tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33702368719079136702024-03-13T03:13:19.135-04:00somewhere in the middleadventures in art educationmorganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04178941649483914622noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3370236871907913670.post-32705683228276489632012-03-31T09:38:00.000-04:002012-03-31T09:38:00.865-04:00The Sub Way, Nas, and Connecting the DotsDespite the mishaps (I actually lost a student, briefly, this week), and the irritation (I was called to a school that asked that I reshelve library books?) and the constant problem solving (how DO you find 3/8 of 40?) I REALLY enjoy subbing. It has been truly educational. I see into what goes on outside of art education and I see into the microcosms of individual classrooms. I learn from good examples of teaching- using current song lyrics to teach language arts; so real and engaging! and from poor examples of teaching- no classroom rules, no classroom management plan? <div>So, I find these truths to be self-evident: </div><div><br />
</div><div>1) Subbing for a teacher who is firm, fair, and consistent with their class is much easier than for one who is not.</div><div>2) Relationship building is essential. The students need to know they matter to adults.</div><div>3) Being serious is ok. So is laughing when something is funny.</div><div><br />
</div><div>After a recently frustrating day in which I COULD NOT quickly, quietly get the students' attention for directions and transitions I remembered an idea that I had awhile ago and never tried...</div><div>By the way I HATE clapping at kids (kinda demeaning, no?) or flashing the lights (I am NEVER by the switch!)</div><div>SO, for a student population which enjoys being participatory...</div><div>I use the chorus from Nas' song, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PTqjThZei7U" target="_blank">I know I can</a>. It goes like this:</div><div><br />
</div><div>I call- I know I can</div><div>Students answer- Be what I wanna be</div><div>I call- If I work hard at it</div><div>Students answer- I'll be where I wanna be</div><div>Then, in theory, students get quiet and get ready to listen.</div><div><br />
</div><div>I'm anxious to see how it works!</div><div><br />
</div><div>AND I found an AMAZING resource for challenging puzzles, connect the dot sheets, coloring pages, etc for free! <a href="http://www.mindwarewholesale.com/SamplePuzzles/SamplePuzzles.aspx" target="_blank">Mindware Sample Puzzles</a></div><div>My plan is to pass them out at the beginning of the day and offer a small prize for whoever finishes first. Like an as-needed time filler:) No need to finagle extra time or rush slower paced students...We'll see how it goes! Wish me luck.</div><div><br />
</div>morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04178941649483914622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3370236871907913670.post-50092496994679071752012-02-20T14:58:00.000-05:002012-02-20T14:58:01.107-05:00An Artist A Day Keeps The Blues Away.Like many folks these days, I have a customized google homepage with news, weather, blog updates etc. While searching through the 'gadgets' Google has available, I found <a href="http://artistaday.com/" target="_blank">Artist A Day</a>. A cool site that updates daily:) with contemporary artists and their typically unusual artwork. As a recent long term high school art sub I FINALLY got to put this site to even better use than my own edification...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilZKqrPebQtldOsZiWedbqxUx9n-6uS3LYy8ElkzRLpLt5oES2u16-Xich4jQRnjAYWLu35wwY-Jk-BFwXWgNOCRqHKXLmNfVSUUHnULD-MwSiXIx5PyIG3_gywqdz6Wzqx8jgpn3Knp4/s1600/davidpeterson_342324243.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilZKqrPebQtldOsZiWedbqxUx9n-6uS3LYy8ElkzRLpLt5oES2u16-Xich4jQRnjAYWLu35wwY-Jk-BFwXWgNOCRqHKXLmNfVSUUHnULD-MwSiXIx5PyIG3_gywqdz6Wzqx8jgpn3Knp4/s320/davidpeterson_342324243.jpg" width="320" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Artist: David Peterson</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Student Questions: </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> What elements of art stand out most in this artwork?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">What do you think the artist was thinking when he/she made this work of art?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Each day, I projected the site onto the SmartBoard at the beginning of the period. Students had a standard two questions to answer which I changed according to what was relevant to our class. Each day's response was worth just five points. Some students earned more based on the sophistication of their answer. I chose not to dock points if a student was absent for a day or two. However, for absences of 3+ days, students had to write a paragraph response when they returned.<br />
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It was a happy time when students came in, had a quick doable task, and mentally switched over to art while I got organized and took attendance. Hope this is of use!morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04178941649483914622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3370236871907913670.post-44143700420486513062012-01-26T17:27:00.001-05:002012-01-26T17:27:57.148-05:00Why Art Matters...To Teenagers.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Well, one of the aspects of art that I really enjoy is that it is for EVERYONE. well at least it should be. Sometimes I feel like the Statue of Liberty..."<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;">Give me your tired your poor Your huddled masses yearning to breath free." Don't get me wrong, working with students who love art, create amazing artwork, and are going to art school is great. But part of me loves teaching everyone else about the POWER OF ART! (insert thunderbolts here)</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;">As I am currently teaching a high school general art type of class, I decided to put it all into a PowerPoint. Cuz that's what I do:) <a href="https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B8nysVzX2ASaNGJhOGI3OWMtNzRmYi00MDFmLWFmYmQtMjc5NDU5N2QyN2Fk" target="_blank">Why Art Matters</a> enjoy! tell me whatcha think...</span></span>morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04178941649483914622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3370236871907913670.post-36079238377307264712012-01-19T17:57:00.000-05:002012-01-19T17:57:08.610-05:00Whatcha Mean, what's a zine?!Ok this is by far one of my favorite fall back, never fail lesson plans for any grade level. ZINES are simply mini magazines for those of you new to the medium. They can be folded many ways and incorporate collage, written stories, poems, drawings, cartoons, etc. Often they are made to be cheaply reproduced and sold. Zines are for sale in record stores, comic book stores, indy book stores, etc. and are usually written by someone with a message to share. <br />
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This <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Whatcha-Mean-Whats-Esther-Watson/dp/0618563156/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1327012820&sr=8-1" target="_blank">book</a> is a great resource for learning more and to have on hand in the classroom. If possible I like to show this <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F745Epi7_JA" target="_blank">video</a> of a teen girl talking about making zines...she's so much cooler than me! <br />
