Art production is what I call an "organic experience." What I mean by organic is that the knowledge fostered within the art room causes visible growth physically, intellectually, and spiritually within students. A successful art room is structured with openness and freedom for growth in the:
understanding about the purpose of art (at the elementary level I stress art's ability to document human emotion and experiences)
understanding and use of materials
The growth is is so active that the process seems to happen magically and without control, this of course would not be true. While there is enormous freedom within the classroom there are rights and wrongs. Good classroom management is the foundation for success in the art room.
Some of the methods I use are:
1. Orientation about the learning and behavior expectations in the artroom
2. Student contracts that coincide with classroom expectations
3. Expectations posted in the room year round
4. Recording what each class's lesson is on the board
5. Writing key points about the lesson on the board
6. Using visuals such as learning posters and notebooks with lesson handouts to guide students through the steps in the lesson
7. Designating student responsibility with the help of table "keys"
8. Seating charts
9. Designated areas for materials and artwork
10. Establishing routines and procedures for taking care of materials
11. Establishing routines and procedures for handing back work (table boxes, baggies, and clips)
12. Behavior charts
13. Using daily folders with class lists, and behavior charts
14. Storing teacher's lesson examples in a designated area
Ensuring that students record their name and their teacher's name on their paper is the most troublesome concern for any teacher. I find that this is one behavior that requires constant and unstressed reinforcement by the teacher. The words "Put your name on your paper" or using a question to prompt them about what they should do first should be spoken daily by the teacher.
Routines for Instruction
1. During whole group Part 1 the teacher will introduce the lesson, have students look at examples (PowerPoint)and discuss the purpose of the artwork, and establish the goals of the project.
2. Whole group Part 2 will introduce the materials and methods. Depending on the project, I will demonstrate how to do the entire project.
3. The teacher will instruct one step and students will respond
