Is there anyone out there using WBT in an art room (K-5)? In my class students are already mostly out of their seats. They are free to choose their art center. Once they start working 95% are on task and the others are easily re-directed. I need help with the 5 minutes of entering the class, sitting on the rug and giving a mini-lesson. Also clean-up, I'd like my students (all grades K-5) to clean up after themselves and take care of our materials and tools without wasting. My problem is when I try to do even the shortest demo kids fall apart, squirm etc.. older ones have side conversations or roll eyes. My biggest problem is 3rd grade where the students are SO mean to each other. They yell and scream at each other all the time. I try to stay calm and set limits but they will attack each other verbally - to the point of tears. I have each class for 45 minutes 2x week. I don't have control over their recesses - so no time to "practice" rules everyday, several times a day. I've introduced WBT to other teachers at my school and they are interested. This has been a rough year - two teachers quit mid-year and we still haven't found a replacement for the poor 3rd grade. I'm now their only consistent teacher I've been with them since 1st grade. All the stress and emotions comes out in art! It's exhausting and unless I can change things this is it for me after 15 years of teaching art.

Ms. Moore,
For your procedures, such as entering the classroom, sitting on the rug, cleaning up, etc., practice the wrong way, and then the right way. Use a timer when pracicing the correct way, and have the students try to beat their time. For example, "It took us 57 seconds to enter the classroom corectly and sit on the rug. Let's see if we can beat that record." Kids love to set and beat records. When doing demos, try to continually engage the students by having them turn to their partner and tell the steps, describe the process, etc. They can gesture while you are doing the demo, that way their squirming is put into learning!
For the third grade class that is so mean to each other, have you tried working on a class quilt of some sort, where each individual piece would come together to be valuable in the whole piece? I would play calm music during class, and take the opportunity to use art to talk about beauty and value, and then encourage the students with kind words. Since you are their consistent teacher, engage them in positive learning, fun, kindness, and smart choices. Let them know that you believe in them!
Deb Weigel

Hi Ms. Moore,
I would echo what Deb has said and add one thing. If you find your studetns having trouble with Teach-okay, break the steps down into smaller bits of info. I have had to do this with 7th and 8th graders in my resource room class. I also spend more time reviewing a little bit each day until they get it down pat. Hope this helps and keep at it.