Miss Art of Teaching

The back wall in my classroom is work in progress. One side is filled with 'Happy notes' from Year 7-11 students and t he other side is starting a completely new trend...memes by students. I love the DIY factor and how it is a group effort to make the wall look nicer.  I am also planning to start a mural when the Year 6 students come over for their art lessons. Every Tuesday afternoo n, the local primary school sends students over for lessons. I was quite excited to find a large black cloth while cleaning my room over the holidays. I am planning to create a mural with big wings on top of it. The inspiration is from 'The What Lifts You Campaign' by Kelsey Montague. Next project: Adaptations that I found online:

Yesterday I started making some hand cut paper flowers for the back wall. It is super easy to make and the best part about this project is its 'flexibility'. A little tweak here and there can personalise the way the flower looks. I plan to make more with students who are 'fast finishers'. I followed the instructions from : Link: http://projectnursery.com/2015/03/diy-hand-cut-paper-flowers/

Kindness At the start of the year, I explained to all my classes that the theme of my classroom is ‘kindness’. This theme does not stay contained in the walls of the classroom but in students’ process of speaking and their part in bringing kindness towards others. At my High School, we do not tolerate deliberate hurtful behaviour. Instead we encourage the use of kind words as this creates happiness for others and ourselves. We must remember that we have a great power when we speak. When we perform an act of kindness it can uplift others and when we choose to deliberately hurt others we can make someone feel really bad. 1.        Think before you speak. 2.        Use words to uplift others. I often ask students to think of things that make them smile. I encourage them to grab a sticky note and write it down. I am hoping to fill my ‘happy notes’ board at the back of my room.  On another note: My c...

Feeling the love today. Above: Year 12 students (cupids) going to different classrooms to deliver roses. Above: Year 7 students leaving positive post notes on my 'Happy notes' wall. Above: Hoping to fill the entire back wall. Above: My partner and myself decided to have a DIY Valentines this year. We were not allowed to spend any money on buying gifts. But he still got me a rose. Above: He also made me 13 edible roses! Above: And I made him something simple.

I had a terrific day meeting new students. There were a lot of new names to learn but it helped by repeating their names and assigning them with a 'number' for the iHelp chart (classroom job distributor). I also encouraged class discussions by pulling out their names, which I had written on paddle pop sticks.  I am so glad to have made some very positive relationships with a number of students last year. Today, I asked two year 12 students to help me put up the 'Happy Notes' backdrop. They are students who I have always stop to have a chat but don't actually teach them for any subjects. Sometimes moments like these make it even more special. I appreciate the time that I get (if I do get it) to speak to students in the morning. A simple wave and hello helps to brighten up their morning. Bribing them with Vivos (School virtual rewards system) also work! Above: Happy notes wall. Need to fill up the back wall with more Art related posters. I didn't actu...

Latest updates Above: My personal assistant.  Above: The process of making everything requires patience. My dog is clearly displaying this. Above: I had an idea about a wall where students can grab post notes and write happy thoughts or a compliment to one another. I am trying to keep to my 'kindness' theme. The letters were simply made by cutting it out of different coloured A4 paper and laminating it in an A3 pouch. Above: I made a background to match my door display. I think the post notes will match the confetti. Above: Classroom job distributor. The roles are listed below: 1. Messenger 2. Books : Distributes and collects Visual Arts journals  3. Observer : Reports on behaviour 4. Clock: Time keeper  5. Play: Sets up projector and changes slides on PowerPoint 6. Notes: Hand out notes and paper 7. Setting: Teacher assistant  8. Contacts: Mark class roll  9. Rubbish: Help collect rubbish and make sure bin is not ov...