Monday
Today went wooosh and I can't believe I've been there for 3 weeks already (although because of "spring break" - I use that term loosely - this placement is actually 9 weeks). It is an even week, meaning that we have 3 planning periods this week, which couldn't have come at a better time as I start preparing my lesson for the 3-D class and make revisions to the 7th grade lesson as I teach it this week. I helped out during our first block class this morning (8th grade) as well as doing final checks and preparations for the 7th graders. The 8th graders are now working on their tessarae mosaics, creating several design sketches, chosing a final (they are to use line and pattern and french curves, etc.) design and transferring it to the boards they sanded and gesso-ed last week. They also got a demo today from my teacher on how to properly cut glass with tile nippers ( wearing very stylish safety glass - woo) and then got to start seeking out their colors. I am doing this project with them and assisting the classes as needed - I still need to choose my own design though, haha. The situation with the one girl that is kind of the trouble child of that class is starting to subside, she sees me more as the ally now rather than the enemy - in fact she came to talk with me & my teacher today during our planning period about some troubles she was having (guess she knows a good resource when she sees one - my teacher is amazing, patient and very understanding). The rest of that class has also accepted me as a classroom fixture and even come in early to help out preparing the classroom or to talk - its really cute.
The 7th grade class went really well today with the intro to non-objective art and the 2nd set of sketches to music; unfortunately though I got to deal with the joys of a school under construction and how it can disturb learning. I was leading a discussion with the class and giving them information about abstract art and Wassily Kandinsky when they started drilling or jackhammering a neighboring wall - totally drowning out even the thoughts in our heads! After a couple e-mails and a trip down to the office, my teacher got them to stop drilling for the remainder of class - phew! I tried not to get frustrated and laugh it off with the students - it was definitely a bonding experience! The drawings today with the music were much more abstract - they were really getting it, and I think the final compositions they create (after looking at all their preliminary drawings) will be awesome! On Weds. they will get a color wheel lesson on color mixing and a demo on how to use water colors since they have not painted before - the color wheel lesson will be super fun because we're doing edible color wheels (iced nilla wafers - yum!). My teacher and I decided during our discussion of my lesson today (she was all praise) that doing a color mixing activity would be a good - educational - breather before starting into their final piece, plus it would be a fun way to learn how to mix both types of paint they will be using in their final.
I haven't started teaching this lesson to my other 7th grade class yet - they will get started tomorrow with the drawing exercise and then the intro/discussion, as they are a little behind b/c of assemblies - plus they work a little slower. I think I will make some changes with this class, asking them to start with lines only on their first drawings - using pencil, then colored pencil, then finally a mix of the other two and chalk pastels. Then we'll move onto shapes and more abstract things - I think starting with line will be a simpler and less overwhelming transition from realistic to abstract art. i also want to make it more of a discussion tomorrow with them about the ideas of abstract art - I love this lesson!
The last class of the day was 8th graders again - the ones that had major attitude problems with me last week when I was with the substitute. My teacher gave them a talking to about attitude and the way they go to and from lunch - I think it really made a difference and I think they are starting to get that they can't mess around with me. Althought there is still one guy that constantly mouths off - my teacher and I both heard him today saying f-this and f-that and he will have silent lunch tomorrow because of it. Also during this block, if it wasn't crazy enough getting divided by lunch, there was an unplanned fire drill today which meant class time got eaten up with the processional outside then in. I was informed during the fire drill, when I was trying to keep the students in line and such that "teachers were whack" - I responded to them by saying yeah, that's a feeling that all students have - in some way or another - but if we were whack, what were they? haha - oh this age group is such a joy.
During planning today my teacher and I got organized planning/prepping for the week and the next couple weeks - which will be split up by spring break - two days of school next week and a monday off the week after that we have monday off (all for "spring break"). I'll have to use that time wisely to prep my teaching portfolio (and my graphic design portfolio) and make sure I'm ready for the end of all this which is suddenly coming quickly!
Tuesday
Oh odd days are so special (and long). Today we had 3-D, 7th grade and then two 8th grade classes - which definitely kept us on our toes. Having two teachers in an art classroom makes things a lot easier because while one wraps up one lesson the other, prepares materials for the enxt class - at least that's how it goes with my teacher. The 3-D kids were working on their reposse illuminated letters again and got a demo on how to reposse - which is actually a new technique for me as well. Being in an art classroom has definitely been a learning experience for me in that I have had to learn several new techniques and then turn around and teach them to the students that same class period. It tests my ability to think on my feet and learn quickly for sure! So I learned how to do reposse and then got to help the students while they worked on their designs and then transferred them to the copper sheets using etching/reposse.
I taught the 7th grade class today - this is the one that hadn't started my lesson yet. I started them off with a little discussion about switching gears from realistic to abstract art, trying to find out what they already knew about abstract art and what their thoughts on it were ... that's one thing I really like about this age group is that you can take what they already know and run with it, finding things out through questioning and discussion. Then I got them started with the warm-up exercise (listening to one song, then drawing to two) - although I did things a bit differently than I had with the first class. This time I asked the students to start by simply drawing lines that represented the sounds they heard, using pencil or colored pencil (so they could warm up to the looser style) then they were allowed on the second song to start exploring more shape and color, with their lines. After this, I talked to them about it - discussing their reactions to the music and the color and lines they used. Then they watched the video and went through the power point - I took my supervisor's advice and incorporated more historical references, really trying to drive home the point of non-objective art and the novelty of it when Kandinsky first started creating. After that came another round of drawings listening to music and the change in approach and level of development was awesome! I think doing the before and after approach shows the students that they are learning, sweet!
Wednesday
Another even day - phew. I got to work with the two 8th grade classes we had today and help teach mosaics (glass cutting, design transfer and glass gluing); since I am working on one too right now, I have started sitting with a different table each class so I can develop better relations with some of the students (mainly the ones that are giving me problems). Safety is a major problem with the glass cutting, we've already had a couple pricked or cut fingers (we have a large supply of bandagdes on hand) and all the students are required to wear safety glasses while cutting the scrap glass with tile nippers, even still we had a girl get some glass in her eye today (the nurse got it out, she was ok, and promised to wear her glasses the whole time next class and be more careful). It becomes quite the racket in there with all the glass shifting and such, but once the students start in on the gluing they all become so quiet and focused - its awesome! They kept begging to work just 5 more minutes and not clean up "just yet." The mosaic project is apparently the "holy grail" project at our school - the kids get so excited and beg to do it.
