Today was a day. Today was the first day I have taught 6 different lessons in one day. And one class was not there today! The last project we did was a school wide project. I'm telling you, it's beautiful! My goal is to have it up by Friday. I will do my very best! Today after school, I had the neighboring school's middle school art club come visit me and offered assistance in helping put together the school mural. It's awesome to have collaboration between schools. It is even better that I know the middle school and high school teachers at that campus. It was a no-brainer when they asked if they could have their National Art Honor Society kids come and volunteer with my students or after school helping me get ready for projects! Of course they can! Both principals from the schools were very receptive to the idea and I look forward to having a great relationship with Westchester Academy for International Studies. Today, I had three kids come with Mrs. Lindig, the middle school art teacher. Thanks so much for all your help!
Today, was fun. Except that I have hurt myself and just moving hurts. But, you grin and bear it and love the hugs from the kids. They make it all better.
Today started with the 5th grade class missing art due to their choir musical. I admire the two ladies who put these programs together and manage all the classes of 5th graders at one time, and put on a marvelous production. They are working towards a "travel" themed show. Get your Kicks on Route 66, etc! It's cute! It gave me just a few more minutes to wrap my head around teaching all the classes today, different lessons.
I have decided that instead of teaching all the grade levels clay at one time, which was what was suggested to me, was that we would switch it up and have 3rd, 4th and 5th graders do clay while Kinder, 1st and 2nd work on painting/printmaking heart themed projects. It is working better than I had hoped. Lots of changing between classes, but, it seems to be the best solution. Not only am I not having to keep track of 740+ projects that have to be stored and then fired, passed out, glazed, fired, displayed, and passed out again... but I think, it will keep me sane.
One thing that is difficult for me is that the former teacher had been there a while. The kids seemed to know what to "expect" in the way of clay projects. They KNOW that 2nd grade is supposed to make frogs, 4th grade is SUPPOSED to make initial tiles, 5th grade is SUPPOSED to make pencil holder/vases, etc... (that's what I am hearing anyway). BUT, they are all receptive to the knowledge that I don't have previous lesson plans from the other teacher (which I think is good). So, this year, we are starting new and fresh with Mrs. Walton's clay projects. You see, I LOVE clay. I LOVE 3D art! I could sit for a very long time with my hands in some mess of stuff... sorting, glueing, cutting, building... it's just nice to see things transform and be able to change if I don't like it. I want the kids to learn that too. This year, we will do a series of nature/spring based clay projects. Each grade level will do something that deals with one of those things. My hope is to display them in a glass case near my classroom, all together, so that everyone's project is seen and it all blends together as one image (sort of).
So today, here's the sneak peek..... The kids are having a blast.... I can't wait to fire them and show you the final pieces...
and... I'm EXHAUSTED!
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