For TEACHING ARTISTS CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT

VSA Florida VSA Florida provides arts, education and cultural opportunities for and by people with disabilities.

VSA Florida Mission To create a society where people with disabilities can learn through, participate in and enjoy the arts.

People First Language  Appropriate language that is sensitive and accurate.  Language that puts the focus on the individual NOT the disability

Pre Residency Communication  Contact classroom teacher: ASK  What is the makeup of the class?  How many students?  How many paraprofessionals?  What are the classroom rules?  Who will discipline the students?  What sensory issues are evident?

Teaching Artist Responsibilities  Provide teacher and VSAFL with curriculum map early in the residency  Inform students of your classroom rules  Have consequences in place for repeated misbehaviors  Pre plan with classroom teacher to meet current curriculum concepts

Classroom Teacher Responsibilities  Present at all times  Engage in the activity  Send home letter to parents/ media release forms  Return signed media release forms to the VSAFL office  Share the current curriculum themes with teaching artist  Complete and return residency evaluation

Tips for Paraprofessionals  Sit at the table or alongside the student and be prepared to assist him/her.  Encourage and model good listening techniques. Look at the teacher, sit up in your chair and actively listen.  Redirect student non-verbally as needed.  Redirect verbally only if the teacher is not talking.  Do not draw undue attention to the student.  If frustration is apparent, please assist student with that step of the project but do not do the project for them.  Do not be concerned with the finished product. The process is the most important part of the lesson.  Allow students to work independently for 3-5 minutes or according to the IEP. Monitor their progress and give frequent positive feedback.  You may assist anyone having difficulty near you.  If you would like to engage in the activity yourself use it as an instruction tool. Complete one step at a time and wait for the student to complete the step before moving on to the next step. This technique is called modeling and can be a great help to visual learners.  Please focus on assisting students only as much as necessary or on helping the classroom teacher during this class period.

Art Activity  Be prepared and organized with appropriate materials  Review previous lesson concepts  Explain the activity  Demonstrate the activity  Use UDL: presentation, expression, engagement  Show examples of project or steps of process  Maintain student’s focus  Use non verbal prompts  Use “buddy” system  End session with review and reflection of the session

Consistency  Follow the same routine each session  Treat each behavior the same each time  Provide alternatives for all students  Students should know what to expect

Effective Praise  Offer specific praise:  i.e. I like the way,  Thank you for…  That’s a great way…  Use students as helpers to reward good behaviors

Confrontational Students  Stay calm  Keep your inside voice  Speak privately to the problem student  Allow them to re-enter the group  Ask for help from the classroom teacher or paraprofessional

Monitoring  Circulate around the class while students are working  Check progress vs. time  Give praise and help as needed  Find the appropriate intervention so all students can be included.  Give praise  Have other activity choices available

VSA Florida State Regions

VSA Florida University of South Florida College of Education/ Sp Ed / VSAFL 4202 E. Fowler Avenue EDU 105 Tampa, Florida