Everyday Art Room

Every teacher faces feelings of burnout in their teaching career. You get stuck in a rut where you are just going through the motions, without passion or inspiration. In this episode, Cassie gives her best advice on how you can break free from these feelings and keep your teaching creative and vibrant. She shares her personal journey on how she dealt with burnout (2:30), her favorite ways to take a break and treat herself (8:15), and why it might be worthwhile to step away from social media for a bit (12:15).

• The Radio Guys also have an episode dealing with burnout
• Why It's Okay to Feel Teacher Burnout
• 3 Simple Ways to Fight Burnout

Cassie starts the show with some of her biggest pet peeves, but quickly turns the show around by introducing your new favorite classroom management tool--the concept of art teachers in training. She explains the responsibilities that those trainees take on (2:00), why she puts them in charge (6:00), and dishes on her best tips for hanging student work (9:15).

• An in-depth article on Art Teachers in Training
• Cassie's favorite Fall lessons
• Another idea for students hanging their own work

How do we get kids to really retain information? How do we make sure they understand what you are presenting and teaching? It isn't always easy. In this episode, Cassie shares her 3 most effective strategies to help kids retain what they need to know. She also talks about why she loves to use call and response (5:15), tells an awkward Starbucks story (9:00), and describes how you can use your voice as a teaching tool (10:30).

• Here is Cassie's blog post on using call and response
• A video with another way to help students retain information
• This is a variety of ideas on teaching routines and procedures

Our best teaching, and our best stories, often come from the times when kindergarteners are in the art room. But there is no doubt that those classes are a unique challenge. Listen as Cassie shares her best advice on why you need to start class with a little bit of craziness (3:30), why you shouldn't fight their energy (6:45), and ways to calm your kids if that's what they need (11:00).

• Cassie mentioned Scratch Garden for videos
• This is a post from Cassie's blog that covers a lot of the ideas from this episode
• Here is a great unit on line for your kinders
• Cassie referred back to Episode 4 multiple times, and you can listen to it here.
• Did you hear Tim mention the Rethinking Kindergarten course? It can be found here.

Today's episode is all about making cleanup work in your classroom. Is it really possible to make it enjoyable, easy and effective? Cassie definitely says yes, and she talks about how to use call and response to speed up cleanup (4:30), how to make your cleanup chaos free (7:00), and end class on a fun note (11:00). Cassie then dips into the mailbag to cover student teaching and closes the show with her best tips on expectations and routines for cleanup.

• Cassie continues to make awesome decorations for her own art room. Check out her blog post for the latest creation.
• This video shows how Cassie uses that gong in the art room
• This video talks about why the timer that Cassie mentioned is so important

Classroom management is never easy, but it is a vital part of what you do as a teacher. Without a well-run classroom, your kids will miss out on far too many opportunities in art. In this episode, Cassie addresses the most important aspects of her classroom management system. Listen as she talks about her struggles with consistency (4:30), how to bring calm to your classroom (8:45), and why she keeps her rewards and consequences as simple as possible (13:00).

• Cassie discussed keeping your room calm. Here are 7 strategies to help with that idea: https://www.theartofed.com/2016/05/09/7-ways-create-calm-focused-art-room/
• What if your classroom management strategies aren't working? Here are ideas on how to start over
• 5 more simple classroom management strategies

Following last week's episode on rules, it is time to talk about consequences. A lack of consequences can cause all kinds of issues, and it's important to not let student behavior stand in the way of what you want to teach. Listen as Cassie talks about the 4 reasons students misbehave (6:00), the right kinds of consequences (13:30), and a specific plan for delivering those consequences (17:15).

• Why you should post consequences in your art room
• You shouldn't care if your students misbehave (really!)
• 3 Keys for a Positive Behavior System

Everyday Art Room is back for episode two, and Cassie tackles the topic of art room rules. Whether you just need a quick refresh on simple rules or a guide to dealing with chaotic students, this episode covers it all! Listen as she talks about what students need from you when you start the year (3:30), the only 3 rules needed in the art room (11:30), and the best way to handle disruptions and interruptions from your kids (17:00).

• Cassie's blog post on her art room rules
• Have you ever thought about creating rules WITH your students?
• Cassie talks about "removing yourself from the situation" when things get bad. Here's why.

Everyday Art Room debuts with host Cassie Stephens welcoming you into the world of elementary art teaching. She tackles the topic of establishing routines, and why they are so important for a successful school year. Listen as she talks about why you need to pay attention to your own setup, situation and students (3:30), and the magic that happens when your routines are running well (13:30). Cassie opens up the mailbag for listener questions (15:45) and closes the show with some great advice for the beginning of the school year.