In reflecting back on my original blog about my advice to myself for the first day of class, I have to say that a lot of what was said there can be still be of great use. But most interestingly, the things mentioned in that post are very similar to the things mentioned in the post right before this one. There is a strong focus on the students and the interactions between the teacher on a personal level. Getting to know the students is key.
From what I've observed in my practicum, it is easy to achieve this if the teacher is very sociable with his/her students. The students will feel comfortable in the classroom and the teacher will receive so much information about their personalities and what they express in their work.
Some more advice that I can give myself is to expect just about everything from the students in terms of their personal lives. The students will be an open book, and they will not be afraid to talk with you about anything. Personal relationships, school, stress, and family issues are just a few of the things you can expect to talk about with your students. You need to be prepared to say the right things, and to be a good role model to the students. They will look up to you, and they will come to you for advice.
Contacting their parents about your concerns will be necessary also. If a particular student is worrying you in any way, you should contact his/her parents and discuss the matter with them. But, depending on the circumstance, it might be best to contact the school counselor first, or discuss it with your coworkers who have this student in their classes as well. Also, do the same for when the student is impressing you in a positive manner, the parents will love to hear that their student is doing well in your class and they will likely tell this to their child which will benefit the student in many ways.
Being a teacher isn't just about writing lessons and grading work, it's about being a mentor and a role model to your students. You will learn a lot about your students, and you will have to teach them many more things in life than just art.
Sunday, April 24, 2016
Some Interesting Things
What I saw in my field placement that I thought was the most interesting was how close the teacher was to her students. She seemed to have a personal relationship with each and every one of them, and they all clearly enjoyed her class and her humor. I loved how relaxed the classes felt, and the students were always on task while still having fun with the teacher and the people around them.
Most of the classes that I observed were senior classes, so I'm sure that fact has a lot to say about how she knew her students so well. But regardless, the students should feel as comfortable as these kids did at any grade level, especially in the art classroom. Some of her students would even go to her house for cook outs and dog sitting. There were even a few who offered to help her move when she was packing and unpacking for her new house.
The school that I was assigned to had an interesting schedule that was new to me. It included a period of time every day that allowed the students to roam the campus freely and socialize or work on schoolwork. I was amazed at the number of students who would come into her classroom during this time and socialize with her. I never saw but once, a student coming in to work on an assignment, but even this student took advantage of the time to crack jokes with the teacher.
After seeing this every day, I quickly realized how important it is for the students to feel as comfortable as possible in the classroom. It allowed for a stress free environment where the students could come in to work without much pressure. The students worked diligently and never hesitated to ask the teacher for guidance or discuss their work with her with the fear of being wrong or criticized.
I hope to have the kind of relationship with my students. It not only benefits them, but also the teacher. The school days are entertaining and the communication between the students is never hampered.
What I've learned from this is to try to be like this teacher. I'll need to be sociable and approachable. I won't need to get to know every student on a personal level, but it will help to know how to interact with them individually and learn the personalities and tendencies of each of them. It will be beneficial to the students and the teacher in so many ways.
Most of the classes that I observed were senior classes, so I'm sure that fact has a lot to say about how she knew her students so well. But regardless, the students should feel as comfortable as these kids did at any grade level, especially in the art classroom. Some of her students would even go to her house for cook outs and dog sitting. There were even a few who offered to help her move when she was packing and unpacking for her new house.
The school that I was assigned to had an interesting schedule that was new to me. It included a period of time every day that allowed the students to roam the campus freely and socialize or work on schoolwork. I was amazed at the number of students who would come into her classroom during this time and socialize with her. I never saw but once, a student coming in to work on an assignment, but even this student took advantage of the time to crack jokes with the teacher.
After seeing this every day, I quickly realized how important it is for the students to feel as comfortable as possible in the classroom. It allowed for a stress free environment where the students could come in to work without much pressure. The students worked diligently and never hesitated to ask the teacher for guidance or discuss their work with her with the fear of being wrong or criticized.
I hope to have the kind of relationship with my students. It not only benefits them, but also the teacher. The school days are entertaining and the communication between the students is never hampered.
What I've learned from this is to try to be like this teacher. I'll need to be sociable and approachable. I won't need to get to know every student on a personal level, but it will help to know how to interact with them individually and learn the personalities and tendencies of each of them. It will be beneficial to the students and the teacher in so many ways.
