Art Leaders Care, Learn and Lead

After school for me is 2:40, which happens to be my planning period but I don't usually plan during this time. I use this time for 6th grade art leaders to come down to the art room and help me catch up on ongoing projects, prepare for next day lessons or just basic cleaning (work smarter, not harder). Today I have students synergizing to help complete our Goal Posters for Open House next week. All the squares have been painted by students in art class, but some squares still need to be glued and the center signs have to be painted. Not all of this work will be finished during class art time, so I need my art leaders to assist me in getting the posters completed in time for Open House. 6th grade students really enjoy coming down to my room late in the day to help with art projects and preparations. I count on these students for help because they know what I expect from them and I can trust that they will do a neat and efficient job and they genuinely want to help. Today I had three students synergize to paint the center signs for the posters, and glue some remaining squares. The posters look amazing, and the students are helping me while enjoying themselves in the process. Synergizing is my favorite habit because many hands make light work, and it's so rewarding to be a small part of something bigger and then see it all come together. I know these posters will look amazing in the classrooms and they have already succeeded in helping the students remember our school goal, We care, we learn, we lead. My art leaders live the school goal by example.