The 7th grade class - the all girl one - started the next phase of their Kandinsky lesson today - delving into color and painting. My teacher and I team taught a color wheel lesson, first asking the students to fill out a color wheel on paper (primary, secondary & tertiary), then reviewing color mixing with them - using the sheet. After that we created edible color wheels, using nilla wafers and primary colored icing - the girls loved it and we are now their favorite teachers haha. It was kind of messy, but it was a fun way to drive home the idea of how to make colors and everybody got to eat 3 cookies and finish off the icing. I'll be teaching this lesson solo tomorrow with the other 7th grade class. Then after our lesson/snack, I did a water color demo - showing them the different ways water color can be used and how to use water color pencils. Originally I was going to have them use water color and acrylic on thier final, now I think we'll just do water color maybe? Lessons are definitely a learning process the first time you teach them! After the demo, they had the rest of class to experiment with the different ways of using the watercolors, which they enjoyed. On Friday that class will start their final compositions, looking at all the drawings they have done to music previously and creating one final work.
During planning today, my teacher and I finally got to test out the 3D lesson I want to teach after they finish their reposse. It will be creating cups and saucers out of plaster gauze (using styrofoam bowls and plates as molds), gessoing them, and then painting them to show a part to whole relationship. We tried doing the plaster gauze on the plate and bowl and it definitely worked - I super excited to start writing up this lesson and then actually teaching it. Time to go get to it!
Thursday
coming soon... along with Friday.
Monday, March 26, 2007
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Week # 3: Under Control?
Monday
This week is an odd week, meaning lots of classes and only a little planning. I also will start teaching by the end of this week in the 7th grade classes and will start a team teaching lesson with the 3-D class on illuminated letters. Also, my teacher will be out this Thursday, so I will be somewhat taking over with the help of the substitute.
Tuesday
Today was thankfully an even day, meaning the classes are a little calmer and we got a much needed planning period. I spent time assisting the students during the lessons - I am starting to feel much more comfortable, and putting final touches on my Kandinsky lesson.
Wednesday
Today was a busy one - not only getting things prepared for the four classes we had but making sure that everything was set up for tomorrow - I will be taking over all of the classes (both 8th grade and one 7th) with the help of a substitute while my teacher is out for a day. Also, with the 3D class, we started a new lesson - one that we are team teaching and I will eventually be taking over. I finally got to see my teacher start a lesson, using art history discussion on Illuminated manuscripts to begin and then a variety of visuals (from a powerpoint that I made, to a book, or samples). We tag-teamed the intro, my teacher told me I could add whatever I wanted to the discussion and I think it really helped me ease into teaching them. They started by sketching letters today after the intro - doing at 3 versions, once they decide on a design they will use reposse techniques to transfer it to copper. Eventually, these will become the front cover of a book - I'm super excited! I really connect with this projec too because I did a similar one last placement with my 3rd graders, studying illuminated letters, and I have studied them through graphic design courses. We spent some of the class today discussing an example of illuminated manuscripts, The Book of Kells - which I have actually seen so I was able to add some personal experience to the discussion.
The 7th graders were working on their pen & ink trees again, they are about a day and 1/2 behind the even day class, but hopefully by Friday they will be caught up again. It amazing how much confidence plays into artistic success at this age. In elementary school they start out almost fearless but by the time they hit middle school they are so afraid of making mistakes or being unsuccessful - once they get past that though, they start making the most beautiful artwork. Some of the trees are amazing! I try to be really encouraging when I circulate around the classroom while they are working - offering constructive criticism and positive feedback - I think they are starting to realize that I'm not just "saying those things cause I have to."
The two 8th grade classes were finishing the construction of their accordian style books, which have covers made out of the marbled or paste paper they made last week. I think this project has been kind of the crafty side, but I also find that important to have in the art classroom in moderation. It helps students learn different techniques and it really allows all the students to be successful in the projects. The next project the students will be starting on is a mosaic - I think its really awesome that they get exposed to more than just drawing in art class - even if it does mean more work for the teachers haha. After their books were finished they started preparing their boards for mosaics, sanding and gesso-ing them. I made sure to get really hands on and pay close attention today during both 8th grade classes because I knew I would be teaching them solo tomorrow!
Before we left today, my teacher I doubled checked that all the plans were there and that all the supplies were out and ready to go tomorrow - luckily its an even day so I only have 3 classes, woo! This week has somewhat flown by and I can't believe its already week #3 at this placement. I will also teach the warm-up portion of my Kandinsky lesson tomorrow - students will listen to music and then listen and draw responses to music in preparation for an intro the non-objective art lesson.
Amusing point of the day: So my last 8th grade class has some boys in it that tend to sing/rap inappropriate songs - well I actually know some of these songs and have started calling them out on it. Their faces are priceless when I tell them that "Colt 45" by Afromand is not "OK" for in the artroom ... hehe, I'm not quite as square as they expected!
Thursday
Today was quite the adventure – my teacher was out for doctors’ appointments all day, so I was with a substitute, in other words I was teaching. I thought it would be good today to go ahead and step up as the teacher in the classroom, which was met with mixed reviews from the students. My teacher had left very detailed instructions for the substitute of what would be going on today (and gave me a copy as well) – which I followed successfully. Well, I’ll start from the very first thing this morning to fully explain this experience.
When I came in this morning, despite the request of my teacher to the custodian, the door was locked – I went down to the office and got the spare key to open up the room. I then reviewed the plan for the day and double-checked all of my materials and even had time to whip up a batch of coffee before the substitute and the students arrived.
