SmockTip #10- Establish Routines

Establish clear routines in the art room, especially with the youngest learners. My nursery students know to enter the art room and to immediately sit down on the rug. We always begin class by singing two short color songs that include fun motions. This helps get the wiggles and chatter out before a brief lesson. Then the art exploration and creativity begins!

My nursery students singing "Rainbow" to begin art class

SmockTip #7- Don't Underestimate the Power of Posters

As the new school year starts, I want to share a simple classroom management strategy with you.  I spend a lot of time at the start of the year teaching my students procedures within the context of the larger art lesson.  I have found it very handy to make posters of classroom procedures. I model the desired behavior, display the poster, and then I am able to refer back to the poster throughout the school year.  A simple and effective strategy : ) 

An Art Teacher's Revelation

Today I made a decision that will change the way I teach indefinitely.

I am never not wearing a smock again!

While wearing a smock I am transformed into a teacher with kangaroo-like practicality. The handy pouches have revolutionized my productivity with easy access to the things that I need for lessons.  My smock reduces scatterbrained moments by keeping everything at my fingertips. I love my smock so much that my only wish is that it had dozens of pockets and a tool loop to hold my stapler.

In my pouch today I had a spare pencil, a Sharpie, a paperclip to unclog pesky glue bottles, various paint brushes, a roll of tape, some blue tack, a thumb drive, a hair band, a band-aid, a breath mint, AND a recess whistle. What wasn't I prepared for?

If I ever return to being a classroom teacher, the smock is going with me.  It's usefulness is invaluable to any teacher!!!

SmockTip #4- Renew those magazine subscriptions!

Painting is messy.  There is no way around. BUT there are ways to reduce the mess.  

I remember reading on some blog somewhere that old magazines make great disposable palettes. I decided to try it out with a Pre-Kindergarten class.  They were doing some found-object printmaking with tempera paint.  I set up each table with two magazines in the center. I spread a thin layer of paint on each magazine and set out lots of common recycled objects.  The students had a blast dipping objects in the paint and printing on their paper, all the while mixing the two colors of paint on the magazine palettes.  At the end of class, cleanup with simple.  I tore off the top page of the magazine and threw it away, leaving a new clean palette for the next class!

SmockTip #3- An eggcellent idea!

At the beginning of the school year, I ask parents to save and donate certain materials to recycle in the art room.  I always ask for cardboard egg cartons.  Color mixing with a classroom full of first graders can get messy.  After several attempts of shared palettes turning into a mush of brown paint, chaotic clean up at the end of class while washing palettes, and many students upset that their partners didn't let them do the mixing, I knew I had to find a better way.

Using egg cartons for color mixing worked wonderfully.  I cut the egg cartons into trays of three wells, and pre-filled them with the colors to mix.  I was able to do this step at the start of the day prior to a string of back-to-back classes.  Each student LOVED having their own paint and the opportunity to try out the magic of mixing independently.  When students were finished, clean up was simple.  They threw away their egg palettes and tossed their paintbrush into the rinse bucket.  So easy!

***Note:  In the photo you might notice that I had my students mixing yellow, magenta, and turquoise instead of yellow, red, and blue.  I have found that with the Crayola washable tempera paints, the primary colors do not mix very attractively.  By substituting magenta and turquoise, the students get shades of orange, purple, and green that really pop eliciting lots of "oohs" and "ahhs" in the art room : ) 

The Key to Successful Printmaking

I was feeling frustrated when the prints that my second graders were producing were not turning out nicely. I repeated a demo for the second time while referring to the steps of printmaking that were clearly listed on chart paper.  But while looking through prints after the second session of printing, I was disappointed in the quality once again.  

I had just started printmaking with the Kindergarteners and their prints were perfect. I reflected on what I was doing differently with the two grades, and figured out the key. COLLABORATION.  My Kindergarteners were making prints in small groups. One student worked at a time, with the teacher and peers offering tips and suggestions along the way.  I decided to take a step back with the second graders and have them work in cooperative groups during their next printing session.  The results were phenomenal!!! 

Collaboration is key in the art room! 

SmockTip #2- Head to the drive-thru!

Have a tight budget for ordering supplies? Do you envy teachers who have lots of supply caddies to organize their classroom? Have you been shocked at how expensive those supply caddies are?  If you are like me then your answer is "Yes" to all of these questions.