r/ArtEd

I’m a student teacher and my graduate program has a particular format they want our lesson plans to be in; namely that the Instructional Activities are organized into the following sequence:
- Introduction/Hook (how to engage student interest in the lesson content)
- Procedures & Tasks (lesson content & delivery)
- Higher-Order Questions & Activities (questions and/or activities for higher-order thinking that cannot be answered by yes or no)
- Closure (verbalize or demonstrate learning or skill one more time; may state future learning)

However, I don’t like this system as it puts the information out of chronological order, since each section includes things that will be happening on different days. Most of my lessons take place over at least a couple days, with even working days usually having some sort of instruction/demonstration/activity (at least until the project is fully underway and they really are just working independently). I would really prefer if I could just break things down by day, so I can keep it straight in my mind what exactly needs to happen in what order.

Is that a sensible way to lay out a lesson plan, or is there a particular reason I shouldn’t? Do you have a different way of doing things?

Feeling this harder this year than ever. One teacher in particular, doesn't even say hello. I see her staring at her watch I guess comparing it to the school clock, which I go by (and is the official school policy). She has been unfriendly all year. Today I had my limit and we had words.

Her aside, there's always been others, though not as bad. Rarely hellos or slowing down to drop the class. Knocks on the door early. And of course late pick-ups. Anyone else feel like they are seen as "the prep teacher?"

I've also been a classroom teacher so I know how time is precious but...manners!

Post primary for context - specifically art!
On placement at the moment and the school Im in you are dealing with some of the most deprived/traumatised kids in the country.
Any tips for classroom management, I love my students but just need a bit of help managing them!
-Speaking over me
-not putting effort into work/ refusal
-general rudeness/disrespect
-not respecting classroom/materials
Any tips be much appreciated!

I’m doing self portraits with 5th grade. Classes struggle behaviorally to start off with. They are tracing an oval face shape, and we went over face mapping (line of symmetry down the middle, eye, nose and mouth line). I showed them where and how to make center dots for eyes and where to make additional markings for the sides of the eyes to give a feel for how big the eye should be. I have handouts on steps to draw eyes, nose, mouths (open, closed, or just a simple line smile)I’m having to help and adjust a lot of drawings which is overwhelming, and many students complaining they don’t like the way it looks. It’s hard to get their attention to not act silly and goofing around and talking during demonstration. I’m not sure if there is a super simple way to show them how to draw faces but this whole experience is torturous. Any advice would be appreciated. These are also going on display for their graduation ceremony

Hello, I've decided to get my single credential in art in California. I already have a BFA, and I want to start working under a full salary as soon as I can. I got accepted to UMass Global for Summer, but didn't start it because I'm not sure if it's wise to take on $35k without fully exploring my options.

The reason it costs so much is because it's a dual credential/Masters program. I would finish in ten months if I really lock in. If I could find an internship in my area, then I could start paying it off while I'm working.

So should I wait to be admitted at a state college program or just knock it out online with UMass?

I have a BFA in graphic design, and I've done everything from fine arts, sculpting, and photography, to 3D modeling and animation. During the economic downturn when I graduated I kind of veered off the graphic design path because all those jobs were being dumped, underpaid, and outsourced, so somehow I wound up being a small warehouse manager always responsible for young people, and I've learned to really like helping them grow. I'm super proud every time I instill a good work ethic into them and they leave and get a better job somewhere else with their experience.

Hello, I come from a social work background, but I am thinking of making a change towards art education. However, I consistently keep reading about how art teachers are being cut from school budgets. I also read some data that there are 1/3 less art teachers employed now than in 2011. These numbers are shocking and upsetting, so I have to ask; is it even worth trying to pursue? In my area, every art teaching job at a school is only part time (I’m based in Pennsylvania) are there any changes in this trend?

Is it possible to find employment as a new art teacher? For various other reasons, I am also looking into moving to Europe in a few years if that is relevant.

Thank you

Hi everyone, I hope this message finds you well. I recently took and passed the Subtests I (229) and II (230), and I wanted to share something I wish I had when I started preparing.

I came into this with no teachers in my family, outdated resources, limited direction, and a very short preparation window. I was even 1 year removed from graduating college and 1.5 years removed from actively studying art fundamentals, history, and terminology. A lot of the process involved figuring things out on my own (hours of research, rebuilding study material from scattered sources, and connecting information that wasn’t always easy to access). So if you feel behind -do not worry, you’re not alone.

Instead of letting all of that work sit buried on my computer, I decided to share it. If it helps even one person move forward with less stress or confusion, then it’s worth putting out there.

In my reply below, I’ve included a breakdown covering:

• Logistics & Strategy
• Resources (w/ BONUS tips)
• Lessons Learned & What I’d Do Differently

If you found it useful, I appreciate the support

My Student Teacher is wrapping up her elementary placement with me in a couple of weeks. Among other things, I always like to give them a book. She enthusiastically really wants to teach middle school. I do not care for middle school. Or know anything about it. Does anybody have some good book recommendations that I could help get her library started with.

hello! i am a junior in highschool so i have to start getting more and more serious about my future (which im not enjoying if you're wondering)

i want to at least attempt career in art as its the one thing i think i could do good in, and im considering different paths! one main one is children's book illustration, but i know how unpredictable that can be so i'm prepared to have a plan b or c or even d.. one of those is teaching art in (probably) a middle or high school!

my main question is, how do i know if being an art teacher would be a good fit for me? from what research i've done i think i would like it, but i cant really know until i try it, i'm assuming, but if theres any advice anyone has on knowing if someone would be a good teacher/even like it, id greatly appreciate it!!!

thank you!!!! 🌼

(random side question: how is the dress code as an art teacher? i dress pretty funkily and love bright colors but i don't know how far you could really take that as an educator? thanks again!!!)

