Art Teacher HACKS-IAEA 2024 by Kristen LaJeunesse Roach

Ceramic Dust Removal

kristenlaj — 2024-10-14 14:03:33 UTC

I placed these "sticky" mats by the door in our ceramics studio, to assist in eliminating clay dust. Purchased on Amazon: 150-Sheets-White-Adhesive-Mats

Mint tin

kristenlaj — 2024-10-14 14:05:37 UTC

Repurposed to store extra exacto blades.

Paint Storage

kristenlaj — 2024-10-15 20:44:04 UTC

Pringles can for brushes/drawing tools

kristenlaj — 2024-10-16 13:40:54 UTC

Exacto Knife System

kristenlaj — 2024-10-16 17:24:23 UTC

I took a large piece of styrofoam, traced circles with sharpie and numbered them as well as added taped numbers to the exacto knives themselves. Students are assigned numbers and the knife are distributed and collected at the beginning and end of class.

Papier Mache Hack

kristenlaj — 2024-10-16 17:40:32 UTC

For papier mache, we use a flour and water mixture. Dip strips of newspaper in mixture and apply to cardboard sculpture. Be sure to let dry in between layers of newspaper.

Fun hack to putting names on leatherhard pieces

kristenlaj — 2024-10-16 17:43:10 UTC

Have students hunt for the letters of their name in alphabet noodles. They impress the noodles into the base of their piece and the noodles burn off in the kiln!

Make your own 3D nametags from scrap matboard

kristenlaj — 2024-10-16 17:47:47 UTC

Using scrap matboard, cut to nametag size with a border then cut an additional triangular piece as a "ledge" for the back.

Use cookie cutters to pierce into clay

kristenlaj — 2024-10-16 18:07:53 UTC

Use cookie cutters or smaller clay cutters as stencils or to pierce through walls of leatherhard clay

Underglaze Transfer with Tracing paper

kristenlaj — 2024-10-16 18:14:46 UTC

Paint or "draw" with underglaze onto tracing paper, press on to plastic or leatherhard clay, remove tracing paper and underglaze has been transferred. Can be cut into slabs, cut to make jewelery, cut and applied to forms etc.

Just for fun; prompts for student response

kristenlaj — 2024-10-16 18:19:25 UTC

In the style of, "if you give a mouse a cookie"

AP Art + Design exam countdown

kristenlaj — 2024-10-16 18:21:08 UTC

Have students update and add on to a countdown for the exam...

Exhibit steps of thowing a cylinder

kristenlaj — 2024-10-16 18:22:50 UTC

Swiped from AMACO

"easiest ever trick to rehydrate clay"

kristenlaj — 2024-10-16 18:25:12 UTC

Light wands from $1.25 store for Light Painting

kristenlaj — 2024-10-16 22:25:37 UTC

Photography Hall Pass

kristenlaj — 2024-10-16 22:28:12 UTC

Generic Photography pass on a lanyard for students to use on campus.

SD card system

gillianteichman — 2024-10-16 23:02:16 UTC

I used two pieces of foam board and cut slots into the top layer creating a pouch. This is so each student has an SD Card slot if students share cameras

My favorite Acrylic Paint Pens

gillianteichman — 2024-10-16 23:07:04 UTC

They work just as good if not better (in my opinion) as Posca pens. They layer great over tons of mediums. I have been able to draw over watercolor, acrylic paint, oil paint(dried), crayon, colored pencil, fabric, metal waterbottle. They have a thick and thin tip

Banned Question/ Ask three before me

gillianteichman — 2024-10-16 23:15:07 UTC

I have questions on a weekly basis that accumulate that I will no longer answer. Ask three before me requires signatures from peers saying they also dont know the question. Instructions are uploaded. I have noticed a significant difference with students now being mindful of the questions they ask. And are becoming much more independent with searching answers themselves.

Best music visuals ever

gillianteichman — 2024-10-16 23:17:02 UTC

This website syncs up with your spotify and will display a visual kaleidoscope that shifts to the beat. There are many different types to chose and customize.

Terra Forma Cards PDF Download

gillianteichman — 2024-10-16 23:20:20 UTC

Terra Forma cards are an interactive visual dominos activity that helps students generate ideas for planning artworks or if they are devolping an AP question.

Create reflective surfaces

gillianteichman — 2024-10-16 23:25:54 UTC

To create a reflective surface with your smartphone, place your phone's screen at the bottom of the DSLR. This can create super cool floating imagery . works best with landscape

Collaborative Spotify Playlist

kristenlaj — 2024-10-17 12:59:35 UTC

In a google doc, I collect song requests for a class collab playlist.

Make your own gelli plate

kristenlaj — 2024-10-17 13:05:31 UTC

Youtube tutorial with Kathy Skaggs: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NssWiBEdIqU

Ream of paper box tops for everything!

kristenlaj — 2024-10-17 19:47:39 UTC

I use these box tops to hold materials, papers etc. Great for creating collaborative table materials.

