Moved to Middle!

Who would have "thunk" it!?! Mr. E moves to middle. 

Though I loved my related arts team at my new school last year....there were other situations that quickly let me know I would be moving again at the end of the year. (When you are in a large district...it is much easier to move.)   The move to middle or high was something that had been suggested for several years to help me reach future goals.  The middle school I moved to is known for amazing admin. (It's true!) 

The room was a good bit of work.  If you have followed me for some time...you know I'm very organized and I like things to be a certain way! This is not a slight on the last art teacher...it is an acknowledgement that I'm very picky! ha  ha So here are the pics of my new space.  It is a great size room, has a ton of cabinets. a decent storage closet, and a kiln room.

Stained Glass Window Cling

I have always wanted to do this.  My window looks out to an unkept courtyard & a brick wall. I like the light…but not the view. I had seen them at Home Depot/Lows, but the selection was small and nothing that I was really excited about.  I'm a little late on the Amazon bandwagon (just this past year ordered my first item), but they had a TON of options. You have to be careful though because of size vs price...they can get ya if you aren't paying attention!  This was not my favorite design(that would be a roll that cost $50 and would not have covered the whole window!), but I really liked this one and felt it would work well in my room.  OH MY GOODNESS!!  I was not thinking about the light it cast into my room.  IT IS SO PRETTY!!!!!  We need happy spots in our day...and seeing my floors glowing with beautiful color....LOVE!!!!!

New Surface For Demos

I use two bookcases pushed back to pack for my demo space.  I contact papered over the top of the two bookcases when I first began using this space.  Eventually...the in-between space split.  I've continued using the space but kept it to just the one half of the bookcases.  That was limiting.  Recently at Home Depot I found a board that was white board surface on one side, and chalk board surface on the other.  IT WAS ONLY $6.98!!!  I am loving the surface.  It is smooth, hides messes(Sharpie markers, paint stains..etc), nice contrast for white paper, and no crack down the middle! I know everyone has different situations for their work spaces, but this could be a solution for others out there.

Things aren’t always as they appear!

Don’t look at pics of actual/virtual classrooms & compare. We all have our own style, teaching situations, & time we can invest into our spaces. What I want to know ....do you love your kiddos, are you doing your best for them, do you love what you do?

2019-2020 Classroom Pictures

I was trying to free up space on my iPad, and realized I never posted the pictures from my classroom from the start of the school year.  I had posted a video, but not the pictures.  So here ya go!! Please feel free to ask questions!

..purple is my color theme for the year..

....wish list...tulip..schedule...

(We are Tulip Grove Elementary...every teacher has a tulip.  I painted mine like stained glass when I first came 19 yrs ago...the principal loved it...then told me to repaint the whole school!!! OMG...I've painted too many tulips over the years!! ha ha)

....view from the door....

...view from the back...

...a new addition this year...

Tap Lights to indicate what standard is being taught!

...Visual Thinking Strategies... 

...magnetic word wall...

(The strips are from Dollar Tree!)

...reading area...

I start every kindergarten class with a book!

....my selves of still life materials....

..."everyday" supplies...

Art Room Tour 2019-2020

Welcome to my art room!! 

Stay as long as you like, and feel free to ask questions. 

Instagram vs. Reality in the Art Room

I love for my classroom to be a refuge, a place like no other, well organized, and clean.  However, that doesn't just happen!!  It takes a lot of work & planning....oh....AND A WHOLE LOT OF TIME!!  I took these pictures and chuckled to myself at the Instagram "worthy" classroom picture verses the reality of the situation picture!  How many of you worry about not measuring up when you look at all the picture perfect classes on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook?!
 RELAX! YOU DO YOU! 
You need to be the best version of yourself.  You do not need to be a copy of your favorite Instagrammer, YouTuber, Facebooker, or Twittererererer(help me..I can't end this word!! ha ha).  You have a unique skill set, a unique teaching situation, unique students....and they need YOU!!! No one else.....just you!! You are enough!!!

Changing Things Up!

Nine years ago my PTO purchased the 2 station tables( 2ft x 4ft) for my classroom. I had round tables previously, and was very limited about how I could set up my classroom.  Plus, those tables were old, and had been welded, re bolted, glued, and who knows else what to keep them from falling apart.  

