What does good teaching "LOOK" like?

This term, more than ever before, I'm wondering what does good teaching "LOOK" like...literally?

The students I'm teaching this term are the most independent and self-sufficient kids I've ever taught. If I let them, they would spend the entire term on one project...and maybe I should. This behavior, which I would have given anything to have in my classroom in Brooklyn, has left me feeling a little uneasy here in Massachusetts. Are they bored? Are they unhappy? Am I doing enough? Some days it sure doesn't "LOOK" like I'm teaching very much. I anticipate this happening more and more the longer I work here. This year's seniors have been working in my room consistently all four years of high school...so they know how things work and they are busy working on their work. Good, right? I will be writing about this more and would love to read your thoughts.

Possible topics to present at next year's NAEA conference.

Are sketchbooks outdated? Blogging with students as a reflective and planning tool.

Senior Studio: Creating a critical and productive community of adolescent artists.

Back to Front: Flipping the introductory art curriculum to increase creativity.

Big Ideas?

From a page in my notebook written on while I was at the NAEA conference:

clean-up: leadership roles

block play...art principles

problem finding

recyclables & supplies

homework/sketchbook - ideas, blueprints, each page a project

save more stuff (supplies)

REGGIO

displays

summer - organize photos

label work in the room

check on subscriptions

check on MAEA

permission slips for pics

ART 21

shrinky-dink

Inspired Teacher.

Just back from the National Art Education Association conference in Baltimore.

Wow.

As you can see in the photos above of the notes I took while I was there it was quite inspiring for me. I guess I didn't realize how much I needed a break from the daily grind of teaching. It felt great to be surrounded by people who are interested in what I'm interested in...to be a part of the WORLD of art education for a little while. It reaffirmed my dedication to the arts in education, not just education or schools in general. It's so easy to forget there is a whole big world out there. I made some great connections and plan to spend a lot of time working some of the ideas that came to me over the four days into my curriculum.

And...it has inspired me to use this blog again as a place to collect my thoughts and writings in the hopes of proposing a workshop for next year's conference.