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When I was still teaching, I looked for ways to help students think beyond the page or canvas. One powerful approach was to introduce them to installation art. Installation art surrounds the viewer, invites participation, and sometimes even transforms the way we see the world. The Tate Modern describes installation art as “large-scale, mixed-media constructions, often designed for a specific place or for a temporary period of time.” In other words, it’s art that breaks out of the frame. Installations can be playful, overwhelming, emotional, or deeply thought-provoking. Students are often fascinated because these works flip their expectations of what art should be. Here are a few examples that spark powerful conversations in the classroom: 1. Teeter-Totter Wall (2019) Photo by Luise Torres/AFP/Getty Images Bright pink seesaws were installed on both sides of the U.S.–Mexico border wall, allowing children and adults to play together across the divide. Same steel that separates—reimagined as something that unites. Classroom Application: After showing your students this installation, ask them to think about the artists’ choice of materials. The teeter-totters were made of steel—the very same material used to build the border fence. How does the material itself add to the meaning of the work? As Rael explained, “Steel can divide, or it can bring people together. Same material, different outcomes.” 2. Giants, Kikito (2017) French artist JR installed a massive image of a toddler peeking over the border fence. Before dismantling the piece, he hosted a picnic with one long table spanning both sides of the border, complete with shared food and music. The art became both image and event. Classroom Application: When sharing images or videos of this installation, encourage students to consider how the artwork and the event worked together. We often think of art as a finished object—a painting, drawing, or sculpture. But in this case, JR not only created imagery on the border fence, he also organized an event that brought people together to interact and reflect. How can art be more than just a product? Installations like this can help students see new possibilities for what art can be. 3. Repellent Fence (2015) Photo by Michael Lundgren Native American art collective Postcommodity created a two-mile line of balloons decorated with indigenous iconography across the U.S.–Mexico border. The piece reminded viewers of the deep cultural and historical connections that cross borders long before walls did. Classroom Application: Consider leading a thoughtful discussion on cultural appropriation. The artists of Postcommodity are Native American, drawing on their own history and cultural issues in this work. Ask students: How can artists respectfully use symbols from the past to address current issues in their own lives? 4. Border Tuner (2019) Photo by Briana Sanchez Artist Rafael Lozano-Hemmer used giant searchlights, microphones, and speakers to let people in El Paso and Juárez talk to each other across the night sky. Technology became the medium, but human connection was the art. Classroom Application: Students may wonder about this artist’s choice of methods and materials, especially if they’re more familiar with traditional media. How does Lozano-Hemmer’s use of technology—searchlights, microphones, GPS, and custom software—compare to an artist using paint on canvas? This is a great opportunity to ask big questions: What is the purpose of art? Why do artists create? Guide students toward the idea that art often serves as expression or a response to one’s environment. Seen this way, Lozano-Hemmer’s Border Tuner becomes a powerful example of innovation. 5. The Playas de Tijuana Mural Project (2019) Lizbeth De la Cruz Santana installed QR codes on the border fence, linking visitors to stories of childhood arrivals and deportation. It’s a powerful reminder of how technology can give voice to lived experiences. Classroom Application: This mural shows how contemporary artists use technology to tell stories—here, through QR codes that link to digital narratives. Invite students to experience the work as if they were visiting it in Tijuana. Have them scan the codes to listen to, read, and watch the stories being shared. Conclusion By sharing installations like these with your students, you may see them start to imagine art as more than objects. Art can be action, community, and sometimes even protest. The materials, the setting, and the interaction all become part of the meaning. Essential questions to ask your students:
That’s the spark installation art can bring into the classroom. What are some of your favorite art installations to share with students?
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 Over my 12-year teaching career, I’ve changed grade levels several times, and each move came at the right time and for the right reason. Even when the timing is perfect, transitions can feel daunting. Leaving behind a classroom you know so well, lessons you’ve perfected, and students you’ve connected with is always challenging. The next chapter is exciting, but big changes are naturally scary—and they’re also wonderful opportunities for growth. Here’s what I’ve discovered about making the transition a little smoother:
Reflect Before You Move On At the end of the year, it’s tempting to toss it all and start fresh. There are benefits to this, but some of what you’ve created is still worth holding on to! Think about the lessons that really clicked, the projects that made students light up, and the classroom routines that just worked. Even if your new students are older—or younger—there’s value in bringing some of that magic with you. Leave the Room Better Than You Found It I’ve inherited classrooms that looked like a hurricane had passed through. After experiencing disorganization and chaos, I vowed never to do that to someone else. Organize your supplies, tidy the cabinets, and leave a few tips for the next teacher. A little thoughtfulness can make a huge difference. Paying it forward feels good. Do Your Homework New grade, new strategies. I recommend diving into lessons, watching tutorials, and even reaching out to the previous teacher. Research is key. If you’re switching from elementary to high school (or vice versa), don’t expect to wing it. Find what works, adapt it, and keep learning. Professional development packs and workshops are lifesavers, too. For the month of September, all of my lesson plans and classroom poster downloads are 50% off, use the coupon code: BACK2SCHOOL  Get to Know the Space Walking into a new classroom is like opening a mystery box. First, breathe. Then, take inventory. What’s useful? What’s a disaster? Group supplies logically and think about how you’ll actually teach in that space. A well-organized classroom gives both you and your students the best start. Make It Yours Finally—this is the fun part—make the room reflect you. Posters, colors, favorite artists, a mission statement on the wall—whatever makes you excited to begin teaching in your new space. Adapt the curriculum, but don’t forget your personal touch. Students notice when you’re genuinely passionate, and that energy is contagious.  Switching grade levels is humbling. You’re a rookie once again. Allow yourself time to figure things out all over. But that’s also what makes it so rewarding. You’ll stumble, laugh, learn, and grow—just like your students. And when you finally find your rhythm, it’s one of the best feelings in teaching.
Have you ever made the jump to a new grade? How did it go? I’d love to hear your stories—and your advice for surviving the first few weeks in a brand-new classroom. |
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