This week my master teacher devoted considerable time to talking about art with the students. They didn’t get much time to work on their assignments. Sometimes this felt frustrating because it’s so easy to think that art education only happens when students are using art supplies. However, I was reminded that two of the most important supplies that students have are their eyes and their minds. Students need to be taught how to look, especially in a culture that has so much visual stimulation. I think that one of the ironies of living in a visually rich time is that we have taught ourselves to NOT look at things. We wait until things are thrust in our faces. Art can help teach children how to look, look carefully and notice subtlety. I also think it is really important to empower students with evaluation skills. These skills are transferable to all products that children are asked to make. We can give them a place to learn how to answer for themselves, “is this good?”
Second week October 10, 2007
There have been times during this journey when I have thought that I was being completely foolish to want to get into art. Having to get another endorsement on top of the K-8 cert seemed like a lot of extra work. And what are the odds that I will be able to convince my school district that there really does need to be an art specialist in the schools? This week though, after spending time in the art room in another district has made me think, yeah it is all going to work. The master teacher I’m working with has been very supportive. And his experiences in his district are a real asset to me. Because of his connections I was able to meet the district level staff person in charge of art curriculum development. It was a chance meeting, but I can’t help but feel that it will pay off for me. She shared with me that the one thing I needed to bring to interviews was samples of student work. I have files full, all organized by artist, art element and grade level. Knowing that they are a real tool for me, gives me hope that maybe all my efforts will pay off.
The journey of a future art teacher October 3, 2007
Well, maybe I’m not really a future art teacher, because I’ve been teaching art for almost 10 years. But currently I’m seeking my k-8 teacher cert and my visual arts endorcement so that I can be paid to do what I’ve been doing for free. It’s an interesting journey, especially since I live in a state that doesn’t have many districts where art is taught. Here we go!
Hello world! October 3, 2007
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