Another Year begins

I can't believe that summer is winding down already, and it's time to get back to work. In my last post, I talked about some thoughts I had regarding the start of this new year.  One being my request to Donor's Choose in order to beef up my reading spot, and make it bigger, and more condusive to big and small groups of all ages.  It's not completely funded yet, so if you or someone you know is willing or able to help I'd sure appreciate it. In the meantime, I re-organized my books, and sorted them for better access by the kiddos.  It's a simple sticker matching system which I hope at least helps the books stay in the right bin.  I am still playing with table arrangements, in order to better group my students. 

I am super excited about how the entrance to my room is looking though.  Some ideas (like the potato head parts) were from pinterest. 

Finally, about a year ago this time, I was sent a sampling of "Smart Fab".  I was asked to try it out, and give my thoughts.  But, I was returning from Maternity leave, and just didn't get around to it.  I used it this year in setting up my bulletin boards for the hallway. So, here goes.  I found pros and cons.  It is a very lightweight fabric, which cuts and staples easily, and makes for a nice backdrop on a bulletin board.  Because it's fabric, you can either stretch it tight, or manipulate it to get some fun movement.  It is kind of thin though; since my bulletin boards are still pretty new, and unscarred, this was not an issue for me. In my old classroom, where the boards were older than I, and marked up with markers, staples, and pencil holes, I'm not sure there would have been enough coverage without using multiple layers.  The colors are really bright: I'm looking forward to seeing how they hold up over the school year. And I'm curious about using the leftovers from the bulletin boards to weave with.  All in all, it's a fun find, which could have a lot of uses in an art room.  For that matter, I think it could be a good addition to a simple theater set. 

I think it's going to be a great year, I begin my 18th  year this August, and I gotta say, I'm still just as excited to get back and set up as I was the first year.  Here's hoping you can say the same. 

This board was created with 2 colors of Smart Fab-not completely happy with the draping yet, but that's a me issue, not the Smart Fab

Found the Horizontal/Vertical idea on Pinterest. 

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?

Summer Projects

I'm thinking this will go on the board right by the door, where all the kiddos can see it.

My mom donated the dress form, which I spray painted, and then plastered; the hubs drank the milk for the milk jug head.  I plan to use this to display a focus artist- the crown is just for now :)

Milk Jug Monster

For the Door.

So, I am very lucky, in that I do not have to work an extra side job in the summer as many teachers do.  I am trying to  create some quality displays for the art room.  Some may think it's a bit "nerdy" but hey, it keeps my hand out of the cookie jar, and it makes going back to the classroom a bit easier knowing that I have a plan.  I found a lot of great ideas on Pinterest of course, but have adapted them for my needs in the art room.

This is it

I hope this is it- I hope I am on to posting more about artwork, and less about construction, but WOW, as hard as the year of construction has been, it is worth it now (I think).  Today, I taught my first classes in the official art room.  Not a room that was a classroom turned art room, a real, honest to goodness, designed for my needs art room.  Sinks, storage, and space.  And, today,  as I limped home on my aching feet, I had to admit that for the first time in a long time, I felt "teacherish"  I felt like I had the students' attention, that I was running my room, rather than my room running me, and that my tired was the tired of a good day of work, and not just stress.  And, if that weren't enough, they delivered my  final two pieces of furniture.  A clay cabinet, and a wooden wardrobe thing that has rubber maid type drawers, and shelves in it. Both with the ability to lock, and all giving me more storage than I've ever had.  Which means of course, that the space in the art room is actual, usable space where the kiddos can safely interact without backing a chair into something or someone.  Don't get me wrong- I loved my old room- I had made it mine, and made it work.  It was old, worn in, and there was nothing I could do to really mess up that space- and a part of me will miss that freedom.  I've spent a year on a cart, and I appreciated any  room I was given. However, this space is more in keeping with the needs of my class, and my students, and we will love it (after we break it in a little)