ART CLASS WITH LMJ

After some consideration and professional development, it was brought to my attention that blogging...well, can actually cater to my OCD needs.  Blogspot doesn't and it slowly drove me insane.

Try this out for size.

ARTCLASSWITHLMJ.WORDPRESS.COM

Please. :)

Article, Ceramics, Photos, and Achievement!

Well, Ceramics is coming to a close - and you know what that means! Not only does it mean pictures but it also means that there is only one unit before the entire school year comes to a close. It is undeniably bittersweet. But let's not get ahead of ourselves; first I'll touch your hearts with a more academically pleasing aspect of teaching; an article! I occasionally write articles for my mentor to print into the AEI Message, to fill up space and also to reflect on my own teaching. Typically it's nothing to get too exciting about but this last one was kind of fun to write; an article about Creating Visual Aids in the Classroom.  My last post discussed the new bulletin boards I was making and what I anticipated doing - this article talks not only of that but what any teacher (not just art) can do to pump up their classroom and create a learning environment versus a classroom.   Writing it got me thinking - I would much rather have my students refer to my room as a fun an environment then a classroom (so boring!)...because that's what it is - an environment full of creativity, learning, problem solving, and enjoyment. Anyways, click the link to get to the article. I can begin posting more of those here if there is interest.

Okay, so before we get to the finale of the post; let's revisit those 6th grade Multi-Material Projects that I absolutely loved teaching.  Review; students drew a design (abstract) in pencil that covered an entire 12x18 page of paper.  Students then folded that paper into eight equal parts (4x2). Each square was given a material that students practiced with and no, not just in the way they know how but I would review fun and creative ways to use plain materials (many of which the students have at home).  These materials included Crayon, Colored Pencil, Chalk Pastel, Watercolor Pencils, Tempera Paint, Black Charcoal, Permanent Markers, and Oil Pastels.  Oil Pastels, hands down, were the general favorite.  But by the end of the project, students were blending, mixing, layering, texturing, directioning, designing, valueing (I'm making up words...) without any reminders from me. And even better, this next unit I have students incorporating these techniques simply because they know how and their work is that much more impressive!  Here are just six stand out examples from the 140 students that I have (I have about 60 good examples but well, time and space would drag on forever.) for you to view.

 

Student's ability to transfer colors and themes throughout squares is wonderful.

The blending and value in this one is fantastic, not to mention the harmony.

The rainbow theme is carried throughout; And that chalk pastel (top 2nd square) is vibrant in person.

Loving the movement in this one.

You saw the progress in this one a few posts ago, definitely a student that is going beyond regular expectations.

This reminds me of outer space, no idea why - but again, the blending and patterns are fantastic.

Just magnificent, simply fantastic to see that project not only succeed but pass all expectations. 6th graders are now working on their family crest/Heraldry shields and pictures will be on their way once they get going.

And, the moment of truth..or something. I begin to sound more crazy as I spend more time in my art room, huh? Anyways, finished clay projects! I am simply impressed beyond reason with this trimester's work in Ceramics.  These are just a few of the projects that stood out (they are also the projects that are complete and can be snapped for pictures).  Some of the detail work is breathtaking and others have impressive [perfection] resemblance to the work's inspiration.  I just cannot get over it.  And I'm, of course, smiling because of that. I wish all of the ceramics (and the ones unfinished but still fantastic) projects this year could stay in my classroom and be used as examples but everyone single one of my students has or plans on taking their work home; and that is so much more of a reward knowing their work means that much to them .  Well, here they are.  Be proud of these kids cause their skill is undeniable!

Dunno if your computer resolution will show you but there are some fine, beautiful leave details on this in black.

Soccer ball. The student spent 3 days just trying to get the hexagons/pentagons just right. Whoa math!

Crayons! :) How much fun is this! The student said she may even leave me the orange one! Chyea!

