Art Teacher – Classroom Tips
Brain Dump
Jot down a list of everything you need to get done so that the first project is ready to go in Jan. Now, didn’t that feel good?
Do you geek out on making lists? You might enjoy using Trello, which is a free online tool for organizing ideas. I don’t use it as often as I should, but it’s great to know my ideas are there and it’s easy to change the order to prioritize different things. You can add attachments and links, etc … and even collaborate on a list!
Collaborative Art
Art Teacher – Student Helpers
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- Test markers and sort out the dead ones. (Save them for liquid watercolors!)
- Soak your old crayons in soapy water overnight and let students peel off the wrappers the next day. (save the crayons to make chunky crayons)
- Soak (briefly) and clean brushes with brush conditioner.
- Pull out the best scraps from the scrap box and recycle the rest. (Or make this Scrap Box Abstract project with a grade level before the break.
- Make yarn balls with donated yarn that is not on cones.
- Take down art in the hallway. (Dedicate a cart to this.)
- Soak and clean clay tools.
Stash No More
Hello Desktop!
Thanks You Notes … “Check”!
Art Shirts
Clay Rehydration
Two Alternative Methods:
Goo Gone
Sparkling Tables
What behavior system, you ask?? Well if you don’t have one, here is one idea you can implement right away without any prep. Write SHAVING CREAM on the board. For any kind of interruption or misbehavior erase one letter. You can also let them earn back letters. You could give them 5 min of drawing (plus allow 5 min. for cleanup) for having the entire word, SHAVING CREAM on the board. Be sure to show your disappointment when erasing a letter and excitement when adding the letter back on.
Check the dollar store for inexpensive shaving cream.
Fresh Sponges
Safety Tips: Keep bleach locked in a cabinet when not in use & do not use the bleach when students are in the room.
Art Teacher – Magic List
Here’s a checklist so you can check things off!
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