them lots of room to experiment.  Once my short demo was finished, each child had their paper, red, blue and yellow tempera paint and 6 paintbrushes.  Then I shut up and stood back.  I explained to this classes para/aid what I was hoping would happen, and she agreed.  Often, left to their own curiosity children will discover, learn, and explore more than we could even imagine!

What these young kinders produced on their own was far superior to anything done in the past.  Their conversations, and discoveries were everything I had always hoped for when I originally wrote this lesson, but had never quite achieved.   As teachers (and parents) we need to remind ourselves that the most important discoveries children make are often the ones made on their own. 

Grades!

😀😂😆😇😈😉😨😱😪😗😑- Well that about sums it up!! 

But seriously, art is something that is a requirement for High School Graduation (or at least some form of the Arts) as well as math, reading, history and so on.  Well all those classes have grades-mostly based on "facts" and "closed answers" and maybe the dreaded "tests". 

Art class, if graded solely on projects can be more than a little subjective, which really isn't fair to the student.  I mean seriously-define "neat" "craftsmanship" "creative" or any other of those words that people will use to define art-you really cannot! 

When my younger students begin a project, I let them know the 1 or maybe 2 things that I am going to be looking at very hard when I grade their projects.  As for my older students I actually give them the checklist that I will be using to grade them.  I mean why keep it a secret??!!

My older students receive a project sheet with every project that has vocabulary, the checklist, and some sort of self-assessment and possibly (depending on the project) some other things.  For instance draw and label a circle with circumference, diameter and radius.  I mean how else are you going to teach them to "draw" a sphere if they don't have a working knowledge of a circle? 

As for my Art History classes-we do the majority of the written work as a class-with plenty of class time for them to ask me questions.  Also I almost always include an opinion portion to the written work.  Mainly because I really want to know what they think about the things we are studying.

I WANT my students to be successful and to come away from class knowing something that they didn't before.  Or being able to do something that they couldn't before.  Or being more proficient at something that they are currently working on. 

I once had a parent tell me "Well when I was in art class we goofed off and everybody got an A"  I once had an art teacher tell me that he gave everyone of his students a "2" which translated into "working at his or her individual level".  SERIOUSLY!!??  Why in the world would I waste a student's time like either of these? 

School is important!  Encore classes (art, music, PE, library, and counseling) are important! Math, reading, social studies, lunch, recess, the nurse, handwriting, science and technology are all important! Before and after school programs are important!!  Kids today spend 6-9 hours a day in school-believe it or not their time spent there is going to shape the adult that each one of them becomes!

Grade with fairness, accuracy, and transparency! 

Crisis Drills

Today's world (unfortunately) requires teachers to be prepared for some sort of crisis.  By crisis I don't mean fire or tornado, but an intruder who is intent on hurting children.  First and foremost, I cannot even believe that this topic requires addressing.  When I was a child and also when I sent my own children to school I never would have dreamed that a college would have a monument to teachers killed in the line of duty!  KIA is something that I expected when I was a soldier, but to expect this as an educator is unbelievable! 

To the families and friends of educators who have been executed while protecting your students I cannot even imagine your grief. 

As for myself, I cannot predict what would happen if (God forbid) my school was put into the position of having to defend children from a madman.  All I can do is plan for the possibility of this happening (as all schools are) and assure my school kids that if this were ever to happen that "I've got this" and that they will be safe. 

Crisis drills are different in the art room simply because the students are not actually in the art room for much time during the week.  All of my classes know that we have a plan, and we have discussed that plan and practiced the implementation of that plan. 

When I discuss "the plan" with the students my main goal is to ensure in each and every one of them that if something were to happen I will keep them safe.

I am saddened by the necessity to plan for these events. 

Leonardo and student names

How to remember all those names!!??  I have created several lessons to help me remember student's names while simultaneously working to teach either a concept or some art history.   Leonardo was a fascinating man who contributed much to the world.  Find my lesson here https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Angled-Names-Leonardo-Da-Vinci-4027463 
This lesson lets you spend some time discussing Leonardo while also focusing on the students names. 

