Ms. G. tryna be more organized
The month of February brought a lot of confusion, disorganization, chaos, and ADD. I was hit with so many different things, from so many different people, that I could barely finish my lesson plans on time…or update this blog.
Long story short, if I would have known how much work/time/energy/heart break/money is involved with becoming AND REMAINING an educator, I maybe would have thought twice. Recently I realized that I am running out of time to obtain my Level II certification. What is Level II cert? Well, right now I have my level I. As an educator, I have 6 years to obtain 24 post bach credits or I LOSE MY TEACHING CERTIFICATION AND IT CANNOT BE RENEWED. So, graduate school is between 30-33 credits - why not do that? So, I am in the process of researching programs to get my masters in Art Education. Tyler looks promising. I should be enrolled by spring 2012. Kill me.
Other than that, I decided to write a proposal and see if my school would allow me to attend the annual National Art Education Association convention in Seattle, WI this March. Their answer? YES. I am being flown out to this amazing convention for 4 days, all expenses paid. How is that for being taken seriously?
As for my precious angels… they are okay. Well, they are amazing kids and I feel blessed every single day that I get to teach (and can now tolerate) k-5th grade kids. That’s over 480 students I get to know and love. Cool, huh?
Regardless, I realized today during this magnificent snow day (yo, where da snow, Philly? streets are clear…) that I haven’t uploaded any work in awhile. New trimester, new things. Also, some old and finished students works from last trimester that I never had the chance to show you! So, here you go
Here are the finished Egyptian relief tiles I did with 5th grade last trimester (who woulda thought mold making with 5th grade was possible?)
3rd graders explored clay techniques and the Japanese art of Gyodan:
And one finished 5th self-portrait using a grid/value (inspired by their research on Chuck Close)
I was like a drill sergeant during this project… that’s why the results are this impressive. I am too serious sometimes. “I DIDN’T GO TO COLLEGE AND STUDY ART AND EDUCATION FOR 4 YRS TO HAVE ALL OF YOU COME TO CLASS JUST TO DRAW WHATEVER YOU WANT AND NOT LEARN ANYTHING.”
2nd Grade “Batik”:
4th Grade explores ancient Maya in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month (LOVE THESE. BLINGBLANG):
For black history month we did some amazing things:
kindergarten did MLK dream quilt pieces and learned how to create a border!
1st grade study painter Alma Thomas and did their own Thomas inspired paintings with watercolor
2nd grade studied artist Jean-Michel Basquiat:
here is Terrance pointing out his findings in Basquiat’s busy works. We get a lot of use from this smartboard, let me tell you.
introduction/review of Basquait’s life/works
2nd graders started in crayon. They deemed his technique “thinking sloppy” which I thought ruled. We really got our Basquiat on because while working, we listened to 2 types of music, looked through books, and had the radio on (clearly this is not ideal for all the ADD kids I have… but I think Basquiat was a little ADD himself).
During our second week, we added paint to our crayon drawings. I haven’t photographed the finished products yet. I am extremely impressed with these though.
3rd graders did collage inspired by Romare Bearden (his love for Jazz music and his use of black history/harlem/black culture)
4th graders did symmetrical value portraits of famous African Americans (these are amazing, I will photograph SOON)
5th graders listened to the music of Bob Marley, dissected his lyrics, made the connection between Marley and MLK, and created collaborative drawings in response to the songs they listened to (One Love, No Woman, No Cry, Three Little Birds, Get Up, Stand Up, and Redemption Song)
I will update more frequently, promise! Have a great week, everyone!
