The end is near...

And so EDU 653, we come to a close... but it is not a goodbye.

Like my blog title states, I'm sure someone has said this better than I have, (hell, even that first sentence makes me cringe a bit when I reread it).  But I have to admit, this course has got me to do some thinking.

I mean our weekly wiki posts seem to have a neat concept at first, then I started to struggle with identifying the side of the argument I was to defend on.  Then my blog posts.  At first, I trudged through the first couple of posts not really knowing where I was going with any of the text.  The weekly assignments were valuable, when I realized where they were hiding.  I'm sure most people will look at the last couple of sentences and say, "Jeez, why don't you tell us what you really think?"

Honestly?

I really enjoyed this course.  It forced me to take views I wouldn't necessarily take.   It forced me to create projects that I was interested in doing but never made the jump into.  It allowed me an outlet to get some ideas, concerns, and just everyday aggression out in the form of a written essay, instead of bottle it up and take it out on the dog. (I mean talking to him while we walked)

My goal for next year is to make all of the course I teach more comprehensive.  Not that I am just running around teaching whatever comes up, however, I would like better transitions from one topic to the next.  What this class has shown me is that it is OK to alter your expectations as long as a goal is made.  I mean, for the first couple of weeks in this class, I wasn't aware that there was even a text that went through with this course.

I know that nowadays we are all just one click away from getting the answer, video, or laugh we desire.  But if I've taken one thing away from this class its that it is OK to linger a bit longer, read a couple more lines, watch a few more minutes of that video, as long as it helps with the overall goal.

As for this blog?  I'm not sure, maybe it will continue to run, or maybe my new son will have something to say and we will only update from month to month.  Whatever the case this has been a great 8 weeks!

End of the School Year Review : Boom or Bust PT 2

Man...have I been there before.

My goal for this week's blog post, was to continue with my BOOM or BUST year-end review. Still is my goal, but this intro is going to take a little to get started, so hear me out.

FINAL PORTFOLIO
Slowly I am becoming a Google Docs wizard, and my plan was to continue wizard-ing (eh, its the end of the year) it up with a final portfolio assignment with a couple of my classes.  Before the pre-made form was submitted, I had the students fill out an online survey, (YES through Google Docs) in which I asked them to evaluated the course as well as myself, the instructor.

I got the typical responses, that is up until the end.  I was surprised that many students opted to fill out the optional short answer response questions at the end.  Some nice things, some concerning things, but more importantly one item stuck out..."Why are you so sarcastic all the time?"

I know that this could have been a student who was just trying to get me going, but this made me look back and think, am I treading this sarcasm tight rope a little to closely?  I mean should I cut down on it, or choose my spots better?

See, I teach high school.  The birth place of sarcasm.  And while most of the time I am sincere with my comments there can be times where I feel like I am having an open mic night at a student's expense. 

I swear, I could ask the kids to raise their right hand for a million points, and I would get some kids that raise their left hand or kids who look around and say "what did he say?" 

I know that the kids normal reaction is to play dumb.  I get it, they are teenagers.  Lord knows, I've been there too.  However, I'm not sure how many trusted adults I had responding to me with some sarcastic answer.

My answer to whom ever was brave enough to type it, my sarcasm is a coping mechanism.  Without it, flipping out could be a result, and for what good would that do with today's teenagers?  Should I curb it a little, YES.  And for that, whoever was asking I say thank you. Thank you for making me aware of a teaching and possibly a character flaw, while there is still time to change.

What about you, is SARCASM part of your teaching?

If so, how do you coupe with students or staff members?

End of the School Year Review : Boom or Bust

courtesy of shutterstock.com

I have to borrow a line from a coup,e of the fantasy sport sites that I follow daily, "was this year boom or bust?"

I plan on doing a mini-series of posts, reflecting on this past year's changes to classroom instruction, curriculum, and extra-curricular activities, to determine exactly how successful this school year was.  While I don't think there is any teacher out there that would admit that the year was a bust, I'm sure there are a couple super pessimistic ones out there who always see doom and gloom.

This year was unlike any other, with a joint art show with a neighboring school district to the birth of my first son, the school year had plenty ups and downs.  Here is a look back...

