REAL examples of student choice in the classroom
If you’re new to this site, “examples of student choice in the classroom” is a great way to get acquainted. Innovative Arts is my dream…
The Benefits of Awarding Middle School Students for Creativity and Autonomy
Part 1: Why give awards? It’s no secret that middle school can be a difficult time for kids. They’re trying to figure out who they…
Letting students know that we the best for them
I typed ‘how do you let students know that I want the best for them?’ into the AI chatbot that everyone has been talking about.…
The difference between 5th and 8th grade students
Those four years, I am convinced, are the most important in a person’s development. It happens to be the same period of time I see…
We overestimate what we can do in a day…
…and underestimate what we can do in a year. Things are getting figured out fast. This past quarter, two drawing machines and two projectors were…
There is no way to know where an attempt will go
The other example that I use is the rock band ‘OK GO’. They made a music video for the song “Here I go again” that…
Go slow to go fast
As kids embrace their creative and curious mindsets, there exists a contradiction they need to understand. Just because certain tools are easier or more accessible…
Start with WHY. Also, HOW and WHAT.
Here is a part of my first Innovative Arts project unit! Specifically, it is the introduction to first three projects that students will encounter in…
Teaching expectations with a simple example
Here is how I explain the importance of expectations to my students. Imagine two students walking into a math class. The first student expects to…
All about having a makerspace in schools – 9+ Resources and Advice
Makerspaces are popping up in schools everywhere. But what exactly is a makerspace? A makerspace is a physical space where people can come together to…
Adding supports is like the tide rising – it raises all ships
I realized that the first years of teaching in the fab lab were very difficult for my students with special needs. I struggled to provide…
Self-Directed Learning in the Classroom? Yes please 100x!
One thing that is largely missing from education is self-directed learning in the classroom. This is a form of education that encourages students to take…
Concepts and Adventures in Student Independence
Student independence is very much emphasized in my classroom. I want to help students to learn about their thinking, how to use their hands, how…
Creativity and rushed content
I am reminded of how our students feel every year. Inservice days mimic a student’s school day and they are awful. Sit, pay attention, resist…
3D Printer for Kids – Advice, 3 Resources, Starting Point
I started 3D designing and printing with my students about a decade ago and in that time, I have learned a lot. At the same…
Every middle school needs an ‘Innovative Arts” class – EP2
Technology class is a relic of the past - we no longer need to learn HOW to use technology... we need to teach WHAT technology can be used FOR.
Than…
24 HIGHLY Customizable Engineering Projects for Middle Schoolers
These projects really make a student think. Great engineering projects for middle school will challenge students in new ways and show them how many possibilities…
We need a new vision for education
It is really easy to criticize education, principals, teachers. It's a lot harder to propose actual solutions.
You hear it all the time - "Why don'…
Optimizing Your STEM Classroom Layout – 10+ Ideas
Most people want to compare the Innovative Arts classroom with their school’s STEM classroom layout, and that makes sense. In this post, I will be…
Educational Judo
Judo (Japanese for “the gentle way”) emphasizes winning in combat by using your opponent’s weight and strength as weapons against him, while preserving your own mental…