2024-2025 School Year!

Welcome to a new school year!  Not a lot has changed in my room. 

 I always tweak little things here and there. 

I've been in this classroom for over 20 years, and feel very blessed to have this space.  

 

Please feel free to ask any questions you might have as you look through

 my pictures (or any post on my blog).  

I have a nice big reading area.  I start every kindergarten class with a story.  I love children's books, and feel it is important for children to have people read to them.  I believe it truly helps to ignite creativity. 

Yarn Storage & Distribution

Some have messaged me and asked how I handle the "yarn situation" in my room.  How I do things is not THE way....it is just a way.  You need to figure out what works best for you in your situation.

Many years ago I asked our "carpentry team" (I'm not sure that department exists any more?) to build me some wall shelves in two places in my room.  One I keep supplies on that we use frequently and I need to be accessible to students.  The other is used for storing student art(I have baskets for each class). I purchased Sterilite shoeboxes and drilled a whole in one side(using sharp "adult" scissors...be gentle when you push it in...because sometimes the boxes crack).  If you are on a budget.. collect 2 liter bottles and cut the bottom off them & feed the string through the top.  You can hot glue them together to stabilize them. I teach the students to go up (2 at a time) and get their yarn as needed. They pull a wing span out (finger tip to finger tip arms wide opened) and cut the yarn at the lid below the box they are pulling from.  I have little issue with this...my students are respectful and do a good job(because they LOVE WEAVING!!!).  

My specialty yarn...I keep it in a 10 gal plastic box.  When we use the specialty yarn, I spread it out on my classroom counter top so they can see what I have available to them.  Once again, two students at a time are allowed to go up to get their yarn.  I have a cup with scissors next to the specialty yarn.  They are allowed to select one specialty yarn that they can use up to 4 times in their weaving (I tell them it isn't special if they use it a bunch! ha ha)

 

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.

MARKERS

Markers are probably my least favorite art supply.  Markers dry out, kids color with them anyways, they smudge and smear....I just don't care for them!  BUT KIDS LOVE THEM!!!!!!!  

So I keep them around to appease the masses. I have blue lid boxes for markers.  Each table get a box filled to the point of exploding!  We have to go over with EVER class about markers making a click sound to insure they are closed....not to color marker over marker...and...if it seems to be dry...LET MR. E KNOW!!!

 I separate my markers out based on color...so it is easier to replace bad markers & see what you have left in your reserves!  Simple clear plastic shoe boxes do the trick!! Most of the boxes have two colors in them....except one! 

Do you have this problem...WAY TOO MANY PURPLES?!?!  Where do they all come from? Why do I have so many?? Do kids not like using purple...so they don't get used up?  Do purple markers last longer than other colors?? WHAT'S THE DEAL?!?!?! 

What is your least favorite supply??

A Pre-Preview To 2017-2018

It is a work in progress!!  I still have a lot to do, but thought I'd shoot a short video to show you all what it's going to look like in Art With Mr. E's room this school year.  

Dealing With Grades

Parents may questions you from time to time about your grading.  So what do you do when that happens?  There are a few things you can do before hand that will help you navigate the sometimes tricky waters of art grades.  I don't think I mentioned in the video about the importance of a strong BASIC rubric. It should be something that you, your students, your parents, and your administration can look at and use to assess the work with little question.  Of coarse you are the trained authority...and it is your job is to educate all involved about grades/grading if the question ever comes up!  No one is out to get you(most of the time)...they might just not understand that art can be graded objectively considering your standards & objectives for a lesson. 

 YOU'VE GOT THIS!!!

MAKE IT WORK: CLAY

I love my classroom.  However, it is 30 yrs old & there are a few things I wish were designed differently.  In our district, all knew & renovated schools have an actual kiln room.  This kiln room not only has a confined space for the kiln...it also usually has amazing shelves for clay storage.  My classroom does not have such a thing....but as art teachers do...I MAKE IT WORK!  Here is my solution for clay project storage.  Easy lightweight shelves I can move around my room & even back to the kiln when needing to fire or after firing!!  Sorry for my face...I work with what I got! ha ha  Actually....I have a stye or something..and my eyelid is HUGE!

BASKET OF AWESOMENESS

Kindergarten is a wild ride! It is amazing to see their independence, understanding, and ability grow by leaps and bounds!  If you are new to teaching & struggle with kindergarten...just wait!  After Christmas break is when the magic really happens!! 

I will say though...it is a struggle at times to have students help with cleanup.  It seems to take longer to have them do it than if you did it all yourself.  HOWEVER...you need to give them those opportunities to be responsible & be a part of the FULL process in the art room(which includes clean up!).  One of the things that drives me crazy is watching them pick up papers.  They have not mastered the art of place one piece directly on top of another!! ha ha  Even after you have showed them(over...and over...and over again!).  