The first class was 8th grade, 2nd period – the one that has the girls that are still not fully accepting of me – however, the class went surprisingly well! When they came in I got them settled and took attendance during announcements (its done on the computer – so cool because it even has the students’ pictures). Then I gave them an overview of what was on the agenda for today and got the “table bosses” to pass out supplies for finishing steps to the book making project. I gave them step-by-step instructions/demonstrations on how to finish their books and in no time at all, they were ready to start on the next project of the day. I then got them all set up to sand and gesso their boards, the substitute stepped in on the handing out of supplies as needed and did a little behavioral monitoring. After they finished with the boards, they got their reading/homework sheet which almost everyone had time to complete during class – then they had free time to draw in their sketchbooks and complete any other assignments. Despite the fact that I was kind of nervous about today, I felt pretty comfortable – and the one girl that gives me a hard time was surprisingly helpful too, she really just wants attention when it comes down to it. I think this is a class that I’ve definitely connected to, they are fairly playful but when you focus them they really get work done.
The next class was my group of 7th grade girls, which I hadn’t anticipated would be a problem … however, at this age they never fail to surprise you. I got them settle and did another overview when they came in – getting them started on their pen and ink tree drawings, which they were to finish today. Well, my table bosses for this class are two girls who have quite the attitude and are a little manipulative/social. One girl slyly started working on my teachers’ sample drawing instead of her own – but hers was no where to be found (curious) – I wasn’t really sure how to deal with it as the other girl at her table was corroborating her story, so I’ll talk with my teacher about it tomorrow. The other girls all worked hard during the time they were given, with just a little coercing to focus, many of them finished. Then I cut them off with 30 min. left in class to start a warm-up activity for the Kandinsky lesson they will begin fully next week. I played them a song and asked them to close their eyes and just listening – thinking about what the music might look like (color, line, shapes). Apparently middle school girls cannot handle that – it was like pulling teeth to finally get them to sit and close their eyes and listen for just 3 min. In the end I was successful though – then they drew to music the rest of the class using pencil and chalk pastel. This project will be very interesting because many of them are resisting the “letting go” this project requires to make non-objective art – they all want to draw something that looks like something. Slowly though, you could watch them start to get it!
The last class of the day (yay even days for only have 3 blocks of classes) was the most challenging – not only because of students but because of it being split by lunch. I have one girl in there, who I know what trying to be helpful, but kept correcting me in a very negative manner – the well Ms. So and so does it this way syndrome. My response to that is – well today we are doing it this way because I’m Ms. Adams and this is how I want it done! I had one male student that really gave me a run for my money – he’s much bigger than I am and let’s be honest here, he’s a punk problem kid. He walked into class pushing around one of my smaller guys and I told him that would not happen in here and then it started – the attitude. He then proceeded to be tardy to class – I was beginning to wish my teacher and I had gone over disciplinary actions more with me and had really driven home the fact that I was going to be their teacher too to the students! Despite all of that, I got the class settled down and started on their projects, finishing their books before lunch and then doing their mosaic boards afterwards, along with their reading and worksheet. Phew. Luckily after all that – I had planning period to clean up a bit, collect my thoughts and talk with the substitute some, reflecting a bit on the day and talking about teaching in general, the substitute was a former teacher and had lots of support and helpful things. I really felt like it was my classroom today though, which was pretty awesome, to realize that yes – I can handle this age group, its not easy, but with practice I think I’ll get it down. There were definite good points in the day too – hugs from some of my students, smiles and some of them even coming up just to say hi to me in the hallway – its those little things paired with watching a student get something and succeed that really make even the tough crazy days worth it. It makes me realize that, yeah I am actually teaching them something and am a part of their lives (whether they like it or not sometimes).
Friday
It was very good to have my teacher back in the classroom today - though I was able to handle things Thurs. , the 8th grade classes we have on odd days are a bit more challenging.
This week is an odd week, meaning lots of classes and only a little planning. I also will start teaching by the end of this week in the 7th grade classes and will start a team teaching lesson with the 3-D class on illuminated letters. Also, my teacher will be out this Thursday, so I will be somewhat taking over with the help of the substitute.
Tuesday
Today was thankfully an even day, meaning the classes are a little calmer and we got a much needed planning period. I spent time assisting the students during the lessons - I am starting to feel much more comfortable, and putting final touches on my Kandinsky lesson.
Wednesday
Today was a busy one - not only getting things prepared for the four classes we had but making sure that everything was set up for tomorrow - I will be taking over all of the classes (both 8th grade and one 7th) with the help of a substitute while my teacher is out for a day. Also, with the 3D class, we started a new lesson - one that we are team teaching and I will eventually be taking over. I finally got to see my teacher start a lesson, using art history discussion on Illuminated manuscripts to begin and then a variety of visuals (from a powerpoint that I made, to a book, or samples). We tag-teamed the intro, my teacher told me I could add whatever I wanted to the discussion and I think it really helped me ease into teaching them. They started by sketching letters today after the intro - doing at 3 versions, once they decide on a design they will use reposse techniques to transfer it to copper. Eventually, these will become the front cover of a book - I'm super excited! I really connect with this projec too because I did a similar one last placement with my 3rd graders, studying illuminated letters, and I have studied them through graphic design courses. We spent some of the class today discussing an example of illuminated manuscripts, The Book of Kells - which I have actually seen so I was able to add some personal experience to the discussion.
The 7th graders were working on their pen & ink trees again, they are about a day and 1/2 behind the even day class, but hopefully by Friday they will be caught up again. It amazing how much confidence plays into artistic success at this age. In elementary school they start out almost fearless but by the time they hit middle school they are so afraid of making mistakes or being unsuccessful - once they get past that though, they start making the most beautiful artwork. Some of the trees are amazing! I try to be really encouraging when I circulate around the classroom while they are working - offering constructive criticism and positive feedback - I think they are starting to realize that I'm not just "saying those things cause I have to."
