This editable Art Syllabus is the perfect way to add a fun to your class syllabus using a Bitmoji. It is perfect for middle school or high school art classes. This file is a google slide and is completely editable, including the pie graph. The downloaded file will instruct you to click on the link for the file. Once you have opened the view only file you will need to make a copy to edit it for your classroom. Note: I added a link for the Pie Chart for editing purposes. If you need to edit the pie chart you will need to make a copy, edit it, then copy the pie chart image and paste it into your syllabus. I also included a short set of instructions on how to add your Bitmoji to the syllabus.

Looking to enhance your art class curriculum with engaging activities? Look no further! Our Negative Space Drawing Worksheet is designed to elevate your middle or high school students' artistic skills while providing them with an enjoyable learning experience. "Great simple drawing worksheet for getting kids to look at negative spaces. Easy to use as an intro lesson, but also could be used as a last minute sub plan! Will use again." — Lacey B. - Rated 5 out of 5 "Awesome skill builder for Negative Space. Kids loved it." - Allison M. - Rated 5 out of 5 "This was a great lesson. All students could be successful and also it furthered their skills and knowledge on composition and space - would also be great substitute teacher plan!" - Created to Create (TpT Seller) Here's why teachers say our worksheet stands out: Practice Makes Perfect: Reinforce Negative Space drawing techniques effectively with this hands-on exercise. Versatile Use: Whether you need a quick activity for early finishers, a substitute art lesson plan, or an extra credit assignment, this worksheet fits the bill perfectly. Easy Grading: Bid farewell to the hassle of misplaced rubrics! With the rubric conveniently located at the bottom of the worksheet, grading becomes quick and effortless. Encourages Creativity: Students are encouraged to infuse their unique creative flair into the negative space, fostering individuality and self-expression. Explore more on mrstfoxresources.com and subscribe to "The Weekly Fabulousness" for teacher freebies and updates. Find hundreds of student work examples on Instagram @mrstfoxresources and Pinterest MrsTFox Resources. Discover exciting free mini-workshops on YouTube cover Drawing, Painting, Classroom Management, and more, complete with valuable classroom resources. Don't forget to leave a review on TpT – your feedback earns credits for future purchases! Thank you for stopping by and enhancing your art curriculum with MrsTFox Resources! Tiffany :)

Can You Draw What Isn't There? Discover a captivating art lesson designed to ignite creativity in your art room! With our Negative Space Chair project, teaching the fundamentals of negative space becomes a breeze. Watch as middle school and high school students dive into the intriguing concept of drawing by focusing on what surrounds an object, adding their unique twist with patterns and colors. Perfect for Art Sub Plans! NEWLY UPDATED Now featuring 12 additional reference images and an exciting student-centered video tutorial! Is your art curriculum missing a key piece? Mastering Negative Space isn't just about drawing—it's about honing observational skills that set the stage for exceptional artwork. Perfect for all skill levels: Whether your middle or high school students are beginners or seasoned artists, this cost-effective lesson serves as an essential building block, paving the way for more advanced techniques like life drawing. Are you ready to make a big impact without breaking the bank? This drawing lesson is perfect for art teachers working within tight budgets or limited supplies. It's a versatile addition to any art curriculum, seamlessly complementing existing coursework and preparing students for further exploration. TECH NOTE: Don't forget to make a copy of the Google tutorial file links for seamless sharing within your district's server area. Lesson is meant to follow Negative Space Stool Worksheet - found HERE Items Included in the Negative Space Chair Lesson: Project Overview Project Overview Teacher Video Tutorial 18-pages - Chair/Rocking Chair/Plant Reference Photos ½ Page Rubric for Chair Project (without directions) Full Page Project Directions and Rubric “All-in-One” Sheet Additional Chair/Rocking Chair Project Directions TWO Student Video Tutorials (diamond back chair and ladder back chair) – great for homebound students, as a homework assignment, early finishers, extra credit, additional practice) Short video of student work (link above) Supply List: Construction paper – various colors for students to choose from Pencils Rulers Colored Pencils Markers Sharpie Pens Ballpoint Pens Please go to mrstfoxresources.com and subscribe to my Sunday newsletter, "The Weekly Fabulousness" for teacher freebies and much more! There are hundreds of examples of student work on both my Instagram @mrstfoxresources and my Pinterest MrsTFox Resources - be sure and check it out! MrsTFox Resources is now on YouTube! Check out the free content and classroom resources :D Don't forget to leave a review on this (or any) resource by logging into your TpT account - TpT is now giving credits toward future purchases for teacher feedback - yay! :) All my best for a safe and productive school year, Thank you for stopping by! tiffany :)

Teach elementary, middle, or high school students a fun technique, with this tape transfer lesson. A quick, mini work of art, perfect intro to mixed media.

