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...]
A Safer Way to Send Artwork Home
Without a doubt, the best way to send artwork home is tucked safely inside a portfolio, or a homework folder if the art is a smaller size. But when that's not an option, here's your next best bet.... simply roll the artwork (with the drawing or painting facing inward) and slip it inside a cardboard tube ring. Rubber bands and paper clips will often damage the artwork, but a … [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...]
“Mona! Lisa!” Attention Signal
I'm excited to share the best classroom management technique I've tried in years.... the "Mona! Lisa!" attention signal. I used this new technique in all my K-8 classes this week, and it was even more successful than I had hoped for! Kudos go to Tricia Fuglestad of Dryden Art Fugleblog for sharing this fantastic idea, which she learned from Scott Russell. It's a simple … [Read more...]
Marker Set Storage
Crayola Markers are my go-to product when I want a lesson with bright colors and easy clean-up. Last year I experimented with Crayola's "washable" markers and now I'm sold on them! Most washable products don't have the quality I look for, but these are different. The colors are clean and bright, and my experience has been that they're "juicier" and last longer than the … [Read more...]
Don’t Toss Those Old Calendars!
It's a new year, and that means it's time to get the word out to your friends, co-workers and parents of your students to bring you their old calendars!There are two types of calendars that I save.... fine art calendars (like the Van Gogh pictured here) and scenic photography calendars. Both are useful, yet they serve two entirely different purposes.Fine art calendars are great … [Read more...]
Best New Finds of 2011
2011 was a great year for finding new inspiration and getting organized! When I first discovered Pinterest, I felt like I had struck gold! Pinterest is an online pin board where you can collect images you find on the web and organize them by topic for easy reference. Your boards are shared publicly with others, who can choose to "follow" boards that interest them. … [Read more...]
Grading Rubric for Middle School Art
I have a new teaching challenge this year... giving letter grades for middle school Art! My elementary school added a middle school this fall, so Art has become an elective for 6th & 7th grade, and letter grades go along with that! Fortunately, my very first teaching job was teaching Art to grades 7-12 at a college-prep Charter School, so I learned how to grade artwork and … [Read more...]
Start the Year with Student Portfolios
I love to start the year by having my students decorate their portfolios! You can make your own portfolios inexpensively, and safely store a whole year's worth of artwork. The first time I see each class at the beginning of the school year, I like to read them one of my favorite art-themed kids' books - then we use that story as inspiration to decorate their portfolios. … [Read more...]
Rules to Live By – Both In and Out of the Art Room
I don't have a lot of special rules for my students to remember during Art time.... their classroom teachers do a great job of "laying down the law" for expected behavior no matter where they are on campus. But I do have three special "Art Rules" that I teach them on day one, and remind them of throughout the year as needed. These rules are unique in that they all involve … [Read more...]
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