For TEACHING ARTISTS

CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT

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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 FloridaCollege of Education/ Sp Ed / VSAFL

4202 E. Fowler Avenue EDU 105Tampa, Florida 33620

813-974-0712Email: mfarber@usf.edu

www.vsafl.org