Art Ed Radio

Being able to think creatively is a vitally important skill to every area in education, and of course, art teachers do it best. Art is the vehicle for training students' brains to be passionate about learning, creativity, and leadership. Andrew brings on an important outside voice, business leader Mike Wagner, to discuss arts and the ability to create innovative leaders for the future. Listen for their discussion on embracing divergent thinking (6:00), the meaning of innovation (12:30), and most importantly, how to advocate for the arts and creativity (17:00).  Resources and Links: Mike's TEDx talk--The Positive Power of Being Strange How to Teach for Creativity Thinking About Design Process Thinking Take a look at AOE's Project Based Learning course

The Project Doctors have returned! Back by popular demand, Andrew, and former AOE writer, Alecia Kaczmarek, team up with Tim to answer mailbag questions on classroom management, teaching different media, and even how to make writing in your classroom interesting and exciting. Listen for their open and honest discussion on why you need to keep your cool in tough situations (2:45), the importance of writing in your classroom--and how to make it interesting (14:30), and learning to love projects you can't stand teaching (21:00).  Resources and Links: Inexpensive Sculpture Ideas  Andrew's article on writing about art Tim's favorite writing activity Simple Watercolor Techniques

Special needs students are an absolute joy to teach, but it can undoubtedly be a struggle at times. Andrew brings on AOE writer and friend of the podcast Abby Schukei to talk about the best ways--and best reasons--to make accommodations for all of your different students. They discuss why teachers are so poorly prepared to differentiate our instruction (3:45), specific strategies to find success with students with special needs (9:30), and the difference between inclusivity in your standard curriculum and a curriculum specifically written for an adaptive art class (15:00).  Resources and Links: Resources and Links: Here is Abby's article that Andrew mentioned in the opening 3 Ways to Better Work with Teaching Aides in the Art Room 5 Adaptations You Can Make for the Art Room TODAY! 

What exactly can you get away with in your art room? Tim and Andrew dish about the dangerous things they've done in their classroom, and why taking risks can lead to better learning and even more artistic results. The guys discuss safety, supervision, and the importance of pre-teaching when you use these materials (7:45). They also address when to take risks and when to play it safe (12:00), as well as balancing the benefits of dangerous artworks vs. the drawbacks that come with risk-taking (14:00).  Resources and Links: Luke Nielsen's video that Tim mentioned on Painting with Fire How to Throw Things at Your Students (And Get Away With It!) A Guide to Hazardous Materials in the Art Room Creating Space for Risk

The fight to keep the art room clean and organized can sometimes seem like a never-ending battle. But is it worth all of the time and effort? Andrew tries to convince Tim about the benefits of letting the mess happen, and Tim takes a shot at convincing Andrew he can actually learn to be organized. They discuss how the right routines can lead to a clean classroom (10:00), and why the projects you teach sometimes force you to keep a mess (12:30). They finish the show with some of their best tips and tricks to keep the mess and the chaos of their worst projects under control (16:30). Resources and Links: Sometimes it can be a beautiful mess You can manage the mess of printmaking Tim's favorite tip on keeping clay clean How to cope, no matter your art room organization style

Art teachers are always concerned about teaching students how to think more creatively. But no one ever talks about how to teach for creativity? Tim has a conversation with high school and online art teacher, Amber Kane, about the concrete, manageable, actionable ways we can get students on the path toward more creativity. Check out the discussion about helping kids appreciate the creative process (8:00), new strategies for classroom and individual critiques (13:30), and how to find the balance between procrastination and creativity (15:30).  Resources and Links: Tim and Andrew debated one of these topics before in ‘Does Creativity Require Procrastination?‘ Check out Amber’s Blog, The Unstandardized Standard Learn more about AOE’s Creativity in Crisis course

The Radio Guys bring former AOE writer, Alecia Kaczmarek, on the show to answer listeners' questions about those projects that never seem to run as smoothly as you would like. The "Project Doctors" dip into the listener mailbag to take on papier mâché projects, printmaking, perspective drawing, and even some classroom management. Listen for Andrew's amazing sculpture ideas (6:00), Alecia's best ways to teach routines (13:15), and why Tim and Andrew both quit teaching perspective drawing a long time ago (18:30). Resources and Links: Alecia mentioned AOE writer Matt Christenson's article on how to begin your class Tim mentioned Ian Sands when he talked about some alternative approaches to teaching perspective. Here are 3 of Ian's awesome ideas: https://www.theartofed.com/2014/04/25/new-ideas-in-art-perspective/ https://www.theartofed.com/2014/11/11/5-ways-to-teach-architecture-without-linear-perspective/ https://www.theartofed.com/lesson-plans/forced-perspective-photos-free-lesson-plan/ And one great articl

