Student Teaching Artifact


Unit: World Issues Sculpture   
Theme/Topic: World Issues (various)
Media: Junk art sculpture
Techniques: Sculpture building
Art History/Art Careers: Related to art of DuChamp, art for change
Elements/Principles: shape, balance, form, color, texture
Vocabulary: Junk sculpture, in the round
Expression: Self-expression
Materials: Junk, various
Evaluation/Critique format: Final verbal critique

Time-Line: (after researching their world issue the week before)
    Day One:Introduce Junk Art Sculpture/art about causes
    Day Two: Students sketch 4 different ideas
    Day Three: Students sketch the final idea, from front, back, top and bottom
    Day Four: Students make one final sketch including the materials they will use.
    Day Five: Students begin working on sculpture. Demo sculpture basics.
    Day Six: Students continue working, make sure they have plan for last minute materials
    Day Seven: Students continue working on sculptures.
    Day Eight: Students continue working on sculptures.
    Day Nine: Students continue working on sculptures.
    Day Ten: Students continue working on sculptures.
    Day Eleven: Students final day to work on sculptures.
    Day Twelve: Verbal/Written critique with presentation about issue.

Daily Breakdown:

Day One Goal: Introduce Junk Art Sculpture/art about causes
1: Welcome
2: Remind of what they have been working on (research)
3: Goal for today is to understand the idea of junk art and creating art about a larger social issue, and its effectiveness with a wide world audience.
4: Expectations for presentation (sit quietly, participate when asked)
Close class - tomorrow we will begin sketching.

This lesson went over pretty well. I think that it was good to let them know what their goal for the day was prior to beginning their work. Also, the students did a nice job during the presentation and I think that they were intrigued by the examples.

Day Two Goal: Students sketch 4 different ideas
1: Welcome
2: Remind of yesterday’s presentation
3: Goal for today is to sketch four different ideas for a sculpture based on topic they chose to research.
4: Expectations for work time (stay in seat, work quietly, may chat with neighbors at a quiet level)
   
Clean-up: 3 minutes - then let them know that they need to finish sketches by tomorrow so we can start on a detailed sketch for the sculpture.

    I think that it would maybe help to have students come up with a materials list prior to sketching, as many started sketching with no idea of how they would construct it. Also, it might be good to talk to them about going deeper than “surface level” art skills into more symbolic art.       

Day Three Goal: Students sketch the final idea, from front, back, top and bottom
1. Welcome
2. Remind the class about sketches yesterday
3. Goal for the day - we will be sketching the final draft from front, back and sides. EXPLAIN IN THE ROUND.
Expectations for work time (stay in seat, work quietly, may chat with neighbors at a quiet level)
   
Clean-up: 3 minutes - then let them know that they need to finish sketches by tomorrow so we can start on a final sketch.

    Today went well overall. The students were able to get a lot of their drawing done and it was good for me to be able to see their drawing from all different perspectives. I am really intrigued by some ideas, but am struggling a bit to get other step out of their comfort zones and push the boundaries a bit more.

Day Four Goal: Students make one final sketch including the materials they will use.
1: Welcome
2: Remind of yesterday’s sketches from 4 sides
3: Goal for today is to sketch final idea, with details (materials)
4: Expectations for work time (stay in seat, work quietly, may chat with neighbors at a quiet level)

Clean-up: 3 minutes - then let them know that they need to finish sketches by tomorrow and that they should bring their materials to begin working.

I think that this final sketch which included their materials was a really good last step before beginning construction. It helped them picture what materials they could use and how they could support their sculpture.Overall it is going really well so far, and the kids still seem excited to continue the project.


Day Five Goal: Students begin working on sculpture. Demo sculpture basics.

1. Welcome
2. Remind the class about sketches yesterday
Goal for the day - we will begin building sculptures.
Demo: Sculpture basics
Remember to talk about balance (structurally and visually)
Remember to mention small on top is easiest.
Remember to mention to use a large base (w/ weight)
4: Expectations for work time (stay in seat, work quietly, may chat with neighbors at a quiet level)
If students forgot materials, have them write a paragraph on why it is important to be prepared for class, then sketch.
    - If students can’t afford materials, use classroom supplies.
Clean-up: 5 minutes - then let them know that they need to bring materials tomorrow and continue working.

With Angie out sick today, it was really hard for me to work in the classroom as I haven’t yet learned where supplies are and/or what junk we can use for the project that is already in the room. I feel like I did a lot of running around during class today, trying to find materials for different students, which was not ideal. Also, there were many who went to Mr. Grady’s room to get wood scraps, which they should have gotten during their tech ed classes, or during lunch. Tomorrow I will limit the trips to his room.

Day Six: Students continue working, make sure they have plan for last minute materials

1. Welcome
2. Remind the class about sculpture basics from yesterday
Goal for the day - we will begin building sculptures.
4: Expectations for work time (stay in seat, work quietly, may chat with neighbors at a quiet level)
5: While walking around, chat with students about plans to get the rest of their materials
    - If students can’t afford materials, use classroom supplies.
Clean-up: 5 minutes - then let them know that they need to bring materials tomorrow and continue working.
Today I limited the trips to Mr. Grady’s room so that my students would be challenged to work with what they had, and what they brought, which wasn’t much. Students were very forgetful about getting supplies, and seemed frustrated. I understood, but told them to think creatively and offered suggestions using materials we had available.


