Art Ed Radio

A while back, the guys talked about those lessons that just aren't working anymore--the lessons we might just want to move on from. So how do we decide what we should teach? How do we decide what should be part of our curriculum? Join the guys as they try an optimistic approach to this discussion, covering creative thinking vs. technical skill (4:30), your essential projects (11:45), and finding the right variety of experiences for your kids (15:00).   Resources and Links: The podcast that inspired this episode How to foster authentic art experiences Here are 10 inspiring projects if you're looking for something new  

Melissa Purtee and Ian Sands, authors of The Open Art Room, join Tim to discuss their new book and choice based art education. They talk about the transition teachers make when moving toward choice-based education and how that compares with traditional pedagogy. Listen as they cover the story of writing The Open Art Room (4:15), whether you can put a framework toward choice-based teaching (10:00), and the idea of how much choice each teacher should offer (15:45). Resources and Links: You can order The Open Art Room here. Use the code OAR15 for 15% off the price (good through October 1st). Melissa mentioned Engaging Learners as a great text for elementary choice See all of Melissa’s AOE articles And Ian’s articles are here

One of the most difficult things to do as an artist is to find your voice and to find your style. Even more difficult is to help our students do the same. Tim invites Michael Bell on the show to discuss how we can build up our students and, in turn, build up our art programs. Listen for their discussion on balancing your art and your teaching, how to support and help develop your artists, and why visual journaling is so important to helping students find their voice. Resources and Links: Michael's book was published in June. It is called Dual Lives: From the Streets to the Studio Visit Michael's website And his TED talk can be found here  

As art teachers, we have the opportunity to let kids know that their opinions, their vision, and their aesthetics matter. Andrew brings on AOE writer Lindsey Moss to chat about the idea of "Kidaesthetics". Listen for their discussion on the difference between how kids and adults perceive art (6:00), how art teachers balance the aesthetic vision against the expectations of adults (9:30), and how we educate adults on what kids find aesthetically appealing (18:15). Resources and Links: You can see all of Lindsey's AOE articles here Andrew talked about Lindsey's PRO learning packs for PD. Here's her First Day Activities pack Make sure you check out Cassie Stephens' new podcast as well! Listen to Lindsey's previous appearance on Art Ed Radio  

What does the beginning of the school year look like in your classroom? What should it look like? Classroom management is key, but how we go about establishing it is different for everyone. The guys share what happens on the first day in their classrooms (3:45), Andrew talks about his two tenets for classroom management (10:00), and finishes the show by stumbling into a possibly brilliant idea for a new project to start the year (16:45). Resources and Links: Last year's back to school podcast with Janine Campbell 5 Ways to Make Art on the First Day of School Use Narrative Necklaces to Meet Your New Students Routines to Teach During the First Week (download)  

Tim interviews the one and only Cassie Stephens for this episode, and they discuss some the best ideas from transitioning from summer mode back into school. They cover where inspiration comes from, and how you can bring that inspiration into your teaching. Tim starts the episode with a big announcement about AOE's newest podcast (1:30), then Cassie shares information about her upcoming Art Ed Now Conference presentation (5:30), and the new lessons coming into her classroom this year (11:45). They then close the conversation with a rundown of the upcoming Everyday Art Room podcast, and why Cassie wanted to host the show (18:45). Full episode transcript below.   Resources and Links: Take a look at Cassie's blog and all of her incredible resources The Clay Lab for Kids book  An interview with Cassie, and a great lesson Check out all of Cassie's AOE videos  

If you've been on art teacher social media any time in the past week or so, you have probably seen this article (http://blog.schoolspecialty.com/art-craft/art-class-school/). Art teachers everywhere were offended by its assumptions, its ideas about the role of art teaching, and its conclusions about the future. In this special episode, Tim and Andrew offer their takes on the article (3:15), the role of art teachers and the arts (8:30), and the controversy found in the resulting social media firestorm (12:30). Resources and Links: The offending School Specialty Article If we're talking budgets, how about the old "Budget Like a Boss!" podcast? How to Make the Arts a Valued Part of Your Community A few more great resources for advocacy