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When we make zines I usually use it as an introductory lesson for students to share a topic that relates to their identity (middle and high school). Students are put ease because it's not an intimidating project and they LOVE to talk about themselves:)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>As a long term art sub I recently used this lesson with the following results:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipBvI2zfiFwxtA6cO1_NLeThu3F9RUBWs_iYQlVKZufkLR_oRnBDLJ5rcNornbW8zkjlifE079jikXlnCHf1B_af56IFVBywFQ1iKzFqZeId_41OSU8eOJfuPyxxNJZ_1zMj0lzkwTvkk/s1600/4.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipBvI2zfiFwxtA6cO1_NLeThu3F9RUBWs_iYQlVKZufkLR_oRnBDLJ5rcNornbW8zkjlifE079jikXlnCHf1B_af56IFVBywFQ1iKzFqZeId_41OSU8eOJfuPyxxNJZ_1zMj0lzkwTvkk/s320/4.jpeg" width="248" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">These were made on a simple piece of 8 and 1/2" 11" copy paper that's folded into fourths.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This lesson is a good indicator of student ability and creativity.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Thanks to Meri for introducing me to the world of zines in the first place:)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04178941649483914622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3370236871907913670.post-38451378766400240282011-11-15T08:27:00.000-05:002012-05-10T16:54:52.282-04:00cue whitesnake..."here I am again..."i hope my 80's musical reference wasn't too random:) <br />
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Well friends, it has been some TIME!! Anywho, let me explain my absence and where i am... again.<br />
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SUBBING!? Yeah i won't get into the nitty gritty of how and why...<br />
But, here I am. I subbed for three years after getting my bachelor's degree before working as an instructional assistant and before I had my teaching degree. It's a little weird to return to subbing in regular classrooms after five years! BUT let me tell you, I LOVE subbing. For real, it's a great gig. I have freedom from planning, grading, and real/prolonged discipline problems. I get the chance to work with a daily variety of ages and learners and the opportunity to watch great teachers do their thing and learn from them! It's rewarding each day to get to know new students, problem solve, present unfamiliar material and take each day as it comes. Now if only subs were paid accordingly...<br />
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Which has kept me from blogging...where do i go from here? My rough plan is to change format temporairily (until I get a full time art teaching job- cross your fingers!) and blog about my own current art projects which I FINALLY have time/energy for, art lesson plans, and tips, pointers, observations on subbing both for classroom teachers and subs:)<br />
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For all my teaching friends who continue to fight the fine fight in inner city teaching, my hat goes off to you.morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04178941649483914622noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3370236871907913670.post-44446343126761490602011-05-16T17:38:00.000-04:002011-05-16T17:38:33.830-04:00A few of my favorite things...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">While looking for a new 3-D project for my eighth graders, I came across<a href="http://www.princetonol.com/groups/iad/lessons/middle/Heather-relief.htm"> this</a> lesson plan on the Incredible Art Department... I knew I had PLENTY of cardboard and my students love working in groups (despite my reservations) so I thought we'd give it a shot! Our Frank Stella-inspired relief sculptures turned out a bit differently than planned, BUT the students LOVED this project!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I am proud of their ability to work together and "think outside the box". </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Originally, this project was meant to be a bit more abstract, but that was tricky to conceptualize and we were a tad tied to the literal...but that's ok, we have to start somewhere! First, we completed the National Gallery of Art <a href="http://www.nga.gov/kids/stella/stella1.htm">online guessing game</a> (with a worksheet to ensure participation and understanding)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Then students chose an activity and answered some questions about the activity that helped them turn movement, equipment, etc. into shapes and colors. I really wish we had a display case for these!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRXUgqI7bOPSBnrQBHmzeVq_DwdBZTEcDmJqIzmZmE1E1NVuvAZrw8RIPGvEcaE1EvFSYf607EZTTfWwH0WA-NzgFMUX5hkmPBbvSBhuS0tLyHDIqpY3UCMdxgmHzUYdjWdVDV-WUmdHk/s1600/DSC00355.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRXUgqI7bOPSBnrQBHmzeVq_DwdBZTEcDmJqIzmZmE1E1NVuvAZrw8RIPGvEcaE1EvFSYf607EZTTfWwH0WA-NzgFMUX5hkmPBbvSBhuS0tLyHDIqpY3UCMdxgmHzUYdjWdVDV-WUmdHk/s320/DSC00355.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2I6o6k0xh7sN7RU-Bq1e3JYNoQe4WZD8XFfGiV5pI6VIfKJv63bBzEcZTYpAyA_Oelt3aCJt6ctjEV2wH7Qj7xaf4496xeJhMzJaPEqpvDUjS1ImEPPsKcm5ZWM8vOfhI63nxNjTUtB4/s1600/DSC00356.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2I6o6k0xh7sN7RU-Bq1e3JYNoQe4WZD8XFfGiV5pI6VIfKJv63bBzEcZTYpAyA_Oelt3aCJt6ctjEV2wH7Qj7xaf4496xeJhMzJaPEqpvDUjS1ImEPPsKcm5ZWM8vOfhI63nxNjTUtB4/s320/DSC00356.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga_nFDIwjapockBictVnJObYKDbb2PFgrLCOvc4WG4D33CROE9624fRi6BpRPRQeyATQsvB3ZVfkOpGpBZFf1cjV7DE3ZdNb4jzoamBGoANRx0f0JnA3T_pPn-ce6O6nIRXH7j4H944Fc/s1600/DSC00357.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga_nFDIwjapockBictVnJObYKDbb2PFgrLCOvc4WG4D33CROE9624fRi6BpRPRQeyATQsvB3ZVfkOpGpBZFf1cjV7DE3ZdNb4jzoamBGoANRx0f0JnA3T_pPn-ce6O6nIRXH7j4H944Fc/s320/DSC00357.JPG" width="240px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkPxcFTEWpIbBrC47FexvWCMFiaxSa8hALBxZicieSG32i3JSJSrBOG7yiNCBXsDkAC7OSUTuERJHWc2ptdj4j8CXKOWthe4tf37lyUntkVcrPCExBu46mxCELlKGh6mYTIaLxHE7xBYI/s1600/DSC00358.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkPxcFTEWpIbBrC47FexvWCMFiaxSa8hALBxZicieSG32i3JSJSrBOG7yiNCBXsDkAC7OSUTuERJHWc2ptdj4j8CXKOWthe4tf37lyUntkVcrPCExBu46mxCELlKGh6mYTIaLxHE7xBYI/s320/DSC00358.JPG" width="320px" /></a>Does the bowling ball look like 'The Scream' to anyone else?</div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Below are some 7th grade examples working with value. After tracing 3-5 shapes (so the focus was on the shading) we drew 3 lines from one side of the paper to the other. Next, we chose 2 pairs of oil pastel light/dark color combos. One pair was outside the shapes and one pair was the inside. To incorporate writing skills, we wrote 3-5 sentences about what we VALUE. I like when students can interject a little bit of their identity into a project which is otherwise strictly art-skills based.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDKmzsMZSYtXLuZH3sCC_RyC3gtr-kkfD0CLq1fhXaITOafF4ixJUlWDhxrwOygBf4Rdq7fjD8I8i4eLVbD0d-ruL_41pfxshBYzqFj0da8nswQqUhpEgn1iCQrQGBYMH2lqSrSngKiFo/s1600/DSC00363.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDKmzsMZSYtXLuZH3sCC_RyC3gtr-kkfD0CLq1fhXaITOafF4ixJUlWDhxrwOygBf4Rdq7fjD8I8i4eLVbD0d-ruL_41pfxshBYzqFj0da8nswQqUhpEgn1iCQrQGBYMH2lqSrSngKiFo/s320/DSC00363.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjZ-obKpehhPrLPsd3OYQtdw-ajR7tSBetd7bDHBcc0sKjSKHjhpqx43XYNARLeHw5RMVE_W4lvYCBJnx2ajWlHnfcYCrcNMO8-1xYEZOVLJPzbtc4kryl6AXSdsr5aGakJZEm3ur6WY0/s1600/DSC00365.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjZ-obKpehhPrLPsd3OYQtdw-ajR7tSBetd7bDHBcc0sKjSKHjhpqx43XYNARLeHw5RMVE_W4lvYCBJnx2ajWlHnfcYCrcNMO8-1xYEZOVLJPzbtc4kryl6AXSdsr5aGakJZEm3ur6WY0/s320/DSC00365.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEindiolAdx9_5VvTpRYsVrfFniJXRhUZ9vTZM_dE5NkxlhRVUH8bgKgdeMk3BLSCgWFyS4mXrhFn3empImkhFZ6jXj27VDMaiFrFILiII0zqPKI-4hgNKI4OgZS_ynSNHnJEBlNEFlzVWQ/s1600/DSC00370.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEindiolAdx9_5VvTpRYsVrfFniJXRhUZ9vTZM_dE5NkxlhRVUH8bgKgdeMk3BLSCgWFyS4mXrhFn3empImkhFZ6jXj27VDMaiFrFILiII0zqPKI-4hgNKI4OgZS_ynSNHnJEBlNEFlzVWQ/s320/DSC00370.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRKBUvBr981agb6edgYZwfLLXjSbj71edY-btSfst9WwBWqqokRab0JEVc-R22QRK3Ft37qQLHpkaKD3eRUWeiM2_zzIdSXh8G-dOAMselzxmvKUplLWhZWVvizjh6n6luBXWeIanj004/s1600/DSC00371.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRKBUvBr981agb6edgYZwfLLXjSbj71edY-btSfst9WwBWqqokRab0JEVc-R22QRK3Ft37qQLHpkaKD3eRUWeiM2_zzIdSXh8G-dOAMselzxmvKUplLWhZWVvizjh6n6luBXWeIanj004/s320/DSC00371.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div>I try to include an "explanation" when I display art so that our learning is made apparent to passers-by and other educators see the value (lol) of what art teaches and the relevance of the artwork on display.<br />