Day Seven: Students continue working on sculptures.

1. Welcome
2. Talk about what worked well/not so well from yesterday
Goal for the day - we will continue building sculptures.
4: Expectations for work time (stay in seat, work quietly, may chat with neighbors at a quiet level)
5: While walking around, talk to students about what they are struggling with.
    - If students can’t afford materials, use classroom supplies.
Clean-up: 5 minutes - then let them know that they need to bring materials tomorrow and continue working.

Today went pretty well once kids got started working. However, I felt really bad because Angie and I had discussed what we should do with kids who forget materials, and she told me to have them write a letter saying why it is important to come prepared for class. She was gone again today, and three students came in and said they either couldn’t afford materials, or couldn’t get them until their parents got paid (leading me to believe they probably shouldn’t be spending money on art supplies). I felt stuck, so I had them write it, but then explained that I understood why they couldn’t get supplies and helped them work with what we had. That was a really hard situation.

Day Eight: Students continue working on sculptures.

1. Welcome
2. Talk about what worked well/not so well from yesterday
Goal for the day - we will continue building sculptures.
4: Expectations for work time (stay in seat, work quietly, may chat with neighbors at a quiet level)
5: While walking around, talk to students about what they are struggling with.
    - If students can’t afford materials, use classroom supplies.
Clean-up: 5 minutes - then let them know that they need to bring materials tomorrow and continue working.

    Today many more students came prepared to work which was excellent. They had more materials and started to really work hard today, which was nice. Overall, I am impressed with most of their ideas, but a little worried at the feasibility of some of them.

Day Nine: Students continue working on sculptures.

1. Welcome
2. Talk about what worked well/not so well from yesterday
Goal for the day - we will continue building sculptures.
Have them quickly get together with a partner from class and talk about how their sculpture is going.
5: Expectations for work time (stay in seat, work quietly, may chat with neighbors at a quiet level)
6: While walking around, talk to students about their critique with each other.
    - If students can’t afford materials, use classroom supplies.
Clean-up: 5 minutes - then let them know that they need to bring materials tomorrow and continue working.

    Today went well and the sculptures are starting to come together. I think that we will be able to get them done within one more week. The kids are doing nice work and they are starting to pay better attention to meeting the goals now that they have the basic sculpture set.
Day Ten: Students continue working on sculptures.

1. Welcome
2. Talk about what worked well/not so well from yesterday
Goal for the day - we will continue building sculptures.
4: Let them know that tomorrow is final day to work.
5: Expectations for work time (stay in seat, work quietly, may chat with neighbors at a quiet level)
6: While walking around, talk to students about their critique with each other.
    - If students can’t afford materials, use classroom supplies.
Clean-up: 5 minutes - then let them know that they need to bring materials tomorrow and continue working.
Close class: Let them know that if they don’t think they are going to have enough time to finish, that they need to come in and work during study or after school.

I think that the students will need another day or two to work to really get their projects up to good quality. I will give them extra time these next two days, and push back the critique a bit.

Day 10.5 I let the kids keep working today and they seem relieved, yet are still working really hard to get things wrapped up. One more day seems like it should definitely be enough.

Day 10.75 Today went really well. Many students got completely done, and those that aren’t have tomorrow to finish and do their self critiques. I think that this will be adequate time, but if not, they can finish during resource.

Day Eleven: Final day to work.

1. Welcome
2. Talk about what worked well/not so well from yesterday
Goal for the day - Finish building sculptures.
4: Let them know that tomorrow is final day to work.
5: Expectations for work time (stay in seat, work quietly, may chat with neighbors at a quiet level)

Clean-up: 5 minutes - then let them know that they need to bring materials tomorrow and continue working.

Close class: Let them know that tomorrow will be a critique so they may want to read over their notes and prepare to tell class about their sculpture.

Nearly everyone is wrapped up and the projects look great. Many of the ones that I was a bit nervous about turned out better than I had anticipated, and I am excited to hear the kids critique them and give eachother feedback tomorrow.

Day Twelve: Critique

1. Welcome
2. Talk about critique behavior. (Positive and constructive, not mean)
Goal for the day -critique all sculptures.
4: Each student will present their work for 1 minute. Then must be quiet while receiving positive/constructive feedback.
5: Each student will give written feedback to the artist.

Close class: Let them know how well they did and that we will start a new project tomorrow.

The critique went really well overall. The students were really able to explain their symbolism and the reasoning behind their choices. However, we only got through half of the class so we will have to finish tomorrow. Overall I think that the project was a big success. The kids really started to think about global issues and how they can be related to their art. I also think that I am going to do their next project on the same theme so that they can continue to delve into their issues.

Gifted and Talented Modifications:
Two noted gifted and talented students will be selected to help with a rain barrel project for the Washburn Neighborhood. These students will be given the theme, “Wonders of Nature” and will have to apply global ideas to the barrel, which will be painted during class. The students will be expected to keep up with their coursework through the process of this extra project.

Community Connections: The rain barrel that these students are painting will be in a community competition to raise money for the Washburn Neighborhood, which the school resides in.

Additionally, the projects that all students complete will be on global issues so that the students learn to connect what happens in the world and community into their art.

Finally, the four best pieces will be a part of our Youth Art Month show which will take place at the library. All students will also be asked to select their favorite piece from the semester to have in an 8th Grade Art Show in the Lincoln Middle School Gallery.