Recently something spectacular happened in one of my first grade art classes, which I consider to be one of the best things about being an educator, a spectacular “a ha” moment! Here’s what happened.
The routine of getting paint shirts on in my room involves me helping students put their shirts on backwards and fastening them with a button. One class period, this routine was beginning to morph into something I imagine celebrities feel when being bombarded by the paparazzi. As the crowds closed in around me, I began to instruct my kiddos to find a Button Buddy (another student who could button their paint shirt, and vice versa). Students took this a step further and started to add more and more people to their groups. This quickly evolved into the cutest train of kindness and helping I have ever seen! I quickly announced, “If you need help – hop on the button train!” The rest of the kiddos fell into line immediately, even if their shirts were already buttoned. All the students wanted to be a part of this line! We even added some sound effects as we finished up our button train.
I quickly grabbed my iPad that I’d left on my demo table and was able to capture this awesome moment. I am constantly trying to streamline my processes and routines to be time-efficient and make sense. Thanks to my wonderful kiddos, my future routine of student paint shirt acquisition is changed for the better, forever!
What have been your latest routine innovations?
How do you involve students in preparing for art class?
Magazine articles and podcasts are opinions of professional education contributors and do not necessarily represent the position of the Art of Education University (AOEU) or its academic offerings. Contributors use terms in the way they are most often talked about in the scope of their educational experiences.
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