What do you think of when you think of art? Do you envision students drawing figures? Painting landscapes? Studying the art of those long past?
How about space for innovative thinking? A place where games and movement lend to learning? Where students find their voice and a means to express it?
That is what I envision art to be and over the last couple of weeks. I have been granted the ability to put some of these thoughts into action.
How about space for innovative thinking? A place where games and movement lend to learning? Where students find their voice and a means to express it?
That is what I envision art to be and over the last couple of weeks. I have been granted the ability to put some of these thoughts into action.
Recently, 8th grade students completed their eight apple media studies which they got to package in some amazing marbled sketchbook. The idea was a collaboration between my coordinating teacher and I and I think it came out great! Nothing warms the heart like hearing kids ask if they can add more pages to their books later or if they could take out their apples and give the sketchbook as a gift for their mom.
Today, 8th graders are recognizing that they have a voice; one that is meant to be heard and which has the power to change the world. Students got to use their laptops to research a variety of issues they felt passionate about and to help draft a way to express their views visually. I am really excited about this project, both in terms of having a chance to see students passionate about something meaningful to them but also to see how these ideas translate in the kinetic art medium that we are trying. Stay tuned!
Sometimes the best learning happens when you get up and move as the 7th graders got a chance to find out. In the concluding arc of learning about the elements and principles of art and design, 7th grade students spent time searching the room for posted information about the principles of design. Students then took their knowledge back to their tables and shared with each other. The best part was the game at the end. Paired in groups of 3-4, students invented team names (related to art of course!) and had 30 seconds to identify 3 elements of art and 2 principles of design related to projected slide images. Everyone had a blast and it was invigorating to hear the students race to make connections between what they were seeing and what they learned!
And let's not forget about the 6th graders! What started out with help from a Harry Potter video clip has resulted in students finding their own animal guardians by analyzing personal characteristics, making connections with animal symbols, and infusing their guides with patterns and colors. The results are stunning, but you'll have to wait to see the final results!