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Things are winding down now that we're so close to the end of the year...BUT I find that classroom management is as important as ever, I don't have the luxury of letting up or the last couple weeks/days will be a HOT MESS. I want to communicate that in the art room it is business as usual and we are there to learn, EVERY DAY.morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04178941649483914622noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3370236871907913670.post-15633565435927045242011-04-27T20:35:00.000-04:002011-04-27T20:35:46.386-04:00The VALUE of Tints and Shades<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I hope you laughed at my art joke! I started teaching this lesson plan last year...this semester I made some major changes...with pleasing results, finally! Students in the past painted half the background and where we mixed 5 tints and 5 shades of any color, this time we mixed only 3 of each and used only pre-mixed secondary colors. I really like the collage-only background, it pulls the composition together nicely:)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsC_lYeb4vfnRzMh74JdlH4Yjq9tXyFjd6ootL-uWEjoTYkDupgcP3E22AMTY7k1_UaS_w82DPYvQQoaVydszWM2KFAWfdSnC3FtmuWfFmW0ne50kphPleAjhJr-30WbwC6OPZR3BmJuo/s1600/DSC00323.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsC_lYeb4vfnRzMh74JdlH4Yjq9tXyFjd6ootL-uWEjoTYkDupgcP3E22AMTY7k1_UaS_w82DPYvQQoaVydszWM2KFAWfdSnC3FtmuWfFmW0ne50kphPleAjhJr-30WbwC6OPZR3BmJuo/s320/DSC00323.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div> This project was only 2-3 50 minutes sessions! Each task- cutting shapes, mixing tints and shades, collaging the background, was doable for all but the most distracted students...it IS spring after all! Students seem to like projects with a "right or wrong" outcome like color mixing. I think the concrete-ness is comfortable.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-UehusBX4Yundsd54T6mDUa-h2wIozVPUV3o5ELfZISLkNPIZJObGZfgLSVWUCMZeqMUzB4QtnQv_cb1_0l74OiX-p58EVNV6Fqk_lbC9h_4g-jBLaQVLJlekgsaEwAzu1BWWME1jyq8/s1600/DSC00324.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-UehusBX4Yundsd54T6mDUa-h2wIozVPUV3o5ELfZISLkNPIZJObGZfgLSVWUCMZeqMUzB4QtnQv_cb1_0l74OiX-p58EVNV6Fqk_lbC9h_4g-jBLaQVLJlekgsaEwAzu1BWWME1jyq8/s320/DSC00324.JPG" width="320px" /></a>We used phonetics to help us remember what a tint was and what a shade was... tint and white both have "i" as the vowel, shade and black both have "a".</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNK42nWngHPCe3nJUzqIcmLWV1R0fRl0QXOCvofElFkyQ9zLMaEOQtSFnX72CSEFDfHni3wRlKxJGMVzavUx5jO1hC2iIvXLGEH8KLlYRUkA5SyBfyqczsKGvYzClKKzuidGlxMM0oq28/s1600/DSC00325.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNK42nWngHPCe3nJUzqIcmLWV1R0fRl0QXOCvofElFkyQ9zLMaEOQtSFnX72CSEFDfHni3wRlKxJGMVzavUx5jO1hC2iIvXLGEH8KLlYRUkA5SyBfyqczsKGvYzClKKzuidGlxMM0oq28/s320/DSC00325.JPG" width="320px" /></a>I originally adapted this from <a href="http://cdn.dickblick.com/lessonplans/mean-green/mean-green-mean-green.pdf">a dick blick lesson plan</a> but eliminated/substituted the fancy-dancy materials for what I had...small pieces of cardstock donated by a local print shop (for the background) and tempera paint instead of acrylic!</div>morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04178941649483914622noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3370236871907913670.post-31329581857891959952011-04-17T21:44:00.000-04:002011-04-17T21:44:15.540-04:00Just a BASIC Saturday!I am really enjoying the blogging process, BTW. It's great to share the positive experiences I come upon while teaching. But...one thing is missing. YOUR COMMENTS:) Please tell me what's on your mind! Or just say hello. Or whatever! Better yet, follow the blog AND comment! Ya' know, in between lesson planning, hanging artwork, and teaching...<br />
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Anywho,I just spent the BEST Saturday ever (well a close second, my wedding will be on a Saturday this summer, hopefully that will rock too!) at the Cleveland Institute of Art taking part in their <a href="http://www.cia.edu/continuing_ed_programs/">BASIC</a> workshop... For a mere $50 I got to hang out with ART TEACHERS from the area was fed breakfast, lunch and wine/cheese! and learned about low relief tiles from one of CIA's finest:) How cool is that?! I met some great people, got to swap stories and make art on my day off. I was really in 7th heaven. Here are a couple pix, I am kicking myself that I didn't bring my camera to document the process!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwpYFD4CgYxrGD0RoQG3MEXYqHaOtTC834TFem27627zz9h9E4bGwziRbkt_v-ubVWzRMJxr_el_7BwoIP9Zeqd3tgTrIiaAiceoYGHQB_2cBm6qKBx_utDLztBGqV4L0Aa1OazX7DpI0/s1600/DSC00311.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwpYFD4CgYxrGD0RoQG3MEXYqHaOtTC834TFem27627zz9h9E4bGwziRbkt_v-ubVWzRMJxr_el_7BwoIP9Zeqd3tgTrIiaAiceoYGHQB_2cBm6qKBx_utDLztBGqV4L0Aa1OazX7DpI0/s320/DSC00311.JPG" width="320" /></a>The original clay tile.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp6CUP-X5RXco-30e9MvqFxtYuN_M7gLEQuh1KI9nYO5ksIVY2OOm5jcO7HrAO6w3w6AV8qlJLjtICjxYiG4lgXxDb153vFfrKjsvY-mHgsfzj3P-x_7d1hQtiniazQoH5Dmz6I-Uuy3I/s1600/DSC00312.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp6CUP-X5RXco-30e9MvqFxtYuN_M7gLEQuh1KI9nYO5ksIVY2OOm5jcO7HrAO6w3w6AV8qlJLjtICjxYiG4lgXxDb153vFfrKjsvY-mHgsfzj3P-x_7d1hQtiniazQoH5Dmz6I-Uuy3I/s320/DSC00312.JPG" width="320" /></a>The negative impression left once my tile popped out. This sucker is HEAVY. solid plaster!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDIECw1Nwb9QJRnUfoTduHqjTnoLuqBJEOUp2IRt_Gjq7ByHQmCUMcRLY-zgEWPGLCFkIJi39_lpAJkh0aHBXzllU4tBaOVz2JxOGfXUc8V3EovdEhV5DF-UdoKHwjNkr602mPmqu9k5U/s1600/DSC00313.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDIECw1Nwb9QJRnUfoTduHqjTnoLuqBJEOUp2IRt_Gjq7ByHQmCUMcRLY-zgEWPGLCFkIJi39_lpAJkh0aHBXzllU4tBaOVz2JxOGfXUc8V3EovdEhV5DF-UdoKHwjNkr602mPmqu9k5U/s320/DSC00313.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>The instructor, <a href="http://www.amysinbondit.com/index.html">Amy,</a> and Val were great, super approachable and down to earth! Amy even offered to help me with firing up my kiln (I am a wee bit nervous of burning the school down).<br />
I think the process of making low relief tiles in volume from a mold would really be a great set of skills for an upper level high school art class...Basically, you make a sandwich of 3 (ish) layers of clay : cutting into the clay exposing the lower layers to create a relief design. Then you pour a plaster mold around it and pull the sandwich o'clay out reusing the mold for as many clay tiles as you care to pop out! I didn't exactly follow the format of the layers, instead I did more carving. Amy recommended the book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Handmade-Tiles-Designing-Decorating-Ceramics/dp/1579902715/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1303090780&sr=8-1">Handmade Tiles by Frank Georgini</a> for detailed information on the process.<br />