Print prompt on a post it

kristenlaj — 2024-10-19 13:23:27 UTC

Type out and print prompts on pos0its for student responses, idea generating, exit slips etc.

Material distribution

littlejawa19 — 2024-10-19 14:20:19 UTC

Place materials in 2 or more spots in the room when distributing. This prevents the pile up or lines of students in the room.

For cardboard sculpture

2024-10-19 14:21:51 UTC

Look for "water activated tape." "Kraft tape" on Dick Blick

Cheap small lights for light painting!

2024-10-19 14:22:40 UTC

Daily Bell Work

merrylanker — 2024-10-19 14:22:56 UTC

My middle school students complete a daily bell ringer in their art notebooks (we just use composition books and customized the covers the first week of school). You’re welcome to make a copy and use my art history slides.

Sculptures

2024-10-19 14:23:07 UTC

How/where to store large sculptures with limited space?

Music

littlejawa19 — 2024-10-19 14:23:52 UTC

Resources for lessons

kristenlaj — 2024-10-19 14:25:11 UTC

Shorter time frame learning experiences

Resources for Lessons

kristenlaj — 2024-10-19 14:25:53 UTC

Privacy & Reduce Distractions

2024-10-19 14:27:54 UTC

Add curtain on curtain rod to your door (if you have a window). Attach to door with 3m hooks.

Spotify playlist - some explicit

gillianteichman — 2024-10-19 14:28:00 UTC

When you need to kill time...

2024-10-19 14:28:24 UTC

I show videos from the Quantastic YouTube channel. They're all short clips and art/craft related. I use them if there's extra time after clean up. My elementary students love them. But I know there's plenty of similar content out there

Art for Kids Hub

2024-10-19 14:28:58 UTC

Awesome resource for fun, trending how to draw videos!

Tracking cameras

bphillips112 — 2024-10-19 14:29:15 UTC

I have students put a hello my name is sticker on their camera bag so I don’t have to look up which number it goes to. I also tell them their camera is their baby and they can’t abandon it. They get to name the camera and put my guardian is and their name. The students love it when I call their camera by it name and it a fun way to interact with your students.

More art history bell work

merrylanker — 2024-10-19 14:29:42 UTC

My Art 2 middle school students do an art bell ringer on Fridays using the linked slides- it’s based more on contemporary art.

Classroom Screens

gillianteichman — 2024-10-19 14:29:50 UTC

is great for adding text, timers, sound level monitors, clock, QR codes

Early Finishers

2024-10-19 14:30:49 UTC

For kids who finish their work early- after getting everything checked to make sure there is no room for improvement, I have a whole binder of “art challenges” that they can do for extra credit. For my specifically it is photoshop challenges but it can be anything- drawing exercises, painting, etc.

Pencil boxes

2024-10-19 14:31:20 UTC

I reuse larger pencil boxes for sculpture or collage projects. Students just put their name on a piece of tape and “claim” that box for the project where they keep their scissors, materials, scraps etc. It helps because they’re always in the same spot every year and reusable!

Material Organization Per Grade/Class

2024-10-19 14:31:22 UTC

If you have the space, keep materials that are actively being used or need to be kept out for a project by each grade or class (ie: cut paper, reference sheets, art supplies that are normally packed away). Materials are organized, students know where to find them, and they are organized in case of a sub 😉

Giving Student Feedback

2024-10-19 14:31:51 UTC

I generate QR codes tied to every students email so when scanned, it auto generates an email with a pre defined subject and body. When a student has a question, I scan the code, take a photo and use mark up to record notes of our discussion. Then I send these to the students to refer to during production. At the end of the unit they insert all photos into their growth slideshow. I generate these QR codes from an excel report off skyward so I can copy and paste the data and create 100 codes in about 20-30 minutes. The codes are printed on stickers and placed on the students art lockers or portfolio.

Kleki

merrylanker — 2024-10-19 14:31:55 UTC

My district is 1:1 iPads but we have lost a lot of our approved apps due to SOPPA. Kleki is a great free web-based paint tool my students love using during their free time.

Google: Quick, Draw!

merrylanker — 2024-10-19 14:32:55 UTC

We love to play this on the Promethean board or on our iPads.

Storing Clay Art Middle School

2024-10-19 14:33:57 UTC

When we do flat work, I use gallon ziplock bags with meat trays donated from the local grocery store. Then the projects aren’t distorted from taking them in and out of the bag every day. Each semester students put a piece of tape on the bag to relabel it with their name.

Arty Land Good Behavior Game

2024-10-19 14:35:20 UTC

Everyday students can earn 3 good behavior points. 1 for coming in quick and quiet, 1 for working quiet and thoughtful, and 1 for cleaning up quick and quiet. When they make it to the end they get an arty party. Using their Chromebooks they go to Art for Kids Hub on YouTube and pick out their own how to draw video to complete. They love it! ❤️😊

Suggestion Box

2024-10-19 14:35:46 UTC

I have a little plastic box next to my desk with a slit cut in the top of it and post it’s sitting next to it. Kids can put suggestions of anything in there. This can range from art project ideas, music suggestions, motivational Monday videos etc.

