Additional Projects

     I just wanted to include these two other Art projects I did that I thought were interesting.  This is a paper collage profile of myself varied with the seasons.  This was a time consuming project that I enjoyed and was pleased with the outcome.  The pictures are grainy and do not do the project justice but it will give you an idea of what it involved.

     This project was based on the Elements of Art.  I had to find images that captured various types of balance (horizontal, asymmetrical, graduated, radial, vertical, regular, and symmetrical balance), rhythum (random and gradated rhythum) and the golden mean.

Final Thoughts

     I have always enjoyed Art, and taking this class has made me appreciate it and enjoy it even more.  I thoroughly enjoyed Dr. Pam Harris and ALL of my classmates - they were so full of creativity and imagination!  I learned some great new techniques and uses of different materials for myself and ones I will be able to use teaching students in the classroom.

     My favorite projects were this blog, the mid-term project where I drew my son sleeping - "Greer Sleeping", and the Eric Carle project creating my turtle and his environment painting textures/designs on tissue paper.

     Thank you Dr. Harris for an educational, inspirational and very enjoyable semester learning how to teach children Art!

Paper Mache Project (Final Project)

     Our final project was a paper mache puppet and I made a clown.  Using a balloon for the foundation of my clown's head, I then wrapped it in newspaper pasting it with flour and water.  I used a paper cup for the hat.  I painted the clown, then used pipe cleaners for the hair and foiled tissue paper for his collar.

     My sixteen month old son, Greer, loves this clown!

Eric Carle Project

     This project was inspired by Eric Carle using paints, tissue paper and your choice of different materials. I painted different textures/designs on the tissue paper for my turtle's spots on his shell. His body and shell were made of tissue paper and construction paper. The ocean background was painted blue and I created the plant life out of regular tissue paper and the textured/patterned tissue paper.

     I really enjoyed this project and was very pleased with the outcome.

Kandinsky Circles

     This project was inspired by Wassily Kandinsky, his circles and water colors.  Using various shapes and creative thought, this was the outcome.  I enjoyed creating this painting because it was colorful and expressive, and it was interesting to see how the amount of water used (a little vs. a lot) created so many varieties of one color.  This would be a great project for children!

Henri Matisse Project

     This project, inspired by Henri Matisse, was a paper-cutting collage where you layer the cut pieces on top of each other using construction paper, paint, tissue paper and any other materials needed.  I made an ocean/lake scene with a sunrise, a turtle, fish, a beach ball, a palm tree and yes that is a lounge chair and not a dinosaur!

Cyberbullying and Bullying

      Bullying for a disorder can be stopped by teaching awareness of the disability to other students in the class (but this is all age/grade sensitive). If there is zero tolerance at the school for bullying, then make sure it is enforced no matter what it takes as a parent and a teacher.

     Cyberbullying can be prevented by eliminating the “cyber”. Instill strong self-esteem in your children. Any mention of suicide should always be taken seriously! Look for signs in school work, drawings or poems. Parents and teachers need to be involved and educate!

     Reach out to students and let them know you are always available and that there are counselors to help every student anytime there are bullying issues. Advocate against bullying by creating groups in the class and assign different types of groups (cyber bullying, bullying because of race/sexual orientation/cultural differences, appearance/socioeconomic status) and have them give a summary, how it makes a person feel, consequences of their actions. The school could also have a guest speaker come and speak and do a presentation informing children of what can happen and what they can do to prevent these issues from occurring.

Greer Sleeping - Midterm Project

As my midterm project, I decided to capture my son sleeping.  This was the most challenging assignment yet; however, I can reflect and appreciate because it gives me assurance that there is one time in the day that my son is still!

The Door

This was a fun piece for me.  It is interesting as you go along learning to draw you begin to recognize that lines of shapes may not always be going the direction you initially see it going - it can be tricky but very interesting and exciting!

Combination of Free-Style and Pane Drawing

The Chair

This was the hardest drawing for me personally to do because of the space and angle configurations.

My Hand (Free Style)/(Drawing By Panes)

These two pictures were exciting for me to draw.  The first one (free style) was "before" picture and the second one (drawing by panes) was the after picture. 

Free-Style

Drawing By Panes

Celebrating Valentine's Day In Taiwan, Korea and Scotland

Taiwan

Valentine's Day is celebrated in Taiwan on February 14, but there is also a special Valentine's Day on July 7 of the lunar calendar, based on an ancient Chinese folktale. Both dates are equally as important. Many men purchase expensive bouquets of roses and other flowers for their sweethearts on these days. According to Taiwan tradition, the color and number of the roses holds much significance. For example, one red rose means "an only love," eleven roses means "a favorite," ninety-nine roses means "forever," and one hundred eight roses means "marry me."

Korea　

The traditional gift of candy takes place in Korea on February 14, but only from females to males. There is another special day for males to give gifts to females and this is celebrated on March 14. Very similar to the custom in Japan, March 14 in Korea is known as "White Day." On "White Day," many young men confess their love for the first time to their sweethearts. For those young people who have no particular romantic partners, the Koreans have set aside yet another date which is April 14, also known as "Black Day." On that date, such individuals get together and partake of Jajang noodles, which are black in color, hence the name of the day.