Can you even believe this? 8th Grade!? Winnie the Pooh - and an uncanny resemblance to a real life one, too.

Froggies! They are just the sweetest pair of frogs!

The dog project turned out great. The brown highlights match the picture of the dog she had brought in, and the cartoon aspect of the design really brings it to life.

Rainbow bowls - one student, one collection. Very creative.

Teddy Bear.

Around the World with Love; the biggest challenge was the brick like texture/painting that the student wanted perfect - the letters were meant to look spray painted to a degree and I think they really play that role well.

Room Display, Crazy Art Days, Spring Meetings...20 Day Left?!

Well, I know it's been  a while but that's mainly because there has been plenty going on and my mind has been running around between my head and insanity thanks to it being 20 days until the end of the school year. Can you believe that? It is unbelievable for me to think about the fact that I am 20 days away from completing my first year of teaching.  And it has been nothing short of spectacular.

Let me start off by noting that my school managed to contribute over 2,000 cranes to the Relief for Japan funding I mentioned last time.  How fantastic. What a great experience and such a fun thing to be a part of. I was so proud of many of my students for how involved they became.

Probably the next most dramatic change in the art room of LMJ would be my decorating skills.  I had to get in physical fights with a couple staplers first but I managed to make and create the beginning of some pretty sweet bulletin boards if I do say myself.  And for an art teacher, you'll think it's weird but I hate doing bulletin boards - they take a lot of time and if they aren't pushing the creativity meter, they just look blah. So I am doing what I can.  My first master piece...

The Building Blocks of Art.  Now I know "pink" is not in the rainbow but given that I was trying to stick with the 6 colors of the color wheel, I threw in pink as a tribute to mixing colors with white...or something. I don't know. I think it's pretty clever.  The kids love it. Said it brightens up the room.

 And my second attempt at a bulletin board...

Only after I made this did I realize that it's somewhat creepy however, after the last couple weeks, it has been filled up with examples of art from every corner of the brain...so it's less creepy and the kids tend to ask about the art and think less about the eyes.

Thank you Tagxedo.Com...

Yes. I love Tagxedo. :) 4 Tagxedos of what each grade does each year in art. The more prominent words are units we spend more time on. :)

Blurry but you get the idea...

Color Theory Cupboards! I still have to add an actual color wheel for obvious reasons but these are some simple ways I've gotten my 5th graders to "code" the color wheel into categories. It really brightens up the cupboards too.

Favorite caption. Well...half of it.  The other half wouldn't fit. Simple as that.

And drum roll please...the 5th graders are FINALLY done with their weavings! :) Here are a couple examples that take the cake and stood out from the rest for reasons regarding color, craftsmanship, decor and overall yadda yadda yadda.

6th Graders are finally all moving onto Heraldry for their last lesson and I'll be posting pics of their Multi Material Projects soon - all the kids loved ending with Oil Pastels (one of my favorite mediums).

For the day before Easter Break, I gave my 8th graders a chance to get crazy and bring out the Kinder Kid inside of them by letting them play with shaving cream. Many have done this lesson with students but my students hadn't even heard of it. And so I figured, what the heck. I scrounged up my pocket change (with Matt's help) and bought some cheap shaving cream.

The process is to level out some shaving cream like frosting, drip some colors, pull the color through like marble, print the paper, scrape off the shaving cream and the stain of the print looks like marble.  The fun part about this easy going activity is that they ended class asking why they had to leave and if they could do more things like this if they got ahead in other work. Um of course. They also got to blow bubbles in tubs of colored dish soap and print with that. If you don't know the lesson, feel free to ask.

7th grade is painting their monochromatics, 8th grade is finishing up pottery - both of which I cannot wait to snap pictures of and show the world! This trimester is ROCKING it! And what a great way to end the year.

