Gold Star Awesome Artist cards celebrate the creativity of each of my students. Good Habit cards remind them of behaviors that are necessary for success.

Strengthen the Habit

If your child brings a Strengthen the Habit card home, he or she is doing something in art class that needs to change. The card is written to emphasize the positive behavior that we want to see.

I always take into consideration the individual child when giving these cards, and I give them out only after a verbal warning (or several warnings) has failed to change the student's behavior. If your child receives one of these blue cards, it is equivalent to a write-up in the regular classroom Behavior Book or moving their bus on a chart. Positive habits are very important to practice, and I appreciate any help you can give by speaking to your child about the card.

I also have neon pink Safety cards for behaviors that are dangerous, such as running, using art materials in an unsafe way, and horseplay. Students get these immediately without a verbal warning, because I take personal safety very seriously in my classroom.

I use these cards as a quick way of communicating with the classroom teachers and parents about student behavior. If you have a question about a card that your child has brought home, please contact me by phone or email.

Gold Stars

My students always amaze me with their creative artwork. I wish there were time each week to hold up each child's artwork and praise each one for their efforts. The next best thing is to choose just two students each week, hold up their artwork (if they are not too shy about it), and point out the innovative or excellent things they did.

Every time your child's class is in art, two students are chosen at random to be artist of the day, because I truly believe every child has something to celebrate about their artwork. I draw the names from an envelope. These students get to be first in line that day and the classroom teacher often adds a small reward. When your child comes home with a Gold Star, ask him or her what we did in art that day and to describe the artwork that was shared with the class.

Please remember that this is not "I was the best artist today" award. I don't like judging their artwork as "best" because that implies that someone else is "worst" which is not what I want anyone to believe in my classroom. Art class is one place where everyone can shine in their own special way! Gold Stars help me celebrate every single student.

Questions?

Please e-mail or phone me if you have any questions or concerns. I am always happy to talk to parents. My e-mail is moschellm@mason.k12.oh.us and my phone is 459-2850 EXT 70128.

A Strengthen the habit card:

The Gold Star card:

Other Strengthen the Habit cards:

In art class, I need to strengthen the habit of:

* respecting other students

•listening & following directions

*cooperating with adults

• cleaning up on time

•working instead of talking

• paying attention to what I'm doing

• using my "indoor" voice

• paying attention when the teacher is talking

*behavior that doesn't disrupt the class

*staying in my seat and working