Setting Up My Art Room...Pt 2

Well, last time I told you about my amazing art room rug project!

Now for my art room reveal! Here goes...(*BTW, my room is shaped like a trapezoid!! No kidding!)

Welcome to the art room! 

I created the fun banner that hangs over the double doors. I also printed out different paint splats and cut them from construction paper, then laminated. I love how it turned out!

To the left of the entrance, in the hall:

When you open the doors, this is the front of the room:

The color words are displayed on mock "paint can lids"--tied up with coordinating ribbons. This was something I worried about all summer (getting enough paint lids to do this project). I finally compared my print out to a gallon paint can lid and discovered it was too small! Glad I didn't waste time gathering up the real lids! Ends up, Wilton's 12 inch Corrugated Cake Circles were a perfect fit. I glued my printouts to them, leaving a small (1/2 to 3/4 in) margin. Then, I wrapped tin foil around and rolled it in, forming the lip all around the "lid." :)

Display to the left of the Promethean ACTIVboard:

This idea came from Mrs. Picasso's idea! See the original pin here.

I made the giant 3-D paintbrush from the inner tube of my 5x7 rug. I wrapped bulletin board paper around it and padded the tip end with some paper towels. I shredded some black paper and glued in the end, then wrapped the end with foil. I hung it from command hooks with fishing line. I will be putting up the I Can statements under each grade level and a sample of their weekly projects.

This is to the right of the ACTIVboard:

I loved incorporating the rules with the word, artist. I also wanted them to reflect the WBT rules---and wallah...here they are:

To be an artist you must:

A-always follow directions quickly

R-raise your hand for permission to speak or leave your seat

T-tidy up (make a scrubbing motion)

I-imagine it (we do a two-handed example popper for this one--pulling TWO ideas out of our head)

S-smart choices

T-teacher kept happy

I also keep a scoreboard up for all classes. After the first class, I saw my MAJOR fail with my design! (*There are TWO classes of each grade!) I will post my updated version soon! Forgot to take a picture of it.

This is the wall to the right of entry.

Art planning books and resources are kept behind the rainbow curtains on the shelves. Art picture books for lessons and enjoyment are on the display shelves. You can see our meeting carpet (discussed in previous post). 

Here is a closer look at the shelves and display.

I used colored duct tape to spruce up these old shelves! The colored binders will be used for organizing lessons by grade level...as I develop them (*sigh). Atop the shelves are samples of art projects before my time...

This is another version of my WBT rules. Rule 1 is about being responsible: Follow directions quickly, do your best. Make smart choices for all the rest. Rule 2 is about being respectful: Raise your hand, wait your turn. Keep your Dear Teacher happy so we all can learn. Rule 3 is to keep us safe: Walk or sit, don't push or hit. 

Pierre the Art Room Puppet helps me review the rules with the children each class for K-2. I used my Scholastic Bonus Points to get him for FREE!!! Woot woot! He was a surgeon in his previous career! A good teacher friend gave me the sweater off her back teddy bear's back. I ordered the beret off Etsy, and made the art apron from white felt.

You can also see my little bucket of Art Smart rewards. I will be giving these out for on-task behavior, helpfulness, or improvements made in behavior or skills. The little papers sticking out are my Art Room reports. I can quickly let the homeroom teacher know how their class did in art, as well as a tear-off Art Smart "award."

This is what the form looks like:

Doors (inside view):

When the kids line up at the end of class, we discuss if they were "ARTIST"s again. If they were (and won the scoreboard game) they get to put up a paint cake into their class watercolor pad. When the watercolors are full, they get a "free art" day.

I also write who earned ART SMART for the day and tell why!

Here is my desk area and display above:

Back Wall -inside Right:

Closer up of the Word Wall:

Back Wall, Inside Left:

From this view, you can see the supply shelves along the wall edges. I have 8 tables with 3 chairs at each. I used colored duct tape around the tables edges and had to spray paint 4 of the group buckets with spray paint made for plastics to get all the colors I needed! I poked a hole in the small trash cans and hung them on the legs of the tables from a Command hook.

This is the Montessori art area. Our PreK is a Montessori school. They will be coming to art class next week...wish me luck!!! :)

Nothing really new here...this is the fire exit and exit to playground. It is the left corner of the front wall and left side wall.