Not to mention I got half of my portfolio done - something I didn't see coming. Ugh, paper work but such is the life of a teacher now a days.  Meeting tomorrow for Art Educators of Iowa which should be fun - hopefully I can survive. I have had to skip 3  (COUNT THEM THREE, UGH) work out classes due to a high fever, sinus infection, and all around body aches.  It's awful. The only reason I can even comprehend this post is because I drugged myself so much that I'm numb to the pain. School was brutal today - I wanted to crawl in a hole because of how sick I felt.

Well, that's all folks. And my buddies tonight wish you well. :) Until next time (at this rate will be an end of the year summary hahaha).

Duke and Roxxy sleeping as I type. <3

Silhouettes, Clay Recap, Radio Updates, Paper Cranes Galor

Radio Iowa - Students Use Origami to Raise Money for Japan

Look ma! I'm famous. (Check the link!) Just kidding, I'm not. I so hate hearing my voice recorded but thankfully that is just a print version of what is on the radio.  I mean, yeah, I'm completely proud that my simple notice of a great idea took complete flight into a school-wide, community enforced idea.  I'm more proud of the students making all the cranes - we just hit about 400 today, day 2. But I would like to point out that I did not create this idea, I simply googled. And while I'm not saying anything negative - I just want to give credit where credit it is due.  The people of Japan will need to thank Students Rebuild, Bezos Family Foundation, and Architecture for Humanity for coming up with this concept - and for the students *across* America that are contributing to this fundraiser.  I've also noticed that there are similar fundraising activities.  And I've also noticed that Students Rebuild is nearly half way to their $200,000 mark in a matter of weeks and since we're sending ours out this weekend, I hope that it makes it into the 100,000 cranes pile. No matter the crane, no matter the pain in making it, they will all be sent.  Some kids have already made 40 a piece!

 

Anyways, here is a much needed update regarding the Silhouette Display. My students are doing great. We are starting printmaking in 7th grade and stippling in 8th grade - both of which are going smoothly. 6th graders are finishing up their multi-material projects and 5th graders are finishing up their weavings - pictures to come soon.

And finally - clay is being fired. What a process - the projects are GREAT and everything is smooth so far. Knock on wood. :) Less than 40 days of school left, can't believe it is going so quickly! Ready for summer though - this great weather we've been having is not making me any less excited, that's for sure!

And the work-out class with my friend is fantastic! :)

3rd Trimester Ceramics and Paper Cranes for Japan, oh and Tilapia!

Well, 3rd Trimester has continued to bless me with great students, fantastic moods, and I am continued to be blown away by the creativity that the students at this school have. (Picture of Silhouette Display to be coming soon).  Check out these unbelievably creative, detailed, and fun projects my 8th graders have been making in ceramics!

Student describes his work as a tribute to love around the world, each side has the initials of how to say "I love you." in four different languages: Spanish, English, French, and Italian. He also thought this would be impossible and he proved himself wrong. :)

A teddy bear made for a student's mother who is expecting a baby; was stressful for the student but proved delightful.

Small scale recreation of the Superbowl Trophy - something the student had to attempt multiple times to get the football just right.

M&M Guy

A turtle, atop a rock, with rocks around the bottom in a bowl - the student says it is to be filled with liquid as decor; beautiful.

It will be a soccer ball but I think the facial expression makes it hard to resist smiling.

"Crayon Family" As the student calls it; mama crayon and two kids.

Winnie the Pooh - the student squeals when it all came together in the end. The pot even says "Hunny".

Character Frogs - mom, this reminds me of the faces you have at home. It's turned into a series, I think she is making one more.

The biggest project yet, a cartoon dog - fully detailed with collar, tail, eyes, tongue, and soon to be nose. Heavy, hollow, and this is one of the project I have seen the most effort go into.