My Ideal Teaching Situation
I would love to be in a school where there are several art teachers, instead of one. Each teacher would teach their own respective field and the students would decide on which courses to take. I would teach drawing. I have the most experience with this medium and feel the most comfortable teaching it to the best of my ability. I would have lessons that deal with graphite, charcoal, ink, and some colored mediums as well such as pastels and colored pencils.
Most of my lessons would focus on my students expressing themselves. Sure, I would start out with them drawing still lifes to show their technical skills with the materials. Then I would move on to more conceptual things, and have them express ideas and subjects that they are passionate about. Through my time at USC, I have learned how to effectively express myself in my art. It has made me much more passionate about my work. Unfortunately, I did not strengthen these skills until the last two years of my college career. I want to get my students thinking in this way as soon as possible. I believe that it is such a necessary skill in the art world, and it will only encourage the artist to work harder and create stronger work.
Using what I have learned through my time at USC, in my drawing classes at MTC, and through my own experience with drawing, I will be able to teach my students much more about drawing than just how to use a pencil to draw a vase. I have learned how to use the elements and principles of design, color theory, and compositional strategies to give meaning to my art, and I will try to the best of my ability to teach this to my students.
As for my own skills, I will never stop creating art. I will always continue to express myself and challenge myself to learn new skills. I can do this by simply drawing on my own. But I can also take courses at the schools around my area. I will visit local galleries and art events and engulf myself with the local art culture. The internet will be useful to me as well, as I can upload images of my art and receive feedback from other artists all across the globe. I will take what I continue to learn and apply to my classes and to my lessons, constantly tweaking them to relate to contemporary society and incorporate any new skill that I have learned that I think will be beneficial to my students' learning.
My Portfolio
These are just a handful of some of the pieces that I've done over the past few years. My medium of choice is drawing, especially with graphite and charcoal. I have had the most experience with these materials, but at my time at USC, I have been taught how to use many different mediums.
I feel very comfortable with printmaking, acrylic/oil painting, watercolors, photography, and 3D sculpture. My experience with ceramics was a good one, but I could definitely sharpen my skills with working with clay. In terms of subject matter, my ability with drawing the human figure can certainly be increased. I took a figure structure class, where I learned quite a bit, but I don't feel as comfortable with that subject as I do with others.
Ideally I would teach strictly drawing. I would teach materials such as graphite, charcoal, pastels, ink, and colored pencil as my skills with these materials are much greater than the others mentioned above. If I were to teach some of the other materials, I could teach them just fine on a basic level, but would still need to practice. If time allowed, I would continue to take courses at USC or any other local institution. If I do not have the time to attend classes, I would purchase the materials myself and practice on my own using information from internet sources. I would also contact my fellow teachers and ask for advice on the matter.
Career and College
As a high school student, I had always imagined that I would pursue a career in music. My father is a working musician and some of my friends also play for money. Seeing how much they love to perform and the seeing the satisfaction of making something that everyone around you is experiencing and enjoying, I just knew that I would do the same. The life of a musician is wonderful, but I slowly started to realize, as graduation got closer and closer, that maybe this isn't what I want to do after all. Sure, I love music, but maybe I should just keep it as a hobby and pursue something that might offer more money. Then I had another realization, that if I pursue a career that I wasn't passionate about, but it paid the bills, will I be happy? I would be successful, of course. But would I be happy? The answer I always told myself was no.
Something had to change. I had to make a decision, and make it fast! The pressure was on, and the one thing I knew that I loved just as much as music was art. So, after graduation, I went to a technical school, earned an Associate degree and transferred to USC to study Art Education.
My story, and much like many others I have heard, is one of stress and confusion. I was never 100% sure about what I wanted to do, and honestly, I'm still not today. But what I do know is that I need to pursue something that I am passionate about. I know that if I work for money and not satisfaction that I will be very unhappy in life.
This is something that I will tell my students as they prepare for college, or even on their first day of high school. They will all experience the same thing that I went through. The uncertainty, the risks of failure, the risks of unhappiness, and the stress of having to make the decision before you're even 100% sure. I will tell them that it's alright to be unsure, it's alright to be confused, you're never going to know for sure until you try something. The best advice that I can give my students is to tell them to go for what they love, and they will never work a day in their life. There is so much more to life than making a steady paycheck. And even if you don't like the path you chose, you can always change it, and that's alright too.