Need a fun, engaging, last minute lesson for your sub? This NO PREP needed Crumble Paper Abstract Art drawing tutorial is perfect for middle (6-12), high (9-12), homeschool and upper elementary (3-5th) grades. Compatible with students of any art skill level from beginner to intermediate to advanced. Perfect especially for that crazy week before winter, spring or summer break. This product includes: PDF student handout with color images and instructions PDF tutorial for teacher instruction led PPT version of teacher instruction led

Art Lesson Plans for Art Teachers to save you time and restore your work/life balance. Let The Arty Teacher do the work for you.

Are you on the lookout for an art lesson that not only captivates students but also busts through the barriers of artistic apathy? Look no further – the Acrylic Vektor Painting Project is the perfect solution, designed for middle school and high school art students. Dive into the world of acrylics and witness the magic as students create stunning hues, tints, and shades across the color spectrum. This collaborative painting project is more than just an art lesson; it's an apathy-busting experience that sparks enthusiasm in every brushstroke. The end result? A magnificent display of student creativity that makes a captivating hall exhibit. Recently updated to include NEW student video tutorials. These painting tutorials bring the entire project process to life, providing students with valuable insights and tips. This art project is not just about creating visually appealing paintings; it's a confidence-building lesson that adapts seamlessly to various teaching settings, including distance learning and hybrid or in-person instruction. Students apply color theory principles, acrylic color mixing, and blending skills acquired in previous lessons to craft monochromatic paintings. The challenge lies in using only primary paint colors and white, transforming this project into an excellent opportunity for distance learning or hybrid/in-person art instruction. The emphasis on color exploration and mastery sets the stage for a deeper understanding of artistic expression. The Acrylic Vektor Painting Art Lesson is not just a standalone project; it's part of a scaffolded series of art projects. To maximize its impact, it is recommended to follow the Acrylic Value Scales Lesson and the Impossible Shape Acrylic Painting. The art resource now includes THREE VIDEO TUTORIALS on set up and the painting process, ensuring that both teachers and students have the necessary guidance for a successful artistic endeavor. The Vektor Painting Art Lesson Includes: Teacher Presentation on Painting Project (PDF) NEW Student Presentation (PPT) with Distance Learning Set up Videos Video File Document with THREE Video File Links on Set up and Painting Process Reference Images (used with permission through license purchase) Reference Image and Value Scale Document for Distance Learning (PDF) Transparency Reference Image Rubric for Quick and Easy Grading Value Scale Reference Sheet TOU Agreement - Please Read Witness your art students' amazement and pride as they showcase their collaborative display of paintings. This project not only enhances artistic skills but also creates a sense of accomplishment and camaraderie among students. Visit mrstfoxresources.com and subscribe to "The Weekly Fabulousness" for teacher resources, special product releases and exclusive content. Explore hundreds of student work examples on Instagram @mrstfoxresources and Pinterest MrsTFox Resources. Immerse yourself in FREE mini-workshops on YouTube, covering Drawing, Painting, Classroom Management, and more, complete with valuable classroom resources. Leave a review on TpT – your feedback now earns credits for future purchases! Step into a world of creativity, growth, and inspiration. Wishing you a safe and productive school year with this exceptional Portrait Drawing Unit! Thank you for choosing to make your art room extraordinary! Stay Fabulous, Tiffany :)

Do you struggle with finding interesting ways to teach ESL listening skills? Maybe you have an activity or two already but you want to be able to mix it up and keep things interesting. By the end of…

Symmetry of animals is a great way to engage and teach students drawing skills with a fun animal theme. Symmetry drawing is a fun activity and a way for students to practice drawing, symmetry, while engaging with pictures of animals. To learn more about symmetry of animals worksheets, keep reading!

These 5 geometry projects for middle or high school are a great alternative assessment for your student. Project-based learning is so important to...

Looking for unique post-reading activities to inspire students and provide a sample of their analytical skills? Find high-interest strategies for secondary.

