A change in schedule

Today we were supposed to do critiques. But I saw on my schedule that an evaluator was coming to look at our assessment tests, so I had to work in a review with my class. 

We went over the art  and SAT terms introduced in the beginning of the residency. We talked about Civil Rights, Immigrations, and Black is Beautiful Movement.

I made a hand out to define terms. In addition the students have one extra day of painting next week after the test. Today nade 13.5 hours, So I would be finishing up in the next 2-3 classes.

Future plans

next class- test and finish paint

may 15 start crit try to get through all of them if not  carry on over to 

may 22 finish crit 

Meanwhile, I'm gonna get the class going on the process book and scanning the work and adding the text.

 

My Observation with DR AMY

We had a great class today ! My class was finishing up their first painting. We were initially going to do crit this day, but students needed ONE more day to create. 

Students had lots of stories to tell about the work. We have a definite routine to prep and clean up.

I have had lots of discoveries since talking to AMY about my class. I look forward to developing  a more fluid and clear process

Continuing with the paintings-4/17

The little people did great. Although I intended to only do two days of painting for this first project, it's turned to three because half the students were absent on the first painting day and the other half were absent on the second painting day. So now after adding a 3rd day, I hope that each student had at least 2 painting days to work on their pieces. I got some great stills of the students and this week I plan to capture some video of them talking a bit about the work. Next week we will begin critique. I hope to get through every work in this crit day so we can move on to the second canvas. I am interested in how the students will move forward on this next canvas. I plan to set a more honed down criteria the second time around.

Mr. Reynolds... The Security Guard

Mr. Reynolds marches up, down,  and around the parking lot entrance gate of Jordan Starr High making sure the kids get in and the strays stay out. He scurries them on when the first bell rings in order to assure they make the tardy bell.  Every morning after I pull in, I get a "Good morning, sister!" A few weeks ago, when I was unloading my truck with all the supplies, Mr. Reynolds very quickly finds some abled arms to help me. He asks two random students (not even in mS. Hamilton's class) to come help me to WHERE EVER I had to go. Without a thought it seems the two kids grab my stuff and escort me to my classroom. We chit chatted and it was really cute. The young man bragged about demerits because of absences and I scolded him a bit and we went out separate ways.

Mr. Reynolds was very kind for getting me some help. But, I also realized that even though he doesn't have a gun, or a beepy thingy, or a uniform,( outside of his blue windbreaker with SECURITY on the back) he  is well respected it seems by the students. He also seems to care alot about them and know some of there names.

April 9- We finally started painting.

So  there we were, in Aud 1 again, without Ms. Hamilton (she had a meeting). But this time I have to say they really blew me away.  The students for the most part, listened to my direction. They enjoyed painting and it was very impressive work. I did 5 minute demos at each table while they all transferred  their drawings onto their canvas. I showed the students the purpose of different brushes, round/flat, smooth/ rough bristle brushes, size differences.  I showed then how to mix paint and create a nice "pool" of paint. We learned how to preserve paint and wash our brushes well.

Some were eager to show the progress of the image. Some took their sweet time, while others moved quickly to make a mark. It was really  amazing watching the young people work their way into the painting. Some of the mixing of colors were really magical! Colors I hadn't even seen before.

We will continue painting through next week and the following week, we will be doing crit of the work. I would like to make some sort of make shift gallery wall for the crit. I'm thinking thick poster board and using clay to hold them to the boards while we crit them.  I'll be doing some research on this !

the boo's are writing away...

file:///Users/tamekanorris/Pictures/iPhoto%20Library/Originals/2008/Apr%202,%202008/IMG_3120.JPG

This past week was CRAAAZZY!!

This past week Ms Hamilton was out. This was difficult to deal with. She did call me that morning to say that she wouldn't be there but asked that I come anyway. I arrived and apparently had miscommunicated with her about who the substitute was and where the class would be held. But within 10 minutes or so we were on our way to Aud 1, the art room where we  did some guided writting and drawing in prepration for the canvas work this week.

Mr Taylor, the teacher in Aud 1, went to the library with a smile. I assumed he wanted some time for himself. I really didn't feel 100% in control of the class, but I was fine. One student decided not to participate with any of the work. Some other students refused to respond when called upon. A handful of students pulled all the weight and said that they want me to snitch on the slackers to Ms. Hamilton.

I may need to take one more trip to the art store before starting this project.