To begin the year, I have made sure students are TAUGHT not TOLD the rules and procedures in my art class. I played a trick on them. I asked them to listen to the instructions, not do them. To my surprise all but 2 (yes, two) students stayed in their seats. The rest of the class jumped up and began doing what I had said they needed to LISTEN to. "Freeze," I said, "Stop." I told them to sit down. "Two people listened, the rest of you did not." It was a good lesson for them in listening. How well do your students really listen?
I stand among you to teach you.
A new thing at some of my schools is implementing the old box on the whiteboard discipline tracker (A box drawn on the board that is empty:) It's just waiting for those names of who create a disturbance, don't follow directions/talk and interrupt, etc. I ask for a Name and give a tally mark, then another if they continue, then a final 3rd tally mark is their last chance. Then it's an office referral form. Out of 3 days of teaching only one student made the box with a name and a tally mark. The listening has improved and directions are being followed.
Returning at some schools this year is the incentive for good behavior: Secret Student. I "randomly" pick from the pool of good students in one class, and t he secret students gets a special pencil. You'd be surprised what students will do for that pencil. But my main point is to maintain order, discipline and respect in the classroom so we can get some art done. Students also develop their skills in listening and doing as directed, plus some pretty cool art..
When talking to your students, remember: There is a BIG DIFFERENCE in SHOWING instead of TELLING students what to do. Remember that when you give instructions. That is why I show students WHERE to put pencils, art, etc. not just tell them. That visual is powerful!
Some wisdom to share to end this post. At our recent district inservice, we had a speaker, Kevin Honeycutt, who said, and I quote: "If you had a year to live, what would you do to make a difference? Help kids?" Well, yeah, that is my hope for this year, not only teach them art, but help them find as Kevin says: "Your greatest weakness is your greatest strength waiting to be found." And I think this applies not only to our students, but us as well.
Happy Teaching!