I once heard a quote that said, "College is great place to find out what you don't want to do." This is true, for many students. College is a wonderful place to figure out what career path you want to take, and high school is too, but you're at such a young age. How can you possibly know what you want to do for the rest of your life at age 18? Once you're in college, and you decide that your major isn't a good fit for you, change it. It's fine. You're supposed to do it. Find something else that makes you happy. Forget about the extra time it will take to graduate, that's not important. What's important is you and your future.
So with all of this in mind, I would tell my students to chase after something that they love, not after something that they think will pay the bills. Life is too short to focus on riches and success, instead focus on yourself and pursue what makes you the most happy. You won't regret a second of it.
Something had to change. I had to make a decision, and make it fast! The pressure was on, and the one thing I knew that I loved just as much as music was art. So, after graduation, I went to a technical school, earned an Associate degree and transferred to USC to study Art Education.
My story, and much like many others I have heard, is one of stress and confusion. I was never 100% sure about what I wanted to do, and honestly, I'm still not today. But what I do know is that I need to pursue something that I am passionate about. I know that if I work for money and not satisfaction that I will be very unhappy in life.
This is something that I will tell my students as they prepare for college, or even on their first day of high school. They will all experience the same thing that I went through. The uncertainty, the risks of failure, the risks of unhappiness, and the stress of having to make the decision before you're even 100% sure. I will tell them that it's alright to be unsure, it's alright to be confused, you're never going to know for sure until you try something. The best advice that I can give my students is to tell them to go for what they love, and they will never work a day in their life. There is so much more to life than making a steady paycheck. And even if you don't like the path you chose, you can always change it, and that's alright too.
I once heard a quote that said, "College is great place to find out what you don't want to do." This is true, for many students. College is a wonderful place to figure out what career path you want to take, and high school is too, but you're at such a young age. How can you possibly know what you want to do for the rest of your life at age 18? Once you're in college, and you decide that your major isn't a good fit for you, change it. It's fine. You're supposed to do it. Find something else that makes you happy. Forget about the extra time it will take to graduate, that's not important. What's important is you and your future.
So with all of this in mind, I would tell my students to chase after something that they love, not after something that they think will pay the bills. Life is too short to focus on riches and success, instead focus on yourself and pursue what makes you the most happy. You won't regret a second of it.
Collage
Typically, a collage piece will be made up of pieces of colored paper, cut photographs, fabrics, etc. In my classroom, however, we will incorporate more than just two dimensional objects. The focus of this project will be to make a piece that has one object surrounded by other objects that relate or support the object in some way. It can support it symbolically or visually.
The students will be expected to choose some sort of small, non-perishable object that they will be willing to attach to a piece of paper. The object can't be some random thing in their possession, it needs to be meaningful to them in some way. For example, I played with Hot Wheels for most of my childhood. They greatly influenced my obsession with the automobile industry, and so I would choose to put a Hot Wheel into my piece. The object can also be something bought if they don't have the actual object, or if they don't want to put the real one in the piece, they are allowed to substitute a new one.
They will be given an array of materials, including colored papers, scrap wallpaper, thread, fabrics, beads, etc. The students can also incorporate found objects, especially things from the outdoors (only if these materials are safe and will not deteriorate). Their collage will be placed onto a large sheet of construction paper, in a color of their choice. The single meaningful object that they choose should be a piece of emphasis in their collage and the surrounding pieces will support it.
In our class, we were told how our teacher has given a lesson similar to this that focuses on color theory. She said that she randomly chooses a color, anything from fabric to paper, and gives it to the student and they have to use it in their piece. The student will then have to figure out how to use the new material without damaging the effect of their work. Usually, the pieces were enhanced by this color. This is something that I will likely include in a collage lesson. It gives the students a chance, using what they've learned about the elements and principles of design, to solve a problem.
