Mrs. Brown the Art Teacher

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OMG - I am horrible at blogging. See um, what 3 months since my last post?!

The semester is almost over!!! 2 weeks left!

I would like to take this opportunity to say, this blog will now regularly become a place to showcase my student's work. (aka LOTS of pictures!)

Please enjoy~ Mrs. Brown

It has been a month since school started. I feel like I am just in the eye of the storm.
It has been such a whirl-wind!!!

I feel like I literally do not have enough time to even recap everything!!!

I teach:
3 Comprehensive Art I classes (mix of 9th-12th grade)
1 Ceramics & Sculpture class (mix of 10th-12th grade)
1 Drawing & Painting class (mix of 10th-12th grade)
1 Select Studio class (11th & 12th grade)
1 AP Studio Art class (11th & 12th grade)

We have already done several projects in these classes, I will begin to post images of artwork from my students, when I can.

Projects have included:
Zentangle Animals, Zentangle Designs, Elements & Principles of Art Concertina Book, Scratch Art Still Life, Assemblage, Altered Books, and Impromptu Art.

My upper level students have explore graphite and charcoal through expressing the topics of "Freedom," "Agony," "Aging," and "Sanctuary."

I have not had any major issues with students yet, other than not turning in their work and completing finished assignments. I have had several detentions for talking and failure to turn in signed paperwork. I've only written students up for failure to show up for detention. I just have a bunch of chatty-cathys. I have had to move seating arrangements several times. (And that is so sad to me, they are high schoolers - just keep your mouth shut!)

I have only had one accident, but in all fairest I warned the students. My Ceramics & Sculpture class are working on their altered book projects with box cutters and Xacto knives and I had a student cut the tip of his finger off. I thought they were going to give him stitches, but I think they just used foam glue. But he did have to leave school and go to the ER that day.

It has taken me FOREVER to order supplies. It is a very daunting task; figuring out what I need, pricing it from different vendors, and then ORDERING all while staying in budget! Hopefully, I will still have money left over at the end of this semester so that I can order more supplies for next semester!

We have also been introduced to new measures of assessment called SLO - Student Learning Objectives. They are for classes that do not have an EOCT or standardized tests. They are in a pilot year/learning curve... and in Art, they are HORRIBLE. Hopefully, there will be changes in the near future.

Other than all of this... lesson plans, unit plans, grade, grade, grade....

OH... and cheerleading tryouts occurred, we picked a team, AND started practice today!

-Mrs. Brown (the Art Teacher)

Week #1 Done.

Well, what can I say, but I survived. What a world-wind week of firsts, and the only thing I can really say is, it was an experience. I wish I had, had more energy so that I could have written every night, so that I could remember every detail of everyday of the past week. But there in lines the problem, as that each full day pretty much kicked my butt. I was exhausted. I like to blame it on the fact that I have been pretty lazy and unmotivated all summer, but I'm pretty sure, I just wasn't prepared for the special thing called "teaching" that really does take a special person to do.

(Soap Box: I don't think people really know how much it takes to be a teacher, all the planning that goes into it - outside of school. I have done so much work just this week outside of school, that should constitute a second paycheck! If you have never been a teacher or even close to a remote position of a teacher, you know how hard it is to balance your work and your homelike as well as just taking care of yourself - and right now it's just me and Chad, I could NOT image having to come home and take care of kids and pets too!!! So please next time you see a teacher, who looks stressed out, it's because we always are. We don't do it for the glory (or the money), we do it because we love when children "get it." So carry on AND thank a teacher: End soap box.)

