making lettering 3D

the next installment in the Year 6 and 7 classes graffiti and lettering lesson. It would be great if we could all use Illustrator to experiment with text design and make digital comics, but not only does the school not have Illustrator, but I also think that graphic design needs to be able to be done by hand as well as computer. Those who can only design on computers loose the organic feel in their design and graphics, logos etc.
Here are some examples to show the students what is expected.

I am finding teaching art is satisfying my need to create and therefore my business is taking a back foot at thre moment, I can't really be bothered with it. Later today I need to make a cubism, pop art and Matisse example, how exciting!

exploring traditional painting

The week before last, the year 4 and 5 students explored some traditional methods of painting using their hands and symbolism.
They had to paint a crocodile using a hand print for the head and knuckle prints to make the body and finger paint the tail and legs. In the background the were asked to paint Indigenous Australia symbols to tell a story. For eg, frogs near the crocodile may tell of the crocodile looking for food, or hunters behind the crocodile, the crocodile becomes the hunted.

Here are some examples of what they painted.

This week we will look at cubism and pop art movements, and the work of Matisse. The year 6 and 7s will continue with their graffiti unit, looking at making their letttering 3D and colouring techniques.

teaching art

I have my first teaching contract - teaching art of all things !! (jumps for joy).
I teach years 4-7, each class for an hour a week to provide teachers with non-contact time. In a week, I see over 250 children.
The school I am teaching at is a low socio-economic area so the students have limited art supplies if any, and so does the school. Unfortunately my ideas of sculpture an other 3D works have gone out the window.

However, I have developed a graffiti art unit for years 6 and 7 to work on with funky lettering, hookups, colouring and stylization. This guy, called Mr Wiggles, has the best learn to graffiti site

It has examples of lettering and tips with photos of colouring methods and making 3D letters. more on the other year levels soon and examples of work produced.

learning to teach

My 2nd prac is well underway with my first week of full time teaching last week. Only two weeks to go and then I am finsihed. The class is challenging to say the least, but it is good, it is like behaviour management 101.
We are doing heaps of hands on stuff as much as they are difficult to keep organised and focused. Our science unit is on the needs and life cycle of plants and we are sprouting and growing beans, testing the needs of air, water, temperature and soil, and are also exploring competition in the environment, the effect of salinity of soil and drought.

Inspiration comes from everyday life
This art pic above is my 2 min example for the kids. It is based on the work of Margaret Preston, and Australian artist who loved to paint and print wildflowers. This pic is of the Sturt Desert Pea. Some children made such great pieces. It is made by having a heavy background on oil pastels and then covering with thick black paint and scrapping back the drawing into the paint, very effective.
It reminds me of these new dyeing styles I had been working with a few months ago, I might try to tie the two together for summer (if no one copies my idea before then ;) but I'll still do it if they do anyway LOL).

next field experience

I am due to start my next and final field experience in the 2nd week of August and it seems my Blue Card expires a week before. I am hoping with so many please, please, please please's that it will be renewed within the three weeks until I start prac. I am an optimist and am hoping the universe will provide me this small favour as I don't take or ask for much.
Graduation is in December and I am so happy it is nearly all over. I started studying the week my son was born and it has been a hard slog to keep motivated and on top of home life, family life, business and study. My application for teacher registration is almost complete for Qld and I am still waiting on my approval to teach in NSW.

Quadritaterals - 1st maths lesson plan

Well not technically my 1st maths lesson plan, but my 1st one to be tested on a group of unsuspecting students LOL.

Orientation: (2 mins)
Whole class:
· Teacher (T) has six quadrilaterals drawn on blackboard
· T asks Students (S) if they know:
o what this group of shapes are called and why?

Enhancing: (8 mins)
Whole class:
· T facilitates class discussion to provide:
o name of each shape
o characteristics of each including angles, length of sides ¶llel lines
o T notes prior knowledge
· As S describe characteristics T writes key ideas of board, and marks equal length sides, right angles and parallel lines with conventions
· S are asked if they know what these lines mean
· T asks could these lines be applied to this shape?
· T continues horizontal lines so they meet to show why they are not parallel
T asks are these marking right – if no, why not? On what shape would this be right?

Synthesising: (15 mins)
Individual (5 mins):
· complete p.112 Signpost Maths Book
· mark in equal sides, right angles and parallel lines

Groups (10 mins)
· S work in groups according to seating arrangement
· complete odd one out activity drawn on board - odd one out of group. Figure 1 is the odd one out as all the rest have...
· Learning Assistance Students:
o represent each shape on geoboard with rubber bands
o S will need to name each shape to T
· ESL Students:
o Rainforest Maths – Level E (green) – 2D shapes – sides, angles and line symmetry - (www.rainforestmaths.com)
o T to check the score of students

Evaluation: (5 mins)
Whole class:
· Class provides answers for odd one out activity
· Who had at least one of the answers for the odd one out activity?
· If there is time – mark p. 112 Signpost maths

tessellations, adverbs, triangles and fitness

I am one week down in my education field experience, with only three weeks left in this block. Observation is over and the following week is time to teach.
I have the loveliest year 5 class, no behavioural problems in the class, and such great diversity for a students teacher with three learning support students, four ESL students, two with very limited English, an even mix of boys and girls, and peoples of all ethnicities.

I have a unit planned to review quadrilaterals (four sided polygons), we will explore triangle types and their angles, flip slide and turn and finish that section on line and shape with tessellations. The tessellation lesson will be the best in my opinion, because although it has the line and shape maths outcomes, I have combined art and made visual arts the focus. Students will design their own mosaic patterns using coloured triangles of paper. These are some samples to get them started. A few of the students in the class are really into mosaic, so I can't wait to see what they come up with.

(Taken from www.tessellations.org)

For the accelerated students in the class (the clever kids), they can have a go at designing their own tessellating shape. Doesn't matter at the end of the lesson if it doesn't work completely, but in attempting it, they will be reaching outcomes above the other average learners in the class. I hope it challenges them enough to keep them busy. And who better than the Master of Tessellation himself, M.C. Escher, to provide examples for students to think about tessellating shapes other than polygons.
Here are some great Escher tessellations, and you can see more here.

This one is my favourite but isn't a traditional mathematical tessellation because of the gaps, but shows students a visual and conceptual arts application of tessellation.

pride, and teaching

I haven't had the time I wanted to finish the peacock tee called Pride. I'm hoping my headache will disappear so I can finish it today or tomorrow.

I am now busy with field experience in the final stages of my Graduate Diploma of Education. have a lovely year 5 class which is diverse. I love that the class has two ESL students and many I different cultures. I really get to try out a lot of the theory I have been researching about culture and cultural racism. The supervising teacher has 38 years of teaching experience, but some of her attitude is slightly outdated. I am great at being diplomatic (when I want LOL), and think that I can fill the gaps in the class with providing more authentic tasks to the ESL students and more attention and time.
I'm looking forward to our first excursion to the Qld Art Gallery! Will be fun because I love art and I get to share it will impressionable youngsters. The other teachers aren't so enthusiastic about art, so I'm hoping my love for it can inspire the ones whose art intelligence isn't being nurtured. The APT will still be there too, so much fun.