NEW YEAR, NEW GOALS
This year introduced the first use of a daily goals website in all of my courses.  As any teacher knows, the new state teacher evaluation has plenty of hoops to jump through, and our school  district is no different at introducing them.  At the start of the year, administration made it aware to the staff that learning targets would need to be visible to both students and administrators (mainly admin) everyday.  So I bring to you mrpappasteach.

My goal here was to create an all in one source for students to go to and review daily goals, print missing work, and view upcoming projects, without taking away from the dynamics of the class.  It is safe to say that after nine months of posting, mrpappasteach is still going strong!

Pros
Incredibly easy to update from day to day.  Also uploading dittos/worksheets for absent students to download later is a nice feature as well.

Cons
Well, at least from the students mouth, "it's too hard to find stuff."

I understand, from at least the students thinking, being unfamiliar with any website can prove difficult to find information, however most students were introduced to this website in September,  the excuse of not being familiar is starting to fall on deaf ears.

This summer, the website will go through some cosmetic changes.  The goal with the changes is to keep the substance, but organize some of the clutter so that links and sign-up sheets are readily available next year.  I also plan on spending some time (couple of days to a week) getting all of my classes next year to learn the in's-out's of the website and things not to get lost in.

The daily goal website has proven to be a success by starting off my class with an organized bang, keeping students on task by understanding what they will be responsible for, and measuring that success on a student by student basis.

BYOT...Helping or Hurting in the Classroom

courtesy of techgirljenny.wordpress.com

Bring your own technology, the anagram that has started to gain popularity across schools that are looking to bridge the technological gap while keeping costs down.

From one teacher's perspective, maybe we should take a longer look at how we adapt our teaching to this new trend.

I am currently bring to close a 8 week interactive web portfolio saga that started last year as a "lightbulb" idea while walking my dog.  My goal was to have a project at the end of the year that students could reflect on, while also revisiting older projects and proving that learning had taken place.  Without getting to much into specifics, I decided that a end of the year portfolio would be perfect.

Since, introducing the project, a little over 3 months ago, I have had a roller coaster of opinions on how much learning was actually taking place as students were advised to using their own technology to work on their portfolio.  The main issue, to many devices, to little time.

See, the students' devices span the smartphone globe.  Droid, iPhone, Nexus, HTC.  They are all over the place, and I had bought into the idea that the owners knew something about working them, right?  Wrong!!!  To my realization, many of the students do have the first clue how to work the specifics of a smart phone to actually "produce" something.

They've got the consuming idea down pat.  Plenty of YouTube videos of cats playing pianos or Harlem Shakes.  However when it came to actually making something, these guys were in the dark.  They have questions like, how do you work this app or where would I find that setting.  Now, I would like to think that I am somewhat well versed with smartphone technology, however I have on average 35 kids per hour, at 6 hours, well, that's between 180-200 smartphones to have to know something about.  Sorry guys, I'm good, but not that good.  On average, I have been spending about 15 mins. of my 45 min. teaching session to troubleshoot cell phone issues.

Now I know the average reader will say, well this is more an issue about there computer classes teaching them how to use their phone or why are parents buying these devices if the kids don't know how to use them.   Or maybe the teacher should only allow certain types of devices to be used.  Whatever argument you have the truth of the matter is simple, if the audience doesn't know what they are staring at, they most likely won't buy what is being sold to them. (what a weird analogy)

My kids can play their hearts out on Angry Birds, and tweet all the mean stuff they hear in the hallway, but attaching a picture to a tweet while hash tagging the instructor...well that's madness.

I plan on using this lesson again, I won't abandon it, however changes need to be made.  Students need to understand the power that they have in their hands and how/what it can do.  When am I ever going to have to use this Mr. Pappas?

Well from what I am seeing in the "real world"...EVERYDAY.

Does your school adapt to student's technology?

If so, how are they implementing plans?  Classroom-wide, grade-wide, building or district?

"Insert Newest Fad" Here

"You kids and your Kendamas...your gonna poke your eye out!!!"

Whew...I guess this is that time where I start dating my self, and say things I never thought would come out of my mouth as an adult.

"Let's Go to the Hop"  Season 2 Ep 14

For those of you that might not be aware, the newest fad (at least in my area) is the KENDAMA.  In short, its a simple ball and stick, hand eye coordination game, that almost every student in my school is aware of, played, or is about to start obsessing over in the next few hours.

