ArtEdia for Elementary Art Teachers

Liz Lyons teaches Kandinsky...and more.

See Liz's student work on Artsonia!

Helpful Art Teacher Hints

1. All scrap paper goes in a box/basket to use for free drawing time when projects are completed.
   
2. We get to listen to a variety of music, story, etc. if working quietly using those inside voices, if the music goes off, it is too loud.
   
3. Give students jobs. They can take ownership of the classroom and help keep it more organized. I type up a sheet of interesting jobs, run them off and staple to a folder that stays at the table. If students forget their jobs they can look them up. Pictures help for the kindergarteners, if you assign them jobs. Sometimes the whole table may have the same job. They can share the job or help each other such as the clean-up table allowed to be the only ones at a certain sink during clean-up time. Only needed to wash brushes and water cups. They keep the jobs for the whole year. They only lose the job if they can't seem to help get it done. I also assign a table leader. They are a responsible person who can handle last minute items such as making sure their supplies are put back in the tubs on the tables before lining up to leave or helping someone at their table with the directions if they forget.
   
4. Divided tubs at the tables hold scissors, pencils, crayons and end of the roll of paper towels that the custodian keeps me supplied with. Glue is in a box that will only allow the bottles to stand up if put away correctly. Lessen spills and upside down bottles.
   
5. Take your custodians treats through-out the school year, this will assure you of the extra help you need. Who else is there when you can't lift that heavy box or move that table when you need it?!! Showing your appreciation doesn't hurt. (Thanks Chris Noel, this idea is working!) She also suggest remembering the secretaries or others who improve your journey along the way.
   
6. Use Artsonia as your art gallery and Kodak or other server as a place to store photos of student artwork that you can use later in newsletters or notes sent home.
   
7. Send framed art work with a student who created it to a school board meeting and present it to the school board members and/or superintendent. Advocacy, advocacy, advocacy.
   
8. How about presenting to businesses in your community or other organizations who have helped your art dept.?

1. "Picking the Glue Bottle's Nose" (how to open an Elmer's glue bottle) is a humorous way to get students to care for glue bottles without ruining the top of the bottle by sticking a pencil or scissors in the top. Save some of the old caps to replace ones when someone is still ruining your glue bottles.
   
2. Refill-Refresh markers by using liquid watercolors. Put some in a disposable paper cup.
   
3. Take lids off of markers, place into cup with watercolor and they will absorb the liquid. Also a way to create new colors.
4. Write "your table" (many of us name them after colors) on the top of your pencil and the word ART. If they walk out of the class, they can be sent back.
   
5. Melt stubs of crayons in a muffin pan in your oven on low heat to make a new crayon to use.
   
6. Add dish soap to your tempera paints to make them more washable and smooth.
   
7. Keep a stain-removal-stick on hand that kids can use in the classroom.
   
8. Find a project such as cutting flower shapes for a Hawaiian Lei or Rolling Beads that kids can do at the end of each project. This will help recycle paper and keep them busy with an on-going project that can be done at the end of the school year.
   
9. Visit local stores, businesses or factories. Their throw-aways can become your next art project. Only take what is usable, we can only use so many egg cartons!
   
10. Thin Styrofoam works for many project including printmaking. It is usually found as wrapping for furniture.
    
11. Brown paper is now used as packing for many companies. It makes wonderful cave walls, gingerbread persons, textured paper and stuffing. I'm sure you can find other uses.
    
12. Use envelopes or ziplock bags that you can recycle several years for student storage. My rule if you leave out and/or lose you bring your own the next time. (I don't have trouble with too many losing them)
    
13. Computer CD ROM and CD's have a reflective nature. Make good mirrors, tracers and can be used in projects (more crafty side)
    
14. Use a knife sharpener on dull paper cutters.
    
15. Cutting cardboard boxes on your paper cutter has a sharpening effect and saves you fingers.