I recently was at Dollar Tree(if you don't have them in your area...I'm sorry...THEY ARE AWESOME).  I found these larger tray/container/basket things(in my fav. color too!!).  I thought of how that could help the process a bit for kindergarten clean up.  Now this may not be revolutionary to you...but it really has helped my classroom out a great deal!!!  I have two students walk around collecting art work...the students at their seat place the work into the trey.  It sometimes is still a little off....but works so much better than the helpers dropping the art 10x!!  

I ALSO USED THESE WITH STUDENTS WHO HAVE SPECIAL NEEDS!!  

It really allowed them to participate with clean up & feel successful! 

Organization: Brushes

Why did I not think of this years ago?!?!

Do you have this issue?  Paint brushes stored in mugs/cups? 

Disorganized? Taking up precious cupboard space!

WELCOME TO SWEET ORGANIZATION & MORE SPACE!

I found a shoe holder/organizer made out of the non-woven material they use for reusable grocery bags.  I had to cut it down to fit the size of my cupboard door.  Be careful not to cut too much away or you could cause the actual pouches to come off!  I used hot glue to attach it to the inside of the doors.  Be careful with high temp hot glue...the non-woven fabric will melt like plastic if you are not careful.  I hot glued it on the seams where the fabric was doubled up.  This will hopefully give enough strength to it so the weight of the brushes do not cause it to come loose!  Make sure that the door will still close as you are attaching it!!  The pouches will sag some with the weight...which will cause them to possibly hit the area where the doors close.  Also..depending on how much you pack them...it could cause the doors not to shut all the way.  This is easy to figure out though.  I still need to weed through my brushes a bit more...but it is much more organized!!!

Painting With Kindergarten On Day 1

So I shared with ya'll in a post about painting with all my classes on their first day in the art room(5 day cycle/5 classes per day).  Today was Day2 for us...but the first day Kindergarten came to special areas.  AND YES...I PAINTED WITH KINDERGARTEN ON THEIR FIRST FULL DAY! 

Here are the details...just in case the thought of it scares the pee out of you!!

(it is Kindergarten...pee on the floor happens! ha ha)

I STARTED BY READING "THE DOT".

I was not going to pass out my usual water cups! ha ha I decided to place sponges in rectangular pans I had, and saturate the sponge enough to leave a little bit of water laying the bottom.  This worked out extremely well.  Students had enough water to paint with, but even if they would have knocked one off the table...it would have made minimal mess.  At the end of the class just rinse out the pan & sponges, and they'll be good to go.

With my other classes I'm using tempera paint, but I'm just not that brave with kindergarten.  BIGGIE CAKES WATERCOLOR (or you could use tempera cakes) are one of my favorite go-to supplies with the little ones.  I wanted to limit the color palette...so I placed wide painter's tape over the colors I didn't wish the students to use.  I do trust my kindergartners a little later in the year, but being the first day and not knowing the students at all....better safe than sorry!

I did precut the circles they were using, but they were asked to draw out their design before painting. I was so impressed with their drawings & painting.  I don't really believe the results were "normal"....but I'll take 'em!!! ha  ha  I still have four more kindergarten classes to go....we'll see how the rest of them do!?!?  I had the students bring their work over to two empty tables in the back of my room.  They did not drop them, spill paint, or stack them on top of each other.  WOW!  

So friends....the moral of the story...it is worth the risk!!  Be organized, modify, and have wet towels & cleaner at the ready!!   

LET ME KNOW IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS!

Getting Organized In The New Year

A new year is a great time for fresh starts!  Many an art teacher has promised themselves to be more organized in the new year(sometimes with the calender new year..sometimes with the start of a new school year).  Organization can't happen if you are a hoarder!!!  You have to be willing to get rid of "stuff".  If you don't use something...get rid of it!  If it doesn't work as it should...get rid of it!  If you haven't figure out what to do with it....get rid of it!  I know...I KNOW...our treasures are hard to part with.  We might use it some day...it is a perfectly good (insert odd item we'd never buy ourselves)...someone gave it to me.  Your room needs to function as a well oiled machine....and all the "stuff" gunks things up.  Just because you are an art teacher doesn't make your classroom the junk yard.  YOU CAN DO IT!  Start small...clean out a cabinet or drawer!  Throw out those dried up glue sticks/bottles.  

Supply Boxes

I am not here to support Wal-Mart.  I am here to support teachers!  That being said, if you are in need of supply boxes....Wal-Mart has their pencil boxes for 25 cents a piece.  Well...at least in our area they do.  Not sure how that works elsewhere.  Don't send me hate comments...if you think Wal-Mart is the devil...you are for sure welcome to your opinion.  However, I want to find the best deals for myself(and usually that is NOT at Wal-Mart)....and if I can save you some money too...awesome!  

