PF Middle School Observation March 19
PF Middle School Observation on March 19
Today in the Middle School art class the students were starting a new project on Abstract art and artists. The students had their Chrome books to research artists and view a collection of each artist's work. The teacher had pre-given them a list of several artists, including Mary Swanzy, Robert Delauney, Alma Thomas, and a few others, to choose from for their project. Each student was supposed to pick an artist and then research this artist and use their work as an inspiration for a thumbnail sketch and then a painting. Their paintings would later be transformed into a 3D clay sculpture that would be glazed and fired. Each child was supposed to use the artist as an inspiration; however, many students were confused how to take another artists work and not copy it but transform it into their own. She was continuously telling her students not to copy. How as art teachers can we show famous artists or artworks for students to use as inspiration, but not as artwork to simply copy from? How can students create their own style while still using famous artists and artworks as reference? One girl was using container lids to create perfect circles, then the teacher later saw her and brought her a drawing compass. She taught her how to use the compass and that it is a great drawing tool. I was also pleased to see that the teacher has recycled items like container lids for students to use for their artwork in addition to standard tools like the compass. Using loose parts and teaching students how to be innovative with their artwork is key. Since their paintings would later be transformed into 3D sculptures, several students how questions about how they would be transforming components of their drawings into sculpture. This created artistic conversation. Artwork creates opportunity for problem solving and coming up with solutions when you do not know how to properly create something. Throughout the activity I could hear students moaning and complaining about different aspects of the project. They were saying they "could not do it". How do teachers deal with students who refuse to cooperate or create?
The next time we visit this middle school art room we will begin teaching our own lesson. I would like to do a project on layering and collaboration with paint or clay. All of the projects in this class have been clean cut and involved many instructions. I want the students to work with their piers to create a messy and layered artwork.
Today in the Middle School art class the students were starting a new project on Abstract art and artists. The students had their Chrome books to research artists and view a collection of each artist's work. The teacher had pre-given them a list of several artists, including Mary Swanzy, Robert Delauney, Alma Thomas, and a few others, to choose from for their project. Each student was supposed to pick an artist and then research this artist and use their work as an inspiration for a thumbnail sketch and then a painting. Their paintings would later be transformed into a 3D clay sculpture that would be glazed and fired. Each child was supposed to use the artist as an inspiration; however, many students were confused how to take another artists work and not copy it but transform it into their own. She was continuously telling her students not to copy. How as art teachers can we show famous artists or artworks for students to use as inspiration, but not as artwork to simply copy from? How can students create their own style while still using famous artists and artworks as reference? One girl was using container lids to create perfect circles, then the teacher later saw her and brought her a drawing compass. She taught her how to use the compass and that it is a great drawing tool. I was also pleased to see that the teacher has recycled items like container lids for students to use for their artwork in addition to standard tools like the compass. Using loose parts and teaching students how to be innovative with their artwork is key. Since their paintings would later be transformed into 3D sculptures, several students how questions about how they would be transforming components of their drawings into sculpture. This created artistic conversation. Artwork creates opportunity for problem solving and coming up with solutions when you do not know how to properly create something. Throughout the activity I could hear students moaning and complaining about different aspects of the project. They were saying they "could not do it". How do teachers deal with students who refuse to cooperate or create?
The next time we visit this middle school art room we will begin teaching our own lesson. I would like to do a project on layering and collaboration with paint or clay. All of the projects in this class have been clean cut and involved many instructions. I want the students to work with their piers to create a messy and layered artwork.
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