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".

 

 

Pay It Forward with Character Counts

Well, it's done! It's completed.  Character Counts Day 2011 is officially complete and what a success it was! :) I was excited to be a part of the committee even if at times it seems like a little bit more stress than than it should've been.

How many of you have seen the movie, "Pay It Forward" - it's quite famous and tells a tragic but beautiful story about how the gift of kindness carried throughout people can make a large difference in our world.  It starts with a teacher - that tells his students that they need to think of an idea that will change our world and put it into action.

A scene from the movie that I recreated for the commons wall.

  

He tells the students that it is their year long assignment.  He's a newer teacher, odd, with secrets under his skin. There is one character in particular that comes up with "Pay It Forward".  The simplicity behind it is so outrageous that his students tell him his stupid..and the simplicity is this: Pick three people that need three big favors - any people, any favor and help them.  And rather than asking for something in return simply ask them to do the same - ask them to find three people that need help and have them Pay It Forward to these people who would then do the same, etc etc. And eventually, everyone will have helped someone get where they need to be if we all just agreed to Pay It Forward.

I'm not going to ruin the ending because it is one of my FAVORITE movies and if I ruined the ending for you, I'd be disappointed in myself.  Well, next step...we connected it to Character Counts - the students in my school get to watch the film (there were plenty of tears) and the whole day is centered around Character Counts and Pay It Forward. Hense the common's wall design.

Our common's wall. The cash register was not my idea but it simplifies the idea for some of the younger students. The books represent the pillars as well as the dictionary that is utilized throughout the movie.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The day started off with two sets of speakers and I want to say a BIG THANK YOU to two of my friends from UNI that agreed to come in and speak to some of the students (which from what I hear, the students loved!!).  The speakers talked all about Character Counts in what they do and what they've done.  Some speakers were low key and others got extremely involved.  After this, they had a chance to meet Miss Iowa and Buffy Coleman (Harlem Magic). Then it was lunch, followed by a buffet of food and live music (talented Middle School band that played stuff like Greenday and Blink 182).  After this, we finished the movie, watched some martial arts and tumbling students who talked about CC....then off to the elementaries to play with the younger kids and talk about Character Counts. They also did a craft. 

All and all it was a good day! Successful too! Even if I did get a migraine at about 2pm. :)

Here are two pictures from the YAM art show in Des Moines that I stopped by last week.  It was exciting to see my students' artwork hanging for all of the area to see. And it was busy too!

 

And for kicks, here are the two pups who kept me company during this post...snuggled together in one tiny kennel because they love each other. I found them this way too - what dorks.

Now Progressing: Form, Value, Technique

I am in shock! This has been a  great week. Besides the fact that Andy Warhol has been keeping me company! (Did anyone make one? I want to hear about it!) My new 7th and 8th grade classes are not only energetic but completely well behaved. I just knocked on wood for any of you that laughed said "that'll change!"  But in all reality, my first 7th grade class of the day is angelic - partly because they're mostly asleep and partly because I've noticed that in general, 7th grade is a little more timid about acting out.  My first 8th grade class is energetic but totally thrilled about life and they are *talented* beyond what I anticipated.  Or maybe they're more willing to do their own work...maybe that's it - probably. My second 8th grade follows suit and while I was warned that I was in for a treat - getting hands on projects in front of some of the most troublesome students has proven positive and as I type, I remember how today - those students who I most often see messing around or in the detention room were the *quietest* students out of the whole bunch. What the...wait a minute, why do I care what's going on? It's not a full moon (or is it?) and I love that they are being this way..even if it only lasts a week. Did I mention 85% of them did their homework on time? Amazing. Simply in shock.

Is it the fact that after two previous trimesters, I have some tricks up my sleeve and have naturally adapted some of the lessons to the students? I'm sure that has a play into how things are going and I'm proud of myself if that is in any way what's going on. I know I have grown a *ton* since the beginning of the year not only as an individual but as an educator and I know there is tons more to learn. 

My 7th graders played with pastels today; we took it easy as it is Friday and they are all too eager for a couple days away. Their  skills regarding value scales and comprehending form from day one of class to day three have GREATLY improved and I am pleased to say this - it only means great results for their project involving more pastels, form, value, and pattern.

My 8th graders are blending *machines* and you might ask, "why blending?" Well simply because the first trimester I went to have them do a project and many of them didn't even realize that you could blend paint, that it wasn't all lines - that you could transition through a painting with hundreds of tones, tints, colors without a single one having a border around it. So given that their first project involves blending for the background, I figured why not spend a little more time with that...and so we did. And the results? Enjoyable.

A student's 1st attempt at blending after a demonstration.

A student working in a monochromatic family.

A student using warm colors, concentrating on the degree of oranges she can create.

This student wanted to blend and create an illusion of layer.

And I have a great example of the project 6th grade is working on to show you, finally! This student is only 3 of the 8 steps through while most are about to start their 5th step but it was the first one on the pile so we'll go with it.  It'll also allow me to show you his progress from about now to finish.  You can see kind've where the project gets set up and where we are headed. Note to self: I told my students to make their own design but I think next year I will concentrate the design more with shape and overlapping shapes - much like this one shows.  It simplifies the task and lets the student(s) work more with the technique rather than worry about the minute details. The shading and attention to color catches your eye! And all the kids keep coming up to me and telling me how much more they pay attention to their drawings because of this project. Exactly what I wanted to hear - and so glad to hear they are applying what they learn into parts of their life.  I can't wait to see them a couple years from now and all the talent they'll share.