The two 8th grade classes were finishing the construction of their accordian style books, which have covers made out of the marbled or paste paper they made last week. I think this project has been kind of the crafty side, but I also find that important to have in the art classroom in moderation. It helps students learn different techniques and it really allows all the students to be successful in the projects. The next project the students will be starting on is a mosaic - I think its really awesome that they get exposed to more than just drawing in art class - even if it does mean more work for the teachers haha. After their books were finished they started preparing their boards for mosaics, sanding and gesso-ing them. I made sure to get really hands on and pay close attention today during both 8th grade classes because I knew I would be teaching them solo tomorrow!
Before we left today, my teacher I doubled checked that all the plans were there and that all the supplies were out and ready to go tomorrow - luckily its an even day so I only have 3 classes, woo! This week has somewhat flown by and I can't believe its already week #3 at this placement. I will also teach the warm-up portion of my Kandinsky lesson tomorrow - students will listen to music and then listen and draw responses to music in preparation for an intro the non-objective art lesson.
Amusing point of the day: So my last 8th grade class has some boys in it that tend to sing/rap inappropriate songs - well I actually know some of these songs and have started calling them out on it. Their faces are priceless when I tell them that "Colt 45" by Afromand is not "OK" for in the artroom ... hehe, I'm not quite as square as they expected!
Thursday
Today was quite the adventure – my teacher was out for doctors’ appointments all day, so I was with a substitute, in other words I was teaching. I thought it would be good today to go ahead and step up as the teacher in the classroom, which was met with mixed reviews from the students. My teacher had left very detailed instructions for the substitute of what would be going on today (and gave me a copy as well) – which I followed successfully. Well, I’ll start from the very first thing this morning to fully explain this experience.
When I came in this morning, despite the request of my teacher to the custodian, the door was locked – I went down to the office and got the spare key to open up the room. I then reviewed the plan for the day and double-checked all of my materials and even had time to whip up a batch of coffee before the substitute and the students arrived.
The first class was 8th grade, 2nd period – the one that has the girls that are still not fully accepting of me – however, the class went surprisingly well! When they came in I got them settled and took attendance during announcements (its done on the computer – so cool because it even has the students’ pictures). Then I gave them an overview of what was on the agenda for today and got the “table bosses” to pass out supplies for finishing steps to the book making project. I gave them step-by-step instructions/demonstrations on how to finish their books and in no time at all, they were ready to start on the next project of the day. I then got them all set up to sand and gesso their boards, the substitute stepped in on the handing out of supplies as needed and did a little behavioral monitoring. After they finished with the boards, they got their reading/homework sheet which almost everyone had time to complete during class – then they had free time to draw in their sketchbooks and complete any other assignments. Despite the fact that I was kind of nervous about today, I felt pretty comfortable – and the one girl that gives me a hard time was surprisingly helpful too, she really just wants attention when it comes down to it. I think this is a class that I’ve definitely connected to, they are fairly playful but when you focus them they really get work done.
The next class was my group of 7th grade girls, which I hadn’t anticipated would be a problem … however, at this age they never fail to surprise you. I got them settle and did another overview when they came in – getting them started on their pen and ink tree drawings, which they were to finish today. Well, my table bosses for this class are two girls who have quite the attitude and are a little manipulative/social. One girl slyly started working on my teachers’ sample drawing instead of her own – but hers was no where to be found (curious) – I wasn’t really sure how to deal with it as the other girl at her table was corroborating her story, so I’ll talk with my teacher about it tomorrow. The other girls all worked hard during the time they were given, with just a little coercing to focus, many of them finished. Then I cut them off with 30 min. left in class to start a warm-up activity for the Kandinsky lesson they will begin fully next week. I played them a song and asked them to close their eyes and just listening – thinking about what the music might look like (color, line, shapes). Apparently middle school girls cannot handle that – it was like pulling teeth to finally get them to sit and close their eyes and listen for just 3 min. In the end I was successful though – then they drew to music the rest of the class using pencil and chalk pastel. This project will be very interesting because many of them are resisting the “letting go” this project requires to make non-objective art – they all want to draw something that looks like something. Slowly though, you could watch them start to get it!
The last class of the day (yay even days for only have 3 blocks of classes) was the most challenging – not only because of students but because of it being split by lunch. I have one girl in there, who I know what trying to be helpful, but kept correcting me in a very negative manner – the well Ms. So and so does it this way syndrome. My response to that is – well today we are doing it this way because I’m Ms. Adams and this is how I want it done! I had one male student that really gave me a run for my money – he’s much bigger than I am and let’s be honest here, he’s a punk problem kid. He walked into class pushing around one of my smaller guys and I told him that would not happen in here and then it started – the attitude. He then proceeded to be tardy to class – I was beginning to wish my teacher and I had gone over disciplinary actions more with me and had really driven home the fact that I was going to be their teacher too to the students! Despite all of that, I got the class settled down and started on their projects, finishing their books before lunch and then doing their mosaic boards afterwards, along with their reading and worksheet. Phew. Luckily after all that – I had planning period to clean up a bit, collect my thoughts and talk with the substitute some, reflecting a bit on the day and talking about teaching in general, the substitute was a former teacher and had lots of support and helpful things. I really felt like it was my classroom today though, which was pretty awesome, to realize that yes – I can handle this age group, its not easy, but with practice I think I’ll get it down. There were definite good points in the day too – hugs from some of my students, smiles and some of them even coming up just to say hi to me in the hallway – its those little things paired with watching a student get something and succeed that really make even the tough crazy days worth it. It makes me realize that, yeah I am actually teaching them something and am a part of their lives (whether they like it or not sometimes).
Friday
It was very good to have my teacher back in the classroom today - though I was able to handle things Thurs. , the 8th grade classes we have on odd days are a bit more challenging.
