First Days of School in the Art Room...Second Grade

It's finally here....the first day of school!!  I really think I'm as excited for it as the kids are.  We've been inservice-ing and prepping for our kiddos going on 2 weeks now.  I'm ready, they're ready...I know the parents are ready!

I figure I'd start this school year out with what I'm doing these first weeks of school.  We all know to start with the basics; read them the riot act collaboratively create class expectations. Standard.  Well, what next?

I have 7 grade levels each day, and I'm working on 7 different projects.  I'll try and share one at a time.  First, I'll start with second grade! YAY!  My mighty second-graders will be working in groups to complete a photo scavenger hunt.  They will each be given a list of 20 items and an iPad mini. (I love these cases by i-blason....handles AND kid-proof!

 They are to only take ONE picture of each item.  I told them they can't move on until they complete the item before it--no skipping around.  This is basically just to help me in the reflection/ sharing time.    They will have 15-20 minutes to complete as many items as they can, with ninja-like stealth.  Did I mention I'm letting them out of my room? eek! They will have boundaries--I have to be able to see them AND they can't be distracting.  This leaves them with the hallway outside my room.  Not much freedom, but it sure seems like it when you're 7!!

I'll post the results sometime next week.  If you'd like the list I used, you can find the link to my google drive here.

What are y'all doing these first few weeks of school?

Classroom Reveal!!

It's that time of year again.....teachers everywhere are primping for a new batch of kiddos to come back to school!
I am no different.  I am going to bed dreaming of more projects to start for my room this year!  Sad to say, I have cut myself off.  Finite. Donezo.  No mas.  It is what it is, and I am ok with that.

Now it's time for the good stuff....planning!  But before we get into that, I'll give you a little peek into my new room this year!  I've moved to a new school (literally 4 blocks from my old school.)  I am going to teach art this year *squee*  to kids in Pre-K to 5th grade.  I am so excited to be back in the art game.  Back to loving my job, and not being able to wait to get to work!
Here's what I have so far:

This is part of my counters.  It's where my supplies for each grade level are housed.  I'm not a fan for scrambling for things at the last minute & this helps me plan out my day & make sure I have paper, supplies, and read alouds collected for all my classes.  *Remember my dish rack, er..iPad holder?  It's making a cameo next to 2nd grade supplies!

This is the beginning of my crazy reainbow theme.  I figured I needed to tone down the color, so all my boards are backed with graphic black & white paper.  Note: thanks to our friendly neighborhood Fire Marshall, my poofs are NOT hanging from the ceiling.  Cause bad things happen when you hang things from the ceiling. Clearly.

My big board... #love.  Places to hang each grade level's masterpieces.

I color coded each table this year.  Hopefully that means no fighting over supplies.  #inMyDreams

My focus wall for each grade level by the Smartboard.

GT Icons #holla  I used arrows attached to clothespins to move to whatever our focus icons are that week.

My only group behavior besides Class Dojo.  When they get too loud, I flip a letter.  Lose all three letters, no talkie.

Then my behavior plan.  These are just laminated sheets.  A clip chart is not conducive to 1000 kids.  So, after a warning, I write their name on the yellow.  If the behavior continues...I write the name on red.  Red= note home.  Those are housed above the chart for easy access.  At the end of the day, I note the behavior in my data binder; which helps with documentation if the need arises!

That's it for now.  What about y'all?  What cool things are you doing in your classroom this year?

#iTeachArt