"Walk me through a typical lesson..." Asks the principal. The students file in, we have yet to get a handle on our procedures on transition from their homeroom teacher to art (a shortcoming on both of our parts), so more like come in loudly, fighting over chairs and who can sit where. Jeremy and David find seats together, but of course they are the distracters of the group. Sofie and Maggie sit together and talk about rainbows and unicorns. eventually they all find seats. After a call and response they look to me for the beginning of the lesson. I start by describing the project of the the day and show examples, or I don't start with the project but begin with the Artist of focus, or I by pass art all together and read a story that will connect to the project. Sometime the students need the story as a transition. After this segment of the lesson we discuss the project in depth and the content of the project, what elements are involved, what techniques are used. Most, but not all, of my lessons are DBAE (Discipline Based Art Education). So there is theory connected with technical skills and art with in project lessons. We usually begin with a discussion or brainstorm session where all of the class is encouraged to participate. It may look like, today we are going to paint a landscape what elements of the composition are in a landscape? We define the elements with some prompts, then with the horizon line we discuss what the "skyline" may include, trees, skyscrapers, church, mountains, etc. Students practice drawing landscapes in their sketchbooks for sketchbook practice. After some drawing time, students are transitioned to the project. Materials distributed, paint shirts on, ten minutes before the end of class they begin cleaning up, brushes safely in water, paint shirts off. This year lessons were at the end of the school day so the younger group dismiss a bit early for dismissal purposes. We have a good time, we learn art history and context, we learn about different media and technique.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorI have a passion for the visual arts and love sharing it with others. I have enjoyed teaching all ages and love to incorporate art history and traditional disciplines as well as innovative ideas. Art is vital to who I am as a creator and educator. Archives
August 2023
Categories
All
|