Classroom Rules:
Respect yourself, the art room, and others.
Level 1 Consequence: A warning
Level 2 Consequence: No candy on Friday (see rewards)
Level 3 Consequence: A trip to the office and a note to parents/guardians
Level 1 Reward: A classroom role (i.e. line leader, cleanup manager)
Level 2 Reward: An extra piece of candy on Friday
Level 3 Reward: Photo on the Wall of Fame and gets a good note sent to parent/guardian.
Be resourceful. Spend your time and materials wisely.
Level 1 Consequence: A warning
Level 2 Consequence: 5 minutes off of recess
Level 3 Consequence: A trip to the office
Level 1 Reward: A classroom role (i.e. line leader, cleanup manager)
Level 2 Reward: Student chooses their own art activity/medium on Friday
Level 3 Reward: The student receives a free watercolor pencil set
Stay in your seat and talk quietly.
Level 1 Consequence: The student is moved to a different seat.
Level 2 Consequence: No talking at all for the rest of the class
Level 3 Consequence: A note to parents/guardians and a trip to the office
Level 1 Reward: Extra talk time during activities
Level 2 Reward: The student gets to pick a prize from the grab bag (i.e. fun erasers, fidget toys)
Level 3 Reward: Pizza with Ms. Ashli at the end of the month
The student routine for entering the classroom would be to enter quietly and in a straight line on the line of tile marked with tape down the center of the room. Students will get a high five or an enthusiastic greeting from their teacher as they pass by on the way to their tables. The students will then sit at their assigned tables that are designated by color. I take attendance and then we start off by discussing the schedule for the day and upcoming projects. Then do my lesson presentation and demo. Once we begin the art activity for the day, the students are allowed to talk but must do so quietly and respectfully. The supplies will already be at their tables in organized tubs in the center of their tables.
Important furniture in the art room for me would be circular tables and size-appropriate chairs. Many times there are individual desks and chairs for students, but in the art room, it is better to have large tables. Tables that allow for a group setting are not only good for space to work on art, but also are great for students that are shyer or are ELL students. Also, teenagers shouldn’t have to sit in child-sized chairs and vice versa. There should be a cooldown corner if possible where the students needing a minute have access to stress toys, pre-selected music via headphones, and comfy chairs (i.e. bean bags). They are still expected to do some work, but if they’re having a really tough day then allowing them a bit to cool down is not only good for the student, but also for their peers that are trying to work on their art. Also important is to have a sink in the art room and counter space. A sink is vital to so many different mediums. While if forced, walking down the hall to the bathroom could be possible, it would be an absolute mess and I would probably avoid most activities that would involve it. Counter space may seem silly to say, but that’s only if you’ve ever taught in an art room without it before. A drying rack or two is important as well. Another factor that’s important in the art room is inspiration - this can be achieved by painting your furniture (or any other surface, such as walls and door) in the room a bright, fun color or by adding interesting patterns or even artworks to these surfaces. No student is going to enter an art room filled with all brown color that’s boring and feels uninspired. The color palette and decor are just as important as the teacher in a classroom and can make a major difference to your students.