Thinking through Aesthetics by Marilyn Stewart
Teaching Meaning in Artmaking by Sydney Walker
Monday, August 3, 2015
Resources
Another goal this summer is to find resources to help me in my future teaching job! I have been asking other professionals for reading material to help supplement my education. I learned so much by reading these books! My wife has been lucky to have had professional development with both Dr. Stewart and Dr. Walker and we have had great conversations about the philosophy of art education!
Thinking through Aesthetics by Marilyn Stewart
Teaching Meaning in Artmaking by Sydney Walker
Thinking through Aesthetics by Marilyn Stewart
Teaching Meaning in Artmaking by Sydney Walker
Working in Clay: Summer Experiments
Clay is an amazing art material. As old as the earth, it is used to create everything from the dishes we use at dinner time to life like sculptures. This summer I am experimenting with clay as I develop ideas to use this media in the classroom.
Students love to use clay. It is an inviting material because of its tactile qualities and students can find success in creating both functional and expressive works of art!
As I prepare myself for a job as an art teacher, I recognize it is important to be ready for any grade, any level as I have my provisional license for PreK-12! Within my future classes I will have a range of students--gifted artists, students with special needs and students who struggle with the confidence needed to take the plunge into art making. As I work with the clay I try to imagine how it would feel to be either of those types of students. Reflecting as I work, I think about how to make the projects more challenging for the gifted student. How can I provide more choices within this project? Also, I think about students with special needs--what kind of instructions would be needed to better aid them? Would having visuals of each step prepared help? What about using objects to create texture in the clay as a focus on experimenting to better "learn" the media? How can I support students' confidence through this endeavor? What types of peer critiques will promote positive reflection and foster a sense of unity in the classroom?
Alright, enough playing around with clay: time to make something!
For my first project, I challenged myself to use high and low relief in the creation of a symbolic work of art. This summer I have been blessed to spend so much time with my family. We have spent a lot of time together at the beach, going on bike rides and picking tomatoes from our garden! I have also grown as a professional as I have used the summer time for research and development. I have chosen the blue crab as the symbol for this clay project. Blue crabs grow by molting. During their lifespan a male blue crab molts about 25 times! I figure if a blue crab can handle that much change, than I can handle my decision (at 35) to become an art teacher alongside being a first time father. I admire the blue crab for its beauty and determination, and chose this to be my personal symbol.
Students love to use clay. It is an inviting material because of its tactile qualities and students can find success in creating both functional and expressive works of art!
As I prepare myself for a job as an art teacher, I recognize it is important to be ready for any grade, any level as I have my provisional license for PreK-12! Within my future classes I will have a range of students--gifted artists, students with special needs and students who struggle with the confidence needed to take the plunge into art making. As I work with the clay I try to imagine how it would feel to be either of those types of students. Reflecting as I work, I think about how to make the projects more challenging for the gifted student. How can I provide more choices within this project? Also, I think about students with special needs--what kind of instructions would be needed to better aid them? Would having visuals of each step prepared help? What about using objects to create texture in the clay as a focus on experimenting to better "learn" the media? How can I support students' confidence through this endeavor? What types of peer critiques will promote positive reflection and foster a sense of unity in the classroom?
Alright, enough playing around with clay: time to make something!
For my first project, I challenged myself to use high and low relief in the creation of a symbolic work of art. This summer I have been blessed to spend so much time with my family. We have spent a lot of time together at the beach, going on bike rides and picking tomatoes from our garden! I have also grown as a professional as I have used the summer time for research and development. I have chosen the blue crab as the symbol for this clay project. Blue crabs grow by molting. During their lifespan a male blue crab molts about 25 times! I figure if a blue crab can handle that much change, than I can handle my decision (at 35) to become an art teacher alongside being a first time father. I admire the blue crab for its beauty and determination, and chose this to be my personal symbol.
I found an image on the Internet to use as a reference for the basic shape of a blue crab. (The image was not copyrighted.) Then, on a trip to the Eastern Shore to visit family I was able to get up close and personal with my chosen subject.
Right now my project is in the very beginning stages, but I am so inspired to work in clay!
The start of the school year was very busy! I was so lucky to be asked to complete a long term sub position at a local Elementary School! I learned so much and learned I have a lot...to learn!
I did find time to finish my crab relief sculpture!
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