10 Best and Worst School Districts in the US

Here is an article that was sent to me listing the top 10 best and worst school districts in the US based on graduation rates. Also listed are the top 10 fastest growing school districts in the country. As a teacher starting out I would consider this a valuable resource. Remember, just because graduate rates are down does not mean you schould write off a district. Often times these are the students who need extra care and help and if you are up to the job it can be extremely rewarding.

Coloring Page Maker

Crayola.com has an online coloring page maker that is so easy to use, a 2nd grader could create his/her own coloring sheet after they finish their work! http://www.crayola.com/coloring-page-maker/

Cross Curricular Approach

So ofcourse, if we are doing our jobs our students are learning social studies, math, science, and literacy along with art. If you really want to incorporate what the students are learning in the classroom with art check your state standards for math, science, language arts, reading, and social studies. Also you can ask classroom teachers what units they work on throughout the year so you can incoroporate that into your art curriculum.

Wishlist

To keep myself better organized with ordering I signed up to an online account at Dick Blick and when I think of a supply that my classroom needs I add it to my wishlist.

I Hate This Project!!!

Every so often I hear this from a student. Sometimes a group of students, sometimes a class! So what do I say to that? I generally try to listen to see why the student dislikes the project. Maybe they feel that their drawing skills aren't up to par, maybe they can't stop turning clay into mush with water, maybe they just have a short attention span. If the students struggle across the board, I try to adjust to meet their needs. If it is the same student who always complains, I take their criticism with a grain of salt.

Permanent Marker Rules

When my students use permanent markers I give them the following rules:
1. Do not draw on eachother.
2. Do not draw on yourself.
3. Do not draw on another's paper or clothing.
4. Do not draw on the table.
5. All you draw on is your paper!!!

Warhol Flowers

Art Lesson Plan
Grade:1
# of sessions: 3

Art Resources: Flowers by Andy Warhol, Getting to Know the World’s Greatest Artists by Mike Venezia, teacher product, and visual aide.

Art Materials: 8”x11” sheets of white paper cut, scrap paper, paint, paintbrushes, water, and flower templates.

Objectives- Student will:
-create a monoprint of flowers.
-use visual characteristics of Pop Art such as popular subject matter, repetition, and bright colors to create his/her monoprint.
-use tempera and watercolor paint and crayons to create his monoprint.
-learn about Andy Warhol’s art, subject matter, and style of art.

Relation to life/Why this is important: Student will understand how Pop Art’s visual characteristics are influenced by the media and pop culture..

Interdisciplinary Connections: Social Studies and Language

Vocabulary: Pop Art, Andy Warhol, transfer, print, and wax resist.

Procedure: Day 1: Teacher will introduce the Flowers by Andy Warhol. Tacher will read pgs. 1-13 in Getting to Know the World’s Greatest Artists by Mike Venezia. Student will view the visual aide/teacher product and learn vocabulary terms. Student will discuss what a monoprint is. The teacher will demonstrate how a monoprint is made. Student will trace two flowers on scrap paper. Day 2: Student will review vocabulary and teacher product/visual aide. Teacher will read pgs. 14-32 in Getting to Know the World’s Greatest Artists by Mike Venezia. Student will review demo of monoprinting. Student will paint his two traced flowers with tempera paint and press a good sheet of paper onto his painting to create his/her monoprint. Day 3: Student will review vocabulary and teacher product/visual aide. Student will watch a demonstration on how to create a crayon resist grass background for his print. Student will draw grass with crayon and paint over with watercolor paint.

An Easy Sub Plan

Sub Lesson Plan
Grades 1-3

My Creature

Materials: pencils, erasers, round jars (which are inside the bins on each table), 8”x10” manilla paper, and crayons.

Procedures:
*Show students teacher example from the substitute folder.
*Have students use the clear plastic jars from their bins to trace a circle in the center of their paper in pencil.
*Students then place their hands inside the circle and trace their fingers three or four times to create horns for their creature.
*Then ask students to mix and match parts from different animals to create a face and body for their creature. Help them brainstorm for this part. Ex: It could be furry, or smooth, or scaley. It could have sharp teeth or claws. How many legs does it have? Does it have a tail?
*Once everything has been drawn in pencil students can color in their creature with crayons.
*If there is left over time students can draw or write about their creature’s home, favorite food, and name him