Feb 22, 2012

Posted by | 11 Comments

It’s a Piece of ‘Tempra’ Cake!

It’s a Piece of ‘Tempra’ Cake!

Do you think choosing the correct paint to is easy? I don’t!  I wish choosing paint was a “Piece of Cake” but I find it takes a lot of trial and error. One art supply I have a love hate relationship with is Tempera Cakes.  They are that fine line between tempera and watercolor. I have great success with watercolor paints in lessons like “Kandinsky...

Read More
Feb 19, 2012

Posted by | 4 Comments

We’ve Got a New Look!

We’ve Got a New Look!

    Hello Friends! If you are reading this, you’ve probably noticed that The Art of Education is looking a little different!  I like to call it “Extreme Makeover – AOE Edition.”  We’ve been working on this behind the secens for the past month or so, and are so proud to launch it today! We really hope you like it!   Why a new...

Read More
Feb 19, 2012

Posted by | 1 Comment

Brand New Class! Are you Tech Ready?

Brand New Class! Are you Tech Ready?

Have you even seen a class on Technology designed just for art teachers? Neither had we… So with that, the new AOE class Tech Ready Teacher was born!  I am so excited that AOE will be offering a maiden voyage of this brand new class next month, Starting on March 1st and ending on March 31st. At first, I didn’t have any interest in teaching a class with a technology...

Read More
Feb 19, 2012

Posted by | 7 Comments

Nice Rack.

Nice Rack.

Get your mind out of the gutter, silly! Today we are talking about DRYING racks! One “must have” art room staple is the drying rack.  Where there is paint, there must be a place to dry the paint! For the record, I LOVE my drying rack. I opted for the model that holds 100 sheets. You’d be amazed at how many days this rack is filled by the end of the day.  I see...

Read More
Feb 12, 2012

Posted by | 9 Comments

Losing Student’s Attention? Try Storytelling...

Losing Student’s Attention? Try Storytelling!

One of the most powerful, yet taken for granted teaching strategies is storytelling. Have you ever noticed when you are reading a captivating story (in a book) to students, you have all eyes and ears? Students are engaged, they can’t wait to hear what comes next, hanging on your every word and waiting for the page turn. The second you close the book. Bam. It can be so easy...

Read More
Feb 8, 2012

Posted by | 9 Comments

Mess = Stress?

Mess = Stress?

Even Calder worked in a messy studio.  Mess is ok. It’s a part of making art. As art teachers, we each have our own tolerance for the amount of mess we can handle.  However, if we don’t keep messes at bay in our art rooms it can get out of hand, quick. (By the way, I love to show this picture of Calder’s studio to my 1st graders when we do Mobiles…...

Read More
Feb 4, 2012

Posted by | 46 Comments

Why Art Teachers and Stilettos Don’t Mix

Why Art Teachers and Stilettos Don’t Mix

First, a disclaimer to all the dudes out there- I do love and respect your readership- but this post is about clothing. Continue if you dare. Our clothing is so much a part of who we are, so when thinking about the profession of art education and our  ”crazy art teacher” stigma we have to live up to, I can’t help but think that outer appearance is an important...

Read More
Jan 31, 2012

Posted by | 16 Comments

Talkin’ About Teacher Talk Time

Talkin’ About Teacher Talk Time

  Recently a reader sent me a question regarding “Teacher Talk Time”- The time at the beginning of a lesson the teacher spends talking about the lesson before work time.  I have found that each teacher varies greatly regarding “TTT” (Teacher Talk Time), but the conversation came up regarding what amount of time is appropriate, and how much should be...

Read More
Jan 26, 2012

Posted by | 24 Comments

8 Simple Tricks to Make Mornings Easier

8 Simple Tricks to Make Mornings Easier

You arrive at work at 7:30 am (or whenever you arrive) and somehow you get there in one piece. How? You probably have a morning routine.  So often we focus on the deals that happen while we are at work, but did you know what happens before you get there has a very big impact on how you perform at your job? I went back to work this week from my maternity leave, (Sniffle, Sniffle)...

Read More
Jan 24, 2012

Posted by | 35 Comments

A Classroom Management Strategy Elementary Art Tea...

A Classroom Management Strategy Elementary Art Teachers Can’t Live Without

Today I am absolutely thrilled to welcome Michael Linsin with a guest post today.  Michael is the author of the book Dream Class: How To Transform Any Group Of Students Into The Class You’ve Always Wanted, an award-winning book released in June of 2009. He is also the mastermind behind the website and blog Smart Classroom Management.  As an author who I respect a great...

Read More
Jan 21, 2012

Posted by | 19 Comments

Announcing: 2011 Art Ed Blog of the Year!

Announcing: 2011 Art Ed Blog of the Year!

Two weeks ago we announced the 1st Annual Art Ed Blog of the Year Contest! One week ago we Announced the Top 20 Finalists and opened up the voting process! Last night at 12:00 voting ceased, and this morning we have a winner! Below are the top 10 Art Ed Blogs of the Year, as voted on by you the amazing readers that keep these blogs writing every day! In the end, we had over 1400...

Read More
Jan 20, 2012

Posted by | 2 Comments

Last Chance to Vote and a Quick Recap

Last Chance to Vote and a Quick Recap

Let’s Recap a few things that have been going on here on AOE’s site! Today is the LAST DAY to vote for the Art Ed Blog of the Year !   We’ve had over 1000 votes placed so far (WOW) and let me tell you the race between the top 10 is CLOSE. Like Iowa Caucus close. So, those last few pushes for votes could make the difference. We are excited to announce the...

Read More