View standing by fire exit corner:

For the first week, I dressed up as Madame Smith- Ze Art tea-Cher!

Hope you enjoyed my art room tour!
I spent a LOT of time on Pinterest finding ideas to incorporate into this fun and artsy space!

Click HERE to see my Elementary Art Pinterest board!

Whew...feeling overwhelmed!

Well, I figured I'd better get a post on here!

I've been *treading water with my class this year! They are a real handful and not at all as embracing of WBT as last year's class! (*miss them)

 

I've got nobody but myself to blame, though!

I have to get myself energized...but my energy level is pretty much on empty.

 

On the last day of school last May, I pulled my back taking pictures for our Memory Books. What's worse...when I went to upload the pictures, I hadn't put my memory card back in after uploading our End of the Year Beach Party photos...UGH!!! So that is still bothering me...

 

Then, to beat all things...I started having some major foot pain towards the middle of July. By the time school had started, I realized it was Plantar Fasciitis. Yeah for me! I've since ordered one expensive pair of Orthoheel shoes. (But at least they're cute!)

 

I'm making it a goal to put on a smile, jazz up my energy output...and tackle this tough class!

Challenging...oh yeah!

Can I do it???

You bet!

 

Stay tuned...

Scoreboard 2.0 (part 2)

Here it is...the rest of the story!

 

 

Two more tricks that we learned about (or rather, two more ways to milk the same cow!) include the Wacky Fun Button.

The first is the Wacky Line. As you draw a squiggly line toward the STAR, the class starts saying, "Ahhhh," higher and higher with more and more anticipation the nearer it gets, and "Ohhhhh," lower and lower as the line moves away from the star! Hee Hee...my kiddos will love it.

 

After you've used the Wacky Fun Star for a bit, ERASE it!

Then, start adding it back BIT by BIT! Can I hear an, "Ahh!"

This again, is a brilliant way to milk the same cow that has been giving you that delicious milk the entire year!

 

I hope you enjoyed my description of the updated scoreboard game!

If you are new to WBT--make sure you check out all the fun, free resources at wholebrainteaching.com and think about joining the book club!

 

Have a wonderful day!



Scoreboard 2.0 (part 1)

The Louisiana WBT Conference was so much more than I could ever have imagined! Thanks to all the incredible people that made it possible!

 

 

I learned so much. It was just what Coach B. wants us to do in our classrooms...have bell to bell instruction, without a moment to waste! I barely had time to squeeze in a few notes here and there! But, I managed to get a *few and I have some wonderful things to share with you. Keep reading!

 

As I've mentioned in previous posts, I sort of fizzled out this spring and didn't utilize enough of the WBT strategies...especially the scoreboard. In fact, there were days I only had (*gasp*) 3-5 tallies on it! (I know, my head is hung in shame) So...you can imagine how my ears perked up when Coach B. reminded us to milk the cow for all we could get...then get a new cow! (IE...use one strategy as long as it was successful, then throw in a new twist to make it successful again!)

 

So, I give you (du du du DUH!)

the SCOREBOARD 2.0!

 

 

Let me explain each "new cow." These are intended for use during the SPRING when your kids start looking like their eyes are glazing over and you are tempted to have recess all day long!

 

1. On each side of the scoreboard, along with or instead of smilies/frownies put BABY SCHOOL and __th Grade (add 2 years to your class' grade level). Remind them you expect them to perform at 3rd grade level. If they are not giving you much participation, gestures, or energy...tell them, "That was Baby School behavior," and give the frownie! RAISE the bar! (Can I hear an, "Ahhhh!")

 

2. Double Points! (Genius) Put 2X on the scoreboard (in a different color marker). Extra super behavior gets double points when written with that color.

*Remember to keep the 3+/- rule with your points!

 

3. Wacky Fun Button (*WFB) Draw a STAR on the scoreboard. Tell the kids when you touch it, they can make funny animal noises until you stop. Can't you see your class eating that up!

Better yet, Coach says you'll have them eating out of your hand!

 

4. Wacky Fun Arrow: Instead of just touching the WFB, build anticipation by drawing an arrow that gets closer and closer to the STAR! Class gives a mighty, "OH YEAH!" for each added arrow and gets the fun party when it is reached.

 

Wait, that's not all.