Print these free symmetry worksheets and activity pages to use with your students. Learn about the line of symmetry with these fun pattern challenge worksheets. Students must use logic, reasoning, and spatial skills to draw the reflected pattern across the line of symmetry.

Teach students about ALL of the Art Elements and Principles of Design in one dazzling art lesson! Engaging organic sculpture lesson 8th-12!

Let's dive into some new options to teach vocabulary, for those who have the time and energy to pursue them. In this post and podcast, I'm sharing ten ideas for making the study of vocabulary something students might even look forward to.

If Montezuma had an Instagram account, what would he say when Cortez arrived in 1519? My fourth graders have some ideas. We are finishing our study of the conquests of the Inca and Aztec empires and have been reading about … Continue reading →

This post covers tips to designing a successful middle school art curriculum. It's all about scaffolding, building confidence, and having fun

1. Attach an image (photo, magazine, etc.) to a notebook page and write about it. 2. What things will people in the future say about how we live now? (Examples: They ate that? They believed that?) 3. Pick one from each list to make a creature and animal combination. Now write a short story or scene in which this creature appears. List 1 List 2 Vampire porcupine Ninja armadillo Zombie pig Pirate goat Mummy lobster Clown possum Banshee shark Wraith moray eel 4. Imagine a future in which we each have a personalized robot servant. What would yours be like? What would it do? What features would it have? 5. What does your name mean? Free write about names: names you like, names you don’t, how a name can affect a person’s life, how you feel about your own name, why your parents chose your name, etc. 6. Create a brand new holiday with its own traditions, rituals, foods, and activities. 7. What road-trip would you take if you suddenly could? Write about it. 8. List six true sentences that begin with the words “I'll never forget…” 9. Imagine that we lost all electricity, water, and gas for a month without any time to prepare. Write about how your life would change and how you would survive. 10. Make your bucket list for the next 5 years, the next 10 years, and for life. 11. Tell this story: “Well, I thought it was going to be a regular summer doing all our regular things…” 12. List 10 places in the world that you would most like to visit, 10 places you’ve been, and 10 places you would never want to go. 13. Think about hospitality in your family. What’s it like to have guests in your house? Do you prefer to have friends to your house or to go to a friend’s house? 14. Pick a family member of two and write about his or her reputation in your family, or tell a family legend. 15. A guitar pick, a red balloon, and a wicker basket. Write a scene or a poem that includes these three objects. 16. What animal would judge us the most? Write a scene (based on truth or fiction) where two or more people are doing something silly, and they're being observed and criticized by animals. 17. Write about your own worst family vacation memory. 18. Write about your best family vacation memory. 19. Imagine that someone says to you, “Because that's how we've always done it!” Write this out as a scene. (Think: Who said it, what were the circumstances, how did you respond, etc.) 20. What do you think about when you can't sleep? Turn it into a piece of writing. 21. What traditions does your family have? List all of them or just pick one and write about it. 22. Think about your strongest emotion right now (irritation, boredom, happiness, contentment, etc.) and find five quotes about this emotion. 23. What do you struggle with the most? Write about it. 24. Write a self-portrait. 25. What can we learn from contrast? Write a description of something very dark (like a crow) in a very light place (like a field of snow). Make the dark thing seem innocent and the light thing seem ominous. 26. Write about someone who has no enemies. Is it even possible? 27. Think of a person from your past who really deserved a good scolding but never got one. Write a fictional piece where you tell that person off intelligently. 28. Can honesty honestly be bad? Write about someone, fact or fiction, who gets in trouble for being too truthful. 29. The word “fat” carries a negative connotation. Write a story or observation where something fat is celebrated. 30. What animal lives beneath your human skin? A mouse? A cougar? Or what? Explain with writing. 31. Write about the best piece of advice you ever received. 32. Remember a favorite book from your childhood. Write a scene that includes you and an old copy of that book you find somewhere. --> 33. “I was so mortified, I wanted to crawl in a hole!” Write a short narrative (fiction or nonfiction) where this is your first sentence. Illustrate it if you want. 34. Should books ever be banned? Discuss. If no, explain why. You might want to look at a least of commonly banned books. If yes, explain under what circumstances. 