Looking Ahead

Hooo Boy, I made it through another year.  This year had challenges because I came back into the school year balancing being a mommy with being a workaholic art teacher.  But, it was a good year, filled with fun projects.  As I look ahead to next year ( I did say workaholic, right?) there are new things  I'd like to try, and some things I already do, that need a little re-vamping.
1-There's a lot of conversation out there about "Choice Based Art Education".  Now, I haven't done all the research, and I firmly believe that my role as an elementary teacher is to teach a skill set, which includes a variety of supplies.  And, I don't think you can introduce choice without a strong skill set.  And, I do try to offer some choices within projects.  Not much cookie cutter art going on here.   However, my principal is supporting my goal to continue to add choice to my lessons.  My classroom is going to have a "demo" table next year, where 4-5 kids can sit and work with me as needed. 
2- Grouping.  Most of us have the tables broken up into groups of 6-8 kiddos.  I noticed this year, with an especially large 2nd grade, that while some kids loved being elbow to elbow with their besties, others needed space. ( I had one artist who would always come up and sit on the floor- he needed the space).  So, instead of making my tables into equal groupings, I'm going to explore some combinations in which some groups are not made up of as many tables.  so, one group may have 6, and another may be a single 2 seater table.  Still gotta look at lay out on that one.  
3- I have always had a "meeting spot", where my K and 1 meet up with me, and we intro before we hit the tables.  When I move to the new art room, I added bookshelves, and tried for a reading corner.  And, it's ok.  But, here's the dream- and if you can help, or you know someone who can, I'd love it. I put in my first ever Donor's Choose request.  My ultimate dream would be to have a large carpet, with a couple of bean bags and pillows, and a sturdy shelf to organize the books.  I envision a space where we can all meet, but more importantly, where students can generate ideas, read for enjoyment at the end of a project, meet with a small group, etc.  And, I think it's important to have it be a warm and inviting comfy place to sprawl.  Any donations made in the next 7 days, and using the code 100WOMEN at checkout will get their donation matched up to $100.  How cool is that! 

Anyway, those are my thoughts for next year.  If you are anything like me, you've got some of your own reflections- and I'd love to hear them. Until then, HAPPY SUMMER!

Back at it Tomorrow!

Got my word "wall" all straightened back out

I section off my whiteboard to make room for Grade Level "Objectives" and vocabulary.

Gonna try to work with the Kindergarten Students on American Symbols-it pairs with the classroom objectives- I'll let you know how this shakes out.  I'm excited about the possibility, but realistic about how Kindergarten can go.

Tomorrow, I go back to school after a restful Winter Break.  This year, our school system did our calendar a little differently.  In years past, teachers went back a day before the students, and had a teacher work day.  This year, we got our work day the day after the kids left for Winter Break.  On the surface, not such a big deal, we still got our day, but it was a change in thinking.  I had a hard time stepping out of the current semester, and trying to prepare for the new one while I was still cleaning up my room after the previous.  I managed to get cleaned up, and as the day progressed, I got organized, and tried to prepare.  It was nice to get organized again, and I'm looking forward to another great semester.  We'll be preparing for the Spring Art Show, and I'll be up to my eyeballs in creating the yearbook,  so it'll be busy.

New Year, New Projects!

This is my textbook/manual shelf, but I hate wasted space, so I have this as my "word wall".  I will pull words from it, and add it to the white board as we are learning or working with those words. 

That gianto cabinet has big doors, begging to be used.  So, one the one side the ice cream sundaes demonstrate my grading scale, and on the other, there are scissors and glue in each pocket.

I am very proud of my K/1 meeting spot.  I added the easel this year, along with the button lamp behind the chair.

Hard to see in the picture, but there are buckets spaced over the tables.  Each bucket has objects of a different color.  Kind of like a giant "seek and find". 

I don't know about the rest of you out there in blogworld, but about this time of year, I am a few days away from the end of my mid-morning naps, my afternoon swims, and my ability to eat lunch AND take a restroom break whenever I want.  It is time to go back to school, and I get super excited to see my school friends, and set up my art room.  Because last school year was so difficult with the construction in out school, I was super-excited to set up this year.  I have spent a lot of time on Pinterest, and actually making the things I'd been pinning for the classroom.  I love to surround the kiddos with bright colors, along with having a welcoming and safe place to create.  Here's the direction I'm going this year.  Anyone else have fun setting up for the new year?

Ice Cream and Art Grading...

Our school system started an online grading system called Gradespeed over the last few years, and last year was the first year that EVERYONE was required to use it, and our parents struggled with the idea of an A-D grading scale. I have a grading policy typed and at the ready for my parents.  I try to be very clear with the students about their grade, however the grade for art can seem ambiguous, especially for parents who never had an art class.  I found a poster with the ice cream example on Pinterest, and I created my own version.  How do you explain art grading to your students?  Do you have it posted?  Illustrated?