That Little Art Teacher

26 Kindergartners! A possible new spin on Art Centers

My followers know I love to teach Kinders with Art Centers. But this year is going to put them to the test. I have always had Kinder classes of 20 or less. It was pretty simple to divide them into three groups of 6 or 7. This year we have a record number of Kinders enrolled. 5 classes with 24 to 26 in each!

My whole reason behind art centers was to cut down on behavior problems, keep them focused on a task, and teach them in a small group setting. All of which encouraged learning and creating. Would the centers still work? Why of course they will. I will just have to be a little more resourceful.

Here's the plan. I have 6 round tables and 1 kidney table. I will still have 3 main art centers, except this time; I'll have two tables per center. For example, 2 tables of building activities, 2 tables of play dough, and 2 tables of Toobers and Zots rotating every 12 minutes (45 min. class). So where will we create projects and have a lesson?

Kidney table allows for small group work. Teacher is always
facing the entire class so classroom management will be easier.

I will "pull out" one table at a time from the rotation to come to the "Art Center" at the kidney table for 12 minutes. When the 12 minutes are up I will pull another table and send the other back into the rotation. So only 3 tables will come to the art table each class time. The next class time the other three tables will come.

I know this means two art days of the same project, but I have had kinders master skills so much better when I can teach them in a small group. I love centers because they work.

All kinders start on Monday! I'll let you know how it goes.

Tables / Centers

New Art Room: After Pictures

Phew... I thought I'd never get done with my room. As my followers know this is a new school for me and it's a new room for the art room. I couldn't believe how long it would take to completely move rooms. I feel for those of you that have to do this. Plus side is everything is exactly where I want it.

Table folders ready

Helper numbers labeled on the chairs

Class schedules. We go by A - E day not Mon. - Fri.

I can flip and rotate them.

Got this idea from pinterest!

This is how I'll post my standards/objectives. They will be listed following each grades Eric Carle animal.

Another pinterest.

A class can earn 3 points at the end of class for good behavior.
They'll move their game piece the # of spaces they earn.
Art Party is the prize. Idea from pinterest.

Removable game pieces by post-it!

Toothless has a new high perch.

Desk area complete with bungee chair from The Container Store and my
Mother's filing cabinet that was still in the school 20 years later and somehow
ended up in my room.

Front board with kidney table.

Smart board in the corner.

Desk and door

Sink area

Large cubby/cabinets organized by media.

Free Choice center that will have to be built upon.

Kinder Corner

Great storage cubbies.

Most used supplies.

Love this easel! I can keep all the kinder stuff separate.

New Behavior Board

3rd grade's Eric Carle standard/objective animal

Idea similar to ART. The class will move their game
piece according to the number they have left on the board.

Shelf my husband made for me to hold the supplies I need handy at the front.

Screamer's time out corner.

Can I please teach now?

New Room: Before Pictures

OMGosh! Where did the summer go? Our teachers start back July 25th and the time is ticking. So far getting ready for my new school and class room has consisted of organizing and unpacking. I am very excited about my new room because it has so much potential. Yes, it is smaller than my last, but I sought out help from Jessica from The Art of Education for some inspiration.

Note: Art is changing locations at my new school. Therefore, some of these pics won't look like a typical art room... Yet.

The display board outside my room. I've always wanted something I can pin and staple to.

Front boards.

Side boards. I've never had so many!

Always wanted a kidney shaped table!

Lots of storage possibilities. Look at those HUGE cubbies!

Teacher closet. I can hang my coat now.

Low sink for students with lots of counter space... chair not included.

These desks are no longer in the room. This pic is for the awesome little storage cubbies. 26 total!

Yes, this room has a great view too.

These pics are taken from the school's old art room. I have since moved it all to the new location.

I dug through tons of unused supplies. The former teacher really didn't like to get out of the comfort zone of crayons and colored pencils.

I found 2 unused class packs of oil pastels! Jack pot!

This scared me... It has now been emptied and will be reorganized. Deep in it's depths.... 14 class packs of unused colored pencils and even some prisma colored pencils.