Art Ed Radio

A couple weeks ago, Andrew talked about elementary STEAM education with Tricia Fuglestad. This week, he's back with a discussion on STEAM education at the secondary level with AOE instructor Anna Nuttall. They cover a lot of ground in the interview, including what a secondary STEAM curriculum can and should look like (4:45), what STEAM can offer that a traditional curriculum can't (9:30), and the best ways to approach STEAM if you don't have a lot of experience or knowledge (15:15). Resources and Links AOE's Project Based Art Room graduate course How to Keep the Integrity of Art in STEAM 21st Century Attributes for the Art Room 5 Easy Ways to Gather STEAM in your Art Room

It's Drawing Week at AOE, and the guys can't resist getting in on the action. Tim loves to talk drawing, and Andrew has a lot of questions for him about how to improve his own drawing classes. This episode covers a lot of ground, including the best ways to start the year (4:00), why skills and engagement aren't mutually exclusive (18:00), and how important it is to provide quality materials (21:00). They close the show talking about organization (26:45), and sprinkle some of their best tips and tricks throughout the episode. Resources and Links: Why drawing is still so important Some great tips for making still life drawings a little less boring Make sure you are always using the correct materials Check out AOE's Studio: Drawing Course

Graffiti gets a terrible rap from most of the general public, but it is SO interesting to our students. So how can we use graffiti for student engagement and inspiration? AOE writer Matt Christenson is on the show to talk about how he uses graffiti in his curriculum and how his students respond. Listen as they talk about how graffiti helps connect almost every student (5:45), the structure of a graffiti-based curriculum (8:00), and Matt's full rundown of assessment and critiques that happen in his classroom (14:45).   Resources and Links: Matt's very first AOE article about teaching graffiti How graffiti fits into a bigger curriculum Another article from Matt on how he runs some critiques  And why he loves to display student work

So many teachers want to incorporate more technology, and especially more STEAM concepts, into their classroom. In this episode, Andrew brings on STEAM expert Tricia Fuglestad to talk about the best ways to bring these concepts into your classroom. Their discussion covers a wide range of topics, including the benefits of technology integration and trying new things (7:00), finding the right balance between art and technology (9:15), and making the most of the short amount of time you have in your classroom (16:15). Resources and Links: Visit Tricia's blog Tricia's Twitter account Take a look at all of AOE's articles and resources on STEAM education Check out the Project-Based Art Room grad course Andrew mentioned

This part of the school year is full of art shows and competitions, which can do a lot for your program. They can be an advocacy tool, and a motivating factor for your students--but they can also take the focus off what really matters in the art room. Do you embrace that competition, or are there more important things happening in your art room? Tim and Andrew talk about their personal approach to art shows (4:00), how you can use competition to build the confidence of your students (7:00), and whether competition really can help develop creativity (12:15).  Resources and Links: What should we be focused on in the art room?  What is the purpose of Art 1? There is a lot of power in showing every student's work

Last week, the guys talked at length about the slow finishers--the ones who never get work done. This week, they are back to talk about the other end of the spectrum--the fast finishers! It can be frustrating as a teacher to fill all of that down time that and deal with the misbehaviors that come from it. Listen as they guys discuss why fast finishers cause stress for both teachers and fellow students (4:00), how to deal with the excuses kids make (13:15), and proactive classroom management strategies (17:00). Resources and Links: Tim's article about teaching 3 projects at once This article talks about some great classroom management strategies How and why to slow your students down

There are very few things that annoy us more than those kids that take FOREVER to finish their work. Andrew and Tim talk about the work that never seems to get finished, and the reasons behind it. They discuss how to differentiate between the meticulous students and the disinterested ones (5:45), how to deal with both the perfectionists and the procrastinators (8:15), and whether you can ever use grades as punishment (10:45). They close the show talking about some motivation tactics and the best ways to get kids back on track.   Resources and Links: Can We Please Stop with the Participation Grades?  How to Get Your Apathetic Middle Schoolers Invested in Art Three Tips for Perfectionist Art Students How to Tell if a Project is Taking Too Long

