Classroom Management in the Art Room
Amanda Heyn
It’s no secret; effectively managing an art room takes time, talent, and dedication. In fact, art teachers across the country cited Behavior Management as their biggest classroom struggle in 2018. It makes sense; if your students aren’t behaving, they’re likely not learning either.
And student behavior is just one piece of the puzzle. In order to manage a successful program, art teachers also must think about engagement, safety, classroom climate, and more.
What does successful classroom management look like, and how can you recreate it in your classroom? Let’s take a look. Today we’ll be diving into everything you need to do in order to keep your classroom and program running smoothly. We’ll cover behavior, expectations, engagement, and so much more.
Are you looking for a specific topic? Use the links below to get you where you need to go!
Expectations, Routines, and ProceduresCultivating a Positive Classroom EnvironmentPlanning Engaging ContentBehavior ManagementOther Aspects of Classroom ManagementBeyond the Classroom WallsFinding Your Management Style
Here are 3 Things to Keep in Mind as You Think About Classroom Management
1. The Best Classroom Management Plans are Proactive:
A good classroom management program starts before students even step foot in the classroom. That’s because there are a number of things you can do to head off unwanted behavior even before it begins. Let’s take a look at the top three.
Developing and Enforcing Expectations, Routines, and Procedures: Expectations:
One of the most important things you can do to keep your classroom running smoothly is to have a clear set of routines, procedures, and expectations for your classroom. Although you can set these yourself, AOE Writer, Wynita Harmon, suggests looping your students into the process. According to Wynita, “Giving students a say will allow them to feel valued. As they contribute to the classroom expectations, they are more likely to follow them.”
Whatever method you choose, be sure to clearly post your classroom expectations and consequences and refer to them often.
Routines and Procedures: In addition, you’ll want to develop consistent routines and procedures for yourself and your students. When students know what to expect, they spend less time off task, and therefore, less time causing trouble.
Think about the times in class you will want to provide structure. These will include transition times like entering the classroom, moving from a demonstration space to workspace, cleanup, and more.
Here are a few resources with helpful ideas.
You’ll also want to think about artmaking processes for which you might need to develop specific routines and procedures. For example, Alecia Kaczmarek shares how she helps manage painting projects in the article, 7 Paint Routines You’ll Never Regret Teaching. You might also think about developing routines for clay, printmaking, or centers.
If you’re looking for more information about exactly how to implement routines and procedures in your art room, you’ll want to take a look at the Teaching Routines and Procedures PRO Learning Pack. Alecia will guide you through how to analyze different aspects of your classroom management plan in order to hone in on opportunities for improvement, helping you develop a classroom management plan that works.
Using Anchor Charts
One management strategy that has been gaining popularity is anchor charts. In the article, How to Curb Questions and Empower Students with Anchor Charts, Melissa Purtee describes anchor charts like this. “Anchor charts are visuals, often posters, meant to communicate important information through images and text. Because they are comprised of both words and pictures broken down into steps, they are an important resource for teaching to different learning styles and creating student independence.”
Wynita Harmon also uses anchor charts in her classroom. She says, “Anchor charts work best when they are displayed near the materials they reference.”
According to Wynita, anchor charts serve three purposes.
In other words, anchor charts are an effective classroom management tool because they allow students to help themselves. In turn, this frees up time you would normally spend answering student questions, allowing you to better monitor your room.
If you’re looking to take your anchor charts to the next level, take a peek at this tutorial for making interactive anchor charts. Your students will love them!
When Routines FailNo matter how well you plan, it’s inevitable that, sometimes, your routines will fail. If so, don’t worry. We have you covered.
Check out these resources for ways to get back on track.
It’s no secret; effectively managing an art room takes time, talent, and dedication. In fact, art teachers across the country cited Behavior Management as their biggest classroom struggle in 2018. It makes sense; if your students aren’t behaving, they’re likely not learning either.
And student behavior is just one piece of the puzzle. In order to manage a successful program, art teachers also must think about engagement, safety, classroom climate, and more.