Left to right: Crayon, Chalk Pastel, Watercolor Pencil
To be added: Crayon, Tempera Paint, Permanent Marker, Charcoal, and Oil Pastels

It is also fun to hear the students talk about which materials they enjoy more. Some students take after their art teacher who has trouble with a mess on her hands while she works and others just love the mess and love getting the mess all over.  I am truly, genuinely, legitimately, etc, etc excited to see where this project leads not only this year but in years to come. 

And finally, I think I know what I will change next year for 5th grade weaving. Making the looms more narrow is the first step and I want to aim towards some sort of "Warm up your reading with Woven Bookmarks" theme - have them design and create their own bookmark or two that they can use during reading class. I love tying lessons back into other areas and purposes so this would be perfect. They just love weaving, boys, girls, all of them - doesn't matter what it ends up looking like, they just love it and I really want to expand on it as much as I can because of that. It is a required unit - and it was the one unit I was told must stay out of all grades and units...so I'm working with it.  This year they will get to decorate it by weaving whatever they want into it or gluing things on...its kind've like a free for all so I can get a handle on what works, etc.  That and perhaps it will lead me to new ideas.  But I really like this bookmark idea and I've seen similar lessons so I'm trying to build. If anyone has ideas, shoot me a note.

Well that's all for now. Quite the series of updates - and expect more after Character Counts finishes...the commons wall is decorated and I'll get a picture soon; just a few finishing touches left. Did I mention we have less than 3 months before summer? Time sure does fly. 

My little Andy Warhol...

So! (Here it goes, Katie!)I got this sweet email from a coworker today with simple instructions on how to make your own pop art of a famous and loved pop artist, Andy Warhol. I saw the handout and was aw-stricken by the awesome-ness of the task and well, quite frankly, how stinking cute my little Andy turned out in the end. Below are PNGs of the step by step process to make your own little Warhol that I think any art educator can enjoy.  I think older kids could easily love doing this, perhaps during a talk about Andy and his work to keep them occupied.  It is in color but if you don't have a color printer, simply do as I did and add the color where it is needed.  The materials you will need are simply scissors, glue, an x-acto knife and coloring tools if you need them.  Other than that it goes together similar to a puzzle.

  

You need to click the pictures and then zoom in to see how large these images really are. I would upload the PDFs but I don't know how.  If you need those instead, email me and I will send them your way.

And you end up with a pretty sweet desk mate...cute even.

I like to think he adds a little "pop" to my desk. :) Get it?

Not to mention, depending on how you pose him - he shows some personality!

As for other updates in my world of art, consider these pictures to try out and I promise that once Character Counts Day is over with there will be pictures of that as well as some of the artwork going on. 

The display case I have going - sad to say, it needs to be sorely updated.

The growing wall of hands...oh the places we'll go. For my 8th graders to leave their mark on the MS.

We have to decorate our doors for Character Counts Day. I threw together what I found in my closet - my skills are not at work here but when you see the commons wall and how much work myself and another put into it, you'll realize why I slacked on my door.

And just for fun...this is who keeps me company when I blog. Little lazy butt.

2/3rds done - AmAzInG

I can't believe it! Not only am I *terrible* at keeping up on this promised blog that has mostly irrelevant information - but my 1st year teaching is 2/3rds of the way over and quickly moving along! What can I say?

2nd Trimester was great! The students were wonderful and I had many less downs than 1st trimester thanks to lessons learned (about clay and handling teen angst).  You'd think I would be an expert at teen rebellion and angst since I was so good at it when I was their age but of course I am still learning.  And I LOVE it. :) Of course.

3rd Trimester started off great today.  Students were quiet, completely content with the expectations and procedures in my room, and seemed ready to learn. Mind you I anticipate the last 3 weeks of the year will probably be lost to the anticipation of the summer but meh, who cares.  I am loving it and my kids seem to as well. Who am I to argue?

I can't wait to put up a picture of the 8th grade wall of hands. Students get to stamp their hand on a wall so that it is their last mark before they leave for high school. I didn't think it would  really take off until next year but 8th graders walked in asking when they would get to do it. :) Exciting stuff.

Character Counts Day 2011 is coming up and I was asked to be on the committee a few months back so my last few weeks have involved painting giant cash registers, books, coins, and bills for our PAY IT FORWARD WITH CHARACTER COUNTS theme - take a wild guess as to which movie we'll be watching. And I love that movie. :)  Of course, pictures will be posted of that too since it'll be my first one and all.

And my 6th grade project...well, I just LOVE it and I can't wait to see the last day and how they all turn out. :) If anyone has suggestions on how to make a variety of excitement in yarn weaving - let me know. The kids love weaving but I just wish there was more to it with the limited supplies that I do have.

I'm going to the PLC conference this summer - so I'm stoked about that. Ready to get my PLC on and apply it to the art department in the district, for sure. :) And everyone else enjoy your spring breaks that are coming up, seeing as I don't get one. *bitter* Until next time...