Learned some tips for mold making and plaster pouring for sure! I can't wait to attend the next workshop:)morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04178941649483914622noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3370236871907913670.post-75600304862854521272011-04-08T17:58:00.000-04:002011-04-08T17:58:41.949-04:00Breaks are great...spring break, winter break, thanksgiving, we ALL need to recharge. BUT returning from break can be something of an ordeal. I think the transition from home to school after more than a weekend away is especially rough for my students. Knowing this, I try to teach a lesson that is all things to all people...quickly presented, easily understood, focused yet purposeful. I like a lead-in lesson before we get into the next big lesson. This leaves me free to handle classroom management, doesn't stress students out and gets everyone back into the swing of things. I decided on a review/assessment collage for all my classes, a welcome change from 5 classes all working on different projects! I have taught collage before but stressing overlapping and coating with a layer of Mod Podge really made this project a success this time. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiAUBA8WzHoyGG_TxVt5ww7lZfr2QBYC8ESdLGVvR1vlKcZTtcNUXp4OqLeieWwPGe7BzwxvpYEo9xPphqB7d2Yc0ig-PM90oEd04vP_ulrwkBx2RdckG1hasNXtDv4GiVZQ4L1yGO3gY/s1600/DSC00256.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiAUBA8WzHoyGG_TxVt5ww7lZfr2QBYC8ESdLGVvR1vlKcZTtcNUXp4OqLeieWwPGe7BzwxvpYEo9xPphqB7d2Yc0ig-PM90oEd04vP_ulrwkBx2RdckG1hasNXtDv4GiVZQ4L1yGO3gY/s320/DSC00256.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghimmUuk42v9qy0vNNBdTw4E-OAxNi1APB2N282jzyVLqIrA1BuFiA1BNmaKZSrY34U-c2qBcbtynLu4NMtwcvKuQcyRytDSFPVS35kG256VwDjkZe1KpMy8BQ7QtfA_ObGhyphenhyphenGLnZio-E/s1600/DSC00257.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghimmUuk42v9qy0vNNBdTw4E-OAxNi1APB2N282jzyVLqIrA1BuFiA1BNmaKZSrY34U-c2qBcbtynLu4NMtwcvKuQcyRytDSFPVS35kG256VwDjkZe1KpMy8BQ7QtfA_ObGhyphenhyphenGLnZio-E/s320/DSC00257.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Xl0wi4fYig-uGOdScrzdiDtpk-yfWct-oyIeM7saWnYPDjn0NRA8_Fub_1Qx-cyCJV7JxY6jaiDZHz-PzAXdn1W6jsLX6zVs0_qdpg2ZVIHOHRAG4_4dk5Hj8dHJvRmohLawwOCLXUw/s1600/DSC00259.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Xl0wi4fYig-uGOdScrzdiDtpk-yfWct-oyIeM7saWnYPDjn0NRA8_Fub_1Qx-cyCJV7JxY6jaiDZHz-PzAXdn1W6jsLX6zVs0_qdpg2ZVIHOHRAG4_4dk5Hj8dHJvRmohLawwOCLXUw/s320/DSC00259.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhQK0Z-joOOdEMYSfF36_Whr4TX9YjHovc5kSbmf8SYJE5vEvCbuu5-3EpwnJOIiEZUC0b88mawSN8EKZbcNiyaa6FEjZPlgQDdMhu7P33WGCY_y0bwzyW3cZpdPSCwZ1lLHF8c1m1EZI/s1600/DSC00260.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhQK0Z-joOOdEMYSfF36_Whr4TX9YjHovc5kSbmf8SYJE5vEvCbuu5-3EpwnJOIiEZUC0b88mawSN8EKZbcNiyaa6FEjZPlgQDdMhu7P33WGCY_y0bwzyW3cZpdPSCwZ1lLHF8c1m1EZI/s320/DSC00260.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Students had to cut out pictures from magazines displaying Line, Color, Shape and Texture- all the elements we've covered so far. Then they had to find a picture of something beautiful, something cool, and something that defines what Art is:) We displayed them on the chalkboard and wrote a postcard evaluating another student's collage. Some nice aestheticism and assessment thrown in there for ya. I handed out <a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1nqwrn4Bd9_QpiQqcwwn9RgxUwDYwELd8e_aC2psIDxk/edit?hl=en&authkey=CPGF6qAE#">copies of student directions</a> so students could work at their own pace and didn't need to rely on me for direction.morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04178941649483914622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3370236871907913670.post-3376717639012173902011-03-11T18:51:00.001-05:002011-03-11T18:51:17.583-05:00keepin' it real...real organizedJust a couple of pics of how I try to push self sufficiency on my 7th and 8th graders:)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitSKvYkoYdO5AvTKy0XsSSuo5K8YVMWOEVzRVDp8ECh9nFd9uR28gX35pD5meNZcacxJ9MZAYhWP-nX0TWH6PLND81SYoz5vcjtg2D0NNti61_x3AvEHwe1pwBVNtxmt3XuHJnisxumQk/s1600/DSC00218.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitSKvYkoYdO5AvTKy0XsSSuo5K8YVMWOEVzRVDp8ECh9nFd9uR28gX35pD5meNZcacxJ9MZAYhWP-nX0TWH6PLND81SYoz5vcjtg2D0NNti61_x3AvEHwe1pwBVNtxmt3XuHJnisxumQk/s320/DSC00218.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I tried numbering/lettering the cabinets...it was CONFUSING for everyone. This way I don't have to tell students where supplies are kept or go fetch them. MWHA HA HA (evil art teacher laughter)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicyZx6sHXjFWUvDbd5dF84rE894mYbM6OScD0mh60rOExF8oPJEtU-FhrtuHxBxd7ASTZZcj3M3pHG-kixFvNRBLIAFs_rwwTBb38fh5_jUOQ1McmJlJlpFByrGY0Ekg5lPkPD__MIMTc/s1600/DSC00220.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicyZx6sHXjFWUvDbd5dF84rE894mYbM6OScD0mh60rOExF8oPJEtU-FhrtuHxBxd7ASTZZcj3M3pHG-kixFvNRBLIAFs_rwwTBb38fh5_jUOQ1McmJlJlpFByrGY0Ekg5lPkPD__MIMTc/s320/DSC00220.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I just broke down and spent the $4 at the big box store (which I don't want to openly endorse) for these bins...I was using cardboard boxes but they were pretty raggedy and didn't have lids. It eliminates me having to track artwork around the room or call in an excavation team to find my desk!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">In both instances if students "don't know where something is/what to do with unfinished artwork" I tell them, without any sarcasm, that I think they can figure it out...well maybe I raise an eyebrow;)</div>morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04178941649483914622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3370236871907913670.post-14634924609790356392011-03-11T18:29:00.001-05:002011-03-11T18:31:10.124-05:00"Is I on the right track?"As I am obviously not strictly speaking an English teacher, I swooned when my student asked me this question. Seriously. Annoying grammar aside (I have bigger fish to fry!) it warmed the cockles of my heart to hear one of my pet phrases repeated in question form. We're working on the Organic Shape/O'Keefe lesson plan that I wrote about earlier. This time around it's a little tough going. I realized after a couple days that students hadn't yet had the time in Art to build their self confidence in drawing or experience hard work paying off. I began to start and finish my hints/suggestions/critiques with "you're on the right track." Apparently, the phrase stuck! In fact, a few days later I again used this phrase with a new student. I didn't have time to explain myself when he asked, "What?" in honest confusion before another student jumped in with a translation of my catch phrase:) sometimes I feel like an honest-to-goodness teacher.morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04178941649483914622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3370236871907913670.post-5481272281509996862011-03-09T21:10:00.000-05:002011-03-09T21:10:53.069-05:00RIP: Bad MondaysI have found week after week, month after month that my students REALLY hate Mondays. Beyond being tired or lethargic or slow, Monday's classroom behavior is usually the all time low for the week. <br />
I think the general funk is due to the difficult transition from home to school, to the changes in expectation placed on them and their general feeling of lack of control over their environment. In fact, I try not to introduce anything new (or talk very much) on Mondays. I have ranted and raved in the past on the subject, to no avail. My students' external locus of control (is my ed psych professor smiling?) simply does not usually allow them to take power over such circumstance such as the day of the week.<br />