35. Ernest Hemingway said to “write hard and clear about what hurts.” Write about something that hurts, whether it’s an emotional, physical, or phantom pain. 36. What if everyone had to wear a shirt with his or her Myers-Briggs personality type on it? What would this change? How would this affect the way people interact with each other? Would you like this or hate it? (If you don’t know your “type,” try this site. 37. William Shakespeare wrote that: “Conversation should be pleasant without scurrility, witty without affectation, free without indecency, learned without conceitedness, novel without falsehood.” Write your thoughts about conversation, or make up dialogue between two characters who are meeting each other for the first time in an unexpected place. 38. Tell this story: “There it was, finally. Our island. Our very own island. It looked beautiful above the waves of fog, but there was still one question to be answered: why had they sold it to us for only five dollars?” 39. Maya Angelou said “I’ve learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way s/he handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights.” Tell a story in which a character has to deal with one, two, or all three of these scenarios. How does your character respond? 40. You have a chance to go back and completely re-do an event in your life. What is it, and how to you change it? What is the outcome? This can be a real or fictional event. 41. Pick two characters from different books you’ve read this year and have them get in an argument about something (e.g., who has suffered more, who has had a happier life, etc.). 42. The one shoe in the road: why is it there? Write a story about the circumstances that led to one shoe in the middle of the road. 43. You get to guest star on a TV show. What show is it? What happens in this particular episode? 44. What would you pack in your suitcase if you could not go home again? 45. You can only use 20 words for the rest of your life. You can repeat them as often as you wish, but you can only use these words. What are they? 46. What current fashion in clothing do you particularly like or dislike? Why? 47. Choose five symbols or objects that represent you. Why did you choose these things? 48. "When I stepped outside, the whole world smelled like…" Write a scene that starts with that line. 49. Write a poem entitled "Hitchhiking on a Saturday Afternoon." 50. Use these two lines of dialogue in a story: "What's in your hand?" "It's mine. I found it." 51. Write a scene that happens in a parking lot between a teenager and a man in a convertible. 52. If you only had one window to look out of for the next six months, what would you want to see on the other side? Describe the view. How would it change? 53. Write a story for children. Start with “Once upon a time” or “Long ago in a land far away.” Include a dragon, a deadly flower, and a mask. 54. "Did she actually just say that?" Write a scene that includes this line. 55. “Call it a clan, call it a network, call it a tribe, call it a family. Whatever you call it, whoever you are, you need one.” — Jane Howard. Write what comes to mind when you read this quote. 56. List five things you want in a relationship. 57. List ten favorite lines from movies. 58. Write about the biggest mistake you made this week. Now write about the best thing you did this week. 59. What is the very first memory that you have? Write about it. 60. What if your pet could only talk to you at midnight for an hour? 61. Write an acrostic poem using your full name and three words that describe you—good and bad— for each letter. For example, S: sensitive, stubborn, smiling. A: artistic, argumentative, agoraphobic M: melodramatic, moody, magical 62. What if you could create your own TV show with all your friends and loved ones as the cast? What kind of show would it be and who would play which parts? 63. Take a photo or draw a picture of every place you go in a day. Put the pictures or drawings in your journal. 64. A to Z: Make an alphabetical list of advice for someone who is about to become a teenager. For example: A: ask forgiveness, not permission. B.: bake cookies. C.: cook something delicious once a month. D: don't compare yourself to others. 65. Find 10 quotes about happiness. 66. Write about 5 things you'd rather be doing right now. 67. Write out the lyrics to your favorite song. Find some pictures to illustrate the song. 68. Who do you spend the most time talking to? Siblings, parents, friends? Make a list of who you actually talk to during the day and estimate the amount of time invested in each individual. Does the list reveal your priorities? Is it proportional to what is important to you? Make notes of what you talk about in your daily conversations. 