At first, I thought, man are these things annoying.  A wooden ball attached with a rope to this weird looking stick.  Clicking around the hallway or being swung around the classrooms, I felt like we had this new pandemic just like Family Guy...Just put it down already!!!

It got bad after awhile too.  I mean, I was like the Kendama assassin.  Sneaking up behind kids, cutting the string, lecturing about it being a "gateway" game.  It was bad.

Then all of a sudden, a teacher friend opened a brand new art studio just outside of town.  Glow Fish Studios had their first Kendama tournament to usher in their grand opening...and it was a hit!  The kids at school were excited like I've never seen them before.  It blew my mind and actually was a little contagious.  I went online and ordered three blank Kendamas, which would have custom paint jobs, to give away at the tournament.  This whole event opened a big door of creative customization that I never knew existed for my students.  We have had deeper conversation about materials, paint schemes, and construction of these Kendamas more then any art project we have ever done.

I'm not sure how long this fad will last, hell, by the time you read this, it might be over!  I do know one thing...this fad, as weird or silly as it may seem to me, gets my students talking.  They talk about skills, product construction, marketing, everything!!!  If it has gotten my kids this excited, maybe it can't all be that bad.

What are some fads that you remember from your days in school?

Tell me about the cool sweeping trend were you are.  How do you handle it in your classroom/school?

End of the Year...Start the Supply List

YES!!!

Only a couple weeks left.  Keeping that in mind, this is the time for specials teachers to start thinking about their supplies for next year.  The dreaded (queue dramatic music) supply list.  Being an art teacher, one of the biggest concerns that I have is making sure that I have the correct amount of supplies for my students as well as supplies that will work and not cost an arm and a leg.

When I was doing my undergrad work, we had an assignment involving supplies without a budget.  I remember complaining a lot during the assignment due to not having a cap on what I was allowed to spend to.  Little did I know that when I got my job, I was going to be in the same boat.

Today, I teach 4 sections of Ceramics and 2 Painting classes.  When I order supplies, I look for items that will give as professional of a finish as possible while also being forgiving to the students if they make a mistake.

For my Ceramics classes, I lean heavily on the AMACO product line.  Their glazes are fluid enough for a beginner to use and very forgiving.  We work with a Cone 5 clay that is supplied through a local company, Rovin Ceramics.  Their prices are pretty competitive, but I what pleases me the most is their selection of high and low grog (the gritty feeling) clays.

My Painting classes are a little different, as they are continuously using materials that we can't get back.  We use the typical watercolor, tempera, acrylic mediums, however I always advise that students purchase their own supplies if they like the way a certain medium works.  Typically, when it comes to the basic practices of tempera and watercolor, I buy cheap.  Crayola and Prang both make good quality paints that can be purchased in bulk without taking too much of a hit in the wallet.


Each year I try to keep a surplus of a certain supply, so that in the following year, I can go out and spend on a different supply.  Last year I was able to supply 60 students with various types of Sharpies, and this year its looking like either professional markers (Prismacolor or maybe even Copic).  To try and alleviate some of the cost next year, I will be bundling supplies together and "selling" them to students who need extra.  My school doesn't support a class fee and fundraising can be tedious when dealing with student help.  So providing the first set of supplies to students and then asking them to either purchase additional from a store of from my set could help equal out some of the costs on perishable materials.

What do you guys do to help equal out the costs of running your classes?

Any tips?

Ways to get your student's attention...

As discussed on  theartofed, last week, getting your students attention by using non-verbal cues.  This can be a crucial step in getting students ready to start the task at hand.

Having 55 minute class periods for high school students is a bit cumbersome.  The time limit is just long enough to start projects and make progress, however it is too short to really thoroughly complete any project within a class period.  Being a high school teacher, I wanted to try and not reserve myself to cheesy tactics like clapping or hand signals, so I decided to use the ever so popular "bell ringer."

Each class I take has a daily goal that the students are responsible for recording and than responding to a leading question about the task at hand.  Some days these goals really spring board the class into discussions that help provide a successful experience with a specific project.  Other times, students overlook the goal and just start in working with the materials.

I do believe using non-verbal cues to get the students ready to work is a crucial part to properly managing a classroom, and while the art room can be drastically different than other core classrooms, it is still a place where work needs to get done.

What are some other non-verbal ways teacher's use to get their classes up and running?