Art Made Easy

I read so many comments from teachers in our Facebook Groups expressing how their students behavior has changed. Some teachers feel like kids aren’t able to work on the same project for extended periods of time — even as little as 30 minutes. They get bored or anxious, so they rush through the project in a haphazard way just to get to the next activity.

If this is the reality then perhaps we can reconsider how we engage with our students. To hold a child’s attention, a new strategy might be the best way to get them excited to participate in the lesson.

In this episode, I’ll offer my tips and tricks to keep your class focused and teach your students how to enjoy the creative process by slowing down.

I've included a free handout for early finishers below, because there's no magic formula for timing lessons just right. This is a gift from us to help you with your early finishers. This is a condensed lesson from our Quick Activities for Early Finishers Bundle.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN:

- How to keep early finishers engaged

- How your energy affects students (*if you get this down you're golden)

- How to help kids make a connection to art using different mediums

- How to encourage students to be invested in the project and develop craftsmanship

LISTEN TO THE SHOW:

LINKS & RESOURCES:

DOWNLOAD a PDF from the Quick Activities and Early Finishers Bundle by clicking on the the yellow button below!

Learn More About the Sparklers Membership Club

Podcasts & blog posts mentioned in this episode:

Perfect Timing: Solutions for Early Finishers: AME 029

What to do with Early Finishers

Easy Tissue Paper Art Project for Early Finishers

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When I was getting started as an art teacher, I was excited. But, I didn't really know what I was doing. I had little to no experience - a few sessions in my kid's classroom crafting quilt squares, but no elaborate art projects. I felt like I jumped into the deep end without any preparation...

But what I did have was a vision for what I wanted to accomplish. I knew I had a unique opportunity to inspire these kids. I knew it could be fun, exciting, and I knew I could make an impact. I decided to dedicate myself to making art class special for them. I backed my ideas up with lessons, then plans, and finally a curriculum that I was proud of.

As the years went on, I recognized that I was getting better and I started to ask myself what's next? I created goals and identified milestones for myself. I wanted to maintain focus and stay confident in my teaching skills, without getting stale.

In this episode, I'll walk you through the 5 Stages of Teacher Growth and give you the tools to move to the next stage. Listen in as I share my roadmap and help you identify where you might be in your teaching career, and how to start creating your own milestones.

Be sure to download a copy of my 5 Stages of Teacher Growth below.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN:

- How to define a Stage One teacher, and the way that their passion for art leads them to teaching.

- What the goals and milestones are for Stage One teachers, including art fundamentals.

- How you develop your style and start using different media and techniques as a Stage Two teacher.

- Why a Stage Three teacher focuses on building confidence and adopting an art philosophy.

- What ways a Stage Four teacher shares their expertise with others.

- How Stage Five teachers can use his or her mastery to set and use processes.

LISTEN TO THE SHOW:

LINKS & RESOURCES:

Click the yellow button below to DOWNLOAD my free, 5 Stages of Teacher Growth PDF. Add your name and email and we'll send it straight to you!

About Guided Drawings: AME 125

Don Massey Art

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My word of the year for 2020 is: clarity.

For most of us, January is all about change: being a healthier, happier version of yourself. But that isn't always the case. We don't have to radically reinvent ourselves in order to find happiness.

To quote one of my favorite authors, "the primary cause of unhappiness is never the situation but your thoughts about it." - Eckhart Tolle

The most important thing that you can do for yourself, to live a happy life is to be present. Don't worry too much on what will be in the future. Don't dwell on what was in the past... But be happy in the now.

In this episode, I'll share my recipe for inner peace. Part of that is finding clarity, and using that clarity to help you create a more focused and intentional lifestyle.

In this podcast, I will talk to you about how I use "I CAN" statements in my own life to help cultivate happiness and give you advice to help you align your thoughts with your goals.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN:

- What lead me to choosing my word of the year, and the different approach I use for reflecting and planning.

- Why our thoughts are so powerful, and specific examples of how they can change your life.

- Why I don't like to use the word "resolutions" (and what I say instead).

