In 5 Year's Time! "Noah and the Whale" Teaching Style

Day 12: How do you envision your teaching changing over the next 5 years?

This song instantly came to mind when I read today's prompt!

Noah and the Whale...5 Years Time
I love this song! How appropriate.

Now this song is not about teaching but hey...I'm the Art Teacher! I can make anything work.

"And it was fun fun fun when we were laughing. It was fun fun fun, oh it was fun..."

This is an after school art program I run out of my house. Kids Create Art WooHoo!! 

We incorporate ELA standards into our classes, mix it together with some art and face painting, 

Drama? Yes please!

and throw in some edtech to create a movie that is totally Fun Fun Fun!!

In 5 years time I envision my students in the public school I teach at being able to experience to excitement and FUN that comes from making movies by "hiding the veggies" in my art room!! 

You will become Sherlocks, NOT Monkeys!

Week one is almost over! Eight classes to teach on this hot and muggy Friday morning and then it's the weekend! Woohoo!! This first week was packed with classes filled with new and old students. I was SO surprised to find out the majority of my students do not know who Sherlock Holmes is. Really?!

Although I have to say most of the students last year did not know who Doctor Who was either and I am pleased to report they are all hooked now. Actually most were a little bummed that my theme had changed from Doctor Who.

Last Year...

This Year...

One of my favorite additions to this year's class is the "You are Allowed TO Board". Inspired by Simon Sinek, I threw the rules out the window. We all know what the right thing to do is anyway. I added this board and the kids love it!

And the best laugh of the week came from this slide in my introductory presentation. You will become Detectives NOT Monkeys! They got a real kick out of that one, and it allowed us to discuss my expectations for class behavior in a fun an relaxed way.

To celebrate the end of the week, this Friday and every Friday, I will give away free lessons from my TPT store. This week I am giving away my 7 week unit: Elements of Art presentations/lessons. Click the link below to get your free lesson. You have till midnight to get it free.

Elementary Art Lesson: Elements of Art for Upper Elementary & Marzano DQ

Elementary Art Lesson: Elements of Art for Lower Elementary & Marzano DQ

I hope you all had a great week! Enjoy your weekend and relax...haha. Like that will happen. ;-p

Jingo - Artist's Bingo Fun and Educational!

It's the week before our much anticipated 2 week winter break. My students started their own mental vacation at the beginning of this week, and I must admit my mind has been trying to mentally check out as well. I usually run my lesson plans straight through the school year and celebrate all the hard work with a special art party during the last week of school. This year I thought I'd mix it up a bit. Instead of struggling through the week attempting to keep my "can't wait for break" students focused, I decided we'd play Jingo.

Jingo is a great Art related bingo game I picked up a few years ago. I have two versions. One features famous artists and the other features items related to the artist's studio. It's a fun game for the students because bonus points are given for each game's winners. I sneak some education in there by quizzing the students as we go for double bonus points.

Here's an example: I read the description of either an artist or the item listed on the card. Students raise their hand when they think they know the answer. I remind students they are not to guess...I tell them that if I am reading them the description it must mean that we learned about this in class. It's wonderful when my students are able to access information they learned in previous years and apply it.

The Hour of Code 2013

No device or internet? Try 'unplugged' computer science!

I am so excited to introduce my art students to the world of code. I don't have computers in my art room but that won't stop us from taking part in the Hour of Code! There are several GREAT lesson plan ideas for teachers who are interested in participating but don't have access to devices. These activities work hand in hand with the Think, Pair, Share Strategy. Let's get some collaborative minds thinking and engaged!

As an added bonus, prizes are given to every educator who participates. What an awesome week we have coming up. 

Check out the Computer Science Education Week website by clicking below and get your students coding!

Resource for Powerful Multimedia Lessons

Check out this link with great resources for Non Linguistic Representations and how to create more effective and powerful multimedia lessons. My students love the dynamic Power Point presentations I put together for them at the beginning of our units. Student growth is accelerated by drawing them in visually, appealing to their hunger for technology, and providing them with critical information in a fun and interactive experience.

ActivInspire Summer Institute