If you want to learn about even more fun ways to milk the scoreboard for all it's worth...stay tuned!

I need to know how BADLY you want to learn more about keeping your kids eating out of the palm of your hand with scoreboard fun!



My 1st WBT Conference

I am so excited to be here in Louisiana attending my first ever WBT conference! 

It is thrilling to see my heroes and learn new ideas.

(Can I hear an, "Ahhhh!")

Also, a big shout out to Nancy Stoltenberg for being named the WBT Teacher of the Year! You rock!

If you haven't checked out Lindsey Roush's newest YouTube video on oral writing, QUICK...go watch. It has the most amazing game called Help Me. Students aren't embarrassed or feel dumb if they can't come up with an answer, they simply hold out their hands to the class and say, "Help me!" The class gives answers and ideas until the student knows what to say and calls out, "Class!" 

Coach B. taught us all about it in our breakout session today.

Stay tuned for more great words of wisdom that will take you straight to teacher heaven! Oh, yeah.

WBT Conference, Book Club and Common Core Posters

I am SO (I mean SSSSOOOOOOO) excited to be attending the WBT National Conference next week!

My son's teacher from last year is attending with me.

I hope to get energized and ready for the upcoming year!

Woo Hoo!

 

Check back for details and accounts from the conference. :)

 

 

Speaking of WBT...there's a book club going on right now!

Head over to their new blog and check it out!

 

 

Last...I've finally finished my Common Core I-Can Posters!

They are {of course} a camping theme, and so stinking cute!

You've got to check them out if you teach first grade!

I'm starting to work on other grades as well! Follow me on TpT and you'll be the first to know when I've added them.

 

 

Have a great day!

 



WBT Review Results

Yesterday, as planned, I used the new PDF from Coach B on the 5 Basics of Whole Brain Teaching (from WBCollege!) *see previous Goals post.

 

My kids really enjoyed it. I have several that can't seem to get enthusiastic about using the gestures! But, I keep trying!

 

After the first three questions, I thought how cool it would be to video my kids doing this lesson! So I set up my iPad on the side of the classroom and kept on teaching. *No prepping the students, notice the waves! Hee hee.

 

I really enjoyed using the PDF lesson as a review. I'd totally recommend it to anyone wanting to try out WBT! It is very scripted and fun. They kids loved the graphics and were thrilled to find out Coach B was a REAL person!

 

I also explained to them how they've been learning with their WHOLE brain this year...and college students do the same things!

They thought that was pretty neat.

 

I completed the entire lesson in one session...which was a bit much for my first graders. I'd break it up next time. There was too much teaching involved, with too much information (all 5 questions at once!).

 

All in all, it was a hit. We critiqued ourselves afterwards and have really gotten motivated to do better!

 

It also gave me a good shot in the arm! I had over 30 tallies on the scoreboard! Yeah!

 

If you'd like to see the video-check it out:

 

 

 



WBT Slump~with Goals

Well, I've been in quite a slump!

I need a RE-BOOST! Ugh!

 

We are just finishing up our "Spring Break"--I say that loosely since we have to have our grades turned in for report cards upon our return on Monday. (Plus, I've been doing TAXES-yuck)

 

I am planning on hitting WBT strategies in a big way when we start back! Here are my goals:

 

1. Review the BASICS using Coach B's NEW pdf file-https://www.yousendit.com/download/UVJqRE9nMm1VVGxBSXNUQw
2. Motivational Start EACH morning (Who's ready to learn today? WE'RE READY TO LEARN TODAY...etc.)
3. Use that scoreboard MORE!
4. Make 2-3 more videos before the end of the year
5. GET LEVEL 5 CERTIFIED!
6. Attend the 3-Day Conference this summer in Louisiana! http://wholebrainteaching.com/index.php/icalrepeat.detail/2013/06/17/119/wbt-national-conference-three-days.html

How about you? How is your Whole Brain Teaching going?

Leave me a comment! :)

Scoreboard Questions Answered

This post is for my own benefit as well as others.

I recently had an email question about the scoreboard. Below you will find a transcript of the questions as well as my responses.

 

I hope it will be of use to some of you that are just starting out with WBT! I've let my scoreboard number slack off and am hoping to get that excitement and energy back into my class.

