Today I was thinking about my first professional teaching job as an art teacher in an elementary school that served 800 students in grades K-5. When I walked into the art room, the students were screaming, wrestling, standing on tables and throwing art supplies at each other. I thought to myself, what have I gotten myself into? After a short few weeks, a lot of prayer, and hard work, I got the art room in order and the students back on track. Thus, today I want to share five simple tips for managing an art classroom successfully.

1. Organization
This is one of the most important tips on the list. Lack of organization can cause major issues in your classroom. Keep you supplies and student work in order. Make sure your class is neat and clean at the end of each day. Prepare your lessons in a timely manner. Have a seating chart for each class.

2. Engaging Art Lessons
There are hundreds of great websites and blogs to help you develop amazing art lessons that will keep the students focused in a positive way. Keep your presentations/demonstrations between 5-10 minutes long and allow the students more time to have fun creating.

3. Bell Work
This tip works on all grade levels. Have the students do a simple 5 minute drawing or art activity in an art journal as soon as they walk in the room. This helps to get their creative juices flowing.

4. 10 Minutes of Quiet Time
For the first 5-10 minutes of each project, tell the students that they have to work quietly so that they can concentrate. In some cases the students become so engaged in their work they stay quiet for 20 minutes. You can also play soft classical music while they're quiet to stimulate the creative sides of their brains. 

5. Consistent Integrity
Keep the routine, rules, and procedures in your class consistent. Follow through on positive and negative consequences.

Share more tips on managing an art room by commenting below.

This week we are sharing pictures of sculptures created by high school students in grades 9-12. After studying the sculptures of the great artist, Elizabeth Catlett, the students did simple sketches of images that represent the idea of power. Following a brief discussion with me, they began carving their ideas out of balsa wood. 
Finally, they sanded and stained their pieces with a high gloss stain.