- What it means for me to have clarity going into 2020, and beyond.

- And more!

LISTEN TO THE SHOW

LINKS & RESOURCES:

Oprah & Eckhart Tolle: A NEW EARTH

Brooke Castillo Podcast

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In all of my years of teaching, there is one thing that has lead me to scratch my head literally every single time I hear this phrase... and that's "cookie-cutter art".

It really drives me nuts.

It used to send me into a tail spin of feeling upset and discouraged about myself as an art teacher.

But today I see it as judgemental and feel that it's time we have a very frank conversation about what it means when we say "cookie-cutter art" and what do we really mean to say.

This episode is for all the newly hired art teachers to the well experienced art specialists, who can benefit from learning the various expectations we have of teachers, because we could all use more tools in our tool box that we can get!

So we're going there... sharing how I think the term "cookie-cutter" should be used and the truth behind it's connotation.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN

- What are people implying when they say "cookie-cutter art"

- My personal definition of "cookie-cutter art"

- How so called "cookie-cutter art" can be a perfect platform for growth

- How the many nuances of teaching art creates different results for every child.

- Why we need to give grace and support to all the new art teachers

LISTEN TO THE SHOW

LINKS & RESOURCES

TAB: Teaching for Artistic Behavior

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Being successful as an art teacher means more than teaching kids how to draw or paint. It means getting kids to listen and sit and follow directions so that they have the capacity to learn to draw and paint.

It isn't easy.

If you've been feeling a bit discouraged with how your students are behaving in your art room - especially if their behavior is really causing you to rethink your occupation-- then it might mean it's time to take a step back and give yourself a little check up.

Even if everyone tell you that you're doing fine or you're doing the best you can, sometimes there is a knowing that we can do better.

Have you ever felt that?

It's super hard to articulate.

It can feel sticky ...that something isn't right but you brush it off and hope it goes away.

I see it happening to member in my groups. It comes out of frustration. Something relatively easy to fix or solve feels monumental to the teacher.

When that happens to me...when I get frustrated, or super annoyed or starting to really complain about someone...I know I'm blocked or unable to shift my perspective.

Basically, it's on me to fix it.

So this episode is all about the stickiest of things: behavior management (or lack of) in your art room.

Yes...I'm going there...sharing what I think teacher need to hear if you truly want to love your job.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN:

- How children are always changing and why we have to adapt how we connect with them

- The steps to take to create a classroom management plan (and stick with it)

- How building a trusting relationship with your students before getting into the classroom will positively impact your entire year

- Why teachers need to treat all students equally, and wipe the slate clean each and every day

- How your emotional responses to misbehavior can affect the energy in your classroom

LISTEN TO THE SHOW

LINKS & RESOURCES

Classroom Management for Art, Music & PE Teachers by Michael Linsin

Smart Classroom Management Website

Easy Management Tips for Creating Your Dream Art Class: AME 012

Classroom Management Strategies that Work for You: AME 088

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Janey Strong is the photographer, writer, mother and early literacy advocate behind Darling Readers. Her passion is finding unique ways to encourage parents read to their children - and children are never too young or old!

Janey shares strategies on what to read, when to read, and how to manage reluctant readers.

Make sure to download Janey’s Freebie on her favorite books to read before Kindergarten.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN:

- When Janey started reading to her own children and why she says it’s something you should never stop doing

- What parallels exist between teaching art to children and reading to them

- How reading can be used as a tool to bond with your children

- Why you need to be 100% present when reading with them

- Janey’s top book recommendations and how the children’s books of today are different than ones from earlier years

- What makes for an amazing children’s book, how Janey’s blog is helping so many people, and so much more!

LISTEN TO THE SHOW

- Darling Readers Website

- Darling Readers Instagram

- Darling Readers Facebook Page

- Janey Strong's Pinterest

- What Do You Do with an Idea?* by Kobi Yamada

*Affiliate Link

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Patty Palmer At Home Instagram

Join the Sparklers Club waitlist HERE

Patty chats with Gold Star Sparkler, Jennifer Ford Pace, who was recently named Teacher of the Year in her community of Henrico, Virginia.