The other thing I wanted to touch on was this campaign for funding that goes to relief for Japanese reconstruction. Help Japan by making paper cranes. These simple yet powerful gestures will trigger a $200,000 donation from the Bezos Family Foundation - $2 for each crane received - to Architecture for Humanity's reconstruction efforts in Japan. Once they reach our goal of 100,000 submissions, the cranes will be woven into an art installation - a symbolic gift from students around the globe to Japanese youth.  I sent the link to my principal as we try and create ideas to help Japan and it was so irresisistable, I think we're going to go ahead with it. It's not out at the school as an idea yet because we have to get the logistics together. Imagine if each kid makes 1 crane - over 400 will be sent, and if each kid makes 2-3, 1,000 will be sent and we will have made a wish (1,000 cranes created grant a wish - it's a traditional belief in Japan).  Such a cool idea. Pass along the word and get involved - if we do go ahead with this, I will post pictures of the progress we make!

Okay, I don't have much to say besides that.  My friend and I are getting our butts gladly kicked in the Next Level Extreme Fitness class that we are participating in.  It's been four straight days and I can honestly say that every muscle in my body has announced it's presence and the sit of stairs or the necessity of needing to sit both make me shiver with hesitation. But it will be worth it. Tomorrow marks the last day completed in the 1st week.  "Earn it" is the motto.  Matt has started going to the gym (we have a "bet" of sorts going on) and we've been making a point to eat healthy. If we want to eat out, we go to Subway and we skip the cheese and sauces. Go us.  I feel great and working my butt off makes me want to eat healthy and find new healthy foods too...like tonight, wild rice, green beans, and Lemon Pepper Tilapia - a meal all under 500 calories, with plenty of protein and little, and I mean little, fat.  Have to say it was delicious. (Matt opted out of the fish and replaced it with sirloin, but eh, what can I do? He's a picky eater.)

Umm, yum? Yep, definitely yum.

Until next time.

End of the Year Jitters

I'll be honest. Right now is a total mind-freak.  There are 2 full months before the end of the school year.  Not two full months before a school year break but two full months before I'm done. For the school year.  Mind you I haven't gotten next year's contract yet (no one has) but I've been reassured that come August, I'll be back at.  It's still...surreal? Is that a good word for it? I don't know. I know this...

I'm mentally slowly...beginning to panic.

I have a lot to accomplish before May 27th.

For example, I have to continue (get more motivated) to work on my portfolio.  I have one full section done, out of eight. That's not to say I don't have more than one section done - in fact, I have multiple parts to each section completed. Let us also note that if you add up everything I do have done, it equals 4 sections...just not individual sections and not all in order. I'm not linear...so it's not going to happen linear.  And I need to get working on that. So to do list. Portfolio...I have until the end of the year NEXT YEAR to finish it but I should get half done soon.

Next year's curriculum...lessons will change, standards will be met, people will be pleased but while I have been working diligently at getting it done and ready - and I am nearly there, I still need to finish the last couple of details.

Budget...I don't have next year's budget but I should get started on outlining what I need no matter what.

3rd Trimester students are moving right along...and everything is on schedule. I couldn't ask for a better group to end the year with...I was really afraid I would end the year stressed out but the good attitude and motivation the students I have currently are carrying with them helps out my stress levels alot.

I need to hang up some artwork from Silhouettes...pictures coming soon. 8th graders are going above and beyond in their clay unit currently - their imaginations are running wild and it is truly exciting.

Not much to report. Blogging is currently not my strong suit - I go in phases of enjoying it. Hopefully it picks up.

I start Next Level Extreme Fitness with B tomorrow.  Monday through Friday, 630pm-725pm with nutritional instruction included.  I want to transform myself (which I think would help a lot with my happiness level) and become a better me. This has nothing to do with teaching but a side note, none the less.

The Impact of Japan and My Classroom

Imagine the heartache of going through this disaster. Its hard for anyone to imagine things like this.

Monday, after a weekend full of news about Japan and the horrors happening since the big quake...I came to work and prepped for my 7th grade class that begins my mornings. I admit, sometimes I too get tired of the news on TV and want a little fun in life but what's been going on in Japan, Hawaii, Australia, and surrounding areas has been utterly devestating and it kills me to know how much is being lost.

