"The reality, however, is that many of these students will encounter a teacher who is enmeshed in a system geared up to treat all 1st graders as though they were essentially the same, or all Algebra I students as though they were alike. Classrooms and schools are rarely organized to respond well to variations in student readiness, interest, or learning profile (Archambault et al., 1993;"

Understanding Differentiated Instruction: Building a Foundation for Leadership

five septembers: summer vacation's gotta go

five septembers: summer vacation's gotta go: Recently, I was cruising along a country road on a gorgeous, sunshiny day to visit a friend. It was a Monday. And just when I was feeling ...

Big Thinkers: Howard Gardener on Multiple Intelligence

http://www.edutopia.org

When I was teaching at FRCS as a LTS art teacher for middle school students, I was encouraged to display my Class Rules prominently. It went through several iterations. Mostly the list got shorter, the words got bigger and color was added. Here is a small task for you. Take this early list that basically is what you want and make it your own. Make it easily digestible while your at it.

Mr Lamb's Class Rules

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1. Always be on time for class and prepared with the necessary materials.
   
2. You need a pass to be admitted into class late. 
   
3. Homework and assignments are written on the board for each class, it is  your responsibility to be aware of those and write them down. This information is also available in your syllabus.
   
4. If you have a question, raise your hand.
5. All students are working on classwork at all times. Disturbing or distracting behavior will not be tolerated. Be on your best behavior at all times. Ask permission before working on anything else! 
6. If you don’t know or don’t understand something – ask me for help.
   
7. Pick up after yourself at the end of every class – this includes any materials you may have used during class, anything you brought to class and any trash or spills. Please make sure if you take art supplies out that it is returned to that same place.
   
8. No electronics. I WILL take it away.
   
9. One student at a time may leave the room to go to the bathroom, locker, etc.
10. Put your name and your class section on all of your work.
11. Do not leave a mess. You are responsible for cleaning tools and brushes, leave enough time.
    
12. Be very creative!

Technology in the Classroom: EMBRACE IT!

Plugged-in Students are Telling us to Embrace the Future

"Services such as Remind101, Edmodo, and Google Apps for Education and Classroom are excellent resources to help students organize their learning, submit homework and otherwise bolster their education. Using these resources helps not only your high-performing students, but also students who need extra assistance keeping on track in the classroom."

TGIF!
10 Proven Classroom Management techniques that will work with your students.


Also Dr. Bill Rogers talks about how to avoid getting messy during check-in.

Use Arts Integration to Enhance Common Core

At Edutopia.org 

"What is striking is that both STEM and Arts Integration are linked through definition as an approach to teaching through two or more content areas. Still, the arts have some unique parallels to the Common Core Standards that may make their implementation a beneficial addition for teachers and administrators."

What this article says to me is that an art teacher often has to initiate the process of cross-curriculum activities. Talk with your faculty team members. Find out what the students are working on. Work with the whole team to integrate art into the lessons and content into the art. This will reinforce the message that art is about learning.