Creating a structured learning environment
There are many elements that go into creating a classroom environment that is effective and accessible to all students, and to facilitate effective instruction on the part of the teacher. A well organized classroom minimizes distractions and creates an opportunity for learning by providing the necessary resources for both the students and teacher to succeed. Having information and materials prepared and available increases the amount of time that can be spent working and learning in the classroom. A well organized space can also be motivating and engaging, and create a sense of order and productivity. It can open up avenues of and provide the necessary resources to cultivate creativity.
What does my classroom need for me and my students to be successful?
Classroom Materials: Having the proper materials in critical, especially in an art classroom. In order for students to gain experience working with different materials and techniques and to have creative freedom in the work that they do, it is important to have a variety of materials available. Most if not all art supplies should be provided for student use by the school:
Teacher Materials:
In addition to classroom materials for students, teachers need instructional tools to facilitate learning. Digital devices can help to engage students through interactive instruction and to organize and present information:
Online Tools: One of the most powerful tools for teacher use is the internet. Google suite including Docs, Slides, Sheets, Calendar and Google Classroom can provide students and teachers with great organizational tools and a means to present information in and out of the classroom. YouTube and other video sites can provide instructional and historical information about art, artists and art history. Kahoot! is a great program for student engagement as a quiz game that involves everyone in the class, and Flipgrid allows students the ability to interact and communicate with each other online.
Hardware: To present information teachers should also have a PC or laptop and a Printer. A document camera and smart board are also great ways to present information and provide examples or modeling.
Going Oldschool: We all know technology doesn't always work the way that it should, so a classroom should always have a chalkboard or dry erase board on standby just in case. A large drawing pad, or post it pad and markers can also help to present information to students.
Visibility - Distractibility - Accessibility
Visibility
The classroom is organized in a way that student desks/workstations are arranged so that students will have clear visibility to the front of the class where the teacher's desk and any projected information or demonstrations can be seen. Students won't have to turn around in the chairs or twist uncomfortably to participate in lesson introductions or group discussions.
Distractibility
Students will be given a choice of seating and if situations arise, student seating will be rearranged as needed. If students need to access software for projects or presentations there will be a separate area for students to work on the computer and they will be provided headphones so as not to distract their peers. The computer screens will also be facing the teacher's desk so that their activity on the computer can be monitored. If students need to research a topic or find reference images, there will be comfortable seating for them to engage in that activity without distraction from other students who may be working on art projects. This area will also be available to students in case they need a place to decompress or calm down.
Accessibility
In the art room, it is important for students to have access to materials in order to succeed. It is also important to manage access to certain materials based on need in order to prevent misuse of materials and to promote safety. Frequently used materials should be low and accessible most of the time and labeled with procedures for maintaining organization so students can quickly find and use the materials they need.
The First Day
It is important to establish rules, procedures and social norms on during the first few days/weeks of class. Having clearly posted procedures and norms throughout the classroom will help to present those expectations on the first day and to provide a reminder throughout the year. Ice-breaker activities can help to get students to get to know each other and allowing students to engage in the process of deciding classroom rules can help them to feel empowered in the classroom.
Parent Contact
Most parents want to be involved and aware in their child's learning. Having a syllabus available on the school website as well as rules and procedures outlined for parents to read can help them feel more comfortable with their child's education. Initial contact via email and by having an introductory page for students to take home to their parents can help to promote a sense of community and communication.
Substitute Teachers
For ease of management in the classroom and so that students can make the most of their time with a substitute teacher, having the classroom rules outlined and presented through posters can aid in classroom management for someone unfamiliar with that class. Seating charts should also be made available so the substitute can address behaviors. Detailed instructional plans and step by step demonstration procedures should also be available for course instruction. Having materials well organized and labeled with an action plan for procedures and traffic flow when collecting supplies can also help to maintain a productive classroom environment.
There are many elements that go into creating a classroom environment that is effective and accessible to all students, and to facilitate effective instruction on the part of the teacher. A well organized classroom minimizes distractions and creates an opportunity for learning by providing the necessary resources for both the students and teacher to succeed. Having information and materials prepared and available increases the amount of time that can be spent working and learning in the classroom. A well organized space can also be motivating and engaging, and create a sense of order and productivity. It can open up avenues of and provide the necessary resources to cultivate creativity.
What does my classroom need for me and my students to be successful?
Classroom Materials: Having the proper materials in critical, especially in an art classroom. In order for students to gain experience working with different materials and techniques and to have creative freedom in the work that they do, it is important to have a variety of materials available. Most if not all art supplies should be provided for student use by the school:
- Books! Books my not seem like the first things on the list when it comes to art, but having history and reference to artists and art movements as well as historical information to provide context to the work that is being viewed is very important. Having visual references for both teachers and students to draw from can make a huge difference in what can be accomplished and understood.
- Reference Images! Whether from books, magazines, photographs or even printed images from the internet, having a strong library of visual references allows students to incorporate pretty much anything they can imagine into their art. Almost every famous artist throughout history and today have used reference images to aid in their work.
