Art Ed Radio

What is the art challenge initiative? It's a great way to get your kids working on their skills dealing with problem-solving, creativity, and higher-order thinking. Today's guest, Elise Weiler-Korb, is a high school teacher that uses a plethora of challenges to help develop those skills as part of her kids' artmaking process. She and Tim discuss the different forms challenges can take (6:00), why developing confidence is vital (10:00), and her best advice on how and where teachers should begin utilizing challenges (13:30).

• If you want to contact Elise to discuss the art challenge initiative, her email address is [email protected]
• The color mixing challenge that Elise mentioned can be found here: Part One: https://www.theartofed.com/2016/12/21/using-color-theory-deconstruct-race-part-one/ Part Two: https://www.theartofed.com/2016/12/22/using-color-theory-deconstruct-race-part-two/
• This is a great article from AOE writer Wynita Harmon on how she uses art challenges: https://www.theartofed.com/2017/06/29/june-need-know-art-challenges-art-studio/

Tim absolutely loves sketchbooks, but unfortunately, Andrew doesn't share his passion. Instead, Tim brings on Andrea Slusarski to explore how to make sketchbooks a consistent part of your students' artmaking process. Listen as they discuss the types of sketchbooks that are best for your classroom (6:30), why we make modeling artistic habits a priority (13:45), and Andrea's best advice to prioritize sketchbooks in your classroom (17:15).

• A Surefire Way to Get Your Students Excited About Sketchbooks
• A great video where Tim shows his sketchbook grading process
• 100 Sketchbook Prompts Your Students Will Love
• Andrea's previous appearances on the podcast:
  • How to Teach Color Theory and Keep Students Engaged (Ep. 005)
  • Do Art Teachers Have to Be Artists? (Ep. 017)

It seems like every kid loves music in some way or another, and the guys are talking today about how that love can bring inspiration and influence into your classroom. Whether you use songs or videos in your lessons, or just add some music in the background during class, it can be a powerful tool. Join Andrew and Tim as the discuss deciding on the environment they want to establish in their classroom (5:15), why music seems to only be found in the art room (9:00), and how concepts from the music world translate into student art making (15:30).

• Matt Christenson's article about the music list
• 24 Songs to Influence the Mood in Your Classroom
• Tim's Ultimate Guide to OK Go Music Videos
• A great art history-inspired video from Hold Your Horses, a band that Andrew mentioned

Andrew and Tim get together to talk about the reasons that teachers aren't coming into the profession with everything they need to know. Is it because there is too much involved in the life of an art teacher? Or is the teaching profession just that difficult? Join the guys as they talk about why undergrad coursework can't possibly cover everything (7:15), the essential education courses that new teachers need (15:45), and what we can do in the real world for teachers that are lacking in the knowledge they need (21:00).

• Here is the sculpture podcast that Tim mentioned
• Important advice for entering a new teaching position
• What do student teachers really need?
• What undergrad Art Ed programs forget to teach you

It's theme week at the Art of Ed, and this month's theme is all about substitute teachers. The Radio Guys want to join in the action because they have a lot to say about subs as well. Listen as they talk about suffering through sickness to avoid calling in a sub (5:00), taking a proactive approach with your students when you know you will be gone (11:15), and their top 3 tips for a successful substitute experience in your classroom (19:45).

• Check out this podcast with Kelly Parvin on planning for a long-term sub
• An old (but still good) article for putting together a sub folder
• A good video on how to flip your sub plans
• Tim's new article he talked about

A while back, the guys talked about those lessons that just aren't working anymore--the lessons we might just want to move on from. So how do we decide what we should teach? How do we decide what should be part of our curriculum? Join the guys as they try an optimistic approach to this discussion, covering creative thinking vs. technical skill (4:30), your essential projects (11:45), and finding the right variety of experiences for your kids (15:00).

• The podcast that inspired this episode
• How to foster authentic art experiences
• Here are 10 inspiring projects if you're looking for something new

Melissa Purtee and Ian Sands, authors of The Open Art Room, join Tim to discuss their new book and choice based art education. They talk about the transition teachers make when moving toward choice-based education and how that compares with traditional pedagogy. Listen as they cover the story of writing The Open Art Room (4:15), whether you can put a framework toward choice-based teaching (10:00), and the idea of how much choice each teacher should offer (15:45).

• You can order The Open Art Room here. Use the code OAR15 for 15% off the price (good through October 1st).
• Melissa mentioned Engaging Learners as a great text for elementary choice
• See all of Melissa's AOE articles
• And Ian's articles are here

One of the most difficult things to do as an artist is to find your voice and to find your style. Even more difficult is to help our students do the same. Tim invites Michael Bell on the show to discuss how we can build up our students and, in turn, build up our art programs. Listen for their discussion on balancing your art and your teaching, how to support and help develop your artists, and why visual journaling is so important to helping students find their voice.

Resources and Links:

• Michael's book was published in June. It is called Dual Lives: From the Streets to the Studio
• Visit Michael's website
• And his TED talk can be found here

As art teachers, we have the opportunity to let kids know that their opinions, their vision, and their aesthetics matter. Andrew brings on AOE writer Lindsey Moss to chat about the idea of "Kidaesthetics". Listen for their discussion on the difference between how kids and adults perceive art (6:00), how art teachers balance the aesthetic vision against the expectations of adults (9:30), and how we educate adults on what kids find aesthetically appealing (18:15).

• You can see all of Lindsey's AOE articles here
• Andrew talked about Lindsey's PRO learning packs for PD. Here's her First Day Activities pack
• Make sure you check out Cassie Stephens' new podcast as well!
• Listen to Lindsey's previous appearance on Art Ed Radio

What does the beginning of the school year look like in your classroom? What should it look like? Classroom management is key, but how we go about establishing it is different for everyone. The guys share what happens on the first day in their classrooms (3:45), Andrew talks about his two tenets for classroom management (10:00), and finishes the show by stumbling into a possibly brilliant idea for a new project to start the year (16:45).

• Last year's back to school podcast with Janine Campbell
• 5 Ways to Make Art on the First Day of School
• Use Narrative Necklaces to Meet Your New Students
• Routines to Teach During the First Week (download)