A new school year is an opportunity for a fresh start!
Having fun in Japan to get away from teaching a bit and rejuvenate!
Summer is a time to detox, rethink, and recharge your batteries. I find I need a month to travel (I went to Japan this summer) and have some quality “me-time,” and then the next month I am relaxing but also reflecting on my year and bookmarking ideas I want to try next year. I have been teaching for 35 years and I still looking forward to trying new lessons with my students. (And new ways to make classroom management a bit better, ‘casue we can all improve there.)
If you are new to art education, please read this post. I have a lot of great information and resources there. But assuming you have been teaching art for a while, I’ll share with you some things I am going to try in this new year. I try to limit myself to just 3 things per year so I don’t overwhelm myself. Last year I renewed my National Board Certification, published my literacy resources, and entered a museum call for artwork by art teachers, and my painting was accepted for exhibition.
These are my three goals for this upcoming year:
#1. Cell phones have always been an issue. This year I put a cell phone rack and charger by my door so as students enter, they will store phones there and even charge them if they like. They can set a play list on workdays, and have one ear bud in and listen through Bluetooth.
#2. I have a new page of 8-Five minute passes I will give to each student (See Below). Each pass will be worth 1 point if they do not use it… and if they return to me a full page of 8 passes, they get a bonus 2 points. These 10 points will be added to any exam, project, report, etc as extra credit or to forgive 1 missing homework/classwork grade. The 5 minute pass can be used for the bathroom, locker visit, or to access their cell phone in the main office for emergencies. I have regular bathroom passes they can sign out when/if they use up their pass points.
#3. I am taking on a school trip to Japan in 2 years. In preparation, I will start a Japanese Language Club in school and incorporate a few lessons that focus on Japan. I have already done one on Origami Color Wheels which you can see HERE, but I am thinking to explore the scroll format to tell stories.
If you are new to art education, please read this post. I have a lot of great information and resources there. But assuming you have been teaching art for a while, I’ll share with you some things I am going to try in this new year. I try to limit myself to just 3 things per year so I don’t overwhelm myself. Last year I renewed my National Board Certification, published my literacy resources, and entered a museum call for artwork by art teachers, and my painting was accepted for exhibition.
These are my three goals for this upcoming year:
#1. Cell phones have always been an issue. This year I put a cell phone rack and charger by my door so as students enter, they will store phones there and even charge them if they like. They can set a play list on workdays, and have one ear bud in and listen through Bluetooth.
#2. I have a new page of 8-Five minute passes I will give to each student (See Below). Each pass will be worth 1 point if they do not use it… and if they return to me a full page of 8 passes, they get a bonus 2 points. These 10 points will be added to any exam, project, report, etc as extra credit or to forgive 1 missing homework/classwork grade. The 5 minute pass can be used for the bathroom, locker visit, or to access their cell phone in the main office for emergencies. I have regular bathroom passes they can sign out when/if they use up their pass points.
#3. I am taking on a school trip to Japan in 2 years. In preparation, I will start a Japanese Language Club in school and incorporate a few lessons that focus on Japan. I have already done one on Origami Color Wheels which you can see HERE, but I am thinking to explore the scroll format to tell stories.
| Pass Points Coupon Free Download PDF |
If you are looking for new choice-based lessons to try out, I have a ton on this blog you are welcome to use for free. If you would like a consolidated version of just the best ones, I have written 2 books you may like. The color editions cost a bit more because of printing expenses. But I have black and white editions too for a lower price point. These books come with the rights to make copies of worksheets and examples inside for all your students.
Though you may only teach high school, the elementary versions of the lessons will work with your special needs students and those with a 504/IEP! If you teach elementary, then the high school versions of lessons may be great for your more advanced artists so you can challenge them. Click on the covers to see the books on Amazon.
Though you may only teach high school, the elementary versions of the lessons will work with your special needs students and those with a 504/IEP! If you teach elementary, then the high school versions of lessons may be great for your more advanced artists so you can challenge them. Click on the covers to see the books on Amazon.
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If you prefer essons tied to the elements and principles, I created this book, which is a compilation of the above books (50 Art Lessons, and 51 Art Lessons) with about 25 from each that best fit this approach. If you own the above, you actually have more lessons. Click HERE to see it on Amazon.
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