It’s a dive deep conversation on how Jennifer engages with her emotionally disabled students. 

If low attention spans, below grade level art skills, or technology hungry kids are part of your classroom landscape, listen in to hear how Jennifers transcends these issues by creating connection.

If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, I’d love to hear how it impacted you. Take a screenshot of you listening on your device, post it to your Instagram stories and tag me @deepspacesparkle.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN:

- What type of school Jennifer teaches in and how she is able to help her students through art

- Jennifer’s journey to becoming an art teacher

- How to meet children at their level and strategies that can help you connect with them

- Why it’s such a good idea to captivated your students through story (and how to do it!)

- How to deal with obstacles that may come with using technology in the classroom

LISTEN TO THE SHOW

1. What do you love most about being an art teacher?

My favorite thing is when a student makes a mistake and then turns the mistake into the most interesting part of the project. When one of those precious moments presents itself,  I will say, “Did you see what just happened? You just tripped and fell into a puddle of art! Accidents can be awesome things!” I simply love instilling a “can do” attitude within my students. I work at a school that services student with emotional disabilities. Self confidence and stamina are huge areas of struggle for my students. I teach that, in art, a mistake is an opportunity to learn.  

One of my most important classroom rules simply says: 

“OOPS! Making mistakes is OK! Don’t give up! Keep on trying!” 

2. When are you happiest in your art room?

I am the happiest when I see the stresses that my students struggle with melt away when they allow themselves to disappear from the world, and disappear into their work. Those quiet moments when I am hanging up finished pieces, anticipating the look of pride on their faces when they see their piece, and hear all of the positive comments. Nothing beats that feeling of giving them these moments to shine!

3. Can you share an experience or moment that defines you as an art teacher?

When I arrived at my current school, the art room and the program was not where it needed to be. The room was a mess. Weeks before school starts, I came into school to clean and organize the room. I wanted my room to be a place the kids would be proud to visit. I wanted them to see that they were important to me and I wanted to give them the most welcoming environment possible. Their faces as they walked in on day one was priceless.

One of my goals for this program was to show my students, and the community, that anything our students would do in the art room would be on par with any other school in the county. Yes, our school is an exceptional education center, but that doesn’t mean that our work will look any different than any other school. At the annual county wide art show, I took time to survey the works of the comprehensive schools. My kids nailed it. Many of my fellow art teachers commented on the quality of their pieces.

4. What’s your favorite thing about the Sparklers Club?

Yes, I am an art teacher. I am also a mom of 3 amazing kids. I am a friend. I am a nerd. DSS gives me the gift of time. DSS allows me to plan at school and do all those other things when I am not. My evenings and weekends are mine thanks to DSS!

5. What advice would you give to a brand new art teacher?

My most important art room rule applies here too:

“OOPS! Making mistakes is OK! Don’t give up! Keep on trying!”

Not every lesson is going to be a hit. Be organized with your materials.

Do you have a studio based art business? If so, my conversation with Meri Cherry will be a game-changer for you. She doesn’t just offer strategies on filling your classes or how to decide what art to create--she goes much, much deeper.

We chat about how to know if you’re ready to expand, and at the same time, how to slow down.

We talk about the bigger issues of running a studio program for students: intention, environment, energy…all the good stuff!

And of course, we talk about her new book, Play, Make, Create: A Process-Art Handbook.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN:

- What Meri’s journey of growing and expanding has looked like

- How you, too, can be ready for that next step

- Where to begin transforming, scaling, and growing

- Why word of mouth advertising and the power of ‘moms’ is so important to your success

- How your environment will become your third teacher

LISTEN TO THE SHOW

LINKS & RESOURCES:

- Meri Cherry's Website

- AME 039: Success Secrets of a Process-Based Art Studio

- Play, Make, Create: A Process-Art Handbook by Meri Cherry

- Send screenshots of your rating & review on Apple Podcasts to [email protected]

*Affiliate Link: we get a portion of the profits from products purchased from this link

You can visit Patty through Deep Space Sparkle on Facebook and Instagram

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Join the Sparklers Club waitlist HERE

Kristin is a full-time public school art teacher who is passionate about living a balanced and mindful life. She’s been practicing yoga, mindfulness, and meditation since 2007, and has been teaching it since 2014.