So, after an especially frustrating class this Monday, I decided to try something NEW. Part of the idea came from somewhere on the Incredible Art Dept (if you know where exactly, please share!) for students who have a habit of saying, "I Can't".<br />
First, students wrote or drew three reasons why Mondays are terrible. The paper was then folded in half, and they wrote "BAD MONDAYS" on it. Next we read with partners two pages of suggestions I printed off the internet to make Monday a better day (go to bed early, stop for a better breakfast, pick out a cuter outfit, etc.). We shared the suggestions and students even had some of their own! Then we tore the bad monday papers up, put them into a quick coffin I made:) and laid bad mondays to rest...complete with me humming Taps.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR9ARMTRxtVMq0OsSB4g-Ir78ZAn9tK8J24mXBGr0GwTV0CsPTBtQ-Y0ap5QoDpl3e8JDh_EIC1MqzyGqT31ala55HReMKg4_dSae4z-7FZhQG-VKoFpUZPyhttnMykhYkouSXvZQuJOA/s1600/DSC00216.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR9ARMTRxtVMq0OsSB4g-Ir78ZAn9tK8J24mXBGr0GwTV0CsPTBtQ-Y0ap5QoDpl3e8JDh_EIC1MqzyGqT31ala55HReMKg4_dSae4z-7FZhQG-VKoFpUZPyhttnMykhYkouSXvZQuJOA/s320/DSC00216.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirA14z3clQhyF8-qtc99oWS8MVyPz5GHrLlPlzQ-MUTg6cAhdBJ3fWGpj1Z0qdIqalRbPM2EubZGr32jaQBDFhgjLtMh0_yQhAapaHP7HUCUoCXvl1xlO5YKSpKbIvIhfx50KLW9_11Pk/s1600/DSC00217.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirA14z3clQhyF8-qtc99oWS8MVyPz5GHrLlPlzQ-MUTg6cAhdBJ3fWGpj1Z0qdIqalRbPM2EubZGr32jaQBDFhgjLtMh0_yQhAapaHP7HUCUoCXvl1xlO5YKSpKbIvIhfx50KLW9_11Pk/s320/DSC00217.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>I will not pretend that this has transformed classroom behavior in a day, but perhaps some students will think it over and allow it to change their current pattern of thinking... Well I can hope can't I?morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04178941649483914622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3370236871907913670.post-88701696288847800462011-02-27T10:47:00.000-05:002011-02-27T10:47:09.147-05:00Student Teachers: For Your Eyes OnlyI recently replied to a student (art) teacher's comment on another blog and it got me thinking about my own student teaching experience and all i learned along the way...Sooo, I thought I'd revisit those gleanings as a post for student teachers.<br />
My advice is as follows:<br />
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1) <strong>You are a guest.</strong><br />
My dear friend, do not create undue stress for yourself by trying to tackle all of the classroom issues on your own. This is practice for you, do not tire yourself out for the 'big game' that is your impending career. I say this as a self-proclaimed intense person. Please remember that no matter how effective/polished/inefficient/slap-dash/strict/orderly/messy, (whatever!) your mentor teacher seems to you, he/she has found a way that works FOR THEM, and it has developed over a period of time. It does not have to work for you, take it with a grain of salt. Try to figure out what led him/her to his/her present methods. Why might it work/not work for you? A good house guest makes the bed after themselves and doesn't take the liberties a family member does...Be helpful, but remember you are NOT a student OR the teacher. It's a learning experience, be there in the moment for that purpose.<br />
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<strong>2) Observe and Report</strong><br />
If it's not part of your teacher-training, keep a journal! Write about your Mentor teacher's interactions, style, instructional strategies; compare to what you learn in your ed classes and to your own intuition. This is a time to reflect on YOU and plan for your future teaching. When you begin your first year of teaching, it will be hard to find the time to gather such information. It will also be helpful to have a written record to go back to. Start lists of websites, inspirational artists, lesson plan ideas, useful bits of info from ed. textbooks:) <br />
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The more inspired you are to teach, the more inspiring you will be to your students.<br />
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<strong>3) COMMUNICATE</strong><br />
Knowledge is power, both for you and your mentor teacher. Be open (but professional!) about your take on strategies, management, etc. ASK questions, be open to new ideas from all angles. Be a team, it's an awesome advantage to have TWO teachers in the room! Use it- devise plans of attack, divide tasks, ask for help. Try to remember what it felt like being in the students' place. Talk to your students, especially if they are older, about their learning and expectations. Keep your college professor/supervisor in the loop! He/she is a WEALTH of information, but super busy, so ASK for resources, and if you need it, guidance!<br />
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<strong>4) Steal, steal, steal!</strong><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0oah3enJehyphenhyphentF4SkN33nXA_vlxptIh8kh55nnLklwbaPB0K52Ed7xyBuErsM8dux6QL0Muzz7EcpiHmvo4Q33RuKxUTUqj9zTvsggfu-lhVnTqAjEMFZfIy3mA5H5BPzt8TQRMMO6V98/s1600/practicum+056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0oah3enJehyphenhyphentF4SkN33nXA_vlxptIh8kh55nnLklwbaPB0K52Ed7xyBuErsM8dux6QL0Muzz7EcpiHmvo4Q33RuKxUTUqj9zTvsggfu-lhVnTqAjEMFZfIy3mA5H5BPzt8TQRMMO6V98/s320/practicum+056.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Mm1BfvhnqD2jG13E7wCrLgb2E0S643CHnC4ugfKZcRg5e0taCPDArvgaCcD4eKpWLVj0YEUqpEoXgSl-yEyGX5sLUVbFMhV8PgyS-skLhQS8ZxfVztM3sbGLuRndk0U0k_PqAqC9qy4/s1600/practicum+067.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Mm1BfvhnqD2jG13E7wCrLgb2E0S643CHnC4ugfKZcRg5e0taCPDArvgaCcD4eKpWLVj0YEUqpEoXgSl-yEyGX5sLUVbFMhV8PgyS-skLhQS8ZxfVztM3sbGLuRndk0U0k_PqAqC9qy4/s320/practicum+067.JPG" width="214" /></a></div>Photograph everything- posters, projects, organizational methods, the room. These are from my own student teaching experience:) Ask for copies, most teachers are happy to share. I still use the lesson plan template shared with me during student teaching.<br />
*Thanks to Beth Spann, Kristin Plambeck, Christine Hoffman, MaryAnn Popovich, Darlene O'Donnell and Mary Hastings for making my student-teaching experience meaningful.morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04178941649483914622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3370236871907913670.post-43770340160263564112011-02-18T07:14:00.001-05:002011-02-21T20:58:03.695-05:00lesson plan: using a sketchbook<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I developed this lesson for several reasons... First of all I hoped students would form a bond with their sketchbook that they'll be using all semester. I also wanted them to be comfortable writing, drawing and collaging in the same space. And as an added bonus, students are exposed to the beauty and wonder of the world outside of their small community in the city through National Geographic.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">As 7th and 8th graders I think it's really valuable for to take in new information and be able to utilize it, especially in their ART! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwS9n-FxMLeMmRqnB5BPjVPy6NWMiORuWVssZZsrlXLQQ-tdAGOCDk4BW2u-WYyeY2IGafyxxjj5XMBgZ4NbcuwYq0oLBpN64t00iryxAT-4Pl6WR8DLZcXSKL5hToUE5_f4DAA28t36o/s1600/scan0001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwS9n-FxMLeMmRqnB5BPjVPy6NWMiORuWVssZZsrlXLQQ-tdAGOCDk4BW2u-WYyeY2IGafyxxjj5XMBgZ4NbcuwYq0oLBpN64t00iryxAT-4Pl6WR8DLZcXSKL5hToUE5_f4DAA28t36o/s320/scan0001.jpg" width="268" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIQrKPCymnx4ITO3baKC1svDiz3IMQ1J7hDVVCOeVszA2_dNSQErJAq4UdKr1Kt7c0TZYMOoiRTqfNiBbxxtnOgNdXO_PQ2RAqvwCh6MZnEfvejeGnpFEmQnIWvr2vpUnjyWo9r2fXLR0/s1600/scan0002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIQrKPCymnx4ITO3baKC1svDiz3IMQ1J7hDVVCOeVszA2_dNSQErJAq4UdKr1Kt7c0TZYMOoiRTqfNiBbxxtnOgNdXO_PQ2RAqvwCh6MZnEfvejeGnpFEmQnIWvr2vpUnjyWo9r2fXLR0/s320/scan0002.jpg" width="280" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRC-xkh96b9ywNcGWCOHqG0hV5EfMaHBeMpjuHXMB5EQgQVWY0CqasHIQLhd9vYkAXcyLGZyEwyo_PRPq4leDrICfLrUODjJ6pDLUdcoEQiZQIp7LhtEzVQ3qOjUV-gj3UlTpjQaFLNC0/s1600/scan0003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRC-xkh96b9ywNcGWCOHqG0hV5EfMaHBeMpjuHXMB5EQgQVWY0CqasHIQLhd9vYkAXcyLGZyEwyo_PRPq4leDrICfLrUODjJ6pDLUdcoEQiZQIp7LhtEzVQ3qOjUV-gj3UlTpjQaFLNC0/s320/scan0003.jpg" width="208" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is Part One of the lesson. Students are required to look through National Geographic magazines and find a picture of something beautiful, something weird, something scary and something they'd like to see in person. Then they label the pictures accordingly and write a sentence or two about what they found.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I really love the thoughtfulness behind this student's responses:)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOhnnFaVeAZDSZi6gz6RnC3k-JzNWfY7pccVHMp3UgRCJdoIVNLhWvfMMEod-5Qm720DMllXsLuN8SU-P_iFoO4PqExRieMh1gdaLIiN_k-5IwVZtMFfdRVrqOnDtY1UPg0hSrv7te6UY/s1600/scan0001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOhnnFaVeAZDSZi6gz6RnC3k-JzNWfY7pccVHMp3UgRCJdoIVNLhWvfMMEod-5Qm720DMllXsLuN8SU-P_iFoO4PqExRieMh1gdaLIiN_k-5IwVZtMFfdRVrqOnDtY1UPg0hSrv7te6UY/s320/scan0001.jpg" width="247" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The above page is Part Two of the assignment...Students select a theme from a list and fill one entire sketchbook page according to their theme, combining words and pictures together.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUJ3vjJWYSL2U9mwvmAXpR6ZzZ1h7Lnw_36pyakRO6zrkNATTzTFIvGY9CsqhW2PXlVdXkcOgdg7c8wGcuEczKJPvHe1sybVVyPct7NEXK_Tl03vW1YGfq0o0ZlB_scH739bENwjnHPds/s1600/scan0002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUJ3vjJWYSL2U9mwvmAXpR6ZzZ1h7Lnw_36pyakRO6zrkNATTzTFIvGY9CsqhW2PXlVdXkcOgdg7c8wGcuEczKJPvHe1sybVVyPct7NEXK_Tl03vW1YGfq0o0ZlB_scH739bENwjnHPds/s320/scan0002.jpg" width="269" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVoHyTb1UT3cScRlEleIeIJTwaHKybkLL02IVXglPjaBrG27SIWKmHWHPXkaQpNqS-aUNvCeLekD8thRnA4L_CjFmjHDs5fY6a4rNvxmUjNMmRIG40NscTuNwuhEypBoozYHHfTVT0ToQ/s1600/scan0003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVoHyTb1UT3cScRlEleIeIJTwaHKybkLL02IVXglPjaBrG27SIWKmHWHPXkaQpNqS-aUNvCeLekD8thRnA4L_CjFmjHDs5fY6a4rNvxmUjNMmRIG40NscTuNwuhEypBoozYHHfTVT0ToQ/s320/scan0003.jpg" width="232" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I stress to students that, "you'll only get out of this lesson what you put into it!" Some students get more out of it than others:)</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw2Lmecqdti_wv3PgzEq7P-CW2wI1yO9GCniPQeY2wu9L45KAzRbg-EmA10IQDbRIumS5rjnEKQjaO2WdKsypp1GRPCsn87_CZDEsa4_FemGGsjZcoCDO5FS78djXP-74JWt0W6KtGrQ4/s1600/scan0004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw2Lmecqdti_wv3PgzEq7P-CW2wI1yO9GCniPQeY2wu9L45KAzRbg-EmA10IQDbRIumS5rjnEKQjaO2WdKsypp1GRPCsn87_CZDEsa4_FemGGsjZcoCDO5FS78djXP-74JWt0W6KtGrQ4/s320/scan0004.jpg" width="241" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Be ready for lots of discussion and noise as students discover weird, scary, awesome people/places/things outside of their comfort zone! It's so fun to observe!</div>morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04178941649483914622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3370236871907913670.post-39465917807104176652011-02-17T17:34:00.001-05:002011-02-17T17:35:14.154-05:00Not yet a well oiled machine...What have I learned in my two years of teaching in an urban (art) classroom?<br />
Be prepared. Be very prepared.<br />
I'm posting some pictures of methods I've developed to deal with an assortment of issues. Like new students transferring in...like students returning from 3, 5, 7 days of suspension...like 25 students vying for my attention not so patiently...like students who may not know how to spend free time constructively<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk9-9b8cs9_0xC3YoSKM6UNu7PfWXpdS_hHDlIRhdCUA1EIxmjdollopMe8i4xhZNqwZwIYwrt6LESnzTI1cjXTn7bmLuMDzSHfnjXyzmgQLZ5ZJX3RQ2WYuCgiMXgwN_k7IVAoFfn59s/s1600/DSC00185.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk9-9b8cs9_0xC3YoSKM6UNu7PfWXpdS_hHDlIRhdCUA1EIxmjdollopMe8i4xhZNqwZwIYwrt6LESnzTI1cjXTn7bmLuMDzSHfnjXyzmgQLZ5ZJX3RQ2WYuCgiMXgwN_k7IVAoFfn59s/s320/DSC00185.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizEedDGrmLExjDOW7yNrI4KUxh9h1v5IxnD7BAx3s5IPo52IX1RghTaP_piPmSc1a_IwDZdmvVN5UAMq3vtuaH9J0_cCmUG1xs4ym9Odi61_yaQFp2m2-C0CqEGpsrku62ju45gBxneLA/s1600/DSC00186.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizEedDGrmLExjDOW7yNrI4KUxh9h1v5IxnD7BAx3s5IPo52IX1RghTaP_piPmSc1a_IwDZdmvVN5UAMq3vtuaH9J0_cCmUG1xs4ym9Odi61_yaQFp2m2-C0CqEGpsrku62ju45gBxneLA/s320/DSC00186.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjROQZUCsHYkl7gV4Kj6cx3sALN_cWFzOPFgBQk0bF3OiZNN71rPGEJ9S8y6iESSth4MpV8xldztPLZyCBtlXBVLG3_pCDJ7QyAzyqoVMERtqQsIVpZEa0kUrKIFKZhDYRu692GB2nIDW4/s1600/DSC00187.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjROQZUCsHYkl7gV4Kj6cx3sALN_cWFzOPFgBQk0bF3OiZNN71rPGEJ9S8y6iESSth4MpV8xldztPLZyCBtlXBVLG3_pCDJ7QyAzyqoVMERtqQsIVpZEa0kUrKIFKZhDYRu692GB2nIDW4/s320/DSC00187.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrkLslKEFZ2YWmCwaHrUy0YePvB38UFM8riuhFvB3QcVxtt2xXdqR8yGpxWIFVXEWfOADNgNLIQF2NdCNMPi7upRBq45kGD5bDGFs6UgOugAL3gkWDlL72uHpeJzQS_hYo04WdyGxN7dA/s1600/DSC00188.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrkLslKEFZ2YWmCwaHrUy0YePvB38UFM8riuhFvB3QcVxtt2xXdqR8yGpxWIFVXEWfOADNgNLIQF2NdCNMPi7upRBq45kGD5bDGFs6UgOugAL3gkWDlL72uHpeJzQS_hYo04WdyGxN7dA/s320/DSC00188.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ8CjAKXK7h4m99rxGMsh7bzrmgEEj_OTx9XFWTu1wVx-O4JON37PIGBpPax73u4diV4hw38wPO_s7GSnDAFC0oX0PCVWiGQiBRR5Z_UHhoy9cF-fQbo-4RhS77894yojTj55SXkA19Ko/s1600/DSC00189.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ8CjAKXK7h4m99rxGMsh7bzrmgEEj_OTx9XFWTu1wVx-O4JON37PIGBpPax73u4diV4hw38wPO_s7GSnDAFC0oX0PCVWiGQiBRR5Z_UHhoy9cF-fQbo-4RhS77894yojTj55SXkA19Ko/s320/DSC00189.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I put together this binder of information I go over as a Powerpoint at the beginning of the semester. I am also making a student information sheet to fill out and that indicates that the student read and understands our rules/procedures.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6CG975ZcfN-K3cQKuwA1YPkCB7uI8fWc0ceY8fCImoQJcirDyPYYdx0j0F4AF1NVFX56Uz2aCZKfTR03DLX6gkcIKRQ3gQey1ohrmGadgj-c3MNVAl2q4fMlVZtQrEgg3gn-uHnE6R70/s1600/DSC00190.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6CG975ZcfN-K3cQKuwA1YPkCB7uI8fWc0ceY8fCImoQJcirDyPYYdx0j0F4AF1NVFX56Uz2aCZKfTR03DLX6gkcIKRQ3gQey1ohrmGadgj-c3MNVAl2q4fMlVZtQrEgg3gn-uHnE6R70/s320/DSC00190.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Students check this binder when they return from an extended absence, read necessary information and complete worksheets, assignments, and/or extra credit to get caught up with concepts and the gradebook. Reteaching entire lessons and days of instruction became very time consuming when the rest of the class still needs direction, assistance, and affirmation.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje9u41BmWDQqR3BvOdpWLKXkZbgFrBPPZbwZHxc9vf_KIiqey6hzPMkSM8Q1-eZlKZv77RwBRCyW20AHFZGMf87k9verYwdSLzgTk2KctzL76zoq_tBJAe6Srw8vOnnevNTCbErNPaKaM/s1600/DSC00191.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje9u41BmWDQqR3BvOdpWLKXkZbgFrBPPZbwZHxc9vf_KIiqey6hzPMkSM8Q1-eZlKZv77RwBRCyW20AHFZGMf87k9verYwdSLzgTk2KctzL76zoq_tBJAe6Srw8vOnnevNTCbErNPaKaM/s320/DSC00191.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I am quickly closing all gaps which leave me open to students claiming they don't what is required/expected. Saying it is not enough, so I cover my bases!