About a month ago, the guys did their last deep dive into printmaking. This week, it's time for 40 minutes of sculpture talk. From materials to instructional strategies, and everything in between, it's all up for discussion today! Join the guys as they talk about the best projects for our youngest students (2:00), some issues that Andrew has come across (14:00), and safety issues when you're using unexpected materials (33:30). Resources and Links: Foolproof Methods for Teaching Beginning Sculpture Andrew's favorite Unexpected Materials Tim's ideas for inexpensive sculptures Stunning Projects with Recycled Materials  

It's one of the existential questions for art teachers: do you use teacher examples? On one hand, you help your kids stay on track for success with their work. On the other hand, you run the risk of stifling their creativity and ending up with a classroom of similar projects. What is an art teacher to do? Andrew brings Tim on the show to talk about the use of teacher examples, the demonstration conundrum, and why every teacher needs to reflect on this issue and come up with their own solution. Resources and Links: How to Make Your Own Art And Teaching Tools at the Same Time 3 Ways to Teach for Creativity in the Art Room Why It's Time to Move On From Projects 4 Statements Every Art Teacher Hates Hearing

We all know about the power of the arts, and in this episode, Andrew looks really closely at how we can use the arts to build culture and turn around schools. Sarah Dougherty, who is part of the Turnaround Arts Initiative with the Des Moines Public Schools, joins Andrew to talk about her experience with these exact topics. They discuss how to become more creative and intentional with collaboration (10:00), how small changes can make a big impact on your school's culture (12:45), and the need for patience when you are looking for change. (14:30). Resources and Links: Check out the TASK party that Sarah mentioned The Des Moines Public Schools Turnaround Arts Program See all of Sarah's AOE articles Andrew mentioned AOE's new Professional Development subscription service, Art Ed  PRO

If you are not already using contemporary artists in your classroom, you definitely want to consider some new artists and ideas to bring to your students. Contemporary artists can be engaging and valuable for your students, and Tim and Andrew have an incredible list of their favorite artists to teach. Tim also figures out how to work Drake's "Hotline Bling" video into the discussion (13:30), Andrew introduces Tim to the video artist Paul Pfeiffer (17:30), and Andrew closes the show with a great explanation of why you should be teaching contemporary artists (21:00).  Resources and Links: The "No More Dead White Guys!" episode The Top 10 Contemporary Artists to Teach Alongside Traditional Artists Great Resources for Finding Contemporary Artists:  http://www.pbs.org/art21/ http://www.thisiscolossal.com/ http://www.booooooom.com/ http://www.designboom.com/  

Ceramics? Check. Drawing? Check. Printmaking? That is this week's deep dive. Andrew and Tim have a long discussion about teaching printmaking--tips and tricks, tools, safety, organization, lessons, budget, it is all on the table. They talk about managing the mess and the best routines for printmaking (3:00), the most important safety concerns and how to keep your kids safe (9:15), and how we move beyond technical concerns to get our kids making meaningful work (18:45).   Resources and Links: 5 Ways to Stretch Your Printmaking Budget Secrets for Managing the Printmaking Mess Safety Tips for Printmaking Awesome Strategies for Reduction Prints

After a couple weeks away while Tim talked to important people (Sir Ken Robinson and AOE Founder Jessica Balsley), Andrew is back! The guys get together to talk about what they love and what they don't when it comes to art and art education. They share their thoughts on Pop Art and Impressionism (2:30), why Andrew has ditched his teacher desk (6:45), whether you should spend time in the teacher's lounge (13:00), and when it's worth it to make a phone call home (15:15).   Resources and Links: Here's another idea on how to deal with your teacher desk Coping with different methods of organization Making teachers your allies by letting them borrow supplies Andrew's article about calling home

