A few weeks ago a student told me that she and her grandma read my blog. I was so embarrassed, I hadn't updated in months! When I first decided to blog, I was thinking it would be the best place to help people understand my ideas and philosophies about teaching art. I still think that, except that I also believe that I need to update at least once a week if I really want this to work. So here goes....
I have expectations and routines like other art teachers, but I don't teach projects. We look at examples of art, and artists working in their studios. We discuss the elements of art and the principles of design but I don't have projects that center around them. I offer a lot of choices and challenges and hope that students can discuss their work with more thought than, "I was bored so I ..."
I am always worried that parents and other teachers don't think I am doing enough to educate children in art. But I truly believe that being able to make something with intention is a pretty big deal and if every student can do that in the 35-40 minutes of art they have each week we are doing great work.
We won't always make great things to look at, but I believe the story of the process is the true value in art making at this level.
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