69. Find a quote for each month of the year. 70. Animals can sometimes seem remarkably human. Describe an experience with an animal that acted in a very human way. 71. Imagine you opted to have yourself frozen for 50 years. Describe your first days unfrozen, 50 years in the future. 72. Imagine that you are an astronaut who has been doing research on the moon for three years. You are do to go back to earth in a week when nuclear war breaks out on earth. You watch the earth explode. Then what? 73. Create a menu from a fictitious restaurant. Make sure the restaurant has a theme, such as Classic Books, and the food should all be given appropriate names (e.g., “Mockingbird Pie”). 74. Preconceived notions are often false. Describe a time when you discovered that a preconceived notion of yours (about a person, place, or thing) turned out to be wrong. 75. Create a story using words of one-syllable only, beginning with a phrase such as: “The last time I saw her, she...” “From the back of the truck...” “On the night of the full moon...” “The one thing I know for sure…” 76. Describe a significant person (teacher, neighbor, mentor, coach, parent, sibling, sweetheart) with as many physical details as possible and as many similes as possible. (E.g., “Her hair was as golden as straw.”) 77. Write about your first name—why you were given it, what associations or stories are attached to it, what you think or know it means. Do the same for your last name. What name would you give yourself other than the one you actually have? 78. Parents are our first and most important teachers. Describe a valuable lesson you learned from one of your parents. 79. Imagine a moral dilemma (for example, you see someone shoplift or a friend tells a blatant lie to her parents about where she was last night) and explain what you would do and why you would do it. 80. Review an obituary, birth, or a section from the police record or classified ads section of a local newspaper. Choose one and tell the story behind it. 81. List the most attractive things about your current hometown. Now list the most unattractive things. 82. Come up with a list of nouns and a second list of verbs, all of one syllable each. Describe a scene or situation, using a minimum of ten words from each list. 83. Where is your happy place? Write about it and include a picture or drawing. 84. Create a how-to manual for something you can do well (make a craft, bake cookies, restring a guitar, apply make up, etc.). Describe the process so that someone else could complete the task based on your directions. Use present tense verbs. 85. Free write on this quote by Samuel Johnson: “Ignorance, when voluntary, is criminal.” 86. Find a favorite quote and work it into an illustration. (Inspiration here.) 87. Make a soundtrack for your life so far. List songs that describe you or different times of your life. (Make the actual soundtrack on Spotify, etc. too!) 88. Sometimes we find ourselves in situations that force us to face our deepest fears. Tell about a time when you had to face one of your greatest fears—or make up the story. 89. You’re a talk show host. Pick two guests. Why did you choose them? Are they people who get along, or people with vastly different viewpoints? Write about the episode. 90. What three books do you think should be required reading for everyone? Why? 91. “What you don’t know what hurt you.” Write a story that begins with this statement. 92. Free write on this quote by Woodrow Wilson: “Friendship is the only cement that will hold the world together.” 93. According to a Czechoslovakian proverb, “Better a lie that soothes than a truth that hurts.” Agree or disagree? Explain. 94. Rewrite “The Tale of the Three Little Pigs” by using people that you know as the pigs and the wolf. 95. There is a saying that you should be careful what you wish for, because you just might get it. Describe a time when you wished for something and got it—and then wished you hadn’t—or make up a story in which this happens to the character. 96. As the saying goes, “rules are meant to be broken.” Tell about a time when you broke the rules and what happened as a result. 97. "That's not what I meant!" Write a story that has this line in it somewhere. 98. A blue trash can, a red picture frame, a teddy bear with the stuffing falling out, and a padlock. Put these four items somewhere in a story, scene, or poem. 99. Write your name in outline letters on a whole sheet of paper. Now fill in each letter with words you like that begin with that letter. For example: 100. Make a word collage of who YOU are. Use pictures too, if desired. **HURRAH! You can now purchase this as a digital PDF ($2) at Teachers Pay Teachers. For more creative writing ideas, check out my free WordSmithery creative writing lessons and my popular Ultimate Guide to Creative Writing Resources! Check out 100 other 100 Things posts from the bloggers at iHomeschool Network! Do you have it yet? The Big Book of Homeschooling Ideas—a collaboration of over 50 authors with 103 chapters— is now available! Don't miss this amazing resource!

