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?

VOTE

OK, here's the deal fellow artists- I decided to embark on a journey to figure out Artsonia this year.  I knew it would be extra work, but I also knew that it would spark good communication with families, it would serve as a digital portfolio so that the students and I could watch their progress, and it would back me up with the occasional parent.  I am loving it!  All that aside, Mr E of Art with Mr E would tell you that I am highly competitive, and love to win.  One of my students is up for the "artist of the week".  He is in the Pre-K-3 category, and he is Caleb from Hermitage TN.  If you have the time, and I'm not up against one of your students, please consider casting your vote.  You can vote daily until Sat.  He and our school would both get a little $$ for art supplies which is always welcome.

Daily Message

i don't know what the trends are at your schools, but here in Nashville, the new trend for classroom teachers appears to be the "Morning Meeting".  This is a daily routine where the students may respond to a message on the board, play a game, or do some other activity that gets all involved, and encourages students to engage for the activities of the day.  I see 100+ kids a day, and cannot possibly have a morning meeting.  But, as I sat in on the "in-service" that it seems we specialists always do, even if it is not geared towards us, I began to think of the possibilities that surrounded a "daily message" where anyone who wanted to respond or participate could.  I have started leaving messages, like the one pictured, where I may clue students in to a new artist, a new activity, or a school event.  I keep it general enough that any student could respond, because I cannot fathom putting up a new message for each group.  Often, I ask for responses in the form of tally marks, or voting, and I am experimenting with ways that I may bring in reasoning skills, math, or language skills.  The more I think about it- the more ideas I get, and the kids are loving it.  It actually helps me that they want to do this first thing, as I am usually putting something away, or getting something out.  It's a nice way for everyone to transition in to the art room.