Chapter 13 QtC

Based on our readings and class discussion, how will you create a learning environment that is conducive to learning?
           Part of being an art teacher is creating that escape for kids where they feel comfortable sharing and expressing their feelings. I think creating a conducive art environment is much different than creating any other learning environment. An art classroom needs to be peaceful and calm. The room needs to be inviting and diverse and accepting so that students will feel comfortable expressing themselves and will be open to new ideas and learning techniques. I will create a space that has stimulating imagery on the walls but nothing that is distracting or over stimulating. The age group that I will be teaching will create the guidelines and basis for how I fill the space. I like my students to sit in groups rather than alone because two heads are always better than one and art room needs to be filled with laughter and smiles at all times. I want my students to feel a reprieve when they step into my classroom. I like to play calming and silly music and I like to encourage the students to get up and walk around and complement each other and give helpful and positive feedback on each others work. I will encourage the students to hang their favorite artworks on the walls and I will hang work of artists that is relavent to what we are studying. In my highschool art classroom we had a corner filled with pillows and art books and was a quiet space where students could go to find motivation and recharge. I think this is important to a successful art classroom because I know how art it can be to find motivation sometimes.
       I want my students to walk into my classroom and recognize that it is a safe place where they can come anytime they need to. I dont want art to be a chore rather I want it to be a fun and emotionally recharging activity that students look forward to. Colorful, happy, peaceful, filled with music and creativity and inspiration.

Something like this would be nice : )

CSEL case study- consider a full continuum of responses for dealing with the misbehavior of your case.

Early Childhood Education Case Study

It has been one month since the school year began and most of your 25 kindergarten students know class procedures, such as the schedule of learning activities, where they are supposed to be for each learning activity, where they are supposed to keep their personal items, and how they are expected to move about the room and the school building in order to ensure a productive learning environment.  But then there is Willard.  He must ask 20 or more times a day, “Teacher, when can we go outside to play?”  In addition, he often does not stay where he should to work on a given learning activity.  Instead, you find him wandering around the room and getting into other children’s personal things.  Three times this past week you looked up just in time to see Willard walking out of the classroom without permission.  Some of the other children in your classroom community have started making fun of Willard.  Others are beginning to become less engaged in their learning. 

Willard obviously has behavioral issues and attention issues. With a child like this, one needs to approach him as if he can't help it and help him understand why. I was very similar to Willard as a child. I struggled to sit still and was never able to pay attention. It is obvious that he is not doing it for attention because he is quiet about it which makes me think it is not an issue of "acting out" rather behaving the only way he knows. In this situation I would certainly involve the parents. Willard potentially needs to see a behavioral specialist who deals with ADD or ADHD. He is obviously very distracted and restless. I would attempt a rewards system with Willard. I would talk privately with him about his behavior and discuss the reward system and how it works and offer praise when he is able to sit still and follow directions. I would also consider cueing. I wouldnt want to make it public because peers are already making fun of him and I wouldnt want to isolate him anymore than he already is.  I think in this situation the number one would be to involve parents and talk privately with them and then have a talk with Willard present. If his behavior can be pinpointed now, it will hopefully save him from further isolating himself from his peers and possible learning issues dow the road.