How To Learn All Those Names!!

The number one rule of teaching is.....learn their names, learn their names, learn their names!!  Which isn't too difficult if you have a class of 20-30 kids.  However, Art Teachers, and other Encore Staff have literally hundreds  of students!  Not to mention-the kids tend to "change" or grow up a little over summer break.  This year I had one student that I have known for several years cut 24 inches off of her hair, get glasses and grow (at least) 2 inches over the summer.  On the first day of school I had no idea who she was-even though last school year I had spent many class periods sitting next to her- she always chose the seat closest to me! 

Over the years I have created or "borrowed" many different projects that center around the student's names.  Since I always want them to be learning something, I have modified or changed these projects to emphasis something about the art world. My 2nd graders project focusses on warm and cool colors.  To download the lesson visit my TPT page here...
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Warm-and-Cool-Names-For-2nd-Grade-4027315


This lesson is free to you! 

As we go forward into the new year....Learn Those Names!!

Back To School (set yourself up for success)

The week before students arrive at school is a little bit different in the art room than in general ed classrooms.  In elementary classrooms, teachers are putting names on cubbies, writing postcards to their new students, putting parent phone numbers and email addresses into their cell phones and wondering what these new kids will be like.

In the art room life is a little different-I don't have cubbies, and my class list is 6 pages long (in tiny print).  Also I don't focus on just this year with these kids-simply because I will have them for 6 years.  I personally believe that Encore Teachers (art, music, PE, library, title and counseling) have a totally different relationship with their students than general ed teachers.  Neither is "better" and both are good for kids.

Encore teachers see a child's growth over several years.  It's true that we are (usually) not as involved in the kid's daily life-I mean how could we with hundreds of students-however we see how far a child has come over the years, and over time we are quite possibly more invested in a student's success than a teacher who has them every day, but for just 10 months. 

The first thing you have to do as an Art Teacher is figure out a way to learn (and remember) those hundreds of names.  I mess up kids names on a regular basis!  When I do I apologize, and let them know it's not because I don't know who you are, I just have hundreds of names in my head and I have to mentally change the "class list" every hour all day long!

My first year I had each student make a name place card that I had students put at their seat each class.  Some teachers have seat charts, but the idea of 28 seating charts what just more than I could handle.  Instead I let the kids pick their own seats and I reserve the right to move anyone at anytime without any explanation. 

Somewhere along the line I developed the use of "sketchbooks" or "safe folders" if you will.  I use them for many different things, but the main reason is each child has something in the room that is theirs and theirs alone.  For my younger students this is nothing more than a 12 x 18 piece of drawing paper folded in half that they then add their name to and "decorate".  For my older students we add a pocket flap (to hold rubrics, handouts, worksheets and so forth) and staple some blank papers inside for note taking and sketching. 

Find the full lesson here:  https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Sketchbooks-4001020

Another bonus to this lesson is that when "Surprise!! you just had a new student walk in the door!" happens you instantly have something that you can hand to him or her that will not only give them something to do that first day but will also allow you to assess their prior art skills. 

One time while my Principal was evaluating me I had a new student walk in-and he was so impressed that I had this project waiting for the student that my evaluation only reflected this one small act. 

For my youngers it takes about 3 seconds to grab a sheet of drawing paper and fold it for them, for my olders I keep a few pre-made sketchbooks on hand so all I have to do is grab one and give it to them.

Sketchbooks have saved my sanity more times than I care to admit!!

Always-Always! Take Time for Family!

Today's America, and quite possibly the world, families look a little different then they did just a few years ago.  At my house, it's me and "my two girls", and life couldn't be more perfect.

 I don't know about the rest of you, but when I start to feel overwhelmed, or lose my perspective on daily life, there is nothing like some time with my girls to help me get in touch with what is really important.

 Both of my girls are incredibly smart, successful, and (in case you haven't noticed) drop dead gorgeous.  They keep me grounded, and give me something to reach for!  

 No matter how busy your school life is, no matter how busy you get, always-always make time for your family!!