The Art of Ed | Professional Development for Art Teachers

May 7, 2013

Art for Baby: The Perfect Gift for any Art Teacher...

As an art teacher attending an occasion like a baby shower or a bridal shower, I feel there is this certain expectation to give a creative and cool gift (just like we are, right!). Plus, in my efforts to be streamlined and clutter free, I like to have one or two ‘go to’ gifts to give at a moment’s notice. For baby showers, I’ve found my perfect ‘art...

May 6, 2013

Posted by Amanda | 16 Comments

3 Easy-to-Prep Activities for the End of the Year

We all know to expect the unexpected at the end of the school year. Between field trips, ice cream socials, and other special activities, your daily schedule is bound to get mixed up at least once. That’s why I love to have a few simple activities on hand for days when I see my classes for less time than usual, or when my rotation of classes gets off. The three activities I’m...

May 4, 2013

Posted by Jessica | 6 Comments

Download Your AOE Wallpaper

Hey – funny question. What do you have set as the desktop wallpaper of your computer screen? A photo of your family? Your own photography? A plain blue screen? Whatever was set from the factory? Here’s an idea! How about downloading one of our new AOE Wallpapers, to show your support for all things Art Ed?! There are 5 wallpapers in total so far – all art themed...

May 3, 2013

Posted by Cassidy | 20 Comments

What is One Thing You Would Change About Your Job?

Many art teachers will say “Teaching Art is the best Job in the World,” and I couldn’t agree more! I feel pretty lucky to have the job I do. I teach at an urban middle school where I have supportive colleagues and administrators. Most of my students like art class and I teach in a spacious art studio. I have ample amount of storage, large windows to let in natural...

May 2, 2013

Posted by Jessica | 0 Comments

Teaching Art in Remote Locations: A Story From Can...

If you are like most art teachers, you find yourself in one of two positions during group PD Days at your school: 1. Sitting in irrelevant general PD training for math and reading and trying make a connection or doodling on your notepad. 2. Sitting in a room with other art teachers catching up (Because you never get to see each other) and spending the rest of your time spinning...

May 2, 2013

Posted by Sarah | 6 Comments

The Joys and Challenges of Student Gifts

Organizing the flood of special gifts and homemade artwork that constantly flows into my classroom is one of those crazy delights that comes with the art teacher territory. Although it warms my heart to know that students are excited to use what they’ve learned on their own art, it can be tricky to display and store all of that art. Here are a few ways I’ve learned to...

May 1, 2013

Posted by Amanda | 3 Comments

Lesson Plan: Collaborative Murals

Grade Level: 3-5 Art Education Lesson Plan Art Elements: Space, Color Art Skills: Ideation, Collaboration, Drawing, Painting Making Connections: Art History, Cross-Curricular * Get more free lessons like this, on our Lessons Page I keep coming back to this project year after year. I love that students have to work together toward a common, artistic goal. It really pushes...

Apr 30, 2013

Posted by Jessica | 83 Comments

Music Wand Giveaway! A Fun Attention Getter for Yo...

{This Giveaway is now closed to entries! Thank you to everyone who entered. Congratulations to the winners: Susan Lyke and Angela VanFossen.} Today we are excited to be giving away 2 Music Wands (yes, that means 2 lucky winners!) from www.musicwands.com. Instead of telling you about how a music wand can help you in the classroom, I made this quick video to show you! Pretty...

Apr 29, 2013

Posted by Jessica | 10 Comments

6 Ways to Get Your Student’s Attention Witho...

Classroom management isn’t simply a set of rules and consequences. It’s an ongoing process that is woven into every single part of your day. When all of the pieces of the puzzle come together, the classroom will run like a well oiled machine. In AOE’s Managing the Art Room class you will create specific structures and routines to help you manage your biggest...

Apr 26, 2013

Posted by Amanda | 35 Comments

Do You Put on an Art Show?

I’ve worked at a few different schools over my student teaching and teaching careers. At each, there were different traditions regarding displaying student work. At some, artwork was hung in the hallways, at others there were displays out in the community such as in the district office building or the public library. I’ve been a part of K-12 art shows and elementary-only art...

Apr 25, 2013

Posted by Jessica | 4 Comments

Integrating Photography into the Common Core

Photography possesses many natural connections to the Common Core, and is an engaging subject for the art room. Even if you don’t have expensive cameras on hand, it seems every student over the age of 11 has a smart phone these days and schools are purchasing iPad carts like wildfire. Why not use this to your advantage!? Something is better than nothing. After conversations...

Apr 24, 2013

Posted by Sarah | 37 Comments

The Pros and Cons of Pencil Sharpening

Sharpening pencils is one of those weird art-teachery issues that only we can understand. The whole process can be downright maddening! Don’t even get me started on colored pencils! Bah! Each teacher has their own routine and solution. Before you go changing yours, take a look at the pro/con list below… 1. Let kids sharpen their own pencils. PRO: You aren’t...