Sometimes, February and March are the most difficult time of the year for teachers. It's been a long year already, and the end of the year is still a long way off in the distance. So how do you keep from feeling those effects of teacher burnout? Tim and Andrew talk about how to recognize when you are starting to get burnt out (4:00), ways to keep from feeling overwhelmed (7:45), and how to keep those feelings from affecting your teaching (14:45). Resources and Links: Creativity in Crisis Course The Art Ed Radio survey that Tim mentioned Why It's Okay to Feel Teacher Burnout Andrew's awesome article on why you should say 'no'

We are on to Learning to Love Ceramics, the sequel! So many teachers have a love/hate relationship with teaching ceramics, but the Radio Guys want to convince everyone they can love ceramics like they do. They try to cover everything they couldn't get to in the last episode, including their favorite ceramics projects to teach (4:00), advice to teachers that aren't as comfortable with ceramics (8:30), and their best strategies for making glazing a success (12:00) If you missed the first part of the episode last week, make sure you give it a listen!  Resources and Links: Check out Part 1 of the podcast  How to take your basic ceramics projects to the next level  50 Amazing Clay Resources from AOE Check out the Studio: Ceramics course

So many teachers have a love/hate relationship with teaching ceramics, but the Radio Guys want to convince everyone they can love ceramics like they do. Tim starts the show with a pretty crazy confession about his history with teaching ceramics (1:15). Andrew comes on the show as the guys discuss their favorite homemade tools (5:30), Tim teaches Andrew how to keep his sinks from smelling disgusting (12:30), and Andrew tells about his terrible self-given nickname (15:15) and his best firing processes (16:30). The conversation runs up against the clock, though, so there's even more the guys need to talk about. Be on the lookout for Part 2 soon!  Resources and Links: Tim's video on using blenders for slip How to take your basic ceramics projects to the next level  50 Amazing Clay Resources from AOE Check out the Studio: Ceramics course

Tim has the awesome opportunity to interview author Drew Daywalt--of The Day The Crayons Quit fame--who will be a featured presenter at the 2017 Art Ed Now Online Conference. What most people don't know, however, is that Drew is a successful writer, producer, and director who has found a lot of success with horror films. In a wide-ranging and entertaining conversation, Tim asks Drew about the connection between horror films and children's literature (9:00), they discuss the creative process (12:00), and Drew shares what we can expect from him in the near future (18:00). Resources and Links Take a look at Drew's books: The Day the Crayons Quit, and The Day the Crayons Came Home Check out some of Drew's horror films Check out the article that Introduces Drew as an Art Ed Now Featured Presenter

As Andrew talked about with Johanna last week, curriculum is way less "what" we teach, and more of "how" we teach it. In Part 2, Tim comes on the show to join Andrew in a discussion about curriculum at the secondary level. They hit on the big themes of autonomy and creativity, and how those themes should influence what and how you teach. Listen as they discuss how to give your students a voice in curriculum planning (9:00), how to deal with a curriculum that is dictated to you (12:30), and how to ensure consistency and quality with curriculum by utilizing the National Core Arts Standards (15:15). Resources and Links: If you missed last week's episode on curriculum, give it a listen! Take a look at the National Core Arts Standards that Tim mentioned. You can dive deep into The Art of Ed's curriculum resources.

Curriculum is way less "what" we teach, and more of "how" we teach it. Andrew brings on AOE's Johanna Russell to talk about our own systems and routines, and making sure they can work at any level. There are a lot of different approaches to curriculum, of course, but it's important to make sure we are still meeting the standards no matter the approach. As we move beyond that, Andrew talks about mindset vs. skillset, and Johanna starts a discussion on how it's not about what facts they remember, it's about developing confidence as artists and learners (11:30). They also discuss the difference between "covering" material and actually TEACHING that material (15:00), and why we need both kids and colleagues in the correct mindset to find success (19:00). Johanna finishes the show by giving her best advice for writing or rewriting your own curriculum and the best approach for you and your students (26:00).    Resources and Links: Johanna mentioned her learning that came from the book titled "The Power of Habit" J

Building relationships with parents can be a daunting task--especially when you teach hundreds of kids. But it's always about communication. There aren't a lot of shortcuts, unfortunately, but putting the time into building relationships is ultimately worth it. Listen as Andrew and Lindsey discuss the benefits of a good relationship with parents (8:30), strategies to build those relationships as an elective teacher (11:30), and how to mend fences when problems with parents do arise (17:15). Resources and Links: Take a look at some of Lindsey's best articles: Connecting with Parents via Facebook Being an Art Teacher Celebrity in Your Community Parenting and Teaching Art 