To Review for you:

Monday - I had duty 7:35am-8:05am - easy peazy. Stand in hallway make sure kids, don't go back out. Then during 1st period, I have planning, so I made the copies I need and prayed. 2nd period is my first Comprehensive Art class. It is a full class and they came in rather quiet (I don't know if they were tired or scared-haha) I handed out all the forms and we quickly reviewed them and the materials. 3rd period, I have Ceramics & Sculpture. It is a smaller class, full of upper clansmen, so that's nice. Then crazy, but I have lunch! I know10:30AMish, I eat lunch for 25 minutes. I ate in my room, and Ms. Udell (the chorus teacher, across the hall) ate with me. 4th period, is my second Comprehensive Art class and it is a full class as well. They were more lively, but not wild. I have to review the student handbook during 4th period, and they HATE that. 5th period is my AP Studio Art AND my Select Studio Art. It is a class of 11 total. Very small (I love it!) They are all older students and seem to miss the larger chairs and drafting tables, but are excited about having a new teacher. 6th period is my finally Comprehensive Art class and probably my most wild. It is a full class of chatty Cathy's. Finally, the day ends with 7th period - Drawing & Painting. It is a small class, like my Ceramics & Sculpture, but all upperclassman. All day, I repeated myself, passing out papers, reviewing the syllabi, materials and expectations.
I left school for a while, but had to return at 7PM for a school-wide coaches meeting!

Tuesday - More going over papers in all of my classes and beginning to discuss more rules, procedures, and expectations. During my 7th period class, my principle came in to observe. THAT'S RIGHT, the 2ND day of school, I GOT OBSERVED. It was very nerve-racking. I don't get nervous and I didn't feel very nervous while he was in there, but after he left, I kept thinking about all the things I did wrong, or didn't do. Ugh! Hopefully, when I see the observation notes, it will all be good. I gave my Comp. Art classes and D&P classes their first projects: Name Plates and Mini-books about themselves (respectively).

Wednesday - I began notes in most of my classes about the Purposes of Art / Realms of Art / Different Art Media, etc. Just the basics. I also gave Pre-Tests in my Comp. Art classes

Thursday - Is the day I have chosen to Art History. I think it is hard to accurately incorporate Art History without having a lesson directly focused on it. Every class, except my AP and Select Studio class does Art History. My Ceramics & Sculpture focus on the Sculpture History and my Drawing & Painting class focus on particular artists.

Friday - I have to say, I understand why they say "TGIF." By the time I got to Friday, I was so exhausted, I came home and slept. And slept good. I had my Comp. 1 classes turn in their Name Plate projects as well as my D&P class turn in their Mini-books!

This Weekend - Has consisting of sleeping and TAX FREE WEEKEND! I have been grading projects, planning the semester, setting up my class binders, complete with standards and handouts. Still left is to finish grading projects, and creating my supply list of supplies that need to be ordered as well as create 2-3 presentations for next week. On the bright side, Cheerleading Tryouts are Wednesday and Thursday AND One-Act auditions are Monday and Tuesday (I was roped into judging auditions) AND if my student's do not bring back their signed forms on Monday, they will have detention on Tuesday afternoon! I guarantee I will at least 3-5, hopefully not more!!! I'll keep you posted.

~Mrs. Brown (the Art Teacher!)

OMG! I start school on Monday!

Well, these past two weeks have been a whirlwind of excitement and busy-ness. To recap.

Two weeks, ago I went to TIP (Teacher Induction Program), where I took various workshops, that reminded me of my Masters program. I met all the new teachers at my school like me, as well as new teachers to the county in my same position. It was an explosion of information and made everything seem so much more real! I also got my Teacher ID... I have wild woman hair, but it's official, I am a teacher! We had Thursday off, so I worked in my room, repainting the back bookshelves and cabinets. Katie, one of the other new teachers stayed the entire time and helped me. I could not have done it without her! THANK YOU SO MUCH! AND on Friday, I got new tables!!! They are actually the old art tables, but when Ray got the drafting tables they just stored these away. They found them, and we got rid of those hideous & dangerous metal desks!

Then this past week was PrePlanning. I met a TON of the faculty at my school and have begun the process of learning all their names, positions, and room numbers.

Monday- We had a faculty meeting, where of course the Principal introduced the "newbies" and we had to standup and wave *awkward*. (And of course, I was the first one called). Then we had short mini-sessions to fill us in on various topics such as Emergency Plans, Restraint, School Goals, and more. In the afternoon, we got to work in our classrooms, and BOY O' BOY did mine still need a LOT of work. Chad has been such a blessing helping me get everything together and set up. He has come in every day afterwork and stayed several hours with me. He even figured out how to rip down the scary sculpture/mural without ruining the wall.

