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Thoughtful
Helpful
Insightful
Necessary
Kind

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Ideas for classroom structure, management and physical design of space

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use of stations
green - supplies to take home
red- supplies to leave at school

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allow students to be part of the classroom and environment

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- Set up desks so students are facing one another

- Make sure "teacher's" desk is not far removed from class

- Funny/motivational posters

-Provide class library!

-Anchor Chart (posters that remind them of important concepts they'll use throughout the year)

-At beginning of year, showcase previous student work or put up -"Student Work Coming Soon!" signs

-Clearly labeled "supply corner/" cabinet

- procedure posters

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Center-based learning has been growing in popularity in art education. From Teaching for Artistic Behavior to Makerspaces, the idea that classrooms can act as 3D lesson plans is one that benefits learners and teachers alike.

However, if you're just starting out, it can be difficult to know exactly which centers you should provide to your students. You might feel overwhelmed with the decisions. Don't worry. Today we'll walk through five essential centers all choice-based rooms should have. Here are the essential spaces you'll want to provide.

5 Essential Centers for Choice-Based Classrooms

1. Drawing

Drawing is a must-have center. It's a vital art form, and it is also a great way for students to plan projects in other media types. This center is often the first center to open and the last to close in choice classrooms.
The drawing center should include:

Drawing Paper
Provide a variety of sizes, textures, and quality. Make sure to limit higher quality papers to longer term projects.

Drawing Tools
Buy smaller amounts of high-quality materials and store them in easy-to-access containers.

Drawing books and reference materials

Posters about artists, techniques, and styles

Anchor charts that cover certain materials or techniques

Technology for research

Once the drawing center is open and established, it's easy to add new materials or host small groups for drawing bootcamps or new projects.

If you're not sure how to get started, check out the article 5 Steps To Opening A TAB Drawing Center!

2. Collage

The collage center introduces students to assemblage art. It's a great place to teach younger students about cutting, pasting, and overlapping. Ideas like juxtaposition, negative space and theme can be introduced with older artists.
The collage center should include:

Larger Base Papers
Be sure to specify these are not for cutting.

Smaller paper for cutting

A variety of scissors and other paper cutting tools

Adhesives like glue sticks, decoupage, and tape

Embellishments
These can be things like needle and thread for sewing, sequins, stickers, book pages, magazines, etc.

Posters of famous artists

Posters of collage styles and techniques

For a closer look at collage in a TAB classroom, check out 4 Steps To Opening A TAB Collage Center!

3. Painting

The painting center is one of the most difficult to set up and maintain but is by far one of the most popular. Students can create paintings, transform sculptures, or add to collages. Make sure your painting center is close to a water source for easy cleanup. Limit the number of tools, such as brushes or palettes, available, so students aren't overwhelmed.
The painting center should include:

Thick paper or canvases

Watercolor, tempera, and/or acrylic and oil paints

Brushes in a variety of sizes and styles

A simple and easy-to-follow cleanup procedure

Posters about artist, techniques, and styles

Cardboard or palettes for mixing paints

Smocks

Access to water

If you're interested in learning more, check out the article 5 Steps To Opening a TAB Painting Center.

4. Sculpture

Found object sculpture can be intimidating but is an extremely important media type for students. For those who fear 3D: breathe. Having a choice-based classroom means your students are the ones who will be dealing with the struggle (and the learning) of building in 3D. To get started, you'll want to provide some simple materials and instruction, as well as posters to explain your center and how to use it properly.

Make sure to provide students with requirements they must meet before they take their sculptures home. These might have to do with size limits, balance, strength, and transformation of the outside. Remember kid-made sculptures will be pretty weird, and that's okay! Kid aesthetics are very different from adult aesthetics.

If you're looking for a way to get started with found object sculpture, here are 12 Must Have Materials for Your Sculpture Center.

5. Ephemeral Centers

Ephemeral centers are choice-based centers that last anywhere from a few weeks to a few months. Centers like printmaking, clay, or fibers all make great ephemeral spaces. These spaces are also great for trying interesting experiments, learning about a special type of media, or presenting a theme or step-by-step project.

Make sure students know how long these centers will be open so they can plan ahead. If an ephemeral center is working well, it may be worth looking at opening it on a more permanent basis.

The choice classroom is always growing and changing. That's what makes it exciting for you and your students. No two artists are alike, and no two choice or TAB classes run the same. Before diving into choice centers, take some time to check out these resources and see how other art teachers are offering choice!
What essential centers do you offer in your choice-based space? How does your centers-based space look?