Growing up and moving around a lot in the public school system, she experienced 23 different classroom settings by the time she was 28. She noticed the tense or chaotic nature of some classrooms vs. the calming and nurturing feel of others. It wasn’t until recently, at her own school, she noticed just how much support teachers needed when it comes to dealing with stress and anxiety, and how those feelings transfer over to the students.

She made it her new mission to help teachers reclaim the joy in their classrooms. She can help you to create calming learning environments while also reducing your stress, by incorporating simple mindfulness practices into your daily routine.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN:

- How the relationship you have with yourself will impact the relationships with those around you, especially your students

- How you can attempt to transfer negative energy away from you

-  Why you absolutely CAN create your own environment

- Kristin guides us through a mindfulness practice!

- How gratitude has evolved and why it’s so important for each and every one of us to practice

LISTEN TO THE SHOW

LINKS & RESOURCES:

Make sure to download Kristin’s Weekly and Monthly Planner below

- Kristin's Website

You can visit Patty through Deep Space Sparkle on Facebook and Instagram

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Join the Sparklers Club waitlist HERE

Felicia Merrick is a veteran classroom teacher of 22 years before becoming an art teacher. It’s a position she feels embodies all that she loves: creativity and children.

But a series of devastating losses lead to a debilitating battle with anxiety and depression. Through daily calming practices, the right medication, and a full self-help toolbox, Felicia is determined to manage anxiety.

She hopes that by sharing her story, other art teachers will earn to identify the trigger points and to find the necessary help.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN:

- Felicia’s journey to become an art teacher

- How she deals with anxiety and the best tools available to help others do the same

- What effect influential people will have in your life

- Why it’s so important to say “goodbye” to challenging times in your life and career

- How Patty finds her calm and reenergizes

LISTEN TO THE SHOW

Felicia's Autobiography:

Being the youngest child, I always wanted to be “the boss” and was given an opportunity in Kindergarten. I was determined to be a teacher. I became a 2nd grade teacher and did so for 22+ years. After graduating from SDSU, my husband (of 32 years this month) and I moved to Northern California to get a teaching job, because I refused to be a sub! I loved it! I felt alive. I was in control. I had it all going on. I did a job-share for 10 years with many fabulous teachers, (some questionable) while I had my 4 children...Teaching was my passion. I was right where I belonged! Unknowingly, my path led my family and I to relocate to Southern California.

For the past 5 years, I have been an ART teacher at the elementary level. This, amongst other roles I play, mom, sister to 8 other sisters and 8 brothers, friend, colleague, etc. I became an Art teacher! Who would’ve thunk? I guess I did! I didn’t even know it! As well as 2nd grade and ART, I have taught “Computer Coding” and “Health and Wellness” (both in which I am not formally trained). I am so thankful I have DSS as my go-to for art instruction and realtime art teacher support.

I have a loving God. I have a loving family, (both immediate and extended) that have supported me 100% thru this journey called life. I do know that this thing we call Art is more than just that. It is a healthy, healing boat to be on, and I am embarking on it “full steam ahead”! I do intend to “sail around the world” of art and share it with my students who have not had such an amazing path to follow, strong support, or a loving ocean to sail on. May I be a conduit to help these young humans recognize this through “this thing called ART” as I boss them around.

LINKS & RESOURCES:

- AME 136: Finding Your Voice as an Art Teacher with Cassie Stephens

- Summer Beach & Biz Book Reads

- An Unquiet Mind* by Kay Redfield Jamison

- The Power of Now*  by Eckart Tolle

- A New Earth* by Eckhart Tolle

- Calm.com

*Affiliate Link: we get a portion of the profits from products purchased from this link

You can visit Patty through Deep Space Sparkle on Facebook and Instagram

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Join the Sparklers Club waitlist HERE