Try the old standby tricks - assigned seats, talk low, walk around the room.
Don't lose your cool. Maybe you can "hook" them by doing something really
cool as they walk in the room - maybe be working on a drawing of your own,
having your paper taped to the board so they can all see it. Kids love to
watch people draw, especially if they think it's really good. You can then
start talking quietly, explaining how you practiced, took advice from YOUR
art teacher, and if this is working, offer to teach them tricks to make them
better in their own art. If they don't respond to you drawing then you just
turn around and proceed with class. What if you worked on positive
reinforcement (sometimes "those" classes don't get much). Make a BIG deal
about so & so doing a great job, thank them individually (by name if
possible) for doing something. If they have a good day be sure and brag
about their behavior to their classroom teacher - make sure they hear you do
it! Ask your administrator if they could compliment them on something they
did for you, telling them how you were bragging them up. You might have to
start with small expectations. Hand out cool "worksheets" to those kids who
did a good job - op art coloring sheets work well, or just some optical
illusions. You can tell them all the neat projects they are missing out on
by misbehaving. Ask them what type of projects they would like to do, and
then have them tell you what they need to do to earn the right to do
specific type projects (if they involve "messy" supplies such as clay or
paint). If it is something as simple as learning a new drawing technique
then take advantage and teach them right then. Again, keep your cool! Don't
yell, don't get angry, don't let them see they are getting to you.
~Michal
K-12 Kansas Art Teacher
http://www.geocities.com/theartkids
> HELP! Any advice for poor me? I
> know everyone gets that way sometimes but any
> reassurance or methods to try?!!!!
