Emily Lantigua Class in Action by Emily Lantigua

emilymlantigua — 2025-04-04 17:16:10 UTC

This photo shows our “Artist of the Week” wall—an ongoing classroom tradition that highlights one student each week. Beside the featured art is a “Say Something Nice” envelope, where classmates are invited to write anonymous notes complimenting the artist or their work throughout the week. At the end of the week, I give all the kind notes to the featured student.

This strategy helps build a positive learning environment by promoting peer recognition, boosting student confidence, and creating a sense of belonging in our art room. It encourages students to support one another, celebrate creativity, and express kindness in a meaningful way. For many students, this weekly spotlight becomes a moment of pride and motivation, reinforcing that their voice and vision matter.

emilymlantigua — 2025-04-14 01:09:10 UTC

The labeled cart system allows students to independently turn in their completed work to their homeroom teacher’s section. This simple routine supports effective classroom management by promoting organization, consistency, and accountability. It also fosters a positive learning environment by encouraging student independence, building confidence, and respecting their ability to take responsibility for their learning.

emilymlantigua — 2025-04-21 00:52:40 UTC

In my digital art class, after every project, we hold a class presentation session where each student shares their completed work with their peers. During this time, students talk about their artistic choices, tools they used, and the steps they took throughout their creative process. Classmates are encouraged to ask thoughtful questions and give positive, constructive feedback. This routine creates a culture of accountability and pride—students are motivated to work hard and produce quality work because they know they’ll have the opportunity to present and be recognized by their peers. This system not only increases student engagement, but also builds confidence, communication skills, and a strong classroom community. It fosters a safe, supportive environment where every student’s voice and effort are valued, promoting respect, collaboration, and authentic learning.

emilymlantigua — 2025-04-30 17:49:25 UTC

In my art classroom, I use a treasure box filled with small rewards to recognize students who consistently demonstrate positive behavior, strong work ethic, or growth in their artistic skills. This strategy increases engagement by motivating students to stay focused, follow directions, and take pride in their work. It also encourages perseverance and attention to detail—key elements of rigor in art. The treasure box system supports a positive learning environment by reinforcing respectful behavior, celebrating effort, and creating a classroom culture where students feel valued and encouraged to do their best.

emilymlantigua — 2025-05-06 19:16:17 UTC

In my Art Club, students created a mural together titled “Kindness Makes Me Bloom,” where each student will be able to share a message describing how they show kindness to others. This collaborative project supports character formation by encouraging students to reflect on and share their own positive behaviors, while also recognizing the impact of kindness in a community. Through discussion and creative expression, students practiced empathy, self-awareness, and communication skills—key components of strong interpersonal development. The finished mural serves as a visual reminder of our shared values and a celebration of the kindness that helps our classroom and school community grow.