Art Room Procedures
Entering Class
Students are expected to enter class calmly and on time. They are to be responsible by taking care of personal business (i.e. restroom break, visiting other teachers, etc.) before entering the room. Upon entering the room, students are to prepare for learning and activities by disposing of trash, sharpening pencils, and having personal supplies readily available. Students are always to sit at assigned areas unless instructed to move by the teacher.
Opening Activity
Students will occasionally complete a brief opening activity. The assignment could involve questioning, computing, drawing, reading, summarizing, etc. Opening activities will count as a participation grade.
Instruction Time
Students are expected to sit tall, remain quiet until questioned by the teacher, and take notes during instruction time. Students are also expected to follow along when reading from text or images. It is proven that writing notes transfers short-term memory to long-term memory; therefore, note taking is an essential practice in art and other classes. Middle school students also need to work with taking notes so that they will be prepared for the faster paced, more difficult studies in high school and college.
Passing Out Materials
Several responsible, mature students will be asked to pass out materials as needed. This will occur after greeting students, opening activity, and teacher-led instruction time.
Safety Issues
The following safety issues must be addressed: partitions, book bag placement, paper cutter, back closet, kiln room, care of sinks, spills, media and supplies, chair tipping, furniture care, locked class doors, and call button.
Students are expected remain in their assigned seats unless asked to move. The partitions, used for hanging artwork and information, have T-legs. It is important that students avoid walking near them so that tripping will not occur.
Students should keep all walking paths clear by placing book bags under their assigned table.
The walk-in closets are off-limits. No entry without permission or instruction.
The paper cutter on the table in the kiln room is off-limits. NO TOUCHING!
On rare occasions, a student or two will be allowed to enter the kiln room. The students are to stay away from the kiln, stay off the stepladder, and refrain from pulling items off the shelves when they are out of reach.
Students are to avoid letting particles of debris go down the sink and floor drains.
Depending on the size, students should quickly clean up any spills using a paper towel or the mop.
Supplies can be dangerous if handled irresponsibly. Be aware of your surroundings and look out for sharp objects and thin edges.
Chairs have four legs to support your body weight evenly. Be careful to keep your chair in an upright position with all four legs on the ground. Your feet should be on the ground, not on the seat opposite from you.
Students are to treat school property with respect. They are to use the electric pencil sharpeners for colored pencils only, stay off of the top of tables, avoid shifting or moving tables, and refrain from climbing shelves to reach objects on the upper shelves.
All classroom doors are to remain locked regardless of the situation. The teacher is responsible for your safety while you are under her supervision. Please, make the teacher aware of a visitor by signaling and the teacher will answer the door. Never open the side doors leading to the parking lot.
The call button is reserved for emergencies and official school business. Prank buzzes are considered irresponsible, and will result in a consequence.
Class Signals
When the teacher wants everyone's attention, the teacher will clap twice, and raise her hand. The class is to stop what they are doing, look to the teacher, and quietly raise their hand until everyone is quiet.
The visitor signal informs the teacher that a visitor is at the door. The teacher will answer the door. All students that are aware of a visitor's presence should use the visitor signal. The signal is made by raising the index and middle finger to form a "V" shape.
The permission signal is necessary to maintain a learning environment that is orderly with little noise. Raise your hand and wait for the teacher to address you.
Guests
Students are expected to welcome all guests with politeness and courtesy, including substitute teachers. Substitute teachers and guest speakers are very special because they are giving up their time for your benefit. They do this because they want you to learn. Remember, you are a reflection of your parents' rearing and your community. Show your best behavior when guests are in your presence. Impressions last a lifetime!
Receiving Permission
If you are given permission to do something, make sure you carry out that need quickly. Before raising your hand, consider whether the request is out of necessity or whim. If you leave the classroom for any reason, you will need to sign off on the classroom sign-out and I will need to sign your agenda.
Working On Projects
Students are expected to stay in their assigned seats, monitor cleanliness of their table, talk softly to only the member's of their table, and work diligently on projects to meet deadlines.
Maintaining a Clean Workspace
Students are expected to clean up after themselves. Spills of any kind are to be cleaned promptly, and trash is to be thrown away as you are exiting the room. Organizing supplies helps keep the art room clean; therefore, sort the tools before turning them in.
Gathering Materials
Several responsible, mature students will be asked to gather materials weekly. The gathering of supplies will occur about 5-10 minutes before class dismissal. Students will be responsible for putting away work.
Dismissal/Exiting the Art Room
The teacher will dismiss students by table number. Students are to be prepared to leave, and they should remain quiet until called. The released students are to rise with their belongings, push their chairs under the table, and exit the room quietly and quickly making sure to dispose of trash as they exit. A garbage can is at the door. Conversation can begin once outside of the classroom.
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