Monday, March 12, 2007
Week # 2: Oh Middle Schoolers
Monday
It was an interesting day at school - there were a lot of kids absent due to either oversleeping (crazy daylight savings) or the latest bug going around. This meant classes were smaller, but somehow no less hectic. We had a transition day with both the 7th and 8th grade classes (it was an even day) - some people finishing one project and getting people started on the other. The 8th graders are moving on to creating different types of decorative paper, starting with paste paper, then later in the week marbled paper - these will be used in several different projects - creating a small sketch-type book, mixed paper collages, & etc. The 7th grade class was moving from drawing the stuffed animals to a brief drawing exercise for a science teacher to drawing trees (the next lesson). Both lessons went pretty well I think - though we did have our classes that are a little tamer (than the odd day classes). I actually ended up starting the paper lesson with the 2nd 8th grade class of the day - my teacher was helping students get going on finishing up their baskets, so I set up the materials and then just started instructing them - no sense in letting students waste class time waiting or sitting around (or misbehaving). I could immediately tell that my teacher was grateful/pleased that I stepped up and we decided afterwards that we would use the divide and conquer method with them again tomorrow. The only problem with the 8th grade lesson was the amount of clean-up that was left to the teacher & myself. My project for this week is to figure out how to minimize the amount of set up and clean up that we (the teachers) have to do and how to organize the project & the classroom so that students can take care of that part as well. I definitely want to train these kids to be more self- sufficient, hopefully in a calm manner ( haha, wishful thinking with this age group).
I found it interesting with the tree drawing lesson that my teacher started today that she used a similar method to the one I used when I was teaching trees to my first graders last 8 weeks. The idea of using a v to divide the tree branches apparently makes sense to all age groups and is something that they struggle with too. The way my teacher taught it was really encouraging to the students though - it let them realize that even if they didn't know how to draw them, they were going to learn - in a variety of different ways.
Now I need to go work on making lesson sheet templates and start on my Kandinsky lesson - its going to be a very busy week (including in school tornado drills, assemblies, and all sorts of other things)!
My teacher and I discussed with these new lessons the problem with excessive clean-up for us with the paper lesson.
Tuesday
I think I have discovered a possible solution to our excessive clean-up problem! During my last block today (which is our problem block) I had an idea to start a two person clean-up team, it would be a different two people every class. I told the students that in art class we're like a family, we do things together, we talk and share, we create a mess and then it needs to be cleaned up - and in a family, every member should help with chores - so each class two people (I would let them know) would be assisting with whatever clean-up we had. My teacher already has a set up plan (table bosses) who pass things out and sometimes gather things, but for more involved "teacher heavy" clean-up (aka the paper making) I think the "family style" clean-up plan may do the job. Another problem that my teacher and I realized, after having our back-to-back 8th grade classes, is with the intense clean-up at the end the students were having some down time that could be filled. So now we're trying to develop a lesson, based on a book that I have about colors (a kind of more grown up book with poetry about the personality of each color and great illustrations). Through some brainstorming tonight and some talking tomorrow, hopefully we'll be able to figure out a plan turning this into a filler activity that eventually turns into a project where the students create color personalities and illustrate them too!
Other than that, it was a busy odd day where I have started to establish myself more as an authority figure in the classroom - instead of just a passive observer. I have gotten to do a little bit of one-on-one instruction with some of the students during the lessons and some team teaching during the 8th grade lesson again today. Bit by bit I am getting more comfortable in the middle school setting/classroom - hopefully each day will be an improvement - it will definitely be interesting when I start teaching my lesson next week on drawing to music (focus on color and line) based on Kandinsky - I'm going to use some more modern music though (Sound Tribe Sector 9) and an experience of watching an artist paint to music at one of their concerts. I'm excited each day I work on it more - I'm hoping to have it all written up by tomorrow afternoon.
Also, we had a tornado drill during first block (3-d) art that took a fair chunk of time was a bit of a challenge since the school is currently under construction (and has been for the past 2 years!).
Wednesday
It's amazing that no matter how much you plan, there is always the unexpected or that last little detail. Today was a divide and conquer sort of day, full of lots of clean up! We learned from the day before and I took people who had been absent and needed to do paste paper and my teacher took the folks doing marbled paper. Then we floated around helping folks with each project and trying to keep the mess under control. During my first block class of 8th graders, where the girl who has kind of a personality conflict with me decided she was going to keep feeling me out some more and testing my limits - I think she's starting to see how I operate though. Although when I was helping her with her marbled paper, she informed me that I needed to loosen up, that I was very uptight. I responded that my teacher was stricter at the beginning of the year before she knew them and then she eased up - I operate the same way.
Thursday
crazy busy! lots of paper making & tree drawing, oh yeah and the 3-D class working on mosaics. We are having some personality conflicts in the 7th grade class, students asking to be moved around in seating and some butting of heads/tattling/fighting. My teacher finally put her foot down after rearranging the seating some, she stated that the behavior would not be acceptable in the art class. I think we'll still be dealing with some of it, but at a much lower level.
Friday
So school let out at 1:00 due to inclement weather - I forgot that we get snow in the middle of March! This adjusted the plans for the day ... and the attention spans of the students.
It was an interesting day at school - there were a lot of kids absent due to either oversleeping (crazy daylight savings) or the latest bug going around. This meant classes were smaller, but somehow no less hectic. We had a transition day with both the 7th and 8th grade classes (it was an even day) - some people finishing one project and getting people started on the other. The 8th graders are moving on to creating different types of decorative paper, starting with paste paper, then later in the week marbled paper - these will be used in several different projects - creating a small sketch-type book, mixed paper collages, & etc. The 7th grade class was moving from drawing the stuffed animals to a brief drawing exercise for a science teacher to drawing trees (the next lesson). Both lessons went pretty well I think - though we did have our classes that are a little tamer (than the odd day classes). I actually ended up starting the paper lesson with the 2nd 8th grade class of the day - my teacher was helping students get going on finishing up their baskets, so I set up the materials and then just started instructing them - no sense in letting students waste class time waiting or sitting around (or misbehaving). I could immediately tell that my teacher was grateful/pleased that I stepped up and we decided afterwards that we would use the divide and conquer method with them again tomorrow. The only problem with the 8th grade lesson was the amount of clean-up that was left to the teacher & myself. My project for this week is to figure out how to minimize the amount of set up and clean up that we (the teachers) have to do and how to organize the project & the classroom so that students can take care of that part as well. I definitely want to train these kids to be more self- sufficient, hopefully in a calm manner ( haha, wishful thinking with this age group).