Are we finally moving away from standardization and the Common Core? Could we possibly be headed toward an educational world that values innovation, collaboration, and creativity? We hope this is the case, and if so, art is the perfect subject to help shape students for a creative world. Andrew brings on Kasey McCurdy, VP of Engineering for a company called BunchBall, to discuss innovation and motivation. Their discussion focuses on a lot of great topics, including students' disengagement in the current educational system (6:15), the most important skills we can teach (13:00), and specific ideas to start improving the educational system (16:00). Resources and Links: See some innovation in action What Makes Leaders Innovative? Check out AOE's Project Based Art Room course

Art teachers everywhere face the fact that many students struggle with creativity. Call it a crisis in creativity or spend your time looking for culprits, it is what is. This struggle manifests itself in the art room as copied Disney characters and anime sketches. But what if fan art isn't the scourge we've made it out to be? What if fan art is actually a way for a number of students to get and stay engaged with the arts outside of class. Andrew brings on Tim to hash out the debate. Listen to Tim rant about anime (4:00), and check out the guys' discussion on the importance of originality (13:00) and keeping kids interested in art once they move beyond our classrooms (21:00). Resources and Links: Check out Andrew's article about originality that he mentioned Take a listen to the episode that originally brought this conversation about AOE writer Melissa Purtee also shared her thoughts on Originality and Plagiarism

It is always difficult when you transition into a new teaching situation. Whether you are moving to a different grade level, or changing districts altogether, you can come to find out that the grass isn't always greener on the other side. Andrew talks to AOE Instructor Molly Wiste about why you shouldn't be afraid to ask for help, and why you need to be patient as you go through the rocky parts that happen with every transition. Make sure you listen for the comparison between your first year of teaching and your first year someplace new (6:00), how you can differentiate yourself from the previous teacher (16:30), and the best advice to make the most of that less-than-ideal situation (23:00). Resources and Links: Check out the AOE series on your first year of teaching art at each level: Elementary Middle School High School The Differences When You Switch Levels Transitioning from Elementary to Middle School Things to Think About Before You Switch Positions

A week after Tim and Andrew worked through their frustrations with terrible art teachers, they are back to celebrate the things amazing art teachers do! The guys dive into a discussion regarding teaching with breadth, making learning transparent, and creating a positive and comfortable environment in which students can thrive. Listen for why we should always reflect on what we can do better (8:15), how you can improve every year (10:45), and what teachers in other subject areas can learn from amazing art teachers (21:00). Resources and Links: Check out the article Tim talked about during the episode. When Andrew was talking about inspiring teachers in other subject areas, he referenced this article. 7 Ways to Hit Your Stride in the Art Room 10 Projects to Help You Continue to be Amazing

There are incredible art teachers all over the country, working every day to improve their craft. These teachers care about their students, their subject, and their profession. And then there are the rest of them. They are ineffective, disinterested, and to put it bluntly, terrible art teachers, and they give the rest of us a bad name. Tim and Andrew work through their frustrations with those terrible art teachers and talk about what you can do if you find yourself slipping into these bad habits. Listen for their advice on why you need to explore new things (8:30), why you should stand up for yourself (10:00), and how to avoid the negativity that leads to terrible teaching (11:45). Resources and Links: Why it's Okay to Feel Teacher Burnout 7 Ways to Hit Your Stride in the Art Room Confessions of a Not-So-Perfect Art Teacher 10 Things to Stop Doing Now as an Art Teacher

The first year of teaching is, well, kind of an adventure. This episode highlights the trial by fire that is your first year and shares some incredible stories from listeners and AOE writers. You will definitely laugh, you might cry, and you will undoubtedly be inspired as Tim and Andrew share stories to help you navigate your first year of teaching art. Listen for reasons why you can't expect to be perfect (8:30), advice for effective classroom management (17:30), and why we all come back to teaching after a difficult first year (28:30). Make sure you visit theartofed.comall week for more articles, advice, and information for first-year art teachers.  Resources and Links: 5 Questions to Ask Yourself Before this School Year Starts 12 Ways To Make the Beginning of Your School Year Run Smoothly 20 Tips For Your 1st (or 10th!) School Year Start the Year Off with a Classroom Mantra