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitcBBmo_EdjTmnB9TIPqqnYFo6aFZ65Cy55wgX5ef8-hNrx3HnjWjOGijTGFAue0m4o10a-TLEvAdjth2ho2pMv2grxAHBvWZlW3BfS75g6C_m3rMpTjz_3InZBHhU2x0-aIhQEksM_Mw/s1600/DSC00192.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitcBBmo_EdjTmnB9TIPqqnYFo6aFZ65Cy55wgX5ef8-hNrx3HnjWjOGijTGFAue0m4o10a-TLEvAdjth2ho2pMv2grxAHBvWZlW3BfS75g6C_m3rMpTjz_3InZBHhU2x0-aIhQEksM_Mw/s320/DSC00192.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8tLqxl5A3K-CFozDYAnXx_1yQGI9icvVeAtMGfDlD4A-whn5R6hH4GlIAADh_OkoIKBcflN_Dhi5Z9Eg61hBU94iWippnDIsCLLkfAeizZ0iH7iGqPupFOQafaIQKyS4jxqkq9vBvyyA/s1600/DSC00193.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8tLqxl5A3K-CFozDYAnXx_1yQGI9icvVeAtMGfDlD4A-whn5R6hH4GlIAADh_OkoIKBcflN_Dhi5Z9Eg61hBU94iWippnDIsCLLkfAeizZ0iH7iGqPupFOQafaIQKyS4jxqkq9vBvyyA/s320/DSC00193.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhukld06pP1UVhv0JoFtypEsewnCLz6U6AkVq1oJvJi_VqICCHxIcCkUMlEvQxo4FaveoZtPidXJp19cmI-FSEzceCh1xaF3mQ8jP9xQFWv8mpnW7Sn9H9dUmE0gbMgZvsK9_lyxs18K88/s1600/DSC00194.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhukld06pP1UVhv0JoFtypEsewnCLz6U6AkVq1oJvJi_VqICCHxIcCkUMlEvQxo4FaveoZtPidXJp19cmI-FSEzceCh1xaF3mQ8jP9xQFWv8mpnW7Sn9H9dUmE0gbMgZvsK9_lyxs18K88/s320/DSC00194.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_sizxzyvtfwOsajEVr34lrA7n4JVNxSPk_G9pzpqfMceT0RCK8pCmUIyY9mbELiVTXgjTeq0MhipILo3jpRQRYbGrM60N2xGoXrUvqbPXa04Zs6dUtHoqkxg31q1Znv0VWwYPn-JCemc/s1600/DSC00195.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_sizxzyvtfwOsajEVr34lrA7n4JVNxSPk_G9pzpqfMceT0RCK8pCmUIyY9mbELiVTXgjTeq0MhipILo3jpRQRYbGrM60N2xGoXrUvqbPXa04Zs6dUtHoqkxg31q1Znv0VWwYPn-JCemc/s320/DSC00195.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> A daily reminder taped to my desk:) <br />
<br />
How do you stay organized?morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04178941649483914622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3370236871907913670.post-71172337728843907862011-02-12T09:50:00.000-05:002011-02-12T09:55:35.365-05:00The Mobile Painting Unit, yes I watch a lot of crime drama<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjip3lwighqN5c_K23AZ4oJi0jQkosKbuwgsvoMrhhkut2LrjyLKCnxYNQ6ggPUrMIPtrRgKnb4_r5K4dLI8UZey912PVeYjyBa1gjV6IoUueJahTl3q9HhDvm-0OHWE50FVnWjFjhJKmw/s1600/DSC00179.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjip3lwighqN5c_K23AZ4oJi0jQkosKbuwgsvoMrhhkut2LrjyLKCnxYNQ6ggPUrMIPtrRgKnb4_r5K4dLI8UZey912PVeYjyBa1gjV6IoUueJahTl3q9HhDvm-0OHWE50FVnWjFjhJKmw/s320/DSC00179.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOLG6nqt_92Wya7ZSzB_4RR1psNr50j1cyZrAIfamN6UQI3FY2U4-vnxuK0q_g0PjPruZ5MrEaFI1DcxaJbF2QLhHU8oV6z41Cb1aQt31023JS3SGGO_2yZ9Nw7p4Rneq0kJy40u0QAjU/s1600/DSC00180.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOLG6nqt_92Wya7ZSzB_4RR1psNr50j1cyZrAIfamN6UQI3FY2U4-vnxuK0q_g0PjPruZ5MrEaFI1DcxaJbF2QLhHU8oV6z41Cb1aQt31023JS3SGGO_2yZ9Nw7p4Rneq0kJy40u0QAjU/s320/DSC00180.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<br />
Ok, I love my students. I really do. It's just that in part they are MIDDLE SCHOOLERS and they have not been brought to a place where they are eager for independence. Sooo, I try to come up with creative ways to stave off insanity (mine), disaster (the room), injury (the students), all while keeping up the appearance of age appropriateness. There are many things that spell the kiss of death, but none so devastating as treating students like babies.<br />
This brings me to the MOBILE PAINTING UNIT.<br />
This is instead of trying to teach a sequence for clean up/set up and then letting 25 students loose at once for 10 minutes and winding up with: 25 students doing it how and at whatever speed they chose, me frustrated, and a mess... because there are 25 sort-of-cleaning-related things going on at once (often in conflict with one another).<br />
So I wheel the MPU up one aisle and down another, students stay seated until I finish my route. Then, we hang labelled artwork and wash hands.<br />
***this did not keep one student from painting both hands purple and running around like a maniac.<br />
But one out of 110 isn't bad:0morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04178941649483914622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3370236871907913670.post-75011398950485036602011-02-12T09:09:00.000-05:002011-02-12T09:09:44.482-05:00O'Keefe Organic Shapes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjV-hEQRoVyHlbAWWGSIiuXJXCeTiqXACGzZ05UnJJC9_Auu3L7iKWvFcxZiDmvseoefhDsw9WfJR8qBAZXOH6YgldmBieFZ17Y9WDSpjxby_J8vF0Y1ml5O75OSlJIqiDQHmepQDZHJw/s1600/DSC00116.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjV-hEQRoVyHlbAWWGSIiuXJXCeTiqXACGzZ05UnJJC9_Auu3L7iKWvFcxZiDmvseoefhDsw9WfJR8qBAZXOH6YgldmBieFZ17Y9WDSpjxby_J8vF0Y1ml5O75OSlJIqiDQHmepQDZHJw/s320/DSC00116.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHb7Qx-1IWlghqOs1_YY5JbC_svrOdJrKxWOcLM_pWYZsklH-9a39TdFeAUDsnqC2aggm4iFy8raNkpu0grd-rWyJbh4E6u6ndTOh8EOLROFNEyvFjl8gpfj55AstiHbUFhjOwU339euE/s1600/DSC00118.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHb7Qx-1IWlghqOs1_YY5JbC_svrOdJrKxWOcLM_pWYZsklH-9a39TdFeAUDsnqC2aggm4iFy8raNkpu0grd-rWyJbh4E6u6ndTOh8EOLROFNEyvFjl8gpfj55AstiHbUFhjOwU339euE/s320/DSC00118.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Alright, once again I am blown away at the talent of my own students!! I REALLY wanted to enter these into a big local show but they didn't want anything drawn from published photographs:(<br />
Process= We drew apples from observation using oil pastels on newsprint folded into 6 squares. Draw, take a bite, draw, take a bite, etc. We learned different blending techniques and concentrated on squinting to see color/value changes...THEN we made view finders from cardstock (with a little measuring thrown in!) and chose a composition.<br />
So happy to see two students in particular who felt their main talent was basketball, begin to see themselves as artists too!morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04178941649483914622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3370236871907913670.post-61122198073239115692011-02-12T08:48:00.000-05:002011-02-12T08:48:39.791-05:00Self Portraits, I'm a proud mama<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNBExEjmqQSjPT2OE9pkahwbAKzNsFKvY_Wk8IUWhyl6P7jwpfvAVZ0v-Ynpobzt7FjsZwC8jwYGmLhi7pd5miKdPnTAh1PEJ7rKxVGVGm5j2VTn1Yk_cr9Ld29gObCe1-Iffj39DI4ng/s1600/DSC00170.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNBExEjmqQSjPT2OE9pkahwbAKzNsFKvY_Wk8IUWhyl6P7jwpfvAVZ0v-Ynpobzt7FjsZwC8jwYGmLhi7pd5miKdPnTAh1PEJ7rKxVGVGm5j2VTn1Yk_cr9Ld29gObCe1-Iffj39DI4ng/s320/DSC00170.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
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Ok, I can't express how impressed I am with how these turned out!! My 7th graders did an AWESOME job.<br />
Process= We all drew portraits of President Obama and learned about observation, facial proportions, shading, etc. THEN, I photographed each student (letting each kid preview their pic : / ) and printed from my computer printer in black and white. The background was supposed to tell the viewer about the artist's family and self.<br />
