Teach your Students About Black Artist Alma Thomas
Alma Thomas was an artist known for her colorful abstract paintings that captured the beauty of nature. By incorporating an art history lesson and art project featuring Alma Thomas into your curriculum, you can help your students learn about important art movements and create their own unique works of art.
Here are some ways you can use an art history lesson and art project featuring Alma Thomas in your classroom:
Introduce Alma Thomas: Start by introducing Alma Thomas and her work to your students. Show examples of her paintings and talk about her life and artistic influences. You can use videos, books, or other resources to help illustrate her style and technique.
Discuss abstract art: Discuss abstract art with your students and explain what it is. Talk about how Alma Thomas used color, shapes, and patterns to create her abstract paintings. You can also discuss other artists who work in the abstract style, such as Wassily Kandinsky or Jackson Pollock.
Create a group mural: Have your students work together to create a large-scale mural inspired by Alma Thomas's paintings. Provide them with paint, brushes, and a large canvas or paper. Encourage them to use bright colors and abstract shapes to create their own unique interpretation of nature.
Create individual artworks: Provide each student with a canvas or paper and have them create their own abstract artwork inspired by Alma Thomas. Encourage them to experiment with different colors and shapes to create their own unique style.
Use as a springboard for writing: After your students have completed their art projects, have them write about their experience creating abstract art. Ask them to reflect on what they learned about Alma Thomas, abstract art, and their own creative process.
By incorporating an art history lesson and art project featuring Alma Thomas into your curriculum, you can help your students learn about important artistic movements and develop their own creativity. These lessons can also serve as a springboard for discussions about nature, color, and self-expression.
3 Ideas to Keep your Kindergarten Students Engaged
This video shares 3 ways to keep your students engaged in a Kindergarten class - more resources found on http://thegiftedlearner.com
5 (More) Traits of a Great Montessori Teacher
I am pleased to hear the feedback from you that this guide is a helpful resource to gauge what to look for in a Montessori teacher. I know this will prove to be helpful for those new to the profession and also to assess if you should stay in an environment that do not hold to the tenets of a practical and effective Montessori education. We can easily be duped by the aesthetic of a well stocked classroom environment. And while I am not a big fan of CONSTANT testing, I do find that if we are not careful, teachers can easily ‘hide’ the needs of the student for the sake of misguided perspective of what it means to ‘follow the child.’
Here are 5 more traits to look for in a great Montessori teacher:
Patience and empathy: Montessori teachers are patient and empathetic, understanding that each child is on their own developmental journey. They create a safe and supportive environment where children can learn and grow at their own pace.
Flexibility: Montessori teachers are flexible and adaptable, able to adjust their teaching to meet the changing needs of the children.
A focus on practical life skills: Montessori teachers place a strong emphasis on practical life skills, teaching children how to care for themselves and their environment. They understand that these skills are essential for independence and self-confidence.
Collaboration: Montessori teachers work collaboratively with parents and other educators to support the child's learning and development. They value the contributions of everyone involved in the child's education.
Lifelong learners: Montessori teachers are lifelong learners, continuously seeking out new knowledge and skills to improve their teaching practice. They understand that learning is a never-ending process and are always open to new ideas and perspectives.
CLICK HERE to read my other 5 traits.
5 Traits of a Good Montessori Teacher
As a Montessori teacher, I have had the privilege of working in both a traditional and a charter school environment. I have been very candid in other posts about what I have seen behind the scenes in these environments. At the school I work at now (it is a charter school), I am a kindergarten teacher. When I discuss with my colleagues my pedigree, the disdain for the category of Montessori is pretty epic.
I hope to arm parents with some tools for how to discern a good Montessori teacher. I hope also to support wonderful teachers in the environment that are getting a bad rap.
Here are 5 characteristics to look for (not in any particular order):
A deep understanding of child development: A great Montessori teacher has a thorough understanding of child development and the developmental stages of the children they are teaching.
A prepared environment: Montessori teachers create a carefully prepared environment that is orderly, beautiful, and inviting to children. The environment is designed to foster independence, self-motivation, and a love of learning.