Scotland

In Scotland, Valentine's Day is celebrated with a festival. At this festival, there is an equal number of unmarried males and females, each of whom write their name (or a made-up name) on a piece of paper which is then folded and placed into a hat - one hat for the ladies and one for the men. The females then draw a name from the hat containing the men's names and vice versa. Of course, it is highly likely that the two drawn names will not match, in which event, it is usually expected that the male partner with the female who selected his name. This rite having been completed, the company split up into couples and gifts are given to the ladies. The females would then pin the name of their partner over their hearts or on their sleeves. A dance often follows and, at the end of the festival, it is not unusual for marriages to take place. According to another Scottish custom, the first young man or woman encountered by chance on the street or elsewhere will become that individual's valentine. Valentine's Day gifts in Scotland are frequently given by both parties in the form of a love-token or true-love-knot.

Classroom Project

A Valentine's Day card, poem or love song is considered a beautiful work of art.  And with that in mind, I would like for you to make a work of art for your special Valentine following one of the cultures listed above that we just read in class.  You may use any art supplies you wish, just be creative using your broad imagination.

Great Art

Here are some of my favorite pieces of art by a Spanish artist name Joan Miro (1893-1983).  I like these particular pieces because they are bright, colorful and I think children could use their imaginations and connect with them.  The first one is called "The Garden", the second is "In Love With A Woman" and the third is "Constellation".  Here is a link to some more of his wonderful work.   http://www.google.com/images?rlz=1T4ADFA_enUS414US417&q=Joan+Miro&um=1&ie=UTF-8&source=univ&ei=HP9STd3vB9Gftgf_z7TcCQ&sa=X&oi=image_result_group&ct=title&resnum=2&ved=0CEIQsAQwAQ&biw=1259&bih=532



The Garden



In Love With A Woman

Constellation



Celebrating Fifty Years of Art in America

The Amon Carter Museum in Ft. Worth is Celebrating Fifty Years of Art in America.  It is premiering American Art (paintings, sculptures and works on paper) from the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.  Sunday, February 13, is Family Fun Day and admission is free from 1:00-4:00pm.  Here is the link http://www.cartermuseum.org/.

Rationales and Approaches to Art

With Art in school, there are several rationales that make sense to apply in class; however, the rationale that I connect with is Cultural Understanding.  I can relate to this because I participated in a Christopher Columbus play and The Pharaoh play and in Art Class we made Indian pottery and basket weavings (just to mention a few things). As it states in the paragraph, Art is an international language. Regardless of your culture, heritage or the language you speak, everyone can communicate through Art.  Art portrays history, savors tradition, tells stories, educates culture, sends a message and allows creative expression.  I honestly cannot say that I would not use any of the rationales in class because each one can be used as a knowledgeable tool for a child.

The approach to Art that I have experienced the most is the Media Approach.  I have made pottery, basket weaving, sewing and a self portrait related to seasons.  These activities were taught related to different cultures and as parts of history.

Native American War Shield

  

My daughter had an assignment to create a Native American War Shield.  It was interesting to learn what the designs on the shield meant.  The designs she chose were Sun (orange/yellow), Clouds, Paths Crossing (green center piece), Star (blue/yellow cross), and Alert (red arrows).

 

My Philosophy of Education

            While there are so many characteristics and qualities that make up a good teacher, three important things that connect with me are recognizing individuality in children, being a good communicator and dedication.

One important quality a teacher must possess is the ability to recognize and understand is that each child is an individual.  Children will not always comprehend topics/subjects the same way.  Teachers must always continue to improve their teaching skills in order to explain topics/subjects in various ways to ensure they are reaching each child.  Some of the best ways for learning new teaching techniques can come from watching and listening to other teachers, watching children interact with one another in the classroom or doing research online.

Being a good communicator is an essential skill to being a competent teacher.  A good communicator is not just about being able to express yourself verbally; it also includes being a good listener.  Children do not always have the ability to confidently express what they are trying to say, so a teacher must be a good and patient listener in order to assist a child in relaying their message.

Dedication is vital in a teaching career.  Students depend on you not just for your knowledge, but they need you mentally and physically; they need your compassion and understanding.  Dedication means being there for each and every student to ensure their success in achieving their goals.  If teaching becomes a job or a paycheck, then you are not enjoying your career or the children, you are not being an effective leader, and therefore, you are not reaching the little minds you are suppose to be molding for a bright and positive future.

Building a positive and open rapport with your students’ parents/guardians is important to receiving classroom support.  This relationship can become a strong asset by enhancing your teaching skills for an individual child by receiving personal relevant information – i.e., if that child has any “quirks”, what captures their attention and any special interests.

 I will always work hard to know my students, be a good communicator and remain dedicated.  A teacher is a mentor.  I want to be able to connect with each child and the child’s family so that I can make the most positive impact during their learning experience using whatever methods necessary to help them be successful in school.