Dealing with a long-term absence is a complicated situation and one rarely dealt with in art education. This week, Tim talks to Kelly Parvin, an art teacher from Alabama, about her fight with cancer and how she handles being gone for significant amounts of time. They discuss ways to prepare for time away (06:00), how to adapt lesson plans to help the sub fill your shoes (09:00), and the potential benefits of a different "voice" in your classroom (15:00). Resources and Links: How to Plan for a Long-Term Sub Long Term Subs: Before, During, and After Coming Back From a Leave of Absence

We all know art teachers need to actively look for ways to promote our programs. We have to show off all the great things we’re doing or we run the risk of being easy to cut when budgets get tight. A great way to advocate for your program and reach students and the community at large is by adopting social media in your classroom. In this episode, Andrew brings on his good friend and teaching soulmate, Ashley Cardamone, to discuss ways you can leverage the power of social media to best promote your art program. Andrew and Ashley go over some practical tips and tricks for choosing the social media platform that’s right for you and your classroom (8:15). They discuss possible pros and cons to using social media during the day (13:00), and finally, some time-saving tips and best practices to make sure sharing doesn’t become too time-consuming in class (14:30). Resources and Links: Teach Your Students to Use Art as a Tool for Social Advocacy The Art of Creating Digital Citizens 5 Instagram Hashtags to Use in the

We do so many superfluous things as art teachers--what can we get rid of? Tim and Andrew talk about the best ways to turn down requests when necessary and to focus on what we need to do to be great teachers. They discuss dealing with the politics of your building (8:15), focusing on your passions in teaching (11:15), and the best way to deal when you NEED to say yes (14:30).   Resources and Links: Andrew's Article on Saying No Avoiding the 'Disease to Please' How to Say No to Taking on More Work

What do you do on the first day of class with your students? Why not start creating? Rules, procedures, and expectations are undoubtedly important, but so is making art! Janine Campbell, one of the best middle school teachers around, joins Tim to talk about the ins and outs of starting your year the right way. They talk about why Janine breaks out clay on the first day of school (5:00), why we need to avoid the "sit and get" syllabus (9:30), and why it's always important to try something new (16:30).  Resources and Links: More Ideas for the First Day of School Check Out Janine's Blog on First Day Activities

Why would we want our students to think like artists when they could think like designers instead? Andrew talks about how to get students into this mode of thought by incorporating more design thinking and design curriculum in the art room. Kathryn Rulien-Baries, from the Wisconsin Visioneers program, joins Andrew to discuss modifications and alterations teachers can do right now to be more design inclusive. They talk about what makes design curriculum unique (6:45), art-making with a purpose (11:00), and whether art teachers are the most qualified to embrace design thinking (13:15). Resources and Links: What happens when kids engage in design thinking? Check out the Visioneer Design Challenge

Tim and Andrew take on a question that every teacher struggles with: how important are the Elements of Art and Principles of Design? AOE writer and choice-based education guru, Melissa Purtee, joins the guys to discuss the "E"s & "P"s. They debate whether getting away from the formal focus on the elements affects the quality of students' work (14:00), how to run critiques (17:00), and the essential ideas that should guide our program (20:30).  

Is procrastination an important part of the creative process, or is it simply laziness and avoidance? If it's integral, how do we show students deadlines and time management are important while also allowing students the time to incubate ideas? If it's not important, how do we help students deal with the down time they need to come up with their best ideas? Andrew opens the show by making a great case for why creative personalities need the chance to procrastinate, but then Tim comes on the show to tell him why he's wrong (10:00). The guys also talk about what procrastination looks like in the art room (12:30) and the best strategies for finding a balance between both sides of the argument (19:30). Resources and Links: On the Benefits of Procrastination: http://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/17/opinion/sunday/why-i-taught-myself-to-procrastinate.html?_r=0 Procrastination Makes You More Creative: http://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/17/opinion/sunday/why-i-taught-myself-to-procrastinate.html?_r=0 No Way, They Were Totally