This is in response to larger class size and managing the room. I teach grade 6-8, my classes have increased slightly with some classes with as much as 28 students, many with special needs. I have a large room so students can move around, but I have one teeny tiny sink. For hand washing it is after cleanup and students wait in line. For clean up for painting or printmaking.....hand washing is last! Printmaking is the worst. Lots of brayers and trays. I have students share colors and there is always someone who is quick and efficient at cleaning.
For painting I use palette paper if I can and have students write their name on it and reuse it. Tempera peels off and if they like the mixed colors they can add water and reuse. If I use plastic palettes there is never enough time to wash them and it takes too long and I found myself cleaning palettes. Now I use disposable cups with lids
and fill them with paint that everyone shares and students mix colors on the palette paper.
I have students do different jobs at the tables so that not everyone is at the sink at the same time. Students at each table work out who does what. Someone puts the art on the drying rack, someone puts away the folders, someone washes the brushes, someone washes the tables, and everyone puts the supplies away. It does require coordination and planning, but we are teachers and masters at that. When done regularly it becomes routine and I don't have to cut down art time for clean up, students know what to do. I never clean up for the students. They are more careful about what they do when they know they must do the cleaning. I need my prep time for getting ready, not for cleaning.
At the elementary level it requires telling which students to do what or having a list with every student on it and thier job. When I did my graduate work I had a co-op teacher who was a master at organization. Thank you Julie. She taught me well. Each table and each person has a job. It requires a lot of planning in the beginning but definitely worth it. Students who go to the sink to clean brushes or dump water, wash their hands after they finish their
job. The rest are called up 2 or 3 at a time and she would time them. Next. ....They get used to the routine quickly and know what is expected of them.
Rose Flanagan
WOW, great response, i am sure you are going to get a large number of appreciations for this work, keep us update. :D
ReplyDelete28 = too much. Kids are too individual for that kind of an education. I mean look at the difference between home schooled kids and public schooled kids! Montessori School Illinois
ReplyDeleteHi-I just had to post a comment when I read that you have a maximum of 28 students-wow! This year (my second year of teaching art) my smallest classes have been at 29. My largest class so far was at 43. Most classes have averaged at about 37 students. All this with me as the only art teacher! I've worked hard at trying to figure things out, and may try to post my experience in more detail. But am I ever envious of the self-contained special-ed teacher down the hall who has 10 students all day and 3 full-time teachers aides. The teacher's aides never come to my class with the students however. They just mix right in with the gifted kids and everyone else. If management and discipline weren't enough, differentiation is very hard with so many.
ReplyDeleteHello.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the nice reply, theres some great ideas I can use there as I'm going to teach my first art class in a few days.