Art Classroom Field Reflection
1. The content of the lesson, written and spoken objectives, and resources used
2. The teacher, her / his teaching strategies and format / process of the lesson as presented
3. Student engagement of the lesson, classroom atmosphere, and environment
4. Classroom behavior management
5. Compare the art classroom to the regular classroom in regards to the teaching strategies, lesson presentation, student engagement, classroom atmosphere, environment, and behavior management.
- The students worked with sketching in their portfolios and print making with linoleum blocks. Before every class began, the students took their seats on the carpet space and the art room teacher clearