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...

Moodle, my new worst best friend.

You can teach art online!! :) Of course, other art teachers in the world know this and many can make their assumptions that it's possible. Well it is! Slowly but surely my graphic design units for 7th and 8th grade are growing both in popularity and in success.

In a nutshell, we switched from Wikipedia to Moodle - the high school's online course server.  With the kids all registered, they are flying through it and it is SO much easier to direct a class when the program is completely elementary. There are a few kinks - like the 18 steps you have to take in order to successful upload a document from your hard drive to the server...but that's another story. I had a twitter lined up for the class so that 7th and 8th graders could follow homework and due dates but I had to change the name and haven't gotten the new one up and running.  Graphic Design? Still a success. :)

7th Grade Monochromatic Paintings and 8th Grade Pottery is on display! And the kids seem to be flocking to it and loving the attention their work is getting. Here are some pictures.  And an update on 6th grade - moving along smoothly! :) And the weather outside is OH MY GOODNESS, beautiful. :) 

8th Grade 2nd Trimester Ceramics

8th Grade, 2nd Trimester, Ceramics Piggy Bank

8th Grade, 2nd Trimester, Ceramics Piggy Banks

8th Grade, 2nd Trimester, Ceramics - Cupcake

7th Grade, 2nd Trimester Monochromatic Paintings

7th Grade, 2nd Trimester Monochromatic Paintings

WCMS Update on Art Displays

As promised, updates on the displays that I had up for Conferences. Everything is now down except the perspective because that will have to be another day's task.

5th Grade Human Figure Drawings

5th Grade Human Figure Drawings

5th Grade Human Figure Drawings

5th Grade Human Figure Drawings

6th Grade Perspective

7th Grade Printmaking 2nd Trimester

8th Grade Stippling 2nd Trimester

8th Grade Stippling 2nd Trimester

8th Grade Stippling 2nd Trimester

8th Grade Stippling 2nd Trimester

8th Grade Stippling 2nd Trimester

7th Grade Optical Illusions 2nd Trimester

6th Grade Perspective

Lesson Plan, Snow Days, and Reflections.

FANTASTIC LESSON ALERT!  (Not to toot my own horn but...)The 6th grade project is moving along smoothly that I had mentioned last post.  If you're wondering it is an exploration of simple materials using abstract thoughts.  Some of my classes are catching up to where they need to be but many are moving forward into the second set of materials and they are loving it! I can't wait to share it with the blogging world - I think it is the perfect age and perfect project to really make students see the variety of art they can create with materials they have at home.  It's simple to start if you are interested in exploring the idea.  Simply have the students start with a large piece of white paper.  Have them draw designs to their heart's content.  No scribbles as it will frustrate them later.  Lines, shapes, patterns - help them with examples but remind them that it's not about what you can recognize; more of what you can't.  Students have taken this in every direction - simple as a checker board and other students can tell an entire story with their different shapes and patterns.  Their designs alone have thrilled me.  The next step, after drawing is complete, is to have them fold it into 8 equal parts or for those of you that understand...hot dog fold, hamburger fold, hamburger fold.  This should take one period (or two if you have 30 min periods).  From there, each day explores a materials and this just depends on what you have.  I've started with crayon and shown them that it's not just about coloring "in" but different pressure, blending color, directional drawing.  Have them fold the paper up so that only one part of their design is showing and let them color it in. I'm not kidding or lying when I say that students spend an entire period engulfed in the idea of blending crayons - and some were so into it, they have yet to finish that section. I plan to move on to colored pencils, watercolor, tempera paint, charcoal, chalk pastel, oil pastel and permanent marker. This could change and as always I will keep you posted and have pictures taken as soon and I can gather time. Ha.

Two students from my school were chosen for the Youth Art Month show. :) That's pretty spectacular.

5th Grade Tempera Painting studying Wassily Kandinsky

6th Grade Watercolor Painting studying Georgia O'Keeffe

I'm very proud of the two students and the school and staff seem genuinely proud and excited about it too.  Three other students had work kept in Des Moines for the Cultural Day show in a couple weeks. It's not a long show, just a day, but it is at the state capitol and viewed by many.

Stipple Drawing 8th Grade

Painting that blended a color family & Silhouette Pasting 8th Grade

Stipple Drawing 8th Grade

I sent these entries, not only because their 8th graders and they will be moving onto high school, but also because these students were genuinely excited about the possibility of their work being somewhere else. All and all, 5/10 entries are going to be displayed somewhere. Not a bad start.