Monday started off with the Pledge of Allegiance. I have trained my 7th graders well at taking pride in their country, for what our pledge stands for, and what we've been through as a nation to get where we are today.  Regardless of what I disagree or agree with in our government and whether church should be separate from state is another issue - the fact is, at least for those 3 minutes in the morning, my 7th graders know to stand straight, look at the flag, and be as awake as they possibly can be knowing that they are American and the freedoms that they are privy to cannot be found in such high abundance anywhere else.

Class began, work consumed them and one of my more vocal students started talking about Charlie Sheen. We've all heard about him and his joke of a career. I politely reminded him what was appropriate and what wasn't and Charlie Sheen was out of the question in terms of necessary topics.  So this student, totally engulfed by the social aspect of news...threw out this statement that literally, no joke, made me lose my breathe and all the life in me for a couple seconds, at least...

"Why the heck do we even care what happens in Japan?! Ugh, no one cares."

I mean, I literally just stared at him, in shock.  What could I possibly say that would immediately take effect in his young mind so that he knew just why the heck he should care!?  The first words out of my mouth,

"10,000 deaths are predicted once this is over." Pause.  Now give me a break, I am no current event reader and I am bad at keeping my facts straight when so many numbers are being thrown around. So yeah, my first response was not the almighty dramatic response I could have come up with. 

Students took the reigns of the conversation and shut this student's talk of not caring down.  They knew about as much as the news had told me and I had about 100 things on my mind that moment that once it was clear that we should care about these things, at least for some of them, I moved on.  But hold on - it wasn't that simple - don't think I just walked away.  Oh no. I did my research that afternoon, last night, and this morning to prepare a discussion we could have in class (while productively working) that would pertain to the occurrences in Japan.

So today.  Tuesday.  Pledge of Allegiance in the first class, of course.  And what do you know, afterwards, the same student had yet another comment about not caring. So, with sincerity and complete calm, I addressed the class.

"Can any of you immediately think of something that compares to 10,000? Can we paint a picture of what 10,000 people together would look like?"

I received various answers...the mall, a video game conference, a concert, etc.  So my response, "Try our city.  10 years ago, this city was approximately 9,000 large.  And growing.  I'm not sure the exact number now but I can imagine that it's similar." At first, this statement only had minimal effect.  Then I added, "How many of you know most the people in this school? We're small, so knowing everyone is common." A lot of students raised their hand (yes, I know they are over estimating the people they know but work with me).  "Now imagine that tomorrow, our city was gone. Wiped out.  9,000+ gone. We would have no control over it, no one besides Mother Nature would be at fault, and you are included in the missing 9,000." I had multiple jaws drop and that same, confident but negative student's face went from entertained to serious in seconds.

The discussion continued - students began asking questions about what was happening. I explained to them that as of that morning I had read that in one city approximately 2,600 people were known to be deceased, 5,000+ were still missing, 2,000 were injured, 23 were being treated for radiation, and the number of people that were predicted dead because of the disaster still neared 10,000. And that's one city. One city in overpopulated, densely populated Japan. Another city, 10,000 are still reported missing. When the students put an illustration with those numbers (all the students in the city, the people inside a mall, etc) the reality of it started to set in.

Now I didn't want to scare my students and to be honest, my students weren't scared but they were interested; truly interested in what was going on now.  It wasn't a joke and the reality was bigger.  It's hard, especially as a pre-teen to grasp the reality of world new - much like it was hard for me to understand September 11th until I was older.  I asked students next, why this affected us - why the US should care? Responses included:

"Because we care about everyone. Even when it's not our job."
"Because we get our cars from Japan."
"Because it affected other places."
"I don't know."

