I'm excited to share the newest feature of the Teach Kids Art website... the TIP Vault! The Teach Kids Art TIP Vault is where I collect all my very best tips for teaching Art to kids. No matter what grade you teach, you'll find helpful ideas and information you can use. Whether you're a classroom teacher or a parent doing art with kids at home, the TIP Vault is for … [Read more...]
How to Learn Your Students’ Names FAST!
With each new school year, teachers everywhere face the daunting task of learning the names of all their new students. Whether you teach a single grade level class of 20 students or you teach multiple classes of art, music, or PE and see the entire school every week, you’ll want to learn your students' names fast…. and the faster the better! Why is it so important to learn … [Read more...]
4 Keys to Getting Started with Clay
I fell in love with clay when I took my first college Ceramics class as a freshman. I enjoyed all of my art classes, but when it was time to choose an area of emphasis for my Art degree I didn’t hesitate…. Ceramics for the win!! I’m not alone in my fondness for clay. Kids of all ages LOVE working with clay!! And teachers can love it, too.... although it can be intimidating to … [Read more...]
Letter to a First Year Art Teacher – Practical Advice from the Trenches
Dear First Year Art Teacher, Congratulations on your new job teaching Art! You are embarking on a wonderful adventure! There will be days ahead when you'll declare to anyone who will listen that you have the BEST job in the world. There is SO much to LOVE about teaching Art! But, as with all things, there will be challenging times, too. I’d like to share some things I’ve … [Read more...]
3 Tips for Keeping Colds and Flu Out of the Classroom
The cold and flu season has hit with a vengeance this year. Everywhere I look people are coughing, sniffling, and sneezing…. even here in California where we seem to have missed the whole 'winter weather' memo altogether. (It’s been in the 70’s here… sorry, east coast friends!) But an ounce of prevention may help slow the spread of germs, especially in a classroom environment … [Read more...]
10 Mistakes Every Art Teacher Can Avoid
Over the years, I've made more than my share of mistakes.... and many of them more than once! We all make mistakes, but we can learn from each other and at least avoid some of the common ones. Here are some lessons I've learned the hard way! 1. Doing for your students what they can (and should!) do for themselves. From passing out supplies to washing brushes at the end of … [Read more...]
Teachers On Pinterest
Pinterest has become the go-to source for inspiration for teachers. I could get lost for hours in this sea of creative ideas! In an effort to engage with the teaching community in an even bigger way, the folks at Pinterest have created a new collection of boards just for teachers, called Teachers On Pinterest. Here you'll find boards organized by grade (pre-K thru 6th), and … [Read more...]
“Teaching with Love and Logic: Taking Control of the Classroom” by Jim Fay and David Funk
If you've ever felt stressed by classroom management, you need this book... Teaching with Love and Logic: Taking Control of the Classroom by Jim Fay and David Funk. It may sound corny to say that this book could change your life, but it very well might! When I first started out as a new teacher, I felt woefully unprepared in the area of classroom management. My credential … [Read more...]
“Class Cards” for Class Management
Using "Class Cards" as a management tool is an idea I picked up from class management guru, Rick Morris. (If you're not already familiar with Rick's many teaching tools and techniques, be sure to visit his website, www.newmanagement.com for a gold mine of ideas!) While this isn't a tool specific to art educators, I've found it helpful in such a variety of ways that I use it … [Read more...]
Stay on Schedule with the Time Timer
My students and I LOVE our new Time Timer! I first learned about the Time Timer on the Art of Education site. The Time Timer is a fabulous time management tool for any classroom. It comes in three sizes: 3", 8", and 12". I purchased the 8" size from Amazon.com for about $20, and it's worth every penny! The Time Timer can hang on the wall, stand on its collapsible legs, … [Read more...]