Respect for the child: Montessori teachers have a deep respect for the child and their unique abilities, interests, and needs. They understand that each child is an individual with their own pace of learning and that it is their role to support and guide their development.
Observation skills: Montessori teachers are skilled observers, closely observing the children to understand their needs and interests. They use these observations to guide their teaching and to plan activities that meet the needs of the individual child.
A love of learning: Montessori teachers have a genuine love of learning and are passionate about sharing this love with their students. They model curiosity, enthusiasm, and a love of learning to inspire their students.
Tomorrow I will share 5 more characteristics of a good Montessori teacher.
Creativity is a value tool for classroom management
I have found creativity to be a wonderful tool for self expression but also for classroom management. We know as teachers that we have incredible amount of curriculum that we are expected to teach. Quite frankly, kids need a mental break. When you implement creativity even in small ways into the classroom, you are allowing the relief many of them need to be able to engage the rigor of the curriculum for maximum retention.
Here are 5 ways I have found creativity to be a handy tool in the classroom:
Improves fine motor skills: Many creative activities, such as drawing or cutting, require fine motor skills. Practicing these skills through creativity can improve dexterity and coordination.
Promotes teamwork and collaboration: Creative activities can be done alone, but they can also be done in groups. Collaborating on creative projects teaches children how to work together, compromise, and communicate effectively.
Provides a sense of accomplishment: Completing a creative project gives children a sense of accomplishment and pride in their work, which can boost their self-esteem and motivation.
Develops imagination and curiosity: Creativity encourages children to use their imagination and be curious about the world around them, which is important for their overall growth and development.
Promotes a love of learning: When children engage in creative activities, they are often learning without even realizing it. This can help foster a love of learning that can stay with them throughout their lives.
Overall, creativity is an important part of a child's development and has numerous benefits that can help them grow and thrive in many different areas of their lives.
Why creativity is good for children
robin norgren is a curriculum writer who creates montessori daily lesson plans and art lesson plans to partner with you as you use your superpower in the montessori or charter school classroom.
I have been a K-6th grade art teacher for several years now. I continue to teach online classes and create curriculum for the classroom. I have seen first hand that creativity is a powerful tool for the teacher mainly because it ultimately helps with classroom management. I know that sounds odd, doesn’t it? But in the world of too many worksheets, self expression is the secret weapon. It gives the students an opportunity to express themselves without feeling the need to talk with their neighbor.
There are numerous reasons why creativity is good for children, including:
Encourages self-expression: Creativity allows children to express themselves in unique and personal ways. This helps them develop their own sense of identity and self-awareness.
Enhances problem-solving skills: Creative activities, such as drawing or building, require children to think outside the box and come up with innovative solutions to problems.
Fosters emotional intelligence: Creativity helps children understand and manage their emotions, which is crucial for their social and emotional development.
Boosts cognitive development: Creativity has been linked to improved cognitive development, including increased memory, attention span, and language skills.
Increases confidence and self-esteem: When children engage in creative activities, they are able to see their own abilities and accomplishments, which can help build confidence and self-esteem.
Part 2 will give you more thoughts to consider. I encourage you to consider finding ways to increase creativity in your classroom experience.
Sensory Activities: 5 Reasons your Students need them
The Sensorial Area of a Montessori classroom was a very valuable one for me in my years as a Montessori teacher. I recognized how this seemingly simple activities were a gateway to more complex activities that demanded a certain level of concentration and determination.
Here are 5 reasons why sensory activities are good for children:
Stimulate Brain Development: Sensory activities encourage children to use all of their senses and help stimulate the development of neural connections in the brain, which is critical for early childhood development.
Enhance Learning: Sensory activities allow children to explore the world around them and help them develop cognitive skills such as problem-solving, creativity, and critical thinking.
Develop Fine Motor Skills: Many sensory activities involve using small muscles in the hands and fingers, which help children develop fine motor skills that are important for writing, drawing, and other everyday activities.
4. Boost Language Development: Sensory activities can help children build their vocabulary and communication skills as they describe what they see, feel, smell, and hear.
5. Promote Calmness and Regulation: Sensory activities can also have a calming effect on children and help them regulate their emotions and behavior, particularly if they are feeling anxious, overwhelmed, or overstimulated.