Simple and straightforward practice worksheet for value and shading. It provides step-by-step directions, accompanied by pictured examples for reference.I created this for my high school Art class students, but it can easily be used for middle school or college.

Surrealism - This one-page Surrealism Art Lesson asks your students to create a drawing that combines 2 drawings together - you end up with a set of 3 drawings. This task is within keeping of Surrealist movement where artists would transform or morph one object into another. This worksheet creates a...

Phonics Activities for Older Students! 15 NO PREP printables for 5-15 minute sessions or anywhere in between to fit your intervention schedule. This packet is perfect for any middle and high school student with reading disabilities or any student who struggles with basic decoding or word recognition. As a 6th-12th grade Special Education teacher, I struggled to engage older students in any available phonics, decoding or "Wilson-esque" materials since they were all catered to primary students. Most phonics materials feature large bubble letters and pictures intended for young children. When confronted with these materials, my students shut down in embarrassment or a defeated sense of apathy. I created these materials to ensure my older students felt challenged and empowered to improve their decoding and word recognition. Every worksheet contains 1+ new word parts/sounds along with 9 more advanced root words and accompanying vocabulary. This empowers students to improve not only decoding ability but also vocabulary and reading comprehension. This advanced component makes students feel more motivated and empowered. These worksheets can be read again and again until students retain pronunciation and vocabulary. I used this with my 3 most struggling students with IEPs and 2 of them were declassified after 25 one-on-one sessions. SIMPLE-DIRECTIONS: Each of the 15 NO PREP printable worksheets is meant to be read through one-on-one between teacher and student. Teachers simply need to point to each word or word-part as students read it aloud, verbally prompting and correcting when students mispronounce a word/word-part. STEP-BY-STEP DIRECTIONS: Use all 15 NO PREP printable worksheets, starting with # 1 and ending with #15. Have the student read through 1 to 3 worksheets in each session and consider repeating entire worksheets at follow-up sessions, if necessary. Each worksheet is meant to be read through one-on-one between one teacher and one student. The same as reading a regular text, start at the top left of the page with line #1 and point to each word or word-part, prompting the student to read each word aloud as you point to it (moving from top-left to bottom-right). Simply point to each and every word or word-part to prompt the student to read it aloud. Move as quickly or slowly as necessary between each word/word-part depending on the student's fluency. If the student mispronounces the word or word-part, point to the word again while correctly pronouncing the word aloud, then have the student repeat your correct pronunciation and move on to the next word / word-part. **YOU MAY ALSO LIKE** ELA Print and Go Lesson Plans ELA Task Cards Novel Studies Culturally Relevant ELA Lessons Emotional Intelligence SEL Curriculum Social Justice & Global Citizenship Curriculum Poetry Lessons & Units Writing & Grammar Units Holiday Print and Go Lesson Plans Social Studies Lessons & Units ELA Rubrics and Assessments Differentiation & SpEd Professional Development *** VISIT MY WEBSITE FOR TEACHING RESOURCES & TIPS SUBSCRIBE FOR WEEKLY INSPIRATION

After a decade of teaching high school art, I've recently moved to teaching middle school art. It's a blast and there is truly NEVER a dull moment. Through some trial and error, I've learned that some projects are more engaging than others. Below are some of my favorite middle school art projects that have yielded

Are your students disinterested and tired of the traditional ways of learning characterization? Have you been searching for a really fun, student-centered, interactive way to eliminate their boredom? Well, look no further! I present to you a wonderful student-collaboration activity that will get your students involved and excited for a character analysis for any novel, […]