I have one box per table.  Each supply has a different colored lid.  Crayons are green, Markers are blue, Colored Pencils are clear, Scissors are pink, and now....Construction Paper Crayons are black.

NASHVILLE ARTS MAGAZINE: Guest Blog Post Aug.

Nashville Arts Magazine has asked me to do a monthly guest blog for their website.  This month the article is Art Teachers & Organization 

(click on the above link to read the article)

Is Mr. E Moving???

Nope! ha ha  I am always looking out for the best way to store art work in my room.  It isn't easy when you see nearly 600 students a week(I know some of you see more...and hats off to ya!!!).  I got rid of my several old selves when they installed my built ins.  However, I did not like the idea of the art work laying out all messy looking.  I'm a bit OCD that way.  SOOOOOOOO...I wanted to box their work up to keep it orderly.  Plastic was too expensive for the 27 boxes I'd need.  So I purchased these boxes from Staples.  Still more than I wanted to pay, but not horrible.  They were 10 boxes & lids for $16.  All the same size..all the same color...WONDERFUL!  I have them arranged by grade level not days of the week...because my schedule is extremely screwed up.  More on that later!! ha ha  

Chair "Footies"

I have had many e-mailing me from Pinterest & Art With Mr. E ...."WHAT IS ON THE BOTTOM OF YOUR CHAIRS?!?!"  So the best way to answer all of you who've asked...a blog post!! 

Felt is the material I use.  The pre-cut rectangles of felt sold at Wal-Mart or your local craft store works, but make sure you find a sale!!  You can also purchase felt by the yard...and it tends to be a bit of a thicker quality(not sure why...just does?!?!).  You will need a good pair of scissors & a thick rubber band.

Cut the felt into thirds. 

Fold it over once.

Center on the bottom of your chair leg.

Tie rubber band around felt in the groove where the "foot" of the chair meets the leg of the chair.  Hmm..guess that would be its ankle?

Keep looping it...over and over..until you can't loop it anymore.

There ya go!  No more tennis balls!!!!  

Usually my "footies" will stay on the chairs the whole year long if I've tied them on tight enough.  On average I have to replace about 5 individual footies during the school year, but there have been years I've only replaced 1(now that isn't a whole chair worth...just one leg!!!!!)  I like them because I can match my color theme for the year with no problem!!  They keep your floors looking new...and keep the chair from making horrible sounds!  At times a piece of lead or crayon will get caught & mark up your floor.  If you can't remove it from the felt...just take it off and flip it inside out...brand new!!!  

New Shelves: Before & After

BEFORE

(I shared this a few post ago.)

AFTER

(These are my "everyday" supplies.  I don't always like things out in the open like this, but these are the things we use all the time.  I want easy access so the kids can help pass things out & such. It may change when school starts back...I just was testing out the new shelves!!!)

NEW SHELVES!

I've been wanting new shelves in my room for a long time, but never put in a request because I heard so many other teachers say they had put in requests years ago...and it never happened.  My assistant principal put the request in about two weeks ago...last week they came out to take measurements..and this week they installed them!  Not only did they paint them green to match my room...they rounded the corners without me asking(some are in a place the kids could run into them)!! One set is going to be for my everyday supplies(markers, crayons, colored pencils..etc) & the other set are going to be for student work. LOVE LOVE LOVE THEM!! I know it is the end of the year(last day with kids today)...but it gives me a place to put my stuff up for the summer...and I can't wait to set up my room at the end of July(kids come back Aug. 1st!!!).   

I LOVE MY LADIBUG!

I completely rearranged my room with the arrival of my Ladibug.  My reading area was in this corner, but my drop for my LCD projector...the major outlet in my room...and the internet connections(because our wi-fi is "iffy" at times).  I wanted to make this technology as user friendly & integrated into my teaching as possible.  So my "need" for order & sameness had to take a backseat as I totally rearranged my room.  

Here is an example of what it can do!(note the awesomeness of the turtle! ha ha)

If you have any questions about this...let me know.  I am still learning as I work with it...so I might have to get back to you on some questions.  

Here is the link to the Ladibug site if you want to learn more!

http://www.myladibug.com/index.php

Texture Lesson/Rubbing Plate Storage

Every year I do a texture unit with Kindergarten.  I start by using rubbing plates to show actual(tactile) & visual texture.  They also make a great sound!! One of the problems I have though is the texture plates are hard to store & pass out.  They are slippery little buggers!!  So I finally decided the best way to do it is  separate them out into gallon Ziploc/Hefty bags.  This keeps the neat & organized.  The students pull them out & put them back as they are using them...so they are all over the place.  Today was the first time I used them...worked like a dream! 

Welcome to My Art Room!