AOE Founder Jessica Balsley joins Tim to talk about last week's interview with Sir Ken Robinson. They share some stories about what it was like behind the scenes of the interview and what it was like working with Sir Ken. They also discuss the importance of art teachers (8:45), how Sir Ken's books helped influence Jessica to start the Art of Ed (11:15), and how teachers can stay passionate and stay loving what they do (14:15). If you would like to hear even more from Sir Ken Robinson, he will present "The Importance of Art Teachers" on August 3rd at the 2017 Art Ed Now Summer Online Conference. Details can be found at artednow.com. Resources and Links: Listen to the full Sir Ken Robinson interview See more about Art Ed Now, where Sir Ken will be presenting on August 3rd Jessica mentioned reading "The Element" a long time ago; here is an old article she wrote that dives in deeper with those ideas If you are looking for a chance to rekindle your own passion and creativity, make sure you check out the Creativit

In this very special episode of Art Ed Radio, Tim is in Los Angeles to interview the one and only Sir Ken Robinson. Sir Ken is a world-renowned expert on creativity and innovation, and his TED Talk, "Do Schools Kill Creativity?", is the most viewed TED Talk of all time. In this wide-ranging, nearly hour-long interview, he and Tim cover a plethora of topics. Listen as they discuss the evolution of Sir Ken's career and his move to the United States (11:00), testing culture around the world (15:30), the role of creativity in preparing students for the future (27:45), a possible way forward for our schools (37:00), and how teachers can affect change from their own classrooms (45:00). Resources and Links: Sir Ken Robinson's TED Talk Tim asks about Creative Schools, Sir Ken's latest book The official website of Sir Ken Robinson See more about Art Ed Now, where Sir Ken will be presenting on August 3rd

Andrew takes some inspiration from the "This American Life" to talk about the things that we used to believe as art teachers. More importantly, how do our beliefs change over time? How do we evolve? Andrew and Tim bring in some extra voices to guide the conversation as they talk about moving away from the importance of product (8:00), why it takes time to find who you are as a teacher (12:00), and the importance of authenticity (16:15). Resources and Links: Finding Your Happiness as an Art Teacher This American Life: "This I Used to Believe" episode 10 Things I Wish I Had Known 10 Years Ago 7 Ways to Hit Your Stride in the Art Room

As you get to the end of the year, it is a great time to reflect on what you are teaching and why. Tim and Andrew discuss how you can move past simple and baseline projects into more important work with your sutdents. They discuss why you can let perspective drawing fall by the wayside (4:30), differentiating between what needs to be a project and what needs to be a demo (12:00), and making work meaningful no matter the situation (20:30). Resources and Links: How to have more meaningful conversations with your students How to foster authentic art experiences 10 things to stop doing now as an art teacher Finally, here are 10 inspiring projects if you're looking for something new

Andrew goes on a couple epic rants, and Tim succinctly drops some truth as the guys talk about student engagement, and whether we should care what our students think of us. Listen as they cover ideas about why art teachers are so good at building relationships with their students (6:00), some outside-the-box ways to connect with your kids and the importance of shared experiences (13:15), and the conversations you can and should be having with your students (21:00). Resources and Links: Last Week's Episode About Building a Program Ways to Build Relationships when You See Hundreds of Students Each Week How to Get Your Apathetic Middle Schoolers Invested in Art Why You Shouldn't Care if Your Students Misbehave

How do you build a school culture that values the arts? Tim interviews Shannon Bell about concrete ideas to help you build a program from scratch. They discuss exactly what you're walking into and where you begin when you're starting a program (6:45), whether you should start with engagement or curriculum (10:30), and specific strategies to help get your colleagues and administration to buy in to your program (12:45). Resources and Links Advice for a new teaching position A simple way to scaffold as you develop your curriculum Here are a few amazing downloads that can help you get started Take a look at AOE's Designing Your Curriculum graduate course

A lot of teachers are dealing with some difficult colleagues--some so bad that they are bringing down the department. So how do we work with those teachers? Andrew brings Tim on the show to talk about how your art program can thrive even when you have a department killer on board. They discuss why every kid needs to be part of your program (9:00), whether you would rather work with talented kids or hard-working kids (11:30), and how to encourage students who might be stuck with a terrible teacher (18:15). Resources and Links Strategies to Recruit Students for Your Program Gaining the Confidence to Lead Your Art Department What Does Leadership Look Like for You?  Ideas to Run Your Department Better