What does successful classroom management look like, and how can you recreate it in your classroom? Let’s take a look. Today we’ll be diving into everything you need to do in order to keep your classroom and program running smoothly. We’ll cover behavior, expectations, engagement, and so much more.
Are you looking for a specific topic? Use the links below to get you where you need to go!
Expectations, Routines, and ProceduresCultivating a Positive Classroom EnvironmentPlanning Engaging ContentBehavior ManagementOther Aspects of Classroom ManagementBeyond the Classroom WallsFinding Your Management Style
Here are 3 Things to Keep in Mind as You Think About Classroom Management
1. The Best Classroom Management Plans are Proactive:
A good classroom management program starts before students even step foot in the classroom. That’s because there are a number of things you can do to head off unwanted behavior even before it begins. Let’s take a look at the top three.
Developing and Enforcing Expectations, Routines, and Procedures: Expectations:
One of the most important things you can do to keep your classroom running smoothly is to have a clear set of routines, procedures, and expectations for your classroom. Although you can set these yourself, AOE Writer, Wynita Harmon, suggests looping your students into the process. According to Wynita, “Giving students a say will allow them to feel valued. As they contribute to the classroom expectations, they are more likely to follow them.”
Whatever method you choose, be sure to clearly post your classroom expectations and consequences and refer to them often.
Routines and Procedures: In addition, you’ll want to develop consistent routines and procedures for yourself and your students. When students know what to expect, they spend less time off task, and therefore, less time causing trouble.
Think about the times in class you will want to provide structure. These will include transition times like entering the classroom, moving from a demonstration space to workspace, cleanup, and more.
Here are a few resources with helpful ideas.
- A Simple Poster to Make Your Classroom Run Smoothly
- 5 Stress-Free Ways to Pass Back Art
- 4 Tips to Line Up Elementary Students with Ease
- 3 Steps to Take to Fix a Failing Routine
- An Easier Way to Assign New Seats
- Methods for Early Finishers PRO Learning Pack
- Hey! Quit Trashing the Art Room! Art Ed Radio (Ep. 116)
- The Only 3 Rules You’ll Ever Need Everyday Art Room (Ep. 002)
- 8 Routines for a Successful School Year Everyday Art Room (Ep. 001)
You’ll also want to think about artmaking processes for which you might need to develop specific routines and procedures. For example, Alecia Kaczmarek shares how she helps manage painting projects in the article, 7 Paint Routines You’ll Never Regret Teaching. You might also think about developing routines for clay, printmaking, or centers.
If you’re looking for more information about exactly how to implement routines and procedures in your art room, you’ll want to take a look at the Teaching Routines and Procedures PRO Learning Pack. Alecia will guide you through how to analyze different aspects of your classroom management plan in order to hone in on opportunities for improvement, helping you develop a classroom management plan that works.
Using Anchor Charts
One management strategy that has been gaining popularity is anchor charts. In the article, How to Curb Questions and Empower Students with Anchor Charts, Melissa Purtee describes anchor charts like this. “Anchor charts are visuals, often posters, meant to communicate important information through images and text. Because they are comprised of both words and pictures broken down into steps, they are an important resource for teaching to different learning styles and creating student independence.”
Wynita Harmon also uses anchor charts in her classroom. She says, “Anchor charts work best when they are displayed near the materials they reference.”
According to Wynita, anchor charts serve three purposes.
- They remind students about techniques and processes.
- They inspire students to explore techniques and processes.
- They allow students to make independent choices about the artmaking process.
In other words, anchor charts are an effective classroom management tool because they allow students to help themselves. In turn, this frees up time you would normally spend answering student questions, allowing you to better monitor your room.
If you’re looking to take your anchor charts to the next level, take a peek at this tutorial for making interactive anchor charts. Your students will love them!
When Routines FailNo matter how well you plan, it’s inevitable that, sometimes, your routines will fail. If so, don’t worry. We have you covered.
Check out these resources for ways to get back on track.