The discussion about where we get our things developed from this and 75% of each of my morning classes raised their hand when I asked them if their parents drove a Toyota, Honda, or Nissan - all three companies are anticipating a major shut down due to the disaster.   When we talked about our use of military in other countries and we took a second to think about what it would be like if no one helped anyone during disasters - my students realized that the United States would not be where we are today without outside support.

I asked them, "I know you many of you were just born but you've heard all about September 11th, 2001.  Did the world just sit by and say 'Why should we even care?' from what you've learned and read?" The obvious answer was no by all of my students (even the ones with smart comments like how the enemy didn't care.)  It was clear that my students understood that when we, the United States of America, needed support and time to rebuild, we had it.  And boy did we ever. And now, thankfully, our service men are over in Japan helping with the rescues and recovery.

I then asked, "How does it effect the world - even more so then emotionally?" and the responses started becoming more developed and mature...

"Hawaii was under a Tsunami watch and that is our own land."
"We have Americans in Japan and Australia - will they get home?"
"New Zealand had aftershock and I heard the aftershock is just as bad as a real earthquake."
"I remember hearing about Parkersburg and I thought that was bad. I can't even begin to think of what the Japanese are dealing with."
"If it really does hit the West Coast, we will need just as much help so we should help now."

I listed that North Queensland, Hawaii, the West Coast, China, and New Zealand are all feeling aftershock and many have been sent to high ground or evacuated.  And I explained the earthquakes and how yes, a 6.9 is more of an earthquake than an aftershock. I shared the news that I heard this morning about how it was expected to get below freezing in Japan today or tomorrow and that much of the population was without shelter or similar.  Then the response I was unprepared for,

"Miss Jorgensen, how does it effect you? So I told them how I knew of many people overseas. 

The first, a college friend of mine well into her pregnancy and living in Hawaii.  Her husband has been overseas during this pregnancy and while it has been hard on her to go through a pregnancy alone, she's been strong and taken care of a lot of things for his return.  And then the earthquake hit Japan and Hawaii sent out warnings to their islanders.

The second, a woman I went to high school with lives in Japan with her husband who is stationed in Japan and their daughter.  This woman is also pregnant; it's only days before she is scheduled to have the baby. And then the earthquake hit Japan followed by the Tsunami.

I didn't have to continue before the students were commenting on how personal this must be for me.  And while I explained that both women were fine as were their unborn children and husbands - they made it to safety or were not effected in their area...I also explained that it wasn't about how it made me feel but how I couldn't help but think of the stress that must be on the people who lost their loved ones, their homes, their jobs, their money and so much more. 

Aftermath of the Tsunami and earthquake in Japan.

A baby, found alive, in the aftermath of the earthquake and Tsunami being held by a relieved and hard-working Japanese soldier in Japan.

I ended the conversation knowing that there was much more than could be said but with simple concepts that gave the students time to think - about how we need to Pay It Forward, just like last week - even if it's as simple as opening our ears to listen and understand what Japan and surrounding areas are going through.  That it isn't our job to fix everything but it is in good character to help those in need and try and fix anything we can.  I urged them to consider others and realize that yes, we are One Nation but we are also One World and when someone needs help, who are we to not care...in fact, we should show our strength but strengthening others in their time of need.
 

We are tiny when we are only simple individuals but together as a group, we can accomplish great things. 

We are nothing if we don't feel, if we don't see, if we don't care but we are everything when we make a difference in the world.

I know that this did not cover art and I know that it is longer than normal but it is hard for me to realize that students and the youth of America are struggling to see the importance of this issue. I received a forward today regarding a student-run relief fund out of Iowa that I hope you can all check out.  These students are creating artwork for purchase and all proceeds will go directly to the relief of Japan.  It is called, "Shades of Relief" and it is an inspiring idea that I hope develops into more. If the link just now doesn't work the direct site is http://shadesofrelief.blogspot.com. Check it out. What a great concept.

An example of the work being auctioned/bid on through this website. Titled "Hope Rising".