Distance Learning: Student Contact Log

Happy Monday!

Our district has been doing distance learning for three weeks and I wanted to share this "Student Contact Log" I created and have been using.

For our students, we need to track a couple of things:

1. Tasks Assigned (Projects, questions, etc)
2. Contact we've had with students (Via email, Live class sessions, Personal comments in Google Classroom, and Other)
3. Grades (we use the online software Empower and a four point grading system)

WHAT I LIKE ABOUT THIS FORM:

I can track all sorts of things, such as: what I've asked from students, what they've done and when I've heard from them and there's a comment area so I can write when I've had to reach out to guidance, or a parent, etc. It's all available at a glance. 

Click here to view the form.

But no matter what you are doing in your school, you may need a system for keeping track of it all. Check out this form and feel free to make a copy and make it your own.

My advice: Just keep it simple. If this is too much (or not enough), then create something even better. We are all under an enormous strain right now. We need to keep things as manageable (read: easy) as possible!

We've got this!

Getting Ready For A New School Year--LINKS TO CHECK OUT!

Hi there!

We start school later than many of you, so as of September 8th, I've just finished my first week back. I wanted to post links to a few resources I found online that I used to get my room ready. I think you'll find them useful--I surely did!

Stuff I Did For Me:

I love to be prepared and have nicely organized "stuff" but I don't think I need to reinvent the wheel. There are so many teachers out there that have wonderful ideas for classroom organization that I'm constantly "Pinning." Even though I teach Middle School Art, I do not only look for solutions that art artroom- or middle school-exclusive. I think we can find inspiration anywhere! This year, though, I wanted to actually DO some of the ideas I "pinned," so here's what I have done so far:

Organizing Files: I really loved the "30 Minute File Cabinet Makeoever" that I saw at Kate's Science Classroom Cafe. I had all of my files from last year in hanging file folders, but they weren't easy to find and just weren't working for me--I tried her system and LOVE it!!

Detail from "30 Minute File Cabinet Makeover"
from Kate's Science Classroom Cafe

The To-Do List: I love post-it notes and use them constantly, but sometimes (ALL THE TIME) I misplace them or lose them. This Fancy To-Do List Printable from The Colorful Apple is a perfect idea that will keep my post-it To-Do's organized! I printed this form out, laminated it and have it as page one in my teacher binder (what I use as a calendar and plan book). Love it!!

Detail from The Colorful Apple

My Plan Book and Calendar: Yeah, I'm not so good with remembering dates. I am notorious for showing up somewhere at the wrong time or or on the wrong day. But this year--It's going to be different!! I am also known for buying a planner, using it for approximately three months and then discarding it. Perhaps that is why I am horrible with dates and times....hmmmm....Anyhow! One of the teachers at school uses The Happy Planner and I found this Teacher Edition at Michaels and knew I had to try it (I mean, it comes with stickers and everything!). I am SO HAPPY I did! I can actually use it as a plan book and it is so nice to be able to layout my plans for my art classes in an easy-to-see format. I also use this for my personal dates and reminders as well. I am happy to report I haven't missed an appointment yet (although it's only been a month!).

Detail of The Happy Planner, Teacher Edition

My Toolbox: I love office supplies and when I am working I like to have what I need nearby. I saw online that teachers were making these teacher toolboxes and I knew that when I got my own classroom I would be making this ASAP! Last summer I made this and I loved it. It's right by my desk and I can reach it easily. I cannot live without it. It helps that is is SUPER cute thanks to the printables from Teach Create Motivate at Teacher Pay Teachers.

Detail from the Teacher Toolbox Printables
From Teach Create Motivate

Emergency Sub Plan (Notans): Planning for a sub is hard--especially if you (or your kids) are already sick. Last year, I had a pet emergency one morning and before I could take my cat to the emergency vet, I needed to go in and write emergency sub lessons--talk about stressful!! This year, I got smart! I found this Notan Lesson from Teach and Shoot and thought it would be perfect as an emergency sub lesson. So, I printed out her handouts (enough for every student in my four classes--in case I am out on a day when I see all four of the classes I teach), cut black paper squares and white paper (enough for all of said students to create this lesson) and took ALL of those things along with a copy of the directions I had laminated and placed EVERYTHING in a clear plastic tote labeled "Emergency Sub Lesson" and placed it in view near my desk. Glue sticks and scissors are always available in a prominent area of my classroom, so I didn't need to include those. WHEW, now I am ready in case of an emergency absence. I think this project could last two class period in my room.

Detail from the Notan Lesson
From Teach and Shoot

Easy Desk-top Paper Organization: This simple desk-top solution for daily materials organization from Juice Boxes and Crayolas seemed like a great idea to me. I usually use tagboard file folders for my papers that I need to copy and a desk-top bin for papers to file and another bin for papers to grade. This just seemed like what I was already doing, but more uniform. It seems to be better for me.

Detail from Juice Boxes and Crayolas

Well, that's it for now! What did YOU for yourself to get ready for this school year? Post your ideas in the comments section below (with a link) so that we can be inspired!

Here's to a wonderful start to the new school year!

Out with the old! Art catalog magnets

So, are you feeling the urge to organize your classroom, your paperwork, your art space? No, me neither! Just kidding!

But if you are throwing out some old magazines and art catalogs, here's a great project that you really should try (I know you've probably seen it everywhere)! Take a couple of those great art catalogs from last year (Crystal Publications catalogs are my favorite for this!) and grab a few inexpensive art supplies and get crafting! The reason I love the art catalogs is that they have tons of little images of art posters that are the perfect size for this project. It's sort of addicting once you get started--it's so fun to create your own gallery of art magnets!

You can also use magazine images and text (Family Fun magazine is another favorite of mine) if you like more random images and funky text for your magnets. You may be able to use your own images--just make sure they are laser color copies and not inkjet since the ink will bleed when you brush on the Mod Podge.

These make a nice little gift when you display them in a unique way. I had my art students attach them to a piece of card stock and slip them into a zip-top bag, but I've seen people put them in an old Altoids tin. The would be nice on a card that looked like a fancy frame (or maybe a whole bunch of little frames with one magnet in each frame)--really the sky's the limit on how you can present these. They are great gift for the artsy people in your life! (hint, hint!)

Art Catalog Magnets

Supplies Needed:

• Old art catalogs or magazines
• 1" clear glass "blobs" from the dollar store--these were bigger than the standard 1/2" blobs that I use for other projects
• 1" circle template (see below)
• Pencil
• Scissors
• Mod Podge
• Foam brush
• Palette for Mod Podge
• Newspapers for work surface
• Circle magnets (I bought mine at Michael's for $7 for a pack of 50 magnets, I think)
• Super glue (I tried jewelry glue but, WHEW! it stunk--serious brain cell killing going on with that stuff!)

Directions:

1. Create your template/viewing window: I used a 1" circle punch to punch a hole in a scrap piece of white card stock. I then used this 1" hole to view my art catalog images and select the images for my magnets. Clear, bright images work best. I also suggested to my students that they take one of the glass blobs and place it over any images that were questionable to see if they would read easily--most are fine.

2. Once you find an image that would work well for you magnet, use the template and pencil to trace a circle onto the image. Cut out using scissors.

3. Use the foam brush to brush a bit of Mod Podge onto the flat side of the glass blob. Place your image face down onto the Mod Podge and brush another coat of Mod Podge onto the back of the image. Set aside to dry thoroughly.

4. When you are sure the image is completely dry on the glass blob (give it a couple hours), add a dot of Super glue to the back of the glass blob and place a magnet on top. Allow the glue to dry according to manufacturer's directions before using.

5. ENJOY!