 

Well, we had our 2nd official snow day. Meaning the school year will now be over May 27th for both students and teachers. We're all crossing our fingers that there will be no more snow days and according to the ground hog, we should be okay.  We have room for one more if you're one of the people thinking you'd like out before June - I know I am.  The kids were let out early on Tuesday due to impending blizzard warnings and the snow coming down pretty hard.  I decided to crash at my mentor's again and good thing I did because just before 2pm, when I would've left, they called the plows off all the highways and interstates which would've made it hard to get home.  We spent the night, of course, talking and hanging out. I am thankful I stay with them because I feel like I keep learning a little bit each time - not to mention, my mentor and his wife give me a little comfort similar to when I see my parents.  We went to dinner at a local Mexican eatery and as always it was delicious. Even up to the point when the electricity went out and over 50% of the town was in a black out.  Given that my mentor's house is on the other side of town we were confident we had electricity when we returned but unfortunately that was not the case.  There we were, candles going and peeing by flickering light.  We were charging our cell phone by computer and car and checking whotv.com regarding delays and cancellations.  At 745 they called school off for Wednesday and at 8pm, the electricity came back on.  If the blizzard was still going as predicted at noon on Wednesday, I planned on staying a second night.  However, this morning I woke up around 830am (oh the joys of sleeping in) and the blizzard had clears, plows were in full force, and I was feeling brave about getting home to see Matt and the puppies. After some tasty muffins, I headed home and my drive which usually takes me 65 minutes took me 75 and the roads proved good to drive which actually mentally prepared me for tomorrow morning when I will be driving back that direction. 

I need to take pictures of all the displays that are up at the school. 6th Grade Perspective, 5th Grade Human Figure Drawings, 7th Grade Printmaking, 7th Grade Optical Illusions, and 8th Grade Stippling. This trimester is flying by and if I'm not careful I will lose sense of time. I love my students - they have really given me a chance and have taken art into their hands and created fantastic stuff.  One trimester left and I can say I've completed my first year teaching. Unthinkable.  

I'm contemplating my Masters - they started a new, great program at UNI.  I know I want to get my Masters; and I know I want to get it at UNI so I'm thinking, "Why not now?" I'm preparing my stuff and getting the letters I need.  And while there are a few minor details I would have to work out - okay a major money related one, it's a possibility that it really could happen. Of course, my small limited blog world - I will keep you posted. I fear I have a lot more growing to do with my personal roll in art before I'm ready to take another step. I'm just so into the teaching thing now that I know I want to take the step - I'm just unsure (nervous) of when. Either way, I think it would be great.

I think next year might change a little bit with my curriculum - I knew it would but it's more thought out now.  

8th grade: I know I want to keep the silhouette project but I might specify the context a little more and aim it in the political/cultural action direction by having the kids design a silhouette that speaks out against/for something (appropriate) ...similar to my stencils in Australia project.  Definitely keep clay but have them work more towards the specific goal of creating a pot that "stands for a personal moral" either through the design, structure, or decor.  I'm not sure if I'll change/keep stippling (the kids hate the process but love, love, love the results)...I have a plethra of books that are being given to me that I could explore book art worth and play off the idea of "writing your own story" through art.  And Graphic Design will stay...some of the lessons or end result might head in the same direction of "Taking a Stand".  8th grade would then have a theme...  "Taking a Stand, publicly and personally." And they're at the perfect age for that.

7th Grade: Keep the Elements of Art/Principles of Design project, change it up but keep it - they love chalk pastel and it's a good "get to know you" time for me and the students.  Optical Illusions - keep.  It's a hit at conferences and the 8th graders like playing "Guess who it is".  Printmaking, keep. Enlarge the cards, pending size of budget for next year.  Monochromatic Painting - still playing around with. I changed it already from cartoons to abstract designs and it seems to be going okay. We'll see - monochromatic is not required and they learn a lot about value so it could just change completely.  Graphic Design Advertisements, definitely keep. No question. No theme thought of yet although it wouldn't be too hard.

5th Grade: Wassily Kandinsky...keep and not just because I have a crush on the deceased artist.  Human figures...keep. Weaving...keep but I'm still messing around with everything they do. Tube Sculptures...we'll see how that goes.

6th Grade: Georgia O'Keeffe...keep.  Perspective...DEFINITELY CHANGE (WHAT A HEADACHE) but I'm still figuring that out.  Exploring Materials...what a hit, keeping.  Heraldry....we'll see how that goes.

I think I'm stuck reflecting because I'm busy thinking about my portfolio too. I'm not nervous by any means but it is a lot of work. If you have any questions about the above units for any grade, just ask. I played off of the previous teacher because she followed district curriculum.  I'm changed it up with permission and continue to tweak so that 5th and 6th grade explore a wide variety and 7th and 8th tone in more on specific ideas and putting purpose in their art.

Well anyways. Matt is getting a redbox and we're about to cook our breakfast for dinner.  The dogs are playing (we're dog sitting) and the snow is shoveled/plowed.  Wish me luck on my drive...although I think I will be okay.