One thing that my students have loved doing is ‘role playing’.  I will often give them the character trait we are working on for the month and have them get into groups and come up with a skit that shows that trait.  It’s easy to see what they know and understand about the trait.

As I reflect upon this past year as a participant of the Arts Academy, I find myself being very grateful. I am grateful for the opportunity to improve my teaching. I read my journal from the first day of our class. I wrote, “ I’m looking forward to learning about how to incorporate fun art activities into my classroom.” I have gone to some amazing conferences in the past 22 years only to find that upon my return to the classroom, nothing would change. I did things the same way I always had been. I decided that for each conference I attended, I would go back and implement one new thing. This always seemed to work. I would take one idea or activity and try to incorporate it into my classroom. That was my mind set when I started Arts Academy-to get a new fun idea to use in my classroom.

The Arts Academy has really changed the way I think about my teaching. I find myself constantly wondering what’s the “best” way to teach something. I look at my students differently. Knowing that just because they don’t fit into the “norm” doesn’t mean that they can’t be reached. It is very rewarding to see these students have success in the classroom. I’ve always believed that learning should be fun. Incorporating the arts into my classroom has helped make learning fun. I love teaching and I now feel more empowered to help my students succeed.

We are right in the middle of our “end of year” testing and it all seems a little chaotic.  To help get us in the right frame of mine we have been doing the “Brain dance” right bfore we head to the computer lab. The students have really enjoyed this and it seems to get them pumped up and ready to go!

I am excited to meet again and gain more exciting ideas!

I did the mirroring activity with my students.  In the past I had always been the leader and had my students just follow me.  It was fun to have them partner up.  I wish I would have done it sooner!!  Most of my third graders were very serious about it.  They enjoyed it very much.

I also have done a few drawing activities.  I have some “I can Draw” books that lead the kids step by step in drawing a picture.  Many students don’t think they are capable of drawing and this allows them to be successful.  They are so proud of their work.  After this activity, I had them draw some still lifes.  I set up different objects around the room.  They each were given an art booklet with blank pages in it.  The students then rotated to the different objects to draw them as they saw them.  It was fun to watch them do this.  They were very engrossed in their work.  I wanted to do this before we did the charcoal drawing that we did in Park city.  I think I’m still just a little intimidated to try it!