Teacher Tips
FiRsT dAy FuN
By Vivian Vasquez, M.Ed.
Los Angeles, CA
Whether you are a new or veteran teacher, getting to know your students is a challenging necessity. If you aren't used to the age group of the students you are teaching, spend some time where they do-the park, movie theater, or shopping mall. Anything you can do in your classroom to extend the enthusiasm, curiosity, and joy that students bring with them on the first day of school is beneficial.
Because students are usually bombarded with guidelines and supply lists on the first day, any kind of activity that gets them interested in your class is welcome. Try one of the following activities to start the school year with managed fun!
- Superheroes: Ask students to pretend that they are superheroes, either one they know of or one they create. Instruct them to walk around the room in their superhero persona and greet each other. Observing (and even participating) in this activity will help you get to know your creative geniuses quickly!
- Revealing Personalities: Have students think of one word that describes themselves and one action that represents that description. (For example: Acrobatic Amanda moves as if she is walking a tight rope.) Have students repeat each other's description and action. This helps you memorize your students' names quicker and offers a personal touch to introductions.
- This activity gives students a FEEL for basic shapes and drawing techniques. Have students line up in small groups. With your finger, draw a simple object such as a triangle, star, or square on the back of the last person in the line. The relay begins when the last person has to draw the same object onto the back of the person in front of him/her. This continues until it reaches the first person in line. Using a marker, the first person in the line must then draw the object on a piece of paper. Which ever team finishes the relay first and has the most accurate drawing, wins.
- School Tour Photo Shoot: Ask students to use disposable or digital cameras to take photos of important school locations-such as the library, cafeteria, gymnasium, play area, staff offices, etc.-and create a photographic map or blueprint of their school. This activity allows students to use simple technology and introduces them to their school, the staff, and other students. Even if students are not new to the school, this project asks them to view their school in a new way!
"Back-to-School" for the New Art Teacher
By Kathryn Woebse, BFA
West Hollywood, CA
Back-to-school time is an overwhelming experience for even the most seasoned teachers, let alone for those who are new! As a first-year teacher, your situation may be far from ideal. Perhaps you were hired at the end of the summer and have only a few weeks (or a weekend) to prepare for an entire school year. Maybe you were just notified that part of your supply order has been lost in the mail or that you will be teaching classes of 40 students instead of 32.
As a first-year art teacher, it is easy to feel very isolated. To find a job, you may have had to move far from home. You may be teaching students who are only a few years younger than yourself. Your art supply budget may be paltry or nonexistent. No matter what situation you find yourself in, you must remember that you are not alone.
Call up your art education classmates from college. E-mail your old professors and advisors. Leave messages on teacher blogs or message boards. Do not be shy to ask for help! Remember that you are your own biggest advocate.
Go out of your way to get to know your co-workers. If you are the only art teacher in your school, seek out a mentor from another department or school. If there are other first-year teachers in your school or district, make an effort to get to know them.
Your teaching career may have gotten off to a rough start, but you will eventually hit your stride and life will get easier. For now, remember to breathe-you will be okay!