Art

Art is a form of communication. Learning to decipher it's meaning is like any other form of communication, studying its language. When we think of how many jobs involve the arts, it is hard to ignore the significance of the arts in society. In fact, think about how the arts have been used throughout history from cave art to a painting by Picasso to the design of your cereal box. Art differs greatly from one culture to another and therefore it is so important to use the arts when teaching. If we are studying any particular culture, students can learn a great deal from the art created by that culture. Even music is an important part of and era. Think of the people living in Vienna at the time of Mozart (1760's) compared to the people living in New Orleans in the early 1900's (The birth of Jazz).
With all the technology available today it is so easy to access music, video and art to use in the classroom. Try playing music or a video in an art station to enhance learning. Also provide many opportunities for hands on art projects that will keep kids engaged in learning. Learning any subject can be enhanced by the arts. After all, do you want to hear me talk about it or would you rather see a picture?

Technology

We live in a world that is driven and dependent upon ever changing technology. In order to keep up with society we need to keep on top of this technology. As teachers, we need to demonstrate to our students the importance of using this technology, to be responsible and how to protect themselves. This is also an opportunity to stress the importance of education. If technology is constantly changing then we must always be learning.
Of course, in order to help our students, we need to have an understanding of this new technology. Teachers need to keep up to date with computers and their software, portable devices, and any technology that is available in the classroom. A teacher should not have to struggle through a lesson because he or she does not know how to handle a specific program or device. Teachers need to make it a point to learn how to use the technology that is available in the classroom. They should also know what to do if something does not work properly. Simple troubleshooting techniques can be very valuable. If there is a serious problem with the technology, the teacher needs to know where to turn for help.
Also, be sure that your students know what to do if they have a problem. Helping students with technology in the classroom may help keep them safe at home. Be sure that students know not to respond to certain messages, not to meet people they talk to online without a parent and when to report inappropriate material.

Party Time

There always seems to be a party going on at our elementary schools. Between all the holidays and birthdays there is enough sugar being distributed to fuel a lifetime. While many schools have taken steps to provide healthier lunches, classroom parties become an excuse to pile on the calories. I believe that as teachers, we need to set a good example for our students at all times. A classroom party is an excellent opportunity to show students how to eat healthy and have a good time doing so. Instead of serving cake, candy, ice cream and brownies we could show our students how to prepare fruit salad, veggies with dip or fruit kabobs with yogurt dip. The fun thing about fruits and vegetables are how colorful they are. Allow the students to get creative by arranging fruits or vegetables on a platter in a funky design or even a simple design like making a face. The most important part is to just have fun while showing kids healthy eating habits.

Parents and Stress

Being a parent can often be stressful. In fact, research has shown that parents are more likely to be depressed than people who don't have children. There can be many contributing factors such as work related stress, financial problems or even the task of caring for and supporting a family. When stress gets out of control, it can create an unhealthy environment for children. Sometimes parent don't know where to turn to get the help they need.
As teachers, we need to ensure the safety of our students. Parents should know that help is available. A simple way to help parents is to provide resources where they can get good advice and the help they need to prevent them from going over the edge. Maybe the school could provide a list of resources for parents that can be sent home. If you're writing a newsletter for parents, simply include a few tips on how to combat stress or just list a website like: http://stress.about.com/od/parentsunderstress/

Imagine You're A Slave

When learning about the Civil War and slavery, I found that many students don't really grasp the concept of how hard it was for the slaves. If students don't understand how harsh slavery is, then how can they truly understand the importance of the Civil War and the Civil Rights Movement? How do we teach such a concept without going into too much detail for the elementary level? One book, "Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt" by Deborah Hopkinson is a very nice picture book on the elementary level. It's the story of a girl named Clara who finds her way to the Underground Railroad. A good follow up to this book or any lesson about the Underground Railroad is a visit to the National Geographic Website. They have pictures, sounds and a journey with a slave to the Underground Railroad. This website is a great reference for kids to learn about the Underground Railroad. click the link to take the journey to freedom on the Underground Railroad.

Math Fun

Visual representations can be very helpful when learning new concepts. Art and math often work together to provide a stimulating reference in an elementary classroom. Author David A. Adler has put out a few books that can help introduce math to the class. Adler's new book "You Can, Toucan, Math" will surely delight children when learning about word solving. Some other books by Adler include "Shape Up!" and "Fraction Fun." Reading books about math can help engage students and give them a better understanding of mathematical concepts. Some art examples can also show students the importance of math and how it relates to things in nature. For more information visit www.mathartfun.com and www.davidaadler.com