Arts Integration

Arts Integration

This past weekend I was lucky to take part in an arts integration professional development workshop with Dr. Barry Oreck.  He immersed us in a weekend full of dance, drama, movement, and making connections.  It was enjoyable and relevant PD. 

I translated the buzz and excitement of the experience directly into my classroom on Monday.  My 2nd graders have been working on a painting project that uses skills of design and pattern to explore radial symmetry.  I planned a movement activity to enable my students to physically become a pattern of radial symmetry.  I didn't tell them that they would be forming the pattern with their bodies, but instead let them discover it on their own. 

I took a photo of them with my iPad and immediately projected it on the Cleverboard for them to see. I was delighted when a student exclaimed, "Look! We made an example of radial symmetry!!!" 

SmockTip #8- Pin It!

When the Pinterest craze hit, I avoided it like the plague.  With so much social media in our faces all the time, it was another item that I did not want to pile onto my internet browsing plate.  That is, until I realized how Pinterest could be used professionally. 

I have been using Pinterest as a teacher for about a year now and it has been an invaluable resource.  I create boards to organize project ideas, works of art, artist bios, classroom management strategies, etc.  It is a great way to organize all of the web-based information that influences projects & lessons.  I am even able to Pin links to video clips that I use for lessons.  I am able to save and organize all of the cool stuff that I find online in one place VISUALLY.  As an art teacher, I live for the visual, so Pinterest is perfect for me!

Visit my Pinterest board at http://pinterest.com/foxinsmocks/boards/

***If you are an art teacher, check out the Pinterest board of Donna Staten. WOW!!!