What are some resources you can turn to for support in lesson planning ideas? people, places, websites?

Some places that I turn to for support when coming up with lesson plans would be other Art teachers or experiences I have had in the art classroom. I still remember the great art projects that I did in school. I took those ideas and made new lesson plans from them. I have gotten a lot of great ideas from my current cooperating teacher that I will definitely use in my classroom. I love seeing what other teachers are doing in their classroom there always full of inspiration and knowledge. My cooperating teacher has drawers full of lessons that she’s done with each grade. I like to read a book to the younger kids before a lesson, so I have also found inspiration in children’s books.

I think that the internet is chalk full of ideas to use. I have listed a few websites that I use to help share the knowledge. I also like to read other art teachers blogs. There’s not usually lesson plans but there are pictures of some great artwork. I like to take a simple idea and Google it and see what other people have done with the same idea in their classroom.
• www.teachkidsart.blogspot.com
• www.deepspacesparkle.blogspot.com
• www.princetonol.com
• www.crayola.com
• Dickblick.com
• www.hitentertainment.com/artattack/menu

There are lots of good books out there for ideas. My teacher has a vast assortment of books sitting on her shelves that I look at for inspiration. Here are just a few of the books that I have taken some lesson plans from.
• Dynamic Art Projects for Children by Denise M Logan
• Art Fun 69 exciting, original and easy to make projects kids will love to do.
• A Survival Guide for the elementary art teacher

Today the students got it...

This sounds like a silly comment but today I started a new project with my students. We’re starting a printmaking project and that’s my major so I was really excited to show them the stuff that I have done. This week I have tried to not yell as much to get their attention and just stay quiet till they quiet down. So in the middle of my demonstration for the fifth grade class there were the typical two boys who are always chatting and not listening. So I just stopped and waited, then half the students started yelling at the other two to be quiet because they wanted to see my stuff. I didn’t have to say a word. There was also a student who is usually pretty chatty in my classroom and one of the boys who was chatting tried to talk to him and he just said dude I want to see this talk to me later. I just had such a good moment hearing that. Did they act that good for the rest of the class, not really but they were better then they usually are.

i believe a succssful teacher is primarily a matter of....

someone who is passionate about what the teach and patience. I think that a teacher who is passionate about what they teach will radiate that on their students. If you love what you do your students will sense that and want to know more about what you’re teaching. I think to be successful you also need to have a lot of patience. Lessons may work with some students but others it won’t and you need to have patience with students who don’t always follow directions or are rowdy. I think it’s important to try to keep your cool and they will appreciate this. If you blow up from being stressed out you show your students a bad side of you. Chances are they’re not going to be as excited to come back to learn.

student teaching post 3

I think as a teacher there are rules that you should follow just as if the students should follow. I think if you as a teacher can stay positive and try to follow these rules then you can have a positive teaching experience.
1. As a teacher I think that it’s important to try to deal with disruptions with as little interruption as possible. When there is interruption it’s important to deal with the issue at hand immediately and with little interruption to the class. If a student is acting out when you’re giving directions make a gesture to that student or say there name and tell them we will talk when directions are done being given.
2. Fairness is extremely important. Students know when things are not equal. They know if you favor a student. Remember that if a student who is one of your best breaks the rule to punish them the same as you would your worst student.
3. Try to avoid confrontations in front of other students. It’s important for students to not “lose face” in front of other students. If you make the student feel belittled they may never come back and learn anything from you. They could have issues with you and the subject you teach from that point on.
4. I think it’s important to over plan your lessons. Students shouldn’t have time sitting and talking. So over plan your lessons so that your students always have something to do and you never run out of lessons.
5. Make your rules understandable. Try not to have a million rules. Have enough rules that students know what’s acceptable and appropriate. Make that if your rules are broken that there is clear consequences for the actions.
6. One of the most important rules as a teacher is to start fresh every day. If a student acted out the day before doesn’t mean that they should suffer the consequences the next day. Start each day with each student starting on green and being on equal ground as the rest.
7. Make sure to learn the student’s names as soon as you can. It’s important to the students to be called by their name. This makes them feel important.

Some of the rules that I see as important to have in your classroom for students would be.
1. Always be your best and do your best.
2. Respect others and the property of others.
3. Follow directions and instructions.
4. Bring what you need with you to class.
5. Keep your hands and feet to yourself.
6. Raise your hand before you speak during a classroom lesson.
7. Listen quietly while others are speaking.
8. Complete all assignments neatly and on time.

student teaching post 2

Thinking back to the influential classes i have taken, teachers set clear and specific goals. Teachers would have signed seats and they would go over the rules the first day of class.Teachers made sure that all questions were answered and they made sure that if you don’t get the lesson that they would teach the lesson in a different way until students understood. Teachers made sure that students feel needed and wanted in the classroom. I view expectations and classroom community in my current placement is great. My teacher is really kind and understanding to each and every student. She greets the students and asks them questions about their day. She constantly walks around and makes sure that each student know what’s going on. She keeps in touch with the teachers and makes sure that they know what going on in her classroom.