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.
