This was a fun project. From life drawing to printmaking. Observation, line, and texture. Didn't realize how many of my students wear Chucks.
Monday, September 22, 2014
Pencil Self-Portrait Middle School
I pitted one grade 6 class against a grade 7/8 class. I wanted to see if I taught both classes the project the same way if there would be any notable differences in the drawings. I was curious if the 1-2 gap would be evident in the fine motor skills. I have to admit, the results of both classes were outstanding.
Here are my findings based on my experiment. When I started teaching Art at the middle school level 19 years ago, this was a typical project for a grade 6 class at my school district. It was part of the curriculum and the students in the district had mandated art at the elementary level.
When I taught middle school again 7 years later at one of the "best" districts San Diego, I carried over the curriculum to grade six, and noted the skills, vocabulary, how to manage space were lacking and disproportionate. For most students, grade 6 was their first real art class. The learning gap was wide and varied. I learned that first year, there were no art specialist at the elementary level. Sadly, when I left, the principal made the shortsighted decision to discontinue art. I was disappointed.
I'm happy to be back in an environment where art is valued at all age levels, the elementary art specialist do a stellar job preparing our students for middle school art, and my teammate and I prepare our students for high school and beyond.
Here are my findings based on my experiment. When I started teaching Art at the middle school level 19 years ago, this was a typical project for a grade 6 class at my school district. It was part of the curriculum and the students in the district had mandated art at the elementary level.
When I taught middle school again 7 years later at one of the "best" districts San Diego, I carried over the curriculum to grade six, and noted the skills, vocabulary, how to manage space were lacking and disproportionate. For most students, grade 6 was their first real art class. The learning gap was wide and varied. I learned that first year, there were no art specialist at the elementary level. Sadly, when I left, the principal made the shortsighted decision to discontinue art. I was disappointed.
I'm happy to be back in an environment where art is valued at all age levels, the elementary art specialist do a stellar job preparing our students for middle school art, and my teammate and I prepare our students for high school and beyond.
Middle School Tempera Self-Portratits
There portraits are from my middle school class last year, quarter 4. One of the frustrating aspects of being a Middle School Art Teacher teaching exploratory/wheel classes is cycling through a new batch of kids every 9 weeks. Just when you start to get into a groove with class, they move on.
With this project, I wanted the students to play with black outlines, blend colors but make the image appear flat. When we took photographs, the topic was funny expressions.
With this project, I wanted the students to play with black outlines, blend colors but make the image appear flat. When we took photographs, the topic was funny expressions.
Tuesday, September 16, 2014
Block Reduction printmaking examples
Per our discussion and demonstration in class: These images were borrowed from pinterest.com For printmaking assignment you might want to look up the following: block reduction prints, German expressionism, printmaking, Japanese printmaking, woodblock printing,