And the 2nd one started as "Man, I'm finished" (when it clearly wasn't) refusing my proddings to continue working and blossomed into a work of art during the resulting lunch detention. LOL. The result? We are both happy!morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04178941649483914622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3370236871907913670.post-40418899228283039842011-02-12T08:38:00.000-05:002011-02-12T09:56:21.438-05:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUL6QXF1-hw3ZHYMfYYPe_N0wvowNHYb5C-TGwo-3SQ2pLnVQW2_KNTVT-0amBZXFC2pPwSyaZyN4d5JI7mWYSMFUrxJ85533cY5EkK28Ufzr5tsHZXTzV7L6J5JitU5mjorBgY5XFOoI/s1600/DSC00166v.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUL6QXF1-hw3ZHYMfYYPe_N0wvowNHYb5C-TGwo-3SQ2pLnVQW2_KNTVT-0amBZXFC2pPwSyaZyN4d5JI7mWYSMFUrxJ85533cY5EkK28Ufzr5tsHZXTzV7L6J5JitU5mjorBgY5XFOoI/s320/DSC00166v.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt_S8UQWTF3DtNWqNM5f0p6PliAKaQSNd4knT4nA1QyJmDWPdX1Nvj_ZGk14hrmpQcSoomkdsVwdTtLnnJQIUJcWUqJz4EyL4_6yIVQxZ0TUFvybjkRANILLbthNQxLGYEldkhyphenhyphenKNsIjY/s1600/DSC00169.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt_S8UQWTF3DtNWqNM5f0p6PliAKaQSNd4knT4nA1QyJmDWPdX1Nvj_ZGk14hrmpQcSoomkdsVwdTtLnnJQIUJcWUqJz4EyL4_6yIVQxZ0TUFvybjkRANILLbthNQxLGYEldkhyphenhyphenKNsIjY/s320/DSC00169.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Shoes created by 8th graders. What a process! Tennis shoes collected by staff:) wrapped in Saran Wrap, one layer of plaster strips, then pulled out through a slit cut up the heel. Added two additional layers of plaster strips and painted!!<br />
Main ideas= color scheme, designed according to a specific topic, painting skillzmorganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04178941649483914622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3370236871907913670.post-37819815588434450992011-02-02T10:57:00.000-05:002011-02-02T10:57:57.667-05:00so far...so good?SNOW DAY!! perfect time for blogging as I am wearing my fuzzy slippers... <br />
A little backstory to my current experiementation in classroom management: Last year (my first) felt like an incredible disaster. I know you are saying "duh, EVERYONE'S first year is a train wreck." (And WHY that is, is a topic for another day!) However I can honestly say that I was challenged each day morally, emotionally, mentally and on occasion physically. But I also felt like I continued to grow, lurchingly, and learned about my environment and my students. Each new semester, I try new organizational methods, let go of old ones, try new management techniques, talk to older teachers and take it all in. Assimilating this information led me to last semester, adopting some methods that seemed, at first appearances, to work. Other teachers told me things like..."YOU are the adult. It is YOUR classroom. Students need to know that they are NOT adults. They don't run this. They need to know that you can go THERE." At the end of last semester, I determined that that is not me as a person or an educator. I do not have the energy to put students in their place over and over again. I believe the above sentiments were borne from a perceived understanding of the lives many students lead... So many middle school aged students are living the lives of adults at home-raising siblings, cousins, making dinner, doing laundry, etc. At school it becomes difficult to act like children. ("What do you mean I can't go to the bathroom now?") <br />
My feeling has become that trying to force child-like roles and interactions upon such students is like trying to beat my head up against a wall or bury my head in the sand. Many students DO react positively to strong authority figures but at what cost? I don't want students that simply obey me...I want to assist students to become free thinking analytical responsive adults. SOOO...that leads to this semester. I am taking steps to listen to my instincts as to how I would want to be treated at that age AND to current classroom management methodology beyond anecdote.<br />
This means balancing consistent reasonable discipline with openly caring for students. This led me to apologize to a class for losing my temper with a student the day before who refused to follow dress code. I felt a little embarrassed but asked for suggestions for ways I could have handled the situation differently. I felt rewarded as students left and kindly offered ideas. It IS my job to run my classroom, but I can do it with love and dignity.<br />
<br />
Classroom Rules (summarized from suggestions made by students on post-it notes)<br />
1. Speak Kindly- no matter who says what first<br />
2. Handle with Care- yourself, artwork, others' feelings<br />
3. Take care of You- don't boss others, do your own work, clean up after yourself<br />
4. Listen to others- when teacher/classmates are speaking and when they ask you to stop a negative behaviormorganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04178941649483914622noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3370236871907913670.post-25153409831906310272011-01-17T19:13:00.000-05:002011-01-17T19:13:59.609-05:00nerd alert...planning on my day off!Each time a new semester begins I collect, reuse and create new tactics to introduce me, my room, my policies and ART:) This semester I had a brainstorm...create an all-in-one Powerpoint! Already I feel better prepared/organized. I will be UNABLE to forget fire drill info! It's IN the powerpoint. No more rereading my handwritten notes, shuffling overhead transparencies, handouts, etc! Maybe this is a "Duh!" for some folks but it felt more like an epiphany to me.<br />
Next up, creating a semester long planning matrix to ensure that I hit all standards from the state...and figuring out how to link documents to the blog.<br />
Pictures to come shortly! Students created some amazing 3D tennis shoes using plaster strips (less mess than I anticipated) and real shoes covered in saran wrap for molds after a visit from <a href="http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2008/10/painted_sneakers_propel_clevel.html">Van Monroe</a>.morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04178941649483914622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3370236871907913670.post-62289650881984709292011-01-09T13:14:00.000-05:002011-01-09T13:14:10.421-05:00NEW SEMESTER!aside from the obvious, this is my favorite time of the school year- a new semester bringing me new students, a chance to hit RESET, correct the error of my ways and try some new things. AND, I'm starting a blog (as you can see) as part of a new year's resolution.<br />
I teach 7th and 8th grade only, which presents its own challenges...7th graders are a smidgen more malleable but need a lot of reassurance while the 8th grades seem to need more why's answered and motivation to engage. So I juggle these and other aspects (like the rest of my teacher friends!) in order to reach as many as possible.<br />
My favorite quote from an old art ed text said art can "help students to see with their minds and hearts as well as their eyes." That is my goal and to help students understand CREATIVITY as a daily concept outside the artroom.<br />
So, this year I am focusing on the Elements of Art (somewhat tired, I know) in order to lay the skills and knowledge groundwork for a follow up series of meaningful art making experiences related to student interests. I really wanted to incorporate teaching Powerpoint too, but it became nearly impossible without access to the computer lab and I would really be biting off more than I can chew since my students haven't learned Ppt at all yet. But hopefully another year it will fit!<br />
This semester, I'm going to try allowing students to pick from a list of sketchbook prompts (provided) each day in order to allow them some sense of control over the sketchbook experience. I feel that a sense of control is lacking in many of my students lives and I'm steadily working to grant them some and let them savor some independence. "WITH THE FREEDOM SO TOO THE RESPONSIBILITY" I'll let you know how this works out! <br />
And based on the Art of Education's/ The Teaching Palette's <a href="http://theteachingpalette.com/?s=itty+bitty+papers&submit=">itty bitty papers</a> I decided to shrink my standard rubric, make a zillion copies and have students glue one to the back of their artwork as a way to self assess their project before turning it in...kinda pumped about that one!morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04178941649483914622noreply@blogger.com0