I found it interesting with the tree drawing lesson that my teacher started today that she used a similar method to the one I used when I was teaching trees to my first graders last 8 weeks. The idea of using a v to divide the tree branches apparently makes sense to all age groups and is something that they struggle with too. The way my teacher taught it was really encouraging to the students though - it let them realize that even if they didn't know how to draw them, they were going to learn - in a variety of different ways.
Now I need to go work on making lesson sheet templates and start on my Kandinsky lesson - its going to be a very busy week (including in school tornado drills, assemblies, and all sorts of other things)!
My teacher and I discussed with these new lessons the problem with excessive clean-up for us with the paper lesson.
Tuesday
I think I have discovered a possible solution to our excessive clean-up problem! During my last block today (which is our problem block) I had an idea to start a two person clean-up team, it would be a different two people every class. I told the students that in art class we're like a family, we do things together, we talk and share, we create a mess and then it needs to be cleaned up - and in a family, every member should help with chores - so each class two people (I would let them know) would be assisting with whatever clean-up we had. My teacher already has a set up plan (table bosses) who pass things out and sometimes gather things, but for more involved "teacher heavy" clean-up (aka the paper making) I think the "family style" clean-up plan may do the job. Another problem that my teacher and I realized, after having our back-to-back 8th grade classes, is with the intense clean-up at the end the students were having some down time that could be filled. So now we're trying to develop a lesson, based on a book that I have about colors (a kind of more grown up book with poetry about the personality of each color and great illustrations). Through some brainstorming tonight and some talking tomorrow, hopefully we'll be able to figure out a plan turning this into a filler activity that eventually turns into a project where the students create color personalities and illustrate them too!
Other than that, it was a busy odd day where I have started to establish myself more as an authority figure in the classroom - instead of just a passive observer. I have gotten to do a little bit of one-on-one instruction with some of the students during the lessons and some team teaching during the 8th grade lesson again today. Bit by bit I am getting more comfortable in the middle school setting/classroom - hopefully each day will be an improvement - it will definitely be interesting when I start teaching my lesson next week on drawing to music (focus on color and line) based on Kandinsky - I'm going to use some more modern music though (Sound Tribe Sector 9) and an experience of watching an artist paint to music at one of their concerts. I'm excited each day I work on it more - I'm hoping to have it all written up by tomorrow afternoon.
Also, we had a tornado drill during first block (3-d) art that took a fair chunk of time was a bit of a challenge since the school is currently under construction (and has been for the past 2 years!).
Wednesday
It's amazing that no matter how much you plan, there is always the unexpected or that last little detail. Today was a divide and conquer sort of day, full of lots of clean up! We learned from the day before and I took people who had been absent and needed to do paste paper and my teacher took the folks doing marbled paper. Then we floated around helping folks with each project and trying to keep the mess under control. During my first block class of 8th graders, where the girl who has kind of a personality conflict with me decided she was going to keep feeling me out some more and testing my limits - I think she's starting to see how I operate though. Although when I was helping her with her marbled paper, she informed me that I needed to loosen up, that I was very uptight. I responded that my teacher was stricter at the beginning of the year before she knew them and then she eased up - I operate the same way.
Thursday
crazy busy! lots of paper making & tree drawing, oh yeah and the 3-D class working on mosaics. We are having some personality conflicts in the 7th grade class, students asking to be moved around in seating and some butting of heads/tattling/fighting. My teacher finally put her foot down after rearranging the seating some, she stated that the behavior would not be acceptable in the art class. I think we'll still be dealing with some of it, but at a much lower level.
Friday
So school let out at 1:00 due to inclement weather - I forgot that we get snow in the middle of March! This adjusted the plans for the day ... and the attention spans of the students.
Monday, March 5, 2007
Week # 1: The new kid in school ...
Monday
I started at my new placement today at a middle school just one block from the elementary school where I just spent the last 8 weeks. However, even though the schools are physically close - I can already tell the experience will be quite different! I'm still fighting off the gra-doo that I got at the end of last week, so that gave me morning a bit of a rocky start and made the day more exhausting that I'm sure it really was. The middle school is on an alternating block schedule - 90 minute classes, 4 blocks a day, alternating even & odd. Today was an odd day - which is apparently the long day of back to back classes with only a 25 minute break for lunch - pretty intense. In total, we have two 7th grade art classes, four 8th grade art classes, and one 3-D art class - the 7th & 8th grade classes are year round and the 3-D is just one semester.
The difference between middle schoolers and elementary students is incredible - very different topics of socialization, behavioral problems, and of course suddenly most of them are bigger than I am! I can already tell that this is definitely going to be a challenge - especially the last block of 8th graders on odd days - there are two boys in there that have definite attitude! I'll be very interested to see how tomorrow goes ...
Tuesday
If its not snow, its SOLs that adjust the school schedule! Today we had no first block class because the 8th graders had the first part of their writing SOL; they came in long enough for attendance and a chance for me to give myself a quick introduction - then off they went for testing. While the 8th graders tested, my teacher and I had some down time and also some assigned hall duty - this finally gave us a chance to pow-wow about lesson ideas, plans for the coming weeks and just get to know each other better. I'm really starting to like my teaching a lot, not only does she have 29 years of experience as a middle school art teacher but she and I are actually very similar in mindset - I think we're going to get along just fine! The rest of the day we had our regular even day schedule - a 7th grade class and then an 8th grade class ... then planning! The idea of having a whole 90 minutes of planning blows my mind.
