How do you deal with safety in the classroom?

The way that I plan to keep my classroom a safe place is by keeping the students informed. By informed I mean that I will make students aware of the materials they are using as well as the rules. Some materials are dangerous if they are not used properly so I think it is highly important to have a demonstration. At the beginning of the class it is also important to show students safety hazards there might be with in the classroom. I think it is also not a bad idea to remind students of these safety measures as you go incase they may have forgotten.

What can students expect on the first day?

On the first day of class I think it is important to start off with introductions and rule sharing.

I would start the day off by giving a short introduction to myself. This maybe the first time some of the students have had me so it’s a good idea to let them know who I am.  This is also a perfect opportunity to get to know some of my students and become familiar with names. So I might start with a quick activity or icebreaker that would be modified according to age levels in order to get to know my students. 

The next thing that I would do is go over the rules and expectations. It is important that students understand right away what they can expect in the classroom. This way they know what you are expecting as the class progresses. 

Things Learned Thus Far...

Currently I am a still a student embarking on a journey to becoming an art educator.  The things I have learned this past year have been extremely rewarding to me. The experiences I have had within the schools and in the classroom have given me a great amount of insight as I step closer to having my own classroom someday.

Through my multicultural experiences I have begun to understand how important it is to embrace our differences. Often time’s people want everyone to be the same but the truth is we are all different and from those differences we can learn from each other. So, understanding this I hope to bring a more multi-cultural standpoint to my teaching.

Through my experiences I have also seen how encouragement and respect can bring a student to a whole new level.  One of the greatest ways to obtain respect is by letting the students understand that you care.  You are stern with the rules but you are also willing to get to know them. It’s the simple acts that sometimes let them know you are really there for them. In each of my experiences I have found that students accept the encouragement you give them if they really feel like there is a level of respect.

Certainly this is only a small fragment of the many things, which I have learned.  I think the most important understanding for myself is knowing that every time I step into the classroom I feel like I am on the right path.  I truly want to help these students learn and find their passions while teaching them about a subject I am passionate about.