The Squirrely Students

I have a really squirrely group of second graders this year. It's a struggle to get a quarter of them to do any work, let alone stay on task for more than ten minutes at a time. I've played the authority figure, "You need to get to work now."  I've tried reasoning with them, "If you don't do your work, how can I give you a grade for this project?"  I've tried the Responsive Classroom approach, "What should you be doing right now?"  I've tried pleading with them, "Pleeease go back to your seat and work."  Finally, on this day, when the little squirrels were all fueled up on cupcakes, chocolate and candy, I gave up. I was done fighting with them. It was too much, and I caved.

It started with just one student, and soon after, another, and then another, and then I found I just couldn't stop. I heard myself telling each student, "Why don't you take a break, and go grab a book to read."  The look of immense relief that crossed each student's face upon hearing those words was... shocking and disheartening. 

Wait a minute. You would rather  read than do art? You would rather quietly read a book than create fantastical landscapes and chitchat with your neighbors?  

What is wrong with you kids?

On the other hand, I'm sure the reading teacher would be thrilled to hear this. 

Happy Halloween.

Taking the Bait

Tonight I did something I don't normally do. I reacted to an ignorant comment on Facebook. I really couldn't help it though, and if you had been there, I'm not sure you could have resisted either. Here's what went down...

A Facebook friend posted a picture of her son's upcoming schedule at school. She was upset that there were going to be two days when students would be released early at 10:30am, one day for Parent Teacher Conferences and one day for an Emergency Go Home Drill. I get the frustration and I understand the reactions to this. It's a lot to ask working parents to come up with child care on days like this. I get it. What I don't get, however, was this comment that my Facebook friend's mom posted, and I quote...

AND the MOST RIDICULOUS of all......The teachers {as far as I know} are STILL getting PAID for a FULL day of teaching....and the children are NOT there..... to be taught!

I barely even thought about it, and I responded. Definitely not my finest moment, but I felt an obligation to speak up for teachers. What would you have done?

(It should be noted that the friend later apologized for her mom's comment and explained that they love their teachers and don't think teachers get enough credit.)

Small Scraps

"I can't do this."
"I don't want to."
"This is so difficult."
"I don't get it."
"It doesn't make sense."
"Why do I have to?" 

No, these aren't the words of obstinate students. These are all things I've said over the last few weeks while trying to wrap my brain around the new standards based grading system the fine arts department in our county has implemented this year.

For real. This stuff is painful. We've switched from assigning two grades per student per quarter to assigning five. I think. I mean, I definitely have to give five grades per student per quarter, but I'm not quite clear on how many I need to give per project. Five? Twenty? Thirty-six? Each sample grade book we've been given access to says something different. Did I mention we're talking K-6 here? Sigh

***

I've finally figured it out. I've finally figured out why, regardless of what school or what state I'm teaching in, I always have first graders in the afternoon. Apparently it's universal, first grade teachers really value fresh air. I mean, think about it, what happens to first graders after lunch? That's right. They fart. And really, aren't first graders' farts the worst in the world? First grade teachers pack their afternoons full of ways to preserve their air, much to the discomfort of the rest of us.

***

Who was the fool that spread the rumor that art teachers have neat handwriting? Thanks. Thanks for nothing, man. I can't tell you how many times people have come to me, asking me to write something out because, I'm the art teacher so I must have neat handwriting. Well, I don't. And even if I did, I don't want to write out everybody's thank you cards, certificates and posters. Thankyouverymuch.

***

On top of a new fine arts grading system, our county has also started a new progress report grading system. On top of the two new grading systems rolled out this year, our county has also instituted new teacher performance evaluations. It includes seven performance standards, one of which is student academic performance. That last one is weighted 40% and requires that we create a SMARTR (our county includes and extra 'R' at the end for "Rigorous") goal. Art teachers aren't exempt from this. So now I'm trying to figure out how to create a Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, Time-bound, and Rigorous goal to measure student progress in my art room. Thankyouverymuch.

***

I've been absent recently as I've been attempting to figure out how to fit the above changes into an art environment. Also, I've received some criticism recently via comments and emails, so I've stepped back a bit to reevaluate what I do here at ATHG. I hope to be back soon.