Fin.

This is the last necessary post for the class.  But it may not be the last.  Despite the effort that this blog has exuded from the limited amount of time in a day or even week (seriously can we just add like 2 more hours to every day to fit everything in?), I appreciate that I can now reference back information and materials that would have long escaped my poor tired brain.

Before I get into my final reflection, let me sum up class this past week.

When I arrived this projection was plastered to the wall:

and I LOVED it!  I absolutely love projections and how they so easily transform spaces creating an atmosphere that can easily change and doesn't take much effort.  This projection was of the plastic wrapped balls (cut in half) using packaging tape.  It looked like fiberglass or even crystalline and swayed in the wind ever so slightly from the open window.  

I guess this kind of leads me to the stations which were basically wrapped up this week.  I discussed them briefly in my previous post.  

For the Spheres we had 4 stations:

1. Stop-motion using straws.
2. Clear packing tape to create molds of balls.
1. wrap ball with tape sticky side up
2. once covered, wrap entire ball again with a few layers (sticky side down)
3. cut a seem in mold and remove ball
4. Tape seem to structure ball back together.
3. Finishing our cardboard scrap ball and installing it somewhere.  (We chose the window in the hallway because we liked the lighting)
4. And sketching some spheres Aileen had made as observational drawings.

We used the cardboard spheres, and the tape spheres to create an installation in the hallway that turned out pretty nice.  I think students would have fun working together to create a collaborative installation and see how their work can play off of each others.

Stations promote choice, movement and play.  Through play, students make discoveries and create connections.  Stations allow students to feel like their is no teacher and they have a bit more freedom.  They allow teachers to have more options and cover more material.  I definitely intend on using stations in my classrooms.

To finish up my sketchbook I created another collage using sharks and a Goya print:

  

FINAL REFLECTION:

How has my thinking changed this semester in terms of:

1. Materials? The first thing that pops in my head about materials is Printmaking. I had never even made a print before this class and now I am in love with the process.  I also had never made a book before and I think it is such a nice way to make a cohesive body of work with students that can be taken in a limitless amount of directions. On top of this, I have been reaffirmed in my belief of teaching with recycled and cost effective materials.  Many times your means as a teacher are very limited and this class gave me so many examples of ways I can teach creative projects, on a limited budget, using new materials and thinking outside of the box.  
2. Themes, practices, and concerns of contemporary art and design?  As an Undergrad, I was swayed away from using text with art.  The first theme we covered was textuality.  This theme changed my perception of using text and enlightened me to many contemporary artists who use text effectively.  It also broadened my perception of using art mixed with interdisciplinary elements like literacy. I have always believed that relating art education to contemporary artists and movements would be at the forefront of my teaching, and this class expanded my knowledge of artists and movements alike.
3. Visual Resources?  Although I've always known that books are an effective resource this class reiterated their importance.  Of course I plan on using contemporary art websites, art blogs (like from studio to classroom), and even youtube for visual resources, but in this day and age I love the intimacy of books. Many of the books that Aileen brought to class gave an enormous amount of information that I as a teacher can reference for lesson ideas and students can reference for creative inspiration.
4. Instructional Strategies?  I intend on using stations, which I have done in the past.  This class has solidified my belief in their effectiveness. I also hope to use cooperative learning groups for setup and clean up, which will allow more time for instruction and play.  I intend on using technology, like projected lessons, and student work for a deeper understanding of concepts and critiques.  I also intend on creating collaborative lessons for students where they can work together to create artwork together.  Overall, I plan being as organized as possible, while keeping students engaged so that instruction is interesting and time effective.   

How can I take this into:

1. my own studio work? As a sculptor I haven't done much with 2D besides the basic drawing and painting classes I took in my first few years of college. This class forced me to expand in my sketchbook where I've discovered a love for incorporating photos that I take with collaged pre-existing pictures. This class has emphasized exploration with materials that has allowed me to play and discover materials which I knew little or nothing about. Like I said before, I had never used printmaking and now I can't stop thinking about it.
2. work with children and adolescents? It's hard to answer this question, as every element we have discussed in class will have an effect on my work with children and adolescents. The materials we've covered have given me ideas for lessons. The instructional methodologies have given me ideas for creating an effective learning environment using technology and classroom structure.  The themes have given me references to contemporary artists, and movements that I hope to extend to my students. From the first day when we formed our cooperative learning groups, to this last class where we worked in small group stations, to collaborative assignments, to projected critiques; I intend on implementing everything in my work with children and adolescents.