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5 Essential Centers for Choice-Based Classrooms - The Art of Ed

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Center-based learning has been growing in popularity in art education. From Teaching for Artistic Behavior to Makerspaces, the idea that classrooms can act as 3D lesson plans is one that benefits learners and teachers alike. However, if you're just starting out, it can be difficult to know exactly which centers you should provide to your ...

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As art teachers, it's fair to say that we never have enough time. Whether that be time for ourselves, time to make art, or even just time to kick back with a good book, it always seems to be in short supply. We've saved you a little bit of work here, however, by compiling a list of some of the best books out there for your high school art room.

Whether you are looking for new lessons for the classroom, information about artists, or just something to read for enjoyment, these 27 books should give you some great ideas and suggestions.

Resources

1. 250 Tips, Techniques, and Trade Secrets for Potters by
I'm not sure that any beginning ceramics classroom needs a textbook, but if it did, this would be the one. It has it all: beautiful photos and illustrations that explain almost every basic technique, simple instructions for projects, troubleshooting tips, and even extensions for advanced students.

2. The 500 Series
Published by Lark Books, each book inThe 500 Series is, simply put, beautiful. Whether it is , 500 Teapots, , or any other book in the series, you know that the work will be a collection of inspiring ceramic images.

Entertainment

1. by Frank McCourt Teacher Man is witty, honest, and inspiring. McCourt, the author of Angela's Ashes, looks back at his lengthy teaching career to see what life lessons he has learned spending every day in front of a classroom.

2. Rodin's Lover by Heather Webb
It's easy to get lost in the story of sculptor Camille Claudel and her tumultuous relationship with Auguste Rodin set in 19th-century Paris. The sculpture, art, and artists are secondary to the love story, but an interest in these things make you appreciate the research and writing of the novel even more.

3. Girl with a Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier
One of Vermeer's most famous paintings is brought to life in this story. Chevalier takes you into the world of the 16-year-old girl who had a short encounter with Vermeer and became immortalized in the process.

4. The Birth of Venus by Sarah Dunant
This novel is an enthralling story of love, art, and history. Young heroine Alessandra is living in Florence during the Medici state in an arranged marriage while longing for a relationship with a painter who is her true love.

Artists

1. D uchamp by Calvin TomkinsIf you are a Duchamp fan, it doesn't get any better than this. This book is the definitive biography of the artist, his thoughts, his life, and his work; it reads incredibly quickly and incredibly well for nonfiction.

2. Ever Yours: The Essential Letters (multiple editors)Most of what we know about van Gogh and his life comes from his letters to his brother, Theo. This book is a collection of almost one-third of those letters. We see van Gogh search for his destiny, deal with relationships with his brother and father, and yearn for the recognition as an artist that never came during his lifetime.

Pedagogy

Project Flop by Ian Sands
Ian, a formerArt of Ed writer, is one of the most creative and distinctive voices in art education today. His journey to teaching art, his love for experimentation, and the way he embraces failure are all sure to inspire your teaching. He will make you think about what you do in your classroom, why you do it, and what you can learn when your projects flop.

Other

1. A Framework for Understanding Poverty by Ruby Payne
We may never fully understand the situations faced by many of our students outside of school, but this book can be a resource to work with students and families to develop the skills and tools needed to break out of poverty. The book is well-written, researched, and thorough. If this book piques your interest, it would be worthwhile to also look atSavage Inequalities by Jonathan Kozol.

2. Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris
I've shared before how I love toread aloud to my classes, and this is my favorite book to read. Sedaris shows his wit and wisdom through dozens of hilarious short stories. Make sure you preview it, however, as not every story is appropriate for school.

There is no shortage of good books for your classroom, whether you are looking for references on techniques and media, books about art and artists, or even something to read to your class to prompt a discussion. And even if you don't bring any of these books into your classroom, there are some great options here to read on your own time. Enjoy!
Which books on this list have you read? What did you think about them? What other books would you add to this list?

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27 Incredible Books for the High School Art Room - The Art of Ed

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
As art teachers, it's fair to say that we never have enough time. Whether that be time for ourselves, time to make art, or even just time to kick back with a good book, it always seems to be in short supply. We've saved you a little bit of work here, however, by compiling a ...

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- paired introductions

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clear expectations