 

Hi,

I am just trying bits of WBT this year.  I’m not having as much buy in to the idea of the scoreboard as I wanted.  I think there’s a few reasons, but could use some ideas.  I don’t think I’m using it often enough.  When do you use it?  I find kids are very slow at transitions and getting a smiley or frownie doesn’t mean a lot to some of them.

Another point I’m struggling with is how often and with what can I reward them for smiley frownies?  I was trying the “minute of extra” recess based on count @ end of day.  The transition issue, impacts this extra time… I haven’t trained them well enough somehow to line up quietly so we take too long and the extra minute is gone (so they don’t see the reward for smiley / frownie).  It’s a challenge to stop and count the total at the end of the day. I often don’t do it with the class until the next morning (which isn’t too terrible since the extra recess time is the that day) Any suggestions?  Should I build in more  small rewards (we have an am recess and then a lunch recess)?  Should I do the scoreboard from after AM recess until AM recess the next day?

I don’t understand “fun bursts”..could I mix these in somehow?

Interested in WBT but confused,

________________________________________________________________________________

 

The key to the scoreboard is using it to the max! When you are putting 30-40 tallies on each day—you are keeping the kids pumped and “in the game”. I have to admit…it can slide by! I only had about 10 marks up last Friday! That’s the worst I’ve done. And I can tell a big difference when I let it slip!

 

Someone on the forums put together a nice list of rewards for winning the scoreboard. You might search for it. Some other ideas are:

 

A hand stamp, a sticker, 1 minute more center time, 1 minute more story time, get the principal to come in and congratulate them, let them choose where to sit for one class period, let them read with a friend during silent reading time, let them read with a stuffed animal during silent reading time…find things that will motivate them! Give them a few of the options and let them vote at the beginning of the day. Their buy in is crucial!

 

I’ve also done long-term rewards like giving one letter in the word MOVIE for each day they win the scoreboard. When they spell the word, they get the reward. We eat lunch in our classroom, so this is an easy reward for me to do during lunch.

 

Fun bursts are short periods of “practicing” the behaviors you are wanting—and ping ponging the scoreboard. Like this:

 

“Rule 1-“ (follow directions quickly)

“Oh, not fast enough!” –frownie/mighty groan

“Raise your hands.” (they do it quickly) “That’s what I’m talking about!” –smiley/oh yeah

“stand up” too slow, “sit down” yes! Etc….back and forth—giving smilies/frownies and getting ENERGY flowing in the room!

 As for lining up, I NEVER thought the 3peat of Lines, Lines, Lines would work for me. I thought it would be chaos! But, after really introducing it, modeling it, practicing it…my kids do it marvelously! It is quick and easy.

 

 Another thing that has helped me this year is a portable scoreboard and mini dry-erase marker. These help me keep track of points whenever I need to give them. I made the scoreboard small enough to fit in a badge holder on a lanyard. It is great having it so handy!

 

 Hope some of these ideas help! Keep at it! It is the most amazing way of teaching I’ve ever found.

~Melissa

 

_____________________________________________________________________

 

One last scoreboard question/clarification…what about when you win the scoreboard?  Like I said, I just did 1-2 minutes on or off recess.  Do they lose something every day or just NOT earn the priviledge?

 

On the positive, you do reward it daily? Do you count the total at the end of the day so they see where they stood.  Do you feel it’s more effective to have the reward be that day (rather than the following day , like I’ve been doing with earning extra recess time).

Thanks again,

__________________________________________________________________

Sometimes they can lose recess time, or lose a privilege. Or they can just not earn the agreed upon reward.. Daily is best!

The kids can see the scoreboard and the tallies. I will also announce near the end of the day if they are really close, or "even Steven", so they can try to earn those last smilies...especially during dismissal!

It doesn't really take much time to see the total if you keep both sides even...remember YOU are in control of the scoreboard. Use it to your advantage!

~Melissa

 

____________________________________________________________________________

 

Thank you so much for your quick and detailed response. I know there’s the You Tube videos, blogs etc. but I sure wish I could visit a classroom with it in place. Thanks again,

______________________________________________________________________

 

There is it! Hope it helps some of you, too!

 



WBT Video - Attempt #1

Finally...I have my first attempt at my WBT video for certification. I know I will need to do a few before I get to the exemplary level, but this might help some of you out there!

 

Enjoy!