Philosophy
Children need creativity in their day to day lives. In a society so heavily focused on testing and technology, it is so important that students have an appropriate and productive outlet through the arts that allows them to express themselves creatively and develop their fine motor skills. The act of creating artwork empowers students to discover themselves and develop their personal identity. My art classroom will not only give them the skills to create their own expressive artwork, but will help them develop critical thinking and problem solving skills that are highly sought after in the professional world.
In my art lessons, I seek to create a balance between practical skills, artistic knowledge, and content from the core subjects. I try to introduce as many different artistic media as possible, while keeping my lessons age-appropriate, attainable, and maintaining continuity in my curriculum. This balance has been especially apparent in my most successful project, a weaving unit with the eighth grade. Students have learned about weaving, both artistically and historically, and have grasped the importance of fiber as a fine arts material. They have learned how to thread a needle, which often is overlooked with the absence of a home economics curriculum, and have created a small woven tapestry at their own pace, using colors and stitch patterns as their form of creative expression. It is my hope that the students use their experiences from their art classes to develop as individuals outside of the art room. Through creation, reflection, and problem-solving, I hope that they will see the importance of art in our society, and how it contributes to their everyday lives. |
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Lesson PlansA sample of lesson plans created for grades K-12.
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Summer at Usdan• Teaching Assistantship in Ceramics
• Wheel-throwing Demonstration • Student work samples |
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