Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Room Improvements

One of my classes was on a field trip last week, so I was able to catch up on a bit of housekeeping. It's amazing how quickly an art room can get messy! I also added a few reminder signs, such as:

I didn't think this one would do much, but I've heard a lot of kids say something like "Look, it says cleanup is everyone's job. You need to help." I've also seen a lot more teamwork since adding it. I wonder how long it will last...


The teacher I replaced for my first teaching job had a big sign that said "Art is good for your eyes." It made some kids laugh, and confused others! Maybe it'll get 'em thinking though!

Last year I had green, yellow, and red footprints on my floor to show the kids where to stand in line. I have step stools for the kids to reach my tall sinks, and it makes me crazy when there's four kids on one slippery step! They're also spaced so that they won't get paint on the back of the kid in front of them when holding a wet pallet.


Freshly cleaned and organized sink area! I put new signs on the paintbrush containers reminding kids to put them brush side up-which has helped a lot!


8 comments:

Unknown said...

Ooohhh I like your brush and sponge signs. Wish they were downloadable. . . my kids could use them. They drive me crazy with the drippy sponges so much that I don't allow them to put water on them (I'm in charge of that) until they can stop making my floor into a muddy puddle! You got a lot accomplished in a short amount of time!

Mrs. Hahn said...

Thanks for sharing all these great ideas!

Pamela Black said...

i love the signs too! What program did you use to make them?

Phyl said...

I like the "cleanup is everyone's job" sign. I may steal the idea!

Oh, and boy am I with you ladies with the sponges! What is WITH kids that they think they have to flood the room?? I always tell them if they don't watch out, we'll end up with sharks swimming in the room.

Nancie Kay said...

I like your red, yellow & green dots leading to the sink - with my clay projects looming in the near future that will help a lot!
Unfortunately the 'cleanup' routine won't work in my small narrow room - it's a daily struggle to keep all but the table helpers in their seats during that transition time - or as they like to call it "How many people can I bother?"

Anonymous said...

Organization posts make me giddy. I Love the dots on the floor and the colorful images around the cans. Kids need this and come to expect it from us, yet so many time I expect things I don't necessarily explicitly show them in a variety of ways. Great work!
Jessica Balsley

Unknown said...

HI, I really like the posters on your wall above the sinks. Where did you find them?

Jodi said...

Hi Kathy,
I got those as a vendor giveaway at a Wisconsin Art Education Conference. I believe it was from Royal Brush Company.