At a previous school I had these 2 station tables & LOVED them.  I really loved being able to set my classroom up in a horseshoe/U formation.  Even though I wanted the versatility of these tables...I knew I'd probably stay with the horseshoe layout.

CHANGING THINGS UP!

This year we've had some challenges with one of our grade levels.  All the special areas have been struggling.  I've been at a loss of what I can do to help the situation.  I decided I'd try changing the layout of my classroom to see if that might fix a few of the issues.  The horseshoe worked wonderfully for a majority of my students, but this group of kids can not handle facing all of their classmates...they just don't have the self control.  I decided to do groups of two.  This would allow me to separate students out from each other, have "buffer" students between groups that struggle, and have them turned in opposite directions.  I am hoping this will help create a better environment for these students to be successful.

These are my kindergarten students...

they are not the ones who prompted this change.

CLASSROOM TOUR 2018-2019

I have been slow to post this year guys...I'm so sorry!!!  It has been such a busy start to the school year both at school & with my kiddos!!!(I have a 3rd grader, 2nd grader, & Pre-Schooler!) Such is life with a busy art dad!! ha ha  Hope you enjoy the tour...please let me know if you have any questions!  

Art With Mr. E's Chair Footies

WHAT IS ON THE BOTTOM OF YOUR CHAIRS?!?!

Here is a video to help you understand the hows & whys of the "CHAIR FOOTIES"!!!

Mr. E's Art Room: 2017-2018

I have been so slow about getting this posted! Please forgive me.  So here is a look into my classroom this year! I do a different color theme every year in my room...this year it is BRIGHTS!  It overwhelmed me at first because the past two years the colors have been much more subdued, but we all need a jolt to our system from time to time! ha ha  Feel free to leave a comment, email, or contact me on social media if you have any questions.

A few from the hallway!  I do have a nice large room..which I'm thankful for!  When the school was built in 1989...this space was designed as an art room(although it only has one small sink that is too high for young children to reach..that has always puzzled me!)

A few from the supply closet.

A view from my supply shelves.

Here is my reading area!  I read to my kindergarten students every time they come to art! I've had 20 yrs to collect all these books...grants...parent donations...and my family giving me sets of books for birthdays/Christmas.  It takes time, but a great classroom library is worth it.

The little table was made by my dad when he was in high school!  It is special to have something made by his hands in my space.  The chair...has seen better days! ha ha  I got it at a yard sale about 16 yrs ago for $5!! I'm actively looking for a funky new one!

My supply center!  These are more my everyday supplies that I allow students to pass out  & such.  Each color box represents a different supply.  The yarn boxes are so awesome!! Have had them for probably about 15 yrs or so. The top shelf has all my old teacher examples.  (I really need to clean them out and organize them better!!)

This is how I store student art work for the 9 weeks.  Each class has a box.  It keeps visual clutter down & keeps things organized!  I've had these boxes for about 6 years...maybe more?

Art Shirts!  I have people donate t-shirts for us to use in the art room.  They work out great.  We have a washer and drier at our school so I can keep up with them!!!

I painted the knight GREEN!!! I LOVE IT!!!  I've wanted to do that since I "adopted"

 him. The kids noticed right away the first week of school.

Word Walls...still in fashion?  I like mine.  I use the words on magnets and move them over to my example board when the words go with what we are studying.  Plus..the word wall acts as a word bank when we are writing about art that students can use.

This is my THINK ABOUT, TALK ABOUT, WRITE ABOUT board.  I have questions to get students thinking about their work & the work of others.  

I'm going to change a couple of the sections later on, but used the posters as a place holder for the time being.  I use to get all kinds of bent out of shape if that were to happen before...but since having kids..and my health issues...I've gotten more laid back! ha ha 

I did a post about this board a day or two ago....I LOVE IT! 

Every year I redo above my classroom door with foam to match my color theme I use in my room. .  It stays bright and colorful all year & sets my room apart from others.  

This is my " OUTSIDE THE ART ROOM" board. It is literally outside the art room.  This is where I put the pictures kids make me at home or at recess.  They are always so proud to see these pieces displayed. 

The last few days of school...I have my students make turtles in the color of my color theme for the next school year.  That way I have art hanging when kids get back...and it is super fun seeing them try to find theirs!! ha ha

HOPE YOU ENJOYED THE TOUR OF MY ART ROOM!!!