Tuesday- Was work in your room day, and department meetings. My department meeting consists of the Fine Arts Department (so me, the band director and the chorus/drama teacher); therefore, it was only an hour long meeting. We discussed our goals for the year in relation to our department and school wide. My mom also came up and helped me decorate! She is magic with fabric on bulletin boards. Chad took a half day too and helped me, by finishing the curtains and sanding and repainting where the sculpture/mural use to be.

Wednesday- Was the county professional learning day. I had to be at another school at 8AM for the AP Fine Arts meeting. I met a bunch of the AP Art teachers as well as AP Music Theory teachers. We discussed how the SLOs are going to go and what classes they are official for and which ones they are working on. And then, we were told we did not have to come back at 1PM for the High School Art meeting. However, some of us want to get together/stay and discuss Ceramics & Sculpture. I'm glad that I stayed because I got a list of all the Art teachers names/numbers/emails to keep in touch with them as well as project ideas. One teacher, Rebecca (great name) was SUPER DUPER helpful and I look forward to collaborating with her via email, she seems like a BIG help! Then I returned to school to work on my classroom more.

Thursday- Was OPEN House day! We were allowed to work in our classroom all day and Open House was from 1-3PM (but really like 330PM). I spent most of the morning attempting to finish my syllabi so that I could give them out at Open House, but I mostly finished just the Comprehensive Art I. I wasn't nervous, until I saw TONS of families, but none were coming to the Art room! (Sad day), but over time, they started pouring in. I had three full sheets on my sign in. (Which made it hard for sending thank you emails). Every parent I met was very excited and enthusiastic about their child taking Art, and majority of the students I met, were also very excited. After it was all said and done, my feet hurt! But I had to stay from 4-630PM, because I had to take POINT Training and it was the last session of it!

Friday- Was faculty meeting and mini-workshops again. These workshops covered Child Abuse, Wikis, Infinite Campus and BYOT (Bring Your Own Technology). The faculty meeting covered Attendance, Media Center and the renovations. Our administration did a skip like the Avengers. It was pretty funny seeing the Principal dressed up like Captain America in full costume with fake muscles, and a mask with wings sticking out to the sides. Our department went out to lunch, which was nice, getting to know the ladies (we're all girls). Then when I got back Coach Jen (Head Cheerleading Coach) met up with me and showed me how to get onto Infinite Campus and do cool stuff. Then all the newbies had to meet in the Media Center for a Q&A. Then we had the rest of the day on our own in our classroom. Oh and funny story, on Thursday for Open House, I wrote on the board, "Weclome to Art" and didn't notice it until today! baha!

I still feel like I have TONS to do. I, at least, have all my syllabi done for all my classes as well as a materials list. I still need to print off my bathroom passes, and Select Studio/AP paperwork, but most everything on the paper end is complete (for now). I still need to cutout and binder-ize my standards and create a binder for each class, substitute binder, SpEd. binder, and cheerleading binder.

OMG! WE START ON MONDAY WITH STUDENTS!!!

I am excited and nervous at the same time!
Here is my schedule:
7:35-8AM - Duty by the Gym Lobby Entrance
1st period - Planning
2nd period - Comprehensive Art I
3rd period - Ceramics/Sculpture
4th period - Comprehensive Art I - 1st Lunch
5th period - Selected Studio/AP Studio Art
6th period - Comprehensive Art I
7th period - Drawing/Painting
And done.

I also have a coaches meeting Monday at 7PM. It is going to be a long day! Wish me luck!

Again, I will try to keep you posted, forgive me if it takes me a while, and I will get the before and after pictures on here for you to see of my classroom. Everyone says it looks SO different. The Principal even said it looks "so good"!!!

-Mrs. Brown the Art Teacher

Teacher Induction Program (TIP) - Day One

Day One of the new teacher, Teacher Induction Program (TIP) is over.

It began at 8AM (oh the joys of getting up early). I registered and found a friend (Shout-out Mrs. Hanson) and then my principal brought ever new teacher over to where we were sitting, introduced them and we all sat together. There are two ELA teachers, a Biology, a Math, a SS and me! Four of the six of us our brand new teachers. The math teacher, will be co-coaching with me (so I knew her already!) One of the ELA teachers actually went to graduate school with me, but was in a different cohort.