- Physical Media! Aside from digital art and photography, artists have traditionally used an expansive variety of materials to make art. In 2D art, materials are usually broken down into two categories: Wet and Dry Media, and of course a surface material to work on.
- Surface Materials: Cardboard, Masonite board, chipboard, paper, watercolor paper, newsprint, construction paper, card stock, canvas, tissue paper, tracing paper.
- Dry Media: Chalk pastels, oil pastels, pencils, colored pencils, charcoal pencils, charcoal sticks, pens, markers, crayons.
- Wet Media: Gesso (For priming surfaces), watercolor paint, Tempera paint, Acrylic paint, Oil paint (depending on ventilation and safety requirements), water soluble oil paint (safer and doesn't require solvents), Oil (Linseed, Walnut, Safflower), Odorless Mineral Spirits, ink.
- 3D Materials: Clay, clay tools (sculpting and carving tools), beads, pipe cleaners, string (yarn, thread, rope), buttons, corks, bottle caps, plastic bottles, wire, paper towel rolls, egg cartons, and whatever other materials you can get your hand on!
- Digital Software: 3D rendering (Zbrush, Blender, 3DS Max), iMovie, Adobe Suite: Photoshop, Illustrator, Animate, InDesign
- Digital Hardware: Cameras, printers, PCs.
- Additional Materials: Paint brushes including natural fiber for oils and synthetic bristles for other media. Erasers. Pencil sharpeners. Scissors, rulers, compass, x-acto knives (if permitted), self healing cutting board, paper cutter, palette knives, palettes or trays, water containers (old plastic containers work great!), tape, glue, sponges, green screen for digital film making and again, whatever other materials you can get your hands on!
- Cleaning and prevention: Rags, sponges, paper towel, surface cleaner, glass cleaner, soap, tarp, paint shirts/smocks/aprons.
Teacher Materials:
In addition to classroom materials for students, teachers need instructional tools to facilitate learning. Digital devices can help to engage students through interactive instruction and to organize and present information:
Online Tools: One of the most powerful tools for teacher use is the internet. Google suite including Docs, Slides, Sheets, Calendar and Google Classroom can provide students and teachers with great organizational tools and a means to present information in and out of the classroom. YouTube and other video sites can provide instructional and historical information about art, artists and art history. Kahoot! is a great program for student engagement as a quiz game that involves everyone in the class, and Flipgrid allows students the ability to interact and communicate with each other online.
Hardware: To present information teachers should also have a PC or laptop and a Printer. A document camera and smart board are also great ways to present information and provide examples or modeling.
Going Oldschool: We all know technology doesn't always work the way that it should, so a classroom should always have a chalkboard or dry erase board on standby just in case. A large drawing pad, or post it pad and markers can also help to present information to students.
Visibility - Distractibility - Accessibility
Visibility
The classroom is organized in a way that student desks/workstations are arranged so that students will have clear visibility to the front of the class where the teacher's desk and any projected information or demonstrations can be seen. Students won't have to turn around in the chairs or twist uncomfortably to participate in lesson introductions or group discussions.
Distractibility
Students will be given a choice of seating and if situations arise, student seating will be rearranged as needed. If students need to access software for projects or presentations there will be a separate area for students to work on the computer and they will be provided headphones so as not to distract their peers. The computer screens will also be facing the teacher's desk so that their activity on the computer can be monitored. If students need to research a topic or find reference images, there will be comfortable seating for them to engage in that activity without distraction from other students who may be working on art projects. This area will also be available to students in case they need a place to decompress or calm down.
Accessibility
In the art room, it is important for students to have access to materials in order to succeed. It is also important to manage access to certain materials based on need in order to prevent misuse of materials and to promote safety. Frequently used materials should be low and accessible most of the time and labeled with procedures for maintaining organization so students can quickly find and use the materials they need.
The First Day
It is important to establish rules, procedures and social norms on during the first few days/weeks of class. Having clearly posted procedures and norms throughout the classroom will help to present those expectations on the first day and to provide a reminder throughout the year. Ice-breaker activities can help to get students to get to know each other and allowing students to engage in the process of deciding classroom rules can help them to feel empowered in the classroom.
Parent Contact
Most parents want to be involved and aware in their child's learning. Having a syllabus available on the school website as well as rules and procedures outlined for parents to read can help them feel more comfortable with their child's education. Initial contact via email and by having an introductory page for students to take home to their parents can help to promote a sense of community and communication.
Substitute Teachers
For ease of management in the classroom and so that students can make the most of their time with a substitute teacher, having the classroom rules outlined and presented through posters can aid in classroom management for someone unfamiliar with that class. Seating charts should also be made available so the substitute can address behaviors. Detailed instructional plans and step by step demonstration procedures should also be available for course instruction. Having materials well organized and labeled with an action plan for procedures and traffic flow when collecting supplies can also help to maintain a productive classroom environment.
Photo used under Creative Commons from BryonLippincott