If you have any variation of independent reading in your middle or high school English class, you've undoubtedly faced challenges at some point in the experience. Unlike the enthusiasm for reading in primary grades (think stickers, SSR, take-home bags, cute reading nooks, etc.), it's a huge accomplishment in secondary to get students to read anything, much less doing so with a stocked classroom library, fair assessments, and anything resembling enthusiasm. When many of our kids are over-committed, how do we make reading habits enjoyable, instead of just assigning tasks that just feel like more work? Though I won't pretend to have all the answers for every reader and every type of classroom, I *can* tell you 15+ solutions that helped me teach independent reading programs over the last six years, to four grade levels and two school settings (urban and suburban/private). Why Independent Reading, Though? This book is gold! (Link to Amazon) Before I share these tips, let me clarify that I'm a Kelly Gallagher fan and believe firmly that teens should read as much as possible, without "killing the book" by over-teaching and over-assigning it. On the other hand, if your students are reluctant or growing readers, then even finishing one book per month might be an accomplishment. It's all about getting them to read the same or more than they are now, right? My Story: Starting from Nothing During my master's program, I was studying motivation and reading for my thesis/portfolio, and I was hell-bent on bringing some level of independent reading to my inner-city classes of sophomores and seniors for student teaching. However, despite my amazing mentor teacher, there was no classroom library, the school library was under-funded, and the kids had NO buy-in. The regular-English class of sophomores were outwardly priding themselves on having NEVER FINISHED A WHOLE BOOK BEFORE, and my AP Lang seniors felt that they had too much homework to squeeze in any more reading. So, with the help of book drives, volunteers, and various kinds of coercing on my part... We built a classroom library. My "Book of the Month" system was born. We had guest speakers come talk about reading. We made time in class to read (and/or talk about) books. And, according to the letters that I got from students at the end of my time (which they were NOT required to write), many were "converted" to reading, before it was too late. Nowadays, I teach in a private middle school with a district that requires use of Accelerated Reader (which kids hate) and have a lot of over-committed students (who think they have no time for reading). My challenges have changed, but the solutions I used in both settings really haven't. So trust me, I know how hard it is to start (and enforce) independent reading. But the steps below have helped me a lot, and they can help you, too. Top 15 Tips for Your Program So here are a few solutions to think about before or during your choice reading requirements for your English class. 1. Start with a quantity within their ZPD. At the beginning of your program, ease into the length and/or quantity of books you require. Let them pick up shorter books at first, and don't be afraid of giving them plenty of time to finish the book (before assigning shorter deadlines later). When I helped teach sophomores and AP Lang, the one thing both classes had in common was my Book of the Month requirement, and it was a hit at both levels! 2. Teach students how to pace reading to meet a deadline. We teachers HAVE to stop passing out books, assigning a deadline, and just saying "go." The sink-or-swim approach does little to actually teach students to pace themselves, and it probably won't help them like the experience, either. I like using these pacing bookmarks to help my eighth graders calculate the number of pages they need to read per day to meet a deadline; it promotes more consistent reading instead of trying to fly through 150 pages the night before it's due. 3. Let some books end with just opinion or reflection. Yes, some texts will end with summative assessments, AR quizzes, or your own check for understanding. But not every book needs to end with work (and you don't need to grade everything, either.) 4. Use reverse psychology. One of the best ways to get a teen interested after all is to tell them they're not allowed to. Even if it's not September, try this banned books mini-unit to get students reading commonly challenged CHOICE books (that they negotiate with you and their parents). 5. Make them watch the movie version. Yes, this activity is fun, BUT more importantly, it's extremely important for weak readers who have a hard time visualizing the text. You don't have to play the movie in-class, either. Make students do the work of picking the book/movie combo (including getting parent permission based on film ratings), and then let them generate heated opinions of which version (book or movie) was better. Start here for more ideas. 6. Eliminate excuses for acquiring books. Don't have books at home? Get them from school. Don't have time for the school library? Get a cart of books from there. Don't have a classroom library? Do what I did and ask your local Half Price Books (or whoever) to work with you on a Book Drive for your classroom! Need more copies? If you qualify, set up a Donors Choose account. 7. Let books become gifts. I always make a big deal out of it when new books arrive in the mail or when I've been shopping. I bring it into the room in its shopping bag/box and "unwrap" it in front of them, turning it into a suspense-filled book talk. You can also literally gift them back and forth: let kids donate books to the classroom, and if you have the funds, buy a book for each kid at some point in the year. 8. Add a teacher book talk once a week. Just make a starting goal to hold up and discuss ONE book for five minutes or less, once per week. You need to model what enthusiastic chatter about books looks like, especially if no other adult does. Plus, it will help them branch out into different books (other than the popular ones already being circulated in teen word-of-mouth). 9. Make STUDENTS give the book talks. I have a Student-Led Book Talks Project that lets students recommend one book, a series, or a themed collection in a short (graded) presentation. Book talks that come directly from students always have WAY more cred than ones from a teacher (even if they trust your book judgment)! 10. Do a buddy read. If ever, they probably haven't been allowed to read a book with just one buddy since elementary school. Maybe one month is a required Partner Read month in your class, in which both have to agree on a book and do a culminating partner assignment together! 11. Allow one "re-read". Let just ONE of the books be a reread of a book from the past 2-5 years (assuming it's a reasonable choice, difficulty-wise). Let them feel the confidence-booster of being older and smarter, noticing more as they read it again. Ask them to reflect on what they got out of the text the second time! 12. Make decorative book reviews that last. I did this Quote Analysis and Artwork project as prep for an author visit last year, and it gave us cool Pinterest-style illustrated quotes to hang on lockers or walls! 13. Bring in (free) guest speakers. I know this may vary, but our local librarians do free school visits to recommend books to students, especially if it's at the end of the year (to promote their summer reading program). See if a library or bookstore is willing to talk to your class! During student teaching, I also had college students visit my sophomores and seniors to talk about their reading habits (both their required reading in college classes and what they read for fun). 14. Get a (free) author visit. Many authors do free (or cheap) Skype visits, or sometimes even in-person ones if they're local. Ask your school or local library for ideas, or check out websites like this one that provide lists. Not going to work out? TWEET AT THE AUTHOR and see if you get a reply! (I did this last year, and you can read about it in my TED posts.) 15. Give them TIME. I saved this for last because I know it's the hardest one - making time to give students in-class reading time. I've done this several ways in the past - doing it as my bell-ringer (while I take attendance), or doing a longer period of time once a week (so I can circulate the room and check reading logs/progress, etc.). Do whatever works for you, but once a week for 20 minutes is better than nothing, and it may give them a chance to RELAX in the middle of the school day! For More Info If you want help getting your program started, you can get my rubrics, logs, and other forms HERE in my Book of the Month programs for middle school and high school! And if you want to see my other lessons and tools for teaching literature, just click here. What advice would you add to this list? Tell me in the comments!