Our first session was an introduction to the program and leadership and administration. It was followed by information on our benefits. Then we had a bit of a break to explore vendors and talk with HR.

We had lunch and after lunch we broke up into smaller groups for workshop sessions. My first one was on RT3 (Race to the Top). It discussed the new way in which teachers and leadership is evaluated. My second session was on Ethics. We simply reviewed the common sense of the Code of Ethics as well as some examples of those who chose not to follow those. My final session was about RTI. I really felt like I was in school over again in this one.

I do not know what tomorrow holds but I'm excited to get back to work. Oh and I also met the new art teacher at HCHS. She was the only other new hire in art for the county; therefore, it was nice to meet her and we will be teaching the same things, so I got her contact information if I had any questions.

Julia came over tonight to go over our syllabi for the classes we are both teaching respectively. I have still yet to do work (oh dear!) I think I will start working on posters though!

We have a free day on Thursday, so I think I will start decorating then! (Excited!)

-Mrs. Brown the Art Teacher

Coaching!

Not only will I be embarking on a first year teaching journey, but also a first year coaching journey. I met today with the head cheerleading coach (my second time meeting with her) and the other interested coach. Turns out the two of us (the newbies) will be co-coaching the basketball cheerleading team. It was nice to meet and discuss any questions we had as well as discuss the upcoming season and tryouts.

We also got official "coaching" shirts!

Tryouts are the second week of school, so it is fast approaching.

Until then, I have lots of cleaning and organizing to finish up in my classroom as well as TIP next week and pre-planning the week after.

-Mrs. Brown / Coach Brown!

AP Day 4

Last day.

Today, has gone by fast. We reviewed 3D rubric/scoring of portfolio. As well as used studio time to finish all of our works we did not yet. I finished my cards and worked on my map. My puppets are dry but need to be painted and clothed. My cardboard figure was 'finished' yesterday, but I would like to continue to add to it. See all the images below! I have also included works on my peers that I thought were outstanding. Enjoy~

(Left)
My deconstructed catalog page. I wanted to create a play on the words 'terror' and 'error' with deconstruction and teaching (being a first year teacher - slightly scary!). Out of all the pieces, I struggled the most with this piece.
I wish I had a before and after. Oh well!

(Right)
My Concertina book with maps.
I based it on places I called 'Home.'

It starts with my hometown and alma mater, moves to my college town and college, then my home-away-from-home, a camp I worked at, travels across the sea to Ireland, and finally rests in my local location!

I wanted to focus on the Principle of Unity/Variety with the map, use of primary colors and line quality as well as the Element of texture, and space.

This piece is definitely my favorite. It is still unfinished, I am excited to work more into it.

(Left)
The head of my puppet made from plaster gauze.
It was so easy to make, I will definitely use this in the classroom. We attached the heads to sticks from outside. My piece is still unfinished, I need to go in and paint the head as well as add arms, legs, clothing, and hair. I'll try to remember to post pictures when I complete it.

(Below) My cardboard piece and I posing together. As you can see my shins aren't quite to scale! This was an extremely fun process and piece. I would not recommended it for Intro. classes, but definitely advanced classes. We first sketched our portrait with shoulders and then we (the classes) were assigned stations and we rotated our pieces around the room and the people came to life with vivid colors and mark-making. Then over the course of the next few days, we drew and cut our body parts out and then switched them with other people so that we did not end up designing our own. Then today, we put all the pieces back together! It is a piece that I think I will continue to work and rework. I love the assemblage/collage aspect of the different pieces. This is a great 2D concept!

I also wanted to include some of my peers work, because I found it outstanding!

Below (Left) John C's (Center) John G's and (Right) Pier's.

*Click images to see enlarged.

Below are three examples of puppets: (Left) Unfinished bunny, (Center) John C's and (Right) John G's reaper.

Below is our teacher's example of reusing classroom materials. As art teachers, we all have run into old dried out (unwashed) paintbrushes...by adding plaster gauze we created puppets/figurines a la Mr. Imagination.