Classroom Management

I think that the two major issues in classroom management in the art room that I have encountered are disorganization and noise level. In every art room (except for my practicum last semester) organization on the teachers part has in my opinion prevented the students from producing the best work they are capable of. In most rooms there is no real organizational system for materials so students are wasting time searching and making accommodations for missing things. Along with this tables are usually dirty and other materials are not properly taken care of and can not be used to their best potential. This results in classroom management issues because students are roaming around and possibly arguing over materials. I think that things can get out of hand when you do not have a regulated system, however, art teachers seem to have the most problems in this department. This also wastes time when it comes to arrivals and clean-ups. This is especially challenging because it has been proven by Weinstein that smooth transitions is one of the three key factors in classroom management.
The other issue with classroom management in art rooms that I have seen is the noise level. Because of the independent working nature of art I think that it lends itself more to loud volumes than other subjects. This is added to by noisy materials like drills, sanding, etc but also by the music that the teachers usually agree to play. I think that playing music can be a really good thing and can also be used as a management strategybut it is often times abused. Then when the noise level gets to loud it is hard for the teacher to be hear and direct attention.