Summative

For my summative project I wanted to create an art piece. I will display this work of art in my classroom as a constant reminder of what I have learned in this course and what I still have to learn about myself. I wanted to use two projects concepts we explored in this course but going in another direction. One is the idea of metaphors. The other idea is a self portrait. I also wanted to create a 3 dimensional work of art. This is in order to demonstrate to myself and my students that I can create more then exemplars and digital works. This has not been the easiest courses for me but that is why it has also been so beneficial.

            This piece is 3ft tall and 17 in wide (in some areas). At the bottom there is a large box of 48 Pop-tarts. Pop-tarts have several meaning to me, but all to do with beginnings. It can represent my childhood and the starts of my education. It can also represent my mornings. I start everyday with a Pop-tart and coffee on my 30 min drive to school. I love that time, I am able to think positively toward the day ahead. It can also represent how I am at the start of my teaching career. I have time to become the educator I want to be.

            At the top, coming out of Pop-tart box are plastic fireworks which represent ideas; mine, my students and my fellow classmates. I love hearing new ideas for lessons and teaching. I “borrow” ideas from my fellow teachers all the time. I try it out and expand on it depending on how it works for my students and me. My students are another great source of ideas. They are individuals and their backgrounds help them see things in different ways. This course has helped me feel comfortable amending I “borrow” lots of my ideas. 

The ruler symbolizes measurement. How do I measure up in the eyes of my students, follow educators, parents, administration, instructors, everyone and anyone? I want to teach in a way that allows everyone to benefit from art education. I truly belief one good teacher can be the ripe effect that can change the world.

 I have created a rollercoaster track with mini colored pencils as a symbol of the emotional rollercoaster this school year and this course has been for me. I thought my first school year was tough but these year speed past those bumps of track and have made mountain high drops. I have never been good at confuting myself about problems this course has forced me to do this and it has not been an easy ride. With that said, this year has been the best rollercoaster I’ve been on. I look forward to next year. The rollercoaster doesn’t have an ending.

The small cars on this piece represent the multiple thought I constantly have. I was diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder in the 1^st grade and have spent my life managing my thoughts through behavior modifications. Sometimes my thoughts cross and crash. Other times my thoughts lead me on to that emotional rollercoaster. But even with the struggles my ADD cause me, it also allows me to explore the world in always others can’t see.

There is a garland of white flowers that wraps around the piece these symbolize my students beginning to blossom. I originally thought to color the flowers but decided not to. One reason is because the art piece has so much color already. The second reason is because this is just the beginning of their journey into art education they have to add their own colors and style. I am also like my students beginning to blossom into the educator I want to be.

The purple mirror is visual representation of reflecting on myself. The mirror is double sided. In the photos I have taken I have put the most current picture of myself in the mirror. I think that will be a regular addition to this piece. I put a photo of myself over one of the frames and will try to change it regularly. This will make me reflect on how well I am using the skills from this course in the future.

This course has been eye opening but challenging as well. Because I am at the beginning of my career I would be interested to see how different it would be to taking this course again in 10 years. I know I will change but hopefully my ideals will not.

Week 13 Blog 13

Ok I had a hard time this week with reviewing and reflecting on this course. I had this moment as I was putting up my students artwork at our annual district art show, I realized I don't always see my progress. I have a problem living in the "Right Now". I have always had that problem in every aspect of my life. I often think back on my past but I never reflect on how it continues to shape my future and how everything now is also building that future. I was not sure about this course at first. I was thinking ok reflect on a lesson and teach it better next time, but this course is so much more then just lessons, behavior management or art. It gets you thinking about how everything in your life effects your as a teacher and you as a person. Thank you Amy.
I think for my summative project I want to create a 3D work of art. I love to teach 3D but I haven't created a 3D piece of art that wasn't ceramics in a long time. I am also thinking BIG. I really want to show my students I do create art for myself (not just exemplars). I have been putting off some of my project ideas because I say I don't have time but I will make time for this.

I have included my original tree as referance:

 I moved my teachers names and words describing their teachings to the roots of the tree, they are the foundation. I then add a leaf for each of my students. As you can see from the close up I put their names on the leaves. I would like to think that this is a flowering tree that will eventually have blooms, but what type of blooms are not clear yet.

Week 12 reply to Karen

I teach wearable art as well but have trouble coming up with the project. I have great artists and designers to look at and study but the art I have my students make is kind of lame. What wearable art are your students making? I like how you asked them about costumes.
I have been thinking since last time I commented on your posts. I know home school students are so different from traditional school students, but one thing that I have found really helpful with getting to understand my students is to sit and observe them in their other classes. This help with behavior management and lets me see my students in a different setting. I know that wouldn't be as easy and possibly a little uncomfortable for you to ask "hey can I come to your house and watch you teach". But you never know it could really help.

Week 13 reply to Erika

I like your trying something new, I think that is the way I will go as well. There are window glass markers that could work but they fad over time and the colors arent true.

Week12 reply to Katie

Don't feel like that, there are so many art forms I don't know about. That's the fun of teaching you don't have to know everything. Find something new teach it to your self, I do that all the time and then I teach I teach it the students and they figure out a way of doing it I didn't even think of.

I'm lucky my 5th graders are a really good group, but 8th grade and 3rd grade are just like your 5th grade. Another strategy you could try is if your in the middle of a lesson, they are working independently try read to them. Pick a good short age appropriate novel I like Mary Downing Hahn. Try "Wait Till Helen Comes" it's a ghost story they will like it. Or if you don't like to read try an audiobook or a movie. Some projects need other distractions. I know I work best when I listen to my favorite audiobook or movie playing in the background.

Week 11 reply to Katie

I will so steal your prezi and could you send me that smart board game adairstokan@gmail.com. 

I love the comment: Since his life would have been less lonely, he would probably have fewer paintings and he would most likely have created very different works. There may have been more paintings about other people and less about his own life.

So insightful! Do you teach VTS or have you taken Mary Franco's class? You said your students have become programmed to answer questions a particular way. I feel VTS helps students break way from that, I try to phrase questions in all lessons to be more open ended to allow students more freedom in answering. I also paraphrase every students answer so they know I'm listening and they can rehear what they said and rethink about it.

Week 11 reply to Erika

That is so awesome! I'm glad you took on such a hot topic. The collages look good. I think your right about the local weird laws, but it could also lighten the mood of the conversation which may or may not be the way you want to go.