Teacher Life

Better Together!

Classroom Direct has joined the School Specialty family, making it easier than ever to shop, save, and find great inspiration. Enjoy and explore hundreds of blog posts with tips and ideas for every educator on the Schoolyard Blog.

Explore the Schoolyard Blog

Search Results for: art project

Calling It Quits: When to Pull the Plug on an Art Project

Experienced artists know that not all projects work out. Maybe the concept was ill-conceived, the technique was inappropriate or too advanced, the materials were all wrong, or the artist’s heart was never in it. Whatever the reason, most artists have had to scrap more than a few projects over the course of their careers. […]

Forming an Art Club

Some of your students may be more passionate about art than others. You know…the ones who show up while you’re still setting up and the ones you have to scoot out the door 10 minutes after the bell rings? An after-school art club is the perfect place for these passionate student artists to try […]

An Art Teacher’s Gift of Gratitude

This holiday you’re sure to receive all kinds of gifts from your students. But there are other gifts that art teachers receive year-round, and the holidays are a great time to stop and take stock of all that we have to be grateful for, like: That Aha Moment – Seeing a concept click for […]

5 Tips for Keeping Your Art Room Clean

The art room can feel like a crazy place, but that’s part of why you love it, right? Still, with the number of different kids you get to work with and the range of projects you get to teach them, it can be a lot to keep track of. Luckily, with a good system, you’ll […]

10 Ways to Revive Art Lesson Plans

If you’ve got a great art lesson plan that’s gotten old, check out our tips below to revive your art lesson plans with a modern makeover! How to Revive Art Lesson Plans 1. Confirm Current Standards Check the latest curriculum requirements and national and state standards to see if your favorite lesson plan still […]

Spring Clean Your Classroom in 2 Weeks

Getting a classroom cleaned up for spring might seem like an overwhelming project. But the good news is you don’t have to tackle it all in one day. Instead, spread the tasks over 10 working days with the Schoolyard’s 2-week guide to spring clean your classroom. Clean Your Whole Classroom in 10 Days A […]

Get Ahead of the Class

As the end of the school year approaches, teachers and administrators find themselves in a variety of budget discussions and considerations. Should you invest in one big purchase? Store up and stash some essential supplies? Time to update old equipment or make use of previously unused space? We’re here to help you get ahead […]

2020 School Specialty Crystal Apple Award Winners

Teachers and their students work hard to grow and learn together every year. That’s what inspired us to create the Crystal Apple award. It’s our chance to recognize and reward all the transformational efforts teachers and their classrooms make. This year, at a time when we see teachers and classrooms coming together in innovative […]

2019 School Specialty Honor Roll Winners

Every year teachers and their students work hard to grow and learn. The School Specialty Honor Roll is an annual opportunity to recognize and reward some of the incredibly resilient, kind, and talented students and teachers in our communities. 2019 School Specialty Honor Roll Winning Entries This year’s nominated teachers and students were incredibly […]

2018 School Specialty Honor Roll Winners

Teachers and their students work hard to grow and learn together every year. The School Specialty Honor Roll is an opportunity to recognize and reward some of the incredibly resilient, kind, and talented students and teachers in our communities. See the 2019 Honor Roll Winners 2018 School Specialty Honor Roll Entries This year’s nominated […]

Your Classroom Holiday Wish List

The end of the first semester gives most teachers and students a sense of relief, as there’s a short break before the second semester begins. Getting the classroom ready to take on the rest of the academic year is an important part of returning to school, and we’ve gathered some useful inspiration for ways […]