Here a few examples from our class:
In our class, we were told how our teacher has given a lesson similar to this that focuses on color theory. She said that she randomly chooses a color, anything from fabric to paper, and gives it to the student and they have to use it in their piece. The student will then have to figure out how to use the new material without damaging the effect of their work. Usually, the pieces were enhanced by this color. This is something that I will likely include in a collage lesson. It gives the students a chance, using what they've learned about the elements and principles of design, to solve a problem.
Here a few examples from our class:
Wednesday, April 20, 2016
Marker Ink Wash
Ink wash drawing is something most artists would consider to be a difficult medium to work with. In the classroom, a challenging medium is always welcomed. What better way to teach the students how to be patient with their art than with ink wash. Now, ink can get very messy and will stain clothing, an easy and inexpensive way around this is to use washable markers and water.
The students will receive plastic palettes, water cups, and markers of assorted colors. They will get the same result as a traditional ink wash drawing, but they can use color as well, which will also give them the experience of working with watercolors.
In our class we were given the same materials and were told to experiment. Some of us drew portraits, animals, flowers, etc. and some made experimentation sheets showing how the different brands of markers behaved, and also showed different techniques of applying the ink.
These materials behave in just the same way as watercolors. The colors are even more vibrant in some cases. This is an ideal technique in getting a class ready to work with watercolors. Learning how to use a brush with a medium that is unpredictable in relation to something like acrylics or oil paints.
In relation to ink wash, however, the black markers never gave a true black like India ink does. The tone was always grey or even slightly green because of the inks in some brands of the markers. Still, this is a usable technique in getting students prepared to work with ink wash. Once using actual ink, the students should still practice with the materials because ink will be much darker and will have to be used in much smaller amounts to achieve the same result.
Value and Color are the two main elements of design that students will utilize when working with these materials. In some cases Line can be used, especially when working with some sort of ink quill, such as a bamboo pen. Gradation and Contrast are the two most relevant principles of design with these techniques. The students will be able to see how manipulating the water before it dries can create gradation, and the darkness of the ink can certainly enhance contrast.
Students who have never worked with these types of wet materials will have to figure out ways to control them. They will need to problem solve in order to achieve a desired result. Creativity plays a big role here, but creativity will also be used in how the students use these newly learned skills to create imagery.
Friday, April 8, 2016
Field Trip
It is important for students of any field to go out and view things in person. Just as it is important for music students to hear live performances, instead of listening to them digitally, it is important for art students to see works of art, instead of viewing them on a screen or in a textbook.
If money and time allowed, I would take my students to some of the more famous and influential galleries in the country; MoMA, The MET, The High, etc. These are the places where they will see most of the art that I will discuss in my classroom. However, an efficient way for them to see works of art is to take them to a local gallery. The Columbia Museum of Art is an obvious choice, it's easy to get to, easy to navigate, and they offer free admission to the permanent gallery on Sundays.
It is important for students of any field to go out and view things in person. Just as it is important for music students to hear live performances, instead of listening to them digitally, it is important for art students to see works of art, instead of viewing them on a screen or in a textbook.
If money and time allowed, I would take my students to some of the more famous and influential galleries in the country; MoMA, The MET, The High, etc. These are the places where they will see most of the art that I will discuss in my classroom. However, an efficient way for them to see works of art is to take them to a local gallery. The Columbia Museum of Art is an obvious choice, it's easy to get to, easy to navigate, and they offer free admission to the permanent gallery on Sundays.
If money and time allowed, I would take my students to some of the more famous and influential galleries in the country; MoMA, The MET, The High, etc. These are the places where they will see most of the art that I will discuss in my classroom. However, an efficient way for them to see works of art is to take them to a local gallery. The Columbia Museum of Art is an obvious choice, it's easy to get to, easy to navigate, and they offer free admission to the permanent gallery on Sundays.
If money and time allowed, I would take my students to some of the more famous and influential galleries in the country; MoMA, The MET, The High, etc. These are the places where they will see most of the art that I will discuss in my classroom. However, an efficient way for them to see works of art is to take them to a local gallery. The Columbia Museum of Art is an obvious choice, it's easy to get to, easy to navigate, and they offer free admission to the permanent gallery on Sundays.
Seeing art in person is much better than seeing it on a screen, in numerous ways. The scale, the detail, textures, colors; all of these things become much more clear and expressive when the viewer is directly in front of the work. I believe every successful art program must include at least one field trip where the students see art in the flesh.
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