Help our school got new computers and i had a tab of pre-K art ed videos and THERES ONE SONG IN PARTICULAR i’m trying to remember/find .

It’s a hand colored stop motion art song about colors and what a box of crayons can do . Starts off with two guys and then a kangaroo ends up hopping around HELP ME …. any other art ed videos that are good for pre-k also i’ll take them please

It’s like spreading peanut butter over really crappy white bread.

I use this when kids are smoothing coils over delicate seams that might come apart with too much pressure. It seems like it’s a really good metaphor.

Or is that an analogy?

Anyway… enjoy. 👍

Hiya, first year teaching 5th and it was sorta a disaster. I’m trying to plan better fo next year.

Some factors: 2 blocks of 5th, 1 hr each 1 at beginning of day, 1 at end 25-30 kids each class Rotation schedule- so curriculum needs to be condensed to 7-8weeks. Looking for low prep but engaging(please help me not become “the coloring sheet” art teacher lol) I’m scared of acrylic paints and clay with these kiddos lol LOTS of IEP/504 kids Transient-ish population so prior knowledge is all over the place.

Currently, I focus on like 1-2 elements a week and mention principles occasionally. On Fridays I do “fun activity Friday” to catch a break lol I already have 5 minute bell ringer warm up booklets and I def wanna keep that cause it helps get them settled and ready.

I feel like start of the year classes are vastly different tha end of the year classes in maturity level and what engaged them so I need stuff that can be amended/differntiated for both. Also need a few heavy hitters that will impress admin lol.

Gimme your best ideas cause I’m struggling.

Hi! I want some opinions to help me think about this.

I am about to be a 5th year teacher. In year 3 I completed my EdTPA for my alternative licensure path (ERM) in North Carolina.

I was so relieved tnbe done, and when I got my scores back I was so pleased to have a solid score rather than some “barely passing” type deal.

I needed a 38 and got a 53, yay!

But there's the thing- the test max score is like 75 and everyone I've talked to in teaching (not just art teacher, all topics) say they got scores in the 40s.

Is my score a reflection of art being easier?

Or am I the most well written best test taker I've ever met? Please humble me and tell me your higher scores, too, please.

Anybody have insight on how to understand these scores and what it really reflects (writing skills? What else?) because I want to get my head on straight and not get all in my ego about this as I'm noticing I have the highest score of anybody I've talked to.

Hi Teachers! I’m writing a new unit based around Oldenburg’s work and I’d like to have the students make sculptures of food using non-traditional media- I was thinking that they’d get construction paper (we’ve worked on paper sculptures in the past), model magic (to build some of the parts, let them dry, use them with the other materials), pipe cleaners, fabric scraps, and whatever other pieces of materials I can find in bulk for a low price- maybe wood pieces. We’ll start with an exploration lesson where we practice attaching materials together with glue (model magic will stick using Elmer’s or a craft glue) to make a standing structure, then they’ll move on to their food sculptures. Most of my lessons have been in traditional media, but I want to try to expand a bit, talk about non traditional media in the context of modern and contemporary art. I’m always impressed with how children can build once they get going, with paper or clay or wood. I think this will be fun for them.

Does this plan make sense? Should I do the exploration lesson so they understand how to work with the materials? I want to be sure I’m not being ridiculous, this is new territory for me. Thanks for any feedback!

im about to finish my first year of teaching elementary art. i had a really horrible year with lots of struggles and wanted to switch schools but there were no open transfers in my area. i often had the issue of feeling like i wasn’t good enough since i often have parents be kinda rude to me, my team making me feel unequipped and controlling things for me since im the youngest, and students saying disrespectful things to me all the time. i even have some staff be condescending towards me as well. i just don’t feel supported by anyone at the school when i swear im doing the best i can. i have other issues going on outside of school too and i still manage to show up every single day and do my best. i worry that i just dont have what it takes to be a good teacher. how do you deal with this feeling on a day to day basis? i think if i changed schools it would help improve things, but i don’t think that’s gonna be an option this year.

i know every teacher deals with this, but it feels like we put in so much work behind the scenes and have to regulate our big emotions nonstop to attend to the children’s needs and feelings instead of our own.

and i know some peoples first response would be to build a backbone and just deal with it since it’s going to always be like this, but if i knew this is what i was getting myself into, i wouldn’t have become a teacher in the first place :(

Hi all, relatively new art teacher here. I am working on my curriculum map for next school year and am feeling like a lot of my art 1 projects skew more toward middle school level. I'm in a smaller rural school with no other art teachers in the district, so this is the first time most students have had any art ed. But I'd like to push it. Any tips for this or does anyone have a sample curriculum map they use? I taught elementary and middle for years before this, so I think that's just what I'm used to planning for. TIA!

I teach PreK3-8 at a small school. I have a table bin with kids Fiskars scissors, glue sticks, pencils, erasers, etc. Just basic supplies that we use for almost every project. Without fails, at least one student in each class grades 1-4 ask for bigger scissors. I swear it’s different kids every time. They whine to me that the scissors don’t fit their hands and they need a bigger pair. I’m not sure where they are getting this. I’ve asked their other teachers who all use the same scissors I have. The scissors are arguably best sized for this age group.

I usually say something like I can use those scissors and show them that they still fit my adult hands. They sulk away and go back to their projects and work just fine. I hate that they get upset but I don’t have any other scissors for them to use let alone other scissors for the whole class. I have one larger pair for myself but only the one pair of scissors. The older kids have no trouble and the little guys do pretty well with them.

Am I missing something? Has anyone else encountered this? How do/would you handle this? It’s gotten to the point that I find myself dreading the cutting portion of any project we do! Ahh the end if the year is so close and too far!