Category Archives: classroom

Wrapping 2025 With Positivity

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Another year is wrapping up and it was a whirlwind, but I’d like to end 2025 on a positive note. Before the winter break I had students “grade” art class and Mr. Wilber (that’s me) passed with flying colors! Overall I was pleased with the results. If I had any doubts, the answers clearly reveal that students not only enjoy my class, but are learning from it as well.

Two minor points of concern according to the number of “Disagree”s that I saw were that some students still don’t feel others listen to their ideas. Another concern, I could be offering more challenging work for those scholars who finish assignments early. I will definitely consider this when planning for the future. I want everyone to feel their voice is heard and that I’m offering work that properly challenges them. I will be sharing the survey result with my students in January. 

I have A LOT to be grateful for. Click on the illustration to see the entire survey results.

What’s in the works for SWart Studio?

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I don’t have any art projects in the works because I’ve officially begun a graduate research study. I’m focusing on creative ways to present in mid 2021. I chose a topical subject that deserves more attention. These are slides of my proposal at a fall symposium. More soon!

UPDATE: I completed my study in late spring. I presented my findings at a closing symposium of the semester. Similar to last year’s, but more complex. The response of my presentation was incredibly positive and I’m proud to say I earned myself another A. It was a lot of work, but my findings will only benefit my own teaching.

To review my final slideshow click HERE.

Major 2020 Update

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Where has time gone? It’s been months and I’ve failed to update my website’s blog in forever, but as you might imagine — there’s a lot going on. And that was BEFORE the shelter in place hit Boston (and the rest of the world). In as few words as possible, here’s what I’ve been doing —

  1. I found myself outside the art room and teaching fifth grade more often that not. If gave me the confidence to start teaching subjects beside the fine arts. I applied and was accepted as a graduate student for a Master of Education (Elementary). It’s been a lot of work and very different than getting a grad degree in my twenties. I am learning a lot.
  2. Because everything shut down (except for supermarkets, hospitals, and schools) my team and I are teaching from home. I’ve been trying to incorporate arts integrated projects to support lessons my colleagues are sharing. I’m positing (slightly tweaked) week’s worth of lessons here until I fully update this site.
  3. I had a fun project concerning a forgotten super hero from the 80’s, but it’s been postponed indefinitely now that most publishers have suspended all activity for the foreseeable future. Here’s a tease of a work in progress.