Kids’ Art Center 

Summer break for a teacher means rest and relaxation, right?  Well, some of the time, yes.  This summer I am taking a couple of classes for my master’s degree, one of which will wrap up at the end of July.  In the meantime, I am finding ways to procrastinate doing the work.  Hence last night, totally reorganizing my kids’ art center, which just so happens to share space with our dining room. Up until now, it has been a disorganized mess, just like my own art room.  Gee wonder where they get that from?  However, this disorganization prevents them from making art on a whim, which is what I need more of, in order to get some of my own work done.

I made a curricular switch a few years back to Teaching for Artistic Behaviors, which necessitated a complete overhaul of the way I teach and the space in which I teach in.  I have also been in two different elementary classrooms in the past 4 years.  Thus, I have done two total reorganizations, akin to reorganizing a small house or apartment.  So, reorganizing my own house should come naturally, no?  Actually, I have found it is hard to come home and do just that.

Anyways, here is the almost done art center, located near their table in one of our wonderful built-ins.  I forgot to take before pictures, but trust me it was overflowing with things.  My almost 3-year old loves that he can get out his play dough, tools and mats all on his own.  Before, it was a hassle and he complained about lifting the box down, to get off the lid, and get access to the supplies.  Now, the bin stays put since it is open and well-organized.

Smaller items were organized into a 3-drawer plastic organizer.

Other items were organized into shoe box plastic tubs, open bins, and a large hanging file system for the paper.  By the way, all of these bins were either repurposed from other places in the house, or found in thrift shops.
The art center is ready to use, and the kids couldn’t be happier!  Now they can find everything, reach it themselves, and hopefully put it back on their own as well. I’ll keep you posted on their ability to put things away…

I added picture labels to make it even easier for my non-reader, something I have all over my own classroom.  Now it really feels like a corner of my classroom at home.