With so many of my BIG KIDS struggling with fluency, I worked to make it a part of my daily work with students, a Tier 1 intervention that the majority of the class could benefit from. Reading fluency incorporates three main components: speed, accuracy, and prosody, which directly impact comprehension. While I have shared a great deal about incorporating 6-Minute Solutions, here are a few other ways I worked to make fluency fun for my 6th graders.

Listen to this Special Ed Podcast with 15 great ideas for Functional Centers for students with Intellectual Disabilities and Autism in High School. Read more and subscribe today!

After a decade of teaching high school art, I've recently moved to teaching middle school art. It's a blast and there is truly NEVER a dull moment. Through some trial and error, I've learned that some projects are more engaging than others. Below are some of my favorite middle school art projects that have yielded

10 Creative Art Activities for Kids, including free printable drawing prompts and art collages, plus many more creative art ideas!

This post explains how teachers can use an academic version of the highly engaging Spoons game to review concepts. Free games included!

Motivate students with independent reading by adding engaging reading sprints...turn the traditional reading log upside down!

Here’s a few classroom procedures that have worked well for me – and a couple awesome ideas I’ve run across since I’ve stepped out of the classroom...

Start your morning or class period with Agenda Slides for Powerpoint and Google Slides! Are you doing virtual or remote learning with your upper grade students? Looking for low-prep digital templates that are both editable and beautiful? These middle & high school slides are the perfect tool for your lessons and meetings! Other resources you may love: ❤️ Digital Vocabulary Notebook ❤️ Writing Activities Choice Board ❤️ World Kindness Informational Text This resource includes: ⭐️ A secured PPT file plus a Google Slides™ version ⭐️ 7 background & color designs ⭐️ 10 editable templates, including: ⭐️ 2 morning message slides ⭐️ Objectives ⭐️ Agenda ⭐️ Reminders ⭐️ Quote ⭐️ Head to Google Classroom™ ⭐️ Head to SeeSaw™ ⭐️ 2 blank designs CHECK OUT THE VIDEO PREVIEW TO SEE ALL OF YOUR OPTIONS! Read more on my blog: ✏️ Teachers Who Love Teaching, Love Learning Too Let's Connect: Website Instagram Pinterest Earn TpT Credits: If you are happy with this resource, please consider leaving feedback and a rating! When you review your paid resources, you will earn money to spend on future purchases! Check your Account Balance > TpT Credits Earned! With Kindness, Gina T.

In this “classic” Calvert project, sixth graders first learned about the history of tessellations (and artist M.C. Escher, who is famous for his unique tessellations like the one pictured here) before creating one of their own. Tessellations, which have been around for thousands of years, are a special kind of pattern/design made from repeating shapes called polygons (closed shapes with three or more sides). In tessellation designs, congruent polygons fit together like jigsaw puzzle pieces that repeat again and again- they could go on forever! Students painted their unique tessellation designs using acrylic paint in a warm or cool color scheme of their choice. To create the portrait, on a separate piece of paper, students traced the light and dark areas of their faces using a projected digital photograph. Using the opposite color scheme from their background, they painted their portrait, making sure that the light and dark areas were highly contrasting. Here are the colorful finished pieces!

By the end of the school year, we have our classrooms running like well-oiled machines. The students know what to do, when to do it, and what to expect from

Looking for a way to get students to have fun learning new words AND remember them longer? Try these brain-based vocabulary activities.

3 Essential Downloads for the First Day of School Expectations % %