Alternative Brushes Middle School

2024-10-19 14:36:34 UTC

When teaching line quality, painting still life objects using sticks from trees and India ink is a liberating way for students to explore and make ink paintings that have a life force from all the thick and thin lines. We watercolor them the next day.

Gimkit

merrylanker — 2024-10-19 14:36:36 UTC

We are obsessed with Gimket. I pay for the pro subscription and it’s 100% worth it! I’m linking Color Theory through Cash Tycoon if you’d like to play and see how one of the games looks. Perfect if you’re 1:1 tech. It’s a great way to gamify your room- I use it to introduce new content and to review what we know.

Create a playlist

2024-10-19 14:38:10 UTC

I have a free Spotify account so I have the kids create a Spotify playlist to play in class. I created a Google doc that has them create a name for the playlist and to list either artists or 15-20 songs (not explicit) and then I create a playlist under our Spotify account. Then we pick one to play for the day (or the class period)

Another Gimket example

merrylanker — 2024-10-19 14:38:43 UTC

This is a game called Don’t Look Down, the topic is Vincent Van Gogh.

Paint on the Go

2024-10-19 14:40:53 UTC

These work great for needing paint on the go, giving paint out to other teachers , easy clean up etc

Storex Classroom Caddy

2024-10-19 14:41:06 UTC

These are the best and they’re cute! Put one on each table with all the materials organized.

https://a.co/d/7Hq9Vi7

2024-10-19 14:41:35 UTC

Lego wall is a big hit.

Sell those demos!

2024-10-19 14:42:52 UTC

I make a demo during every class period for each project. At the end of the semester, especially fall semester, I do an online silent auction using google sites, and auction them all off to the staff. Usually make a solid $400 a semester off it and it is no extra work from me or the kids.

Painting prep

2024-10-19 14:44:27 UTC

When I prep paint for large groups I use egg cartons. I had an issue with them drying or molding when stored for long periods. I use under bed storage bins.

I also save the silica packets and put them under the egg cartons. It doesn’t save all of them but it definitely makes them last around 2-4 weeks.

Kidtimestorytime

2024-10-19 14:44:57 UTC

Love Her. Great read aloud stories. Can use for project ideas with the Littles or even topics for procedures. She has tons of books and easy search bar.

Art Class Tshirt

2024-10-19 14:46:59 UTC

Have your high school class design a school art class tshirt. Create a silk screen, buy blank shirts, and have students create the shirts. Sell them to students for $5 - $10. I did this and made a ton of $$ for our field trip to the Art Institute.

Butterfly Hide sub day activity

gillianteichman — 2024-10-19 14:47:13 UTC

have your students color a butterfly to match their environment so it blends into the background! there's lots of tik tok examples. But when I did it the kids did such a good job I was finding butterflies for weeks

Google Bookmarks Bar Folder

2024-10-19 14:47:37 UTC

Make a folder on your google bookmark bar with everything a sub might need (think of it as a digital sub folder). I keep my sub plans, schedule, and some emergency sub activities listed. When I have a planned absence, I will also add my slideshows for the day or anything else the sub might need.

Light Painting with a Keychain Light

2024-10-19 14:49:30 UTC

These work great for light drawing!

NFC CHIPS!

2024-10-19 15:01:33 UTC

These are cheap programmable stickers and chips you can find on Amazon. You can program them to do a variety of things like open an email or a link, google form, presentation, etc. I use them to open student portfolio website links. Use the app NFC TOOLS to program them. If anyone needs help feel free to email me! Ksampras@wps60.org

A Padlet in a Padlet

merrylanker — 2024-10-19 15:04:54 UTC

This is my personal Padlet, there are free printables if you scroll over - I’ll add more soon!

Digital Emergency Elementary Sub Plans

2024-10-19 15:13:33 UTC

I got this from another teacher in a FB elementary group. Digital emergency sub plans! Please copy and modify to fit your art room.

use pizza racks to organize binders

gillianteichman — 2024-11-06 14:50:14 UTC

place a clear plastic bin over your vessel to doodle various handle ideas.

gillianteichman — 2024-11-06 14:51:22 UTC

use metallic sharpies to create glaze resistant drawing

gillianteichman — 2024-11-06 14:51:45 UTC

Keep Acrylic Paint wet

gteichman1 — 2026-02-13 18:36:50 UTC

If you put a wet paper towel down and a parchment paper on top of it use this as your pallet paper it will keep your paint wet for WAY longer

Dollar Tree Wine Glass boxes

gteichman1 — 2026-02-13 18:39:32 UTC

If you go to dollar tree and ask for the boxes that the wine glasses came in it is PERFECT for traveling with ceramic mugs