I was able to work more closely with the students today, since I knew what projects they would be doing. The 7th graders we have on even days are actually a class of all girls, which should prove to be interesting - I feel like I've started bonding with them some already. They worked on a value study exercise and then stuffed animal drawing using charcoal for both. I did the value exercise with them, even helping some of the girls around me as needed. Then I circulated with my teacher while they were working on their drawings, interacting with the students and helping them with their drawings as well. The 8th graders were working on their baskets again - and since I learned how to do the basket weaving steps yesterday I was able to help prepare and help students with the lesson. It was really fun to help the kids solve the problems they were running into with their baskets - working one-on-one and in a group. I was busy all class! The principal (who I had met while my teacher and I were on hall duty) came into the class to check out what they were working on - I'm glad the administrators seem so invested in the school! During planning last block, my teacher and I spent time going over paper work, talking about lesson ideas and developing a plan - I'll take over 7th grade, not next week, but week 3. I'm getting really excited about working with middle schoolers - I've got a lot of great ideas and I feel like so much more time to work them on the projects. I think the biggest difference (aside from size and age) so far is the fact that I'll actually get to build a relationship with my classes since I only have 170 kids as opposed to a whole school. I might actually learn names!
Wednesday
After a bright and early meeting with my supervisor and teacher, it was another SOL testing day, this time for 6th-8th grades. We ran on a two hour delay schedule, which meant my teacher and I had no classes until 11:30 - we started with out 2nd block (7th graders). Each class was only 50 minutes today, allowing students just enough time to set up, do some work and then clean up - it was like being back at the elementary school again - quick, quick. In the free time of the morning, I spent time with my teacher learning where everything was in the room (and the two huge supply closets!) and delving into her extensive collection of lesson plans and other resources. I will definitely be copying a lot of her materials before I leave! After exploring those materials, we talked about what the next project for the classes would be (8th grade & 3-D). She decided we would do paste paper and marbled paper with the 8th graders, including creating an image with a variety of papers and the 3-D class would do illuminated letter copper repousses. The paper making will also help with future lessons on book making that I hope to teach to the 8th graders while I'm there. I think deciding on which lesson I teach while I'm there will be very tricky because I have come up with tons of ideas so far (even more after looking through my teachers resources today). Time, available materials, and the classes themselves will be the deciding factors on what gets taught.
I feel like I'm still in limbo with how to interact/manage this new age group. I feel like I can definately relate to them - through movies, music, experiences and the like, but need to really set a presence as an authority figure too. I think the 8th graders are starting to respect me some in that roll, but I can already tell I'm going to have some difficulty with some of the girls in each class. I've been watching my teacher for clues, but her best advice was just to win them over and then try to stand firm. We'll see how it goes!
Thursday
Today was another "even" day - translate into 8th grade, 7th grade, 8th grade, planning period. I continued helping with the basket weaving project with the 8th graders - I've surprised myself with how quickly I was able to catch on to the process! I did the project today with my 7th graders - I even brought in my own stuffed animal to draw, a monkey, they loved it - as it was a class of all girls. I ended up working at a table of 3 girls that tend to be a little needy and a little rowdy, it was quite the experience. I'm starting to win them over I think, plus I think there is something to letting your students see your work and see you work - it validates you as an artist and somewhat of an authority in their eyes. It also gave me a work on which to demonstrate techniques/suggestions for the drawing the student were working on - I really don't like to do things on students art work. I want them to solve the problems themselves, I'm just there to help inspire, bring them back to focus and guide them in their art education.
On the downside of things, I already have a student that has kinda of taken against me. She's apparently E.D., has an IEP, and a history of difficulty with female authority - probably due to experiences in the past and at home. She told me teacher today though that she thought I was bossy - my teacher then relayed this to me with the above information. I asked her what to do about it and she said not to worry, that she probably saw me as a threat, as competition almost for attention from my teacher (they have built a strong connection). I hope it doesn't evolve into a larger problem, especially when I start teaching - I realize that I'll just have to try to establish my own connection with her.
Friday
Today was another whirlwind of a day - especially since it was the odd day group! They have been setting up this rewards thing all week - an inflatable party for any student who sold certain numbers of magazines (they got wristband of different colors to designate how long they got to spend in the party) - this of course was mildly disruptive to the classes throughout the day. There was also an 8th grade ice cream party last block for all the students for using the SOL strategies - since we had an 8th grade class last block we got to go (good: we got a mini break and ice cream, bad: the kids got sugar and missed out on basket weaving time). I also got to meet our "high school helper" - as my teacher calls her - we have a student that comes over from the neighboring high school on an internship type program twice a week to help in the art classroom. She is quite delightful, works well with the students, and helps us prepare and clean up the materials! She is with us every odd day of classes, last block - which is perfect since the last block has some of the trouble students. Speaking of which I put my foot down for the first time in there (which my teacher applauded me for later) - one student was having trouble focusing on his work (which is a usual occurance) and in turn, disrupting the rest of the class. I finally after three tries (I always give students 3 chances to correct their behavior), I pulled him aside and had a talk with him stating that I would not put up with his current behavior and if it continued there would be consequences, then I gave him a task to assist in clean up. And even though I had repremanded him, he still cheerfully said good-bye and have a good week-end at the end of class - I'm hoping we have an understanding. I am also working on my relationship with the student that had complained about me - I make an effort to say hello specifically (but casually) to her every time I see her and I think that with in class interactions will start to make a difference - she'll see I'm not such a bossy monster after all!
I started at my new placement today at a middle school just one block from the elementary school where I just spent the last 8 weeks. However, even though the schools are physically close - I can already tell the experience will be quite different! I'm still fighting off the gra-doo that I got at the end of last week, so that gave me morning a bit of a rocky start and made the day more exhausting that I'm sure it really was. The middle school is on an alternating block schedule - 90 minute classes, 4 blocks a day, alternating even & odd. Today was an odd day - which is apparently the long day of back to back classes with only a 25 minute break for lunch - pretty intense. In total, we have two 7th grade art classes, four 8th grade art classes, and one 3-D art class - the 7th & 8th grade classes are year round and the 3-D is just one semester.
The difference between middle schoolers and elementary students is incredible - very different topics of socialization, behavioral problems, and of course suddenly most of them are bigger than I am! I can already tell that this is definitely going to be a challenge - especially the last block of 8th graders on odd days - there are two boys in there that have definite attitude! I'll be very interested to see how tomorrow goes ...
