Since my graduation, I have been called on frequently to substitute in the elementary art room and the experiences has been absolutely wonderful and fulfilling. For many reasons, I was looking forward to the end of March: it marked the start of spring break, it meant being able to add another furball to the Zoo (even if only temporary), it meant getting closer to April which meant getting closer to teacher fairs, interviews, and my own classroom. However, it also marked the event of another exciting opportunity: Middle School Art! Thanks to an invite from my middle school host, I had the wonderful honor of substitute teaching at Jefferson Middle School for the whole week before spring break. It was the first time being around my artistic Huskies since I had to say goodbye back in October and I'm not sure who was more excited; me or them!
The week was a breeze which was a bit of a relief considering we were dealing with the unique trifecta of spring break fever, full moon, and heavy snow forecast (can you say snow day?). Students were either completing works of art in progress or prepping for the start of new ones and it was fun to see the work progress daily. One of the successes I had during student teaching were the games and challenges I developed to create some exciting learning opportunities to get students thinking beyond the project borders. Since the last day that I would be teaching would be half day, I asked my host if it could be ok to perhaps try some new games. Not only would the students get a chance to have some extra fun in art, but it served as a perfect way to end the week before spring break started! My host loved the games from the fall and excitedly gave the go ahead to do so again.
Time passed and by day three, I had two games, one for 7th grade and one for 8th grade, prepped and ready to play. I was excited, the students were excited. All we had to do was watch the snow fall and wait. Unfortunately the snow kept falling. And kept falling. Until BAM! Snow day!
Seriously?!
Needless to say I was a bit disappointed. However, it could be said that Michigan teachers are nothing if not trained to handle the mood swings of Michigan weather and its correlation with teaching. On the positive side, I did get a chance to test the 7th grade game with a class that was not set to meet on the last day of school. The game tied in key concepts of their upcoming project including how artists use color to express emotion in their work, analogous color schemes, different artistic techniques with collages, it even included the chalk drawings I drew every morning (just to see if they were paying attention). The feedback was great; they loved it and it was amazing to watch them channel in their knowledge of art and work together to play the game!
While it would have been nice to play the 8th grade game (which also tied in key concepts regarding projects they were working on and the chalk drawings), or even try the 7th grade game again after being able to observe it in action, I was at least able to add some new games to my teaching palette of ideas. I have a sub opportunity in elementary art coming soon, perhaps I will work on adapting the games for them. I absolutely love creating fun, new opportunities to learn!
The week was a breeze which was a bit of a relief considering we were dealing with the unique trifecta of spring break fever, full moon, and heavy snow forecast (can you say snow day?). Students were either completing works of art in progress or prepping for the start of new ones and it was fun to see the work progress daily. One of the successes I had during student teaching were the games and challenges I developed to create some exciting learning opportunities to get students thinking beyond the project borders. Since the last day that I would be teaching would be half day, I asked my host if it could be ok to perhaps try some new games. Not only would the students get a chance to have some extra fun in art, but it served as a perfect way to end the week before spring break started! My host loved the games from the fall and excitedly gave the go ahead to do so again.
Time passed and by day three, I had two games, one for 7th grade and one for 8th grade, prepped and ready to play. I was excited, the students were excited. All we had to do was watch the snow fall and wait. Unfortunately the snow kept falling. And kept falling. Until BAM! Snow day!
Seriously?!
Needless to say I was a bit disappointed. However, it could be said that Michigan teachers are nothing if not trained to handle the mood swings of Michigan weather and its correlation with teaching. On the positive side, I did get a chance to test the 7th grade game with a class that was not set to meet on the last day of school. The game tied in key concepts of their upcoming project including how artists use color to express emotion in their work, analogous color schemes, different artistic techniques with collages, it even included the chalk drawings I drew every morning (just to see if they were paying attention). The feedback was great; they loved it and it was amazing to watch them channel in their knowledge of art and work together to play the game!
While it would have been nice to play the 8th grade game (which also tied in key concepts regarding projects they were working on and the chalk drawings), or even try the 7th grade game again after being able to observe it in action, I was at least able to add some new games to my teaching palette of ideas. I have a sub opportunity in elementary art coming soon, perhaps I will work on adapting the games for them. I absolutely love creating fun, new opportunities to learn!