Start of Semester:
Please answer each survey question in a few thoughtful sentences.
1. How do you envision using art in your classroom?
I envision using art in my classroom in addition to lessons in different subjects so my students can explore what they are learning in many different ways. In field last semester I did a lesson with the class where they made a snowman out of paper plates and then wrote a story about their snowman. They got so creative with it and I think the fact that they actually got to create the character helped them to come up with more detailed and interesting stories. I hope to use art like this in other subjects as well.
2. What do you know about integrated learning / integration?
I do not know much, but I am guessing it means using art (and maybe music, physical activity, etc.) while teaching core subjects to encourage creativity and appeal to different interests. I know for some kids who are intimidated by school, using art can be a fun way to learn so kids don't feel threatened by "hard" subjects.
3. Rate your comfort level in making art, and discuss.
Uneasy 1 2 3 4 5 Comfortable
5. I have always loved art and it has been a big part of my life since I was a kid. I was always doing arts and crafts at home as a kid. When I got a little older and busier (like in high school) I was taking art classes in school but not doing it as much on my own time, and I really missed it. In college I have started painting more, I painted a mural in my bedroom at my parents house last summer, and I also took two semesters of ceramics here at Mizzou last year.
4. Rate your comfort level in analyzing and talking about art, and discuss.
Uneasy 1 2 3 4 5 Comfortable
4. I have not had as much experience analyzing and talking about art, but I am definitely open to and interested in it. I took an art history class once wish was tough (especially writing papers), but I found it really interesting to hear what the teacher had to say.
End of Semester:
Please answer each survey question in a few thoughtful sentences.
1. How do you envision using art in your classroom?
I see myself now thinking of ways I could use art projects to connect to the subjects I am already teaching instead of just making them two separate disciplines. Art is a great way to let kids show you what they have learned about different topics such as historical events, people, science concepts, or math themes. In addition to using art at the end of a lesson, I would want to share a piece of art at the beginning of a new lesson to get kids talking. For example, if we are studying the Great Depression, I could show kids a piece of art from this time period and use VTS to get them thinking.
2. What do you know about integrated learning / integration?
I learned this semester how much using "big ideas" can help you integrate almost all subjects. Big ideas are broad enough that you can see elements of them (i.e. identity) in most subjects. We can look at how we categorize numbers, how we categorize animals, how people's environment effects who they are, and characters in books all from the point of view of identity. Looking at subjects from these broader perspectives helps kids make learning more personal as well.
3. Rate your comfort level in making art, and discuss.
Uneasy 1 2 3 4 5 Comfortable
I would still say I am a 5. I have always loved making art and been comfortable with it, but this semester I became more comfortable making art within loose guidelines. I was challenged in new ways this semester to come up with my own ways to make my own goals while staying within big ideas, and this really pushed me to grow as an artist.
4. Rate your comfort level in analyzing and talking about art, and discuss.
Uneasy 1 2 3 4 5 Comfortable
5. I have become so much more comfortable analyzing and talking about art. I had to write a written analysis for every piece of art I made, and this really helped me to reflect on the artistic decisions I made and become comfortable talking about my work. I also learned how to talk about other people's work when doing class critiques of each other's work and practicing VTS as a class. I think when we become comfortable talking about art and what we see, art becomes much less intimidating to people who don't feel like it comes as naturally.
1. How do you envision using art in your classroom?
I see myself now thinking of ways I could use art projects to connect to the subjects I am already teaching instead of just making them two separate disciplines. Art is a great way to let kids show you what they have learned about different topics such as historical events, people, science concepts, or math themes. In addition to using art at the end of a lesson, I would want to share a piece of art at the beginning of a new lesson to get kids talking. For example, if we are studying the Great Depression, I could show kids a piece of art from this time period and use VTS to get them thinking.
2. What do you know about integrated learning / integration?
I learned this semester how much using "big ideas" can help you integrate almost all subjects. Big ideas are broad enough that you can see elements of them (i.e. identity) in most subjects. We can look at how we categorize numbers, how we categorize animals, how people's environment effects who they are, and characters in books all from the point of view of identity. Looking at subjects from these broader perspectives helps kids make learning more personal as well.
3. Rate your comfort level in making art, and discuss.
Uneasy 1 2 3 4 5 Comfortable
I would still say I am a 5. I have always loved making art and been comfortable with it, but this semester I became more comfortable making art within loose guidelines. I was challenged in new ways this semester to come up with my own ways to make my own goals while staying within big ideas, and this really pushed me to grow as an artist.
4. Rate your comfort level in analyzing and talking about art, and discuss.
Uneasy 1 2 3 4 5 Comfortable
5. I have become so much more comfortable analyzing and talking about art. I had to write a written analysis for every piece of art I made, and this really helped me to reflect on the artistic decisions I made and become comfortable talking about my work. I also learned how to talk about other people's work when doing class critiques of each other's work and practicing VTS as a class. I think when we become comfortable talking about art and what we see, art becomes much less intimidating to people who don't feel like it comes as naturally.