Be There or Be Square—Art Lives Through History…What Will YOU Leave Behind?

Tuesday, July 17th, 2011

Presenter: Leah Patterson

*Please look to agenda for outline of workshop. However, before we begin the workshop, I feel it is important for you to know my philosophy when it comes to incorporating visual art projects/assignments into the curriculum. As an artist, I can tell you firsthand that creativity is a complex process. Giving students the freedom to “just be creative” is often a recipe for disaster, for it is overwhelming to the vast majority of students. On the other hand, most students thrive when shown examples of projects along with step-by-step instructions. I don’t say this to produce cookie cutter art, but to ensure your students feel the power of success that naturally comes along when one masters basic techniques.

Just think about it for a minute. Would you dare introduce a trig problem to a third grader? Why? As educators, you know there is a sequence of material, and mastery of the previous level must be attained before moving to the next. As a discipline, art follows this guideline as well.

Now comes the dilemma: most of us are core classroom teachers! “Yikes! I don’t know art myself! How do you really expect me to teach it? And, have you forgotten…I have this thing called THE TEST to teach? How am I actually suppose to do all of this?”

You make a good point. I completely understand. However, as a fourth grade, self-contained teacher myself, I’d like to share with you what has worked for me. With this in mind, I hope you can tweak it around a bit and let it work for you. I also want you to realize that having students create something doesn’t always involve producing something completely original, but may often involve putting a twist on a traditional idea. Whew! That takes a load off, doesn’t it?

Also, be assured you can learn the process to almost anything by taking a moment or two to research! Books and videos abound when it comes to using any media. Our teacher’s editions often mention prints or projects that can be tailored to assignments we’d like to see our kids engaged in.

In conclusion, I’d like you to know that it is my goal today to show you how easy it is to be successful if you follow my version of RTI--Research it; Try it yourself: Implement it in the classroom. Now let’s get going and see how this works!

Illuminations Project Sources: http://www.princetonol.com/groups/iad/lessons/high/ken-illum2.htm and Art Matters by Eileen S. Prince

*See Handout for steps

Printmaking Resources: “Printing Without a Press” lesson plans and projects at http://artteacherplans.com/art-teacher-lessons.html

Painting on Silk Resources: Basic Instructions video is excellent!

http://www.dharmatrading.com/silkpainting/beginners.html

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Leah Patterson 662.372.0956