Category Archives: Small Scraps

Small Scraps

Small Scraps: Back to School

“Ever since Kindergarten I’ve wanted to be an artist,” reported an adorable 1st grader.

A conversation between myself, a new Kindergartener and his dad:

Ms. ATHG: “Who do you have for a teacher?”

Kindergartner: “Mrs. New Teacher”

Ms. ATHG: “Oh, she’s new this year. I don’t know her.”

Dad: “That’s what everyone keeps saying.”

Ms. ATHG: “Well, I’m sure she will be great.”

Dad: “I hope so. I don’t think I can handle home schooling.”

There is a growing trend in my school to take kids out of school and home school them if the student or parent doesn’t like their teacher or someone in administration. I know this is a hot button topic, and I will not express my opinion on it, but I do find it interesting.

Elementary

How do you pronounce it? I’m originally from Northern NY, with roots in Central NY and Long Island. I pronounce it, LMN-tare-y. Down here in the South it is pronounced, LMN-tree.

This summer I took a couple of AOE online courses. If you’re in need of some professional development, or you’re looking for some grad credits, I highly recommend these. I took Autism and Art and Managing the Art Room. I loved both of them and I came away with SO many great strategies to use in my room this year. From both classes. Yes, it was a lot of work, and yes, it can be expensive, but ultimately, it was totally worth it. In fact, I’m kicking myself for not coughing up the extra money for the grad course credit (even though I already have my Master’s).  The best part, for me, was being able to interact with real art teachers from across the country. I connect with hundreds of art teachers through ATHG, but with these classes, it felt good to interact with others as myself instead of  my online persona (although the two aren’t that dissimilar).

p.s. AOE hasn’t compensated me in anyway for what I just wrote about their classes, although that would be cool.

Not that long ago, as in a few weeks, I wrote about beginning a capsule wardrobe. It is going beautifully! I haven’t actually made any purchases for the current capsule (Sept-Nov) yet, aside from a couple of pairs of footwear, but I do have my eyes on a few (used) items that would complete my fall (work) wardrobe. That being said, I’m thrilled with only having the pieces that I absolutely love in my closet. It’s really forcing me to be creative with my clothes. I’ve been surprised by how many outfits I’ve come up with so far. I have literally reduced my wardrobe by 2/3 and have yet to stand in my closet thinking, “I have nothing to wear.” Tracking my outfits with an app has really helped as well. Anyway, if you’re in a wardrobe rut or a bind, consider venturing into this challenge.

I’m working at two schools this year, and my days are packed. This school year is going to kick my ass. Seriously. I’m up at 5:00am so I can get myself and my three year old dressed, fed and out the door in time to get the girl to preschool and me to work. I live in a very populated, congested and traffic heavy area. Driving five miles can often take 30 minutes. After an 8-9 hour day, and a 60+ minute commute home, the little one and I are back home in time to scrape something together for dinner at 7:00pm. It’s exhausting, and I’ve only been doing it for a week so far. I have no idea what shape I’ll be in a month or so. But, I have a job, and my girl is loving preschool so far (she just started), so other than the utter exhaustion, I can’t complain, can I?

I hope your school year is off to a great start! I’m sure I’ll have many tales of woe to unleash upon you. Stay tuned!

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Small Scraps

Overheard in the Art Room: Small Scraps

I can’t believe they said that…

“My friend just got back from a month in Egypt…”

 

“We’re supposed to go to Europe this summer…”

A-ha-ha-ha!…

“Who’s Adam Sandler?”

“An actor”

“He is? I thought he was a singer. You know, from American Idol.”

From the “Think before you speak” files…

“And do you know what this is called?”

“A loom”

“And how about this?” (pointing to the weft)

“I know it starts with a ‘w’… a womb!”

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Small Scraps

Small Scraps

“I can’t do this.”
“I don’t want to.”
“This is so difficult.”
“I don’t get it.”
“It doesn’t make sense.”
“Why do I have to?” 

No, these aren’t the words of obstinate students. These are all things I’ve said over the last few weeks while trying to wrap my brain around the new standards based grading system the fine arts department in our county has implemented this year.

For real. This stuff is painful. We’ve switched from assigning two grades per student per quarter to assigning five. I think. I mean, I definitely have to give five grades per student per quarter, but I’m not quite clear on how many I need to give per project. Five? Twenty? Thirty-six? Each sample grade book we’ve been given access to says something different. Did I mention we’re talking K-6 here? Sigh

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I’ve finally figured it out. I’ve finally figured out why, regardless of what school or what state I’m teaching in, I always have first graders in the afternoon. Apparently it’s universal, first grade teachers really value fresh air. I mean, think about it, what happens to first graders after lunch? That’s right. They fart. And really, aren’t first graders’ farts the worst in the world? First grade teachers pack their afternoons full of ways to preserve their air, much to the discomfort of the rest of us.

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Who was the fool that spread the rumor that art teachers have neat handwriting? Thanks. Thanks for nothing, man. I can’t tell you how many times people have come to me, asking me to write something out because, I’m the art teacher so I must have neat handwriting. Well, I don’t. And even if I did, I don’t want to write out everybody’s thank you cards, certificates and posters. Thankyouverymuch.

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On top of a new fine arts grading system, our county has also started a new progress report grading system. On top of the two new grading systems rolled out this year, our county has also instituted new teacher performance evaluations. It includes seven performance standards, one of which is student academic performance. That last one is weighted 40% and requires that we create a SMARTR (our county includes and extra ‘R’ at the end for “Rigorous”) goal. Art teachers aren’t exempt from this. So now I’m trying to figure out how to create a Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, Time-bound, and Rigorous goal to measure student progress in my art room. Thankyouverymuch.

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I’ve been absent recently as I’ve been attempting to figure out how to fit the above changes into an art environment. Also, I’ve received some criticism recently via comments and emails, so I’ve stepped back a bit to reevaluate what I do here at ATHG. I hope to be back soon.

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Small Scraps

Small Scraps

It amuses me to imagine that the students who are always asking to clean-up are the ones with the messiest rooms at home. I picture their moms being shocked to find out that they like to wash brushes and trays and wipe down the tables and floors.

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An encounter with a 6th grade girl…

Ms. ATHG, have you ever killed anyone?

No. I have not.

Oh, that’s a good choice.

Thanks.

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OH in the 6th Grade Hallway…

Student #1: I need art today.

Student #2: I need art today too.

(It should be noted that we’re in the midst of SOL testing right now. For those of you who don’t know, SOL stands for Standards of Learning, NOT the other SOL, although I’m sure that version may apply in certain circumstances.)

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Four more weeks of school. ‘Nuff said.

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