Tim had the chance to sit down with author and illustrator Mike Venezia, whose "Getting to Know" series of books are in art rooms around the world. Mike has a great understanding of--and appreciation for--art teachers, and what we do on an everyday basis. This appreciation led to a meaningful and inspirational conversation. Listen as Tim asks Mike about Inspiration and education in art, and how he turned it into a career (3:00), his beginning as an author and illustrator (6:15), and his working methodology when creativity strikes (15:30). If you want to hear even more from Mike, he will be one of the featured speakers at Art Ed Now, the 2017 Winter Online Conference for Art Teachers. Check out the entire lineup of presenters and register today! Resources and Links: Check out Mike's website, which features a great bio and all of his work! Take a look at this awesome review of Mike's series of books! Here are a couple more ideas from AOE to make Art History engaging and enjoyable: https://www.theartofed.com/2

It's time for the First Day of School, version 2.0! Whether you had an amazing first semester or an incredibly difficult one, this is your chance to start new. You have a chance to look at classroom management, curriculum, organization, routines, and everything in between. This is also your chance to recharge and redo what isn't working. Andrew asks Tim about his best classroom management advice (8:00), mistakes to avoid (11:15), and how to go above and beyond with your projects in the second semester (16:00). The guys finish the show with a conversation on enlisting your kids to help things run smoothly.   Resources and Links: Tim gave a shout out to Janine Campbell and this episode of Art Ed Radio Tim's favorite article on classroom management 3 Steps to Fix a Failing Routine Some advice on how to teach a new routine

No matter how good you are as a teacher, you undoubtedly are going to have a handful of kids who just don't care. So how do you start trying to get them passionate about making art? How can you create a challenging, engaging environment where students enjoy learning? Andrew and Tim talk about pushing students by tapping into their interests (9:00), building student confidence (12:30), and how to get kids past their apathy without doing the work for them (19:15).  Resources and Links: How to Get Your Apathetic Middle Schoolers Invested in Art 5 Strategies for Working With Students Who Hate Art 5 Innovative Ideas for Maximum Motivation 3 Ways to Motivate Students on Tough Days

For too many art teachers, assessment remains a difficult concept. It's tough to know what's going to work, how it can be implemented, and how it can be incorporated to actually help improve teaching. In this episode, Tim takes on some of these concerns and shares his ideas on making assessment valuable. Heather Crocket, the Educational Director at The Art of Ed, joins the show for a conversation on how assessments can actually affect your classroom (10:00), the best formative and summative assessments for the art room (13:15), and why assessment is so difficult for art teachers (17:45). Most importantly, Heather offers some very specific advice on what we can do as art teachers to take on assessment and make it work for us. Resources and Links: A Sample SLO for Art Teachers 3 Simple Tricks for Tracking Student Growth 20 Quick Formative Assessments You Can Use Today AOE's Assessment in Art Education Course

Notorious hoarder Andrew McCormick starts the show by sharing some of his thoughts and theories on the amazing things his students can do with the piles of junk lying around his classroom. Tim tries to convince Andrew that it's okay to get rid of some stuff, and Andrew agrees that he might be willing to do so . . . eventually. The guys talk about their favorite places to pick up free supplies (5:30), Andrew's joy when he received comic books and blenders (11:15), and how to turn those donations into some amazing projects (14:00). This episode is filled to the brim with ideas and inspiration--give it a listen now! Resources and Links: Rethinking the Materials We Use in the Art Room 7 Tips to Ensure You Get the Donations You Actually Want When Your Art Room Becomes a Dumping Ground Budget Like A Boss!

Let's face it--the life of an art teacher is anything but simple. We have to know so much and do so many things on an everyday basis, it can get overwhelming very quickly. Tim and Andrew use this episode to share some of their favorite hacks for the art room--each of which can help make life easier in your classroom. It's worth listening as the guys discuss their best painting hacks (6:00), keeping kids engaged and working (13:45), and teaching students to take on responsibilities to help you as a teacher (20:00).  Resources and Links: Teaching Three Projects at Once Keeping Clay Organized Teaching Painting Routines Getting Yourself Organized to Reduce Your Stress