Journal

EDU599






Research Project



Tuesday, January 6, 2015
I am starting this journal as I contemplate the upcoming Arcadia culminating
project, EDU599. I hope to incorporate my current teaching situation into this
research project.

I am back at New Life Academy after holiday break. As the new art teacher, having
been hired in November, I am acclimating to the new school, staff, students and
policies. The art room walls have been painted a beige color over the break. The
former walls were covered with what began as mural art, ended up being covered
with inappropriate words and images.



Students are NOT happy, especially with a whole class assignment a lesson on
portraiture and facial proportions. The lesson included a short Youtube on artist,
Chuck Close and his innovative large-scale portraits. With references to DaVincis
expertise on body measurements, we practiced drawing facial features. Much
resistance from students, gripes and groans, refusal to do work.

I realize that I am the new teacher on the block, replacing another teacher who
had a much less structured approach.

Thursday, January 8, 2015
Continued lesson on portraiture and facial feature proportions had to send a
student to Guidance for refusal to do work and disrespect. Lesson lacks energy and
one student asks if he can use the sewing machine.

I took time during prep period to reassess the physical layout of the room and idea
to move into a choice based curriculum. Started research for articles on the topic.
There has to be a better way to approach this!!!

Tuesday, January 12, 2015
Decided to allow todays class period as a structured open studio period to assess
the interests of all students. This worked to some extent, but the lazier, less
motivated students took it as an opportunity to do nothing. One female student who
refused to find something to do was sent to Guidance. This confirms what Id always
known - that structure is essential.

Some students chose portraits, others choose to work with fabric in a weaving
project.

At the end of the day, I painted the floor a gray color to hide the former floor. I
painted until the paint ran outcould be struggle to get more paint with no art
budget :(
Also, the maintenance supervisor stopped by to inform me that space in the art
room will now be used for storage. .feeling a bit worthless as it seems that I was
the last to be informed of this and that the art room seems to be the dumping
ground for unwanted supplies and files from everyone else.

Wednesday, January 13, 2015
OK, had some time to think about thingsI did some sketches for room layout for
choice based learning experimentwill it work?? Im not so sure because:
-Will students be able to work independently to some extent?
- Alternative students bring various problems, behavior issues, etc that may not
enable them to work independently.
- Will the students challenge themselves without my constant oversee??
- Will I be able to address all the needs of all students? I am only one person.

I am excited to try this approach and I am also excited to organize the art room into
a unique and functional space.

Thursday, January 15, 2015
Continuing to develop ideas for the room while teaching students. Had issues with 2
female students who refused to do artwork. I insisted on a meeting after class with
the principal and the girls. We met with each student separately. Interestingly

enough, each girl conveyed that they were upset and angry that the art room had
been painted over. To them, the artwork on the walls represented the former
students who attended the school. The girls felt that it was my doing in painting
over the walls. The principal assured them that it was not my decision, but the
artwork on the walls had gotten out of hand and that it was the schools decision to
clear the inappropriate stuff off the walls. One of the girls continued the
conversation with.and another thing, Nancy, youre way TOO patient, and its
annoying.dont you know that kids like us are used to being screamed at???

Haha, I have never been criticized for being too patient, thats a first!...I think this
new approach might work! ;) I will begin Choice based curriculum for next marking
period.

Monday, January 19 MLK Day of Service
Spent a few hours, as my contribution to the MLK Day of Service, in the classroom.
With the help of my husband, we hung cork boards, artworks, mobiles to designate
centers. Centers to include: Drawing, Painting, 3-D, and Sewing/Fiber arts.

Tuesday, January 20, 2015
1st day of the new marking period.a little nervous to introduce the new way of
doing things, however the day went exceptionally wellno behavior problems. I am
also instituting a student self-evaluation checklist for each student. Anxious to have
some student art work for walls.

Alsono heat in the art room..56 degrees.




Wednesday, January 22, 2015
Met with John Heusser to discuss project. He seemed receptive to the idea. He will
share his experience with his trial of this approach with a fourth grade class at our
next meeting. Agreed to meet approximately every 2 weeks.

Thursday, January 22, 2015
Classes went okfelt a bit overwhelmed as I had to ignore the more self-sufficient
students to attend to others. I was glad for 1st period student s who many had
chosen the same type of projectI can teach a group lesson and demonstration.

Period 3 student was not himself, so I was glad for the flexibility to accommodate for
his anxiety and to offer a different project for the day.

Tuesday, January 27, 2015
2 hour snow delay. Classes began with 3rd period. Classes went ok. 4th period class
was a lot of running back and forth to each center. I was screamed at by a student
who exclaimed, many of us havent had art since 5th grade so we dont know what
were doing!this has me rethinking the idea of dedicated lessons. It is so difficult
to get to know all students and their needs since I am only part time and classes are
so short40 minute classes turn into 30 minutes because students have to be
escorted to and from another building at the change of classes. What can students
possibly accomplish in 30 minutes time??????

Wednesday, January 28, 2015
Met with John Heusser, critical friend and art advisor. John conveyed his experience
with a choice based art room for his 4th graders. He felt that he gave it a try but for
that age, it was not working there were too many basic skills that needed to be
taught and reinforced at that level.

Thursday, January 29, 2015

Classes went ok. Many students needed help at the same time, and many students
extremely impatient. Problems with s sewing machine breakdown so frustrating!

One nice point about today was that a student working at the 3-D center came over
to my demonstration at the drawing centerI asked her if she was ok and she
replied, oh yes, I just wanted to listen and learn what you are teaching ;)

Tuesday, February 3, 2015
Classes went ok. Seems like students are realizing that I care about the art room and
the lessons that I am trying to teach. Some students seem more patient in waiting
until I can get to help them. Only problem with one student who is not receptive to
challenging herself with a project and I am not allowing her to do minimal work,
knowing that she is fully capable.

Thursday, February 5, 2015
Incorporated a 5 minute Youtube video at the start of each class to add variety.
Students enjoyed it. Also played background instrumental music and no complaints!
One student asked me, why doesnt that music have any words to it? May be the
first time she enjoyed classical instrumental music??