Tuesday
If its not snow, its SOLs that adjust the school schedule! Today we had no first block class because the 8th graders had the first part of their writing SOL; they came in long enough for attendance and a chance for me to give myself a quick introduction - then off they went for testing. While the 8th graders tested, my teacher and I had some down time and also some assigned hall duty - this finally gave us a chance to pow-wow about lesson ideas, plans for the coming weeks and just get to know each other better. I'm really starting to like my teaching a lot, not only does she have 29 years of experience as a middle school art teacher but she and I are actually very similar in mindset - I think we're going to get along just fine! The rest of the day we had our regular even day schedule - a 7th grade class and then an 8th grade class ... then planning! The idea of having a whole 90 minutes of planning blows my mind.
I was able to work more closely with the students today, since I knew what projects they would be doing. The 7th graders we have on even days are actually a class of all girls, which should prove to be interesting - I feel like I've started bonding with them some already. They worked on a value study exercise and then stuffed animal drawing using charcoal for both. I did the value exercise with them, even helping some of the girls around me as needed. Then I circulated with my teacher while they were working on their drawings, interacting with the students and helping them with their drawings as well. The 8th graders were working on their baskets again - and since I learned how to do the basket weaving steps yesterday I was able to help prepare and help students with the lesson. It was really fun to help the kids solve the problems they were running into with their baskets - working one-on-one and in a group. I was busy all class! The principal (who I had met while my teacher and I were on hall duty) came into the class to check out what they were working on - I'm glad the administrators seem so invested in the school! During planning last block, my teacher and I spent time going over paper work, talking about lesson ideas and developing a plan - I'll take over 7th grade, not next week, but week 3. I'm getting really excited about working with middle schoolers - I've got a lot of great ideas and I feel like so much more time to work them on the projects. I think the biggest difference (aside from size and age) so far is the fact that I'll actually get to build a relationship with my classes since I only have 170 kids as opposed to a whole school. I might actually learn names!
Wednesday
After a bright and early meeting with my supervisor and teacher, it was another SOL testing day, this time for 6th-8th grades. We ran on a two hour delay schedule, which meant my teacher and I had no classes until 11:30 - we started with out 2nd block (7th graders). Each class was only 50 minutes today, allowing students just enough time to set up, do some work and then clean up - it was like being back at the elementary school again - quick, quick. In the free time of the morning, I spent time with my teacher learning where everything was in the room (and the two huge supply closets!) and delving into her extensive collection of lesson plans and other resources. I will definitely be copying a lot of her materials before I leave! After exploring those materials, we talked about what the next project for the classes would be (8th grade & 3-D). She decided we would do paste paper and marbled paper with the 8th graders, including creating an image with a variety of papers and the 3-D class would do illuminated letter copper repousses. The paper making will also help with future lessons on book making that I hope to teach to the 8th graders while I'm there. I think deciding on which lesson I teach while I'm there will be very tricky because I have come up with tons of ideas so far (even more after looking through my teachers resources today). Time, available materials, and the classes themselves will be the deciding factors on what gets taught.
I feel like I'm still in limbo with how to interact/manage this new age group. I feel like I can definately relate to them - through movies, music, experiences and the like, but need to really set a presence as an authority figure too. I think the 8th graders are starting to respect me some in that roll, but I can already tell I'm going to have some difficulty with some of the girls in each class. I've been watching my teacher for clues, but her best advice was just to win them over and then try to stand firm. We'll see how it goes!
Thursday
Today was another "even" day - translate into 8th grade, 7th grade, 8th grade, planning period. I continued helping with the basket weaving project with the 8th graders - I've surprised myself with how quickly I was able to catch on to the process! I did the project today with my 7th graders - I even brought in my own stuffed animal to draw, a monkey, they loved it - as it was a class of all girls. I ended up working at a table of 3 girls that tend to be a little needy and a little rowdy, it was quite the experience. I'm starting to win them over I think, plus I think there is something to letting your students see your work and see you work - it validates you as an artist and somewhat of an authority in their eyes. It also gave me a work on which to demonstrate techniques/suggestions for the drawing the student were working on - I really don't like to do things on students art work. I want them to solve the problems themselves, I'm just there to help inspire, bring them back to focus and guide them in their art education.
On the downside of things, I already have a student that has kinda of taken against me. She's apparently E.D., has an IEP, and a history of difficulty with female authority - probably due to experiences in the past and at home. She told me teacher today though that she thought I was bossy - my teacher then relayed this to me with the above information. I asked her what to do about it and she said not to worry, that she probably saw me as a threat, as competition almost for attention from my teacher (they have built a strong connection). I hope it doesn't evolve into a larger problem, especially when I start teaching - I realize that I'll just have to try to establish my own connection with her.
Friday
Today was another whirlwind of a day - especially since it was the odd day group! They have been setting up this rewards thing all week - an inflatable party for any student who sold certain numbers of magazines (they got wristband of different colors to designate how long they got to spend in the party) - this of course was mildly disruptive to the classes throughout the day. There was also an 8th grade ice cream party last block for all the students for using the SOL strategies - since we had an 8th grade class last block we got to go (good: we got a mini break and ice cream, bad: the kids got sugar and missed out on basket weaving time). I also got to meet our "high school helper" - as my teacher calls her - we have a student that comes over from the neighboring high school on an internship type program twice a week to help in the art classroom. She is quite delightful, works well with the students, and helps us prepare and clean up the materials! She is with us every odd day of classes, last block - which is perfect since the last block has some of the trouble students. Speaking of which I put my foot down for the first time in there (which my teacher applauded me for later) - one student was having trouble focusing on his work (which is a usual occurance) and in turn, disrupting the rest of the class. I finally after three tries (I always give students 3 chances to correct their behavior), I pulled him aside and had a talk with him stating that I would not put up with his current behavior and if it continued there would be consequences, then I gave him a task to assist in clean up. And even though I had repremanded him, he still cheerfully said good-bye and have a good week-end at the end of class - I'm hoping we have an understanding. I am also working on my relationship with the student that had complained about me - I make an effort to say hello specifically (but casually) to her every time I see her and I think that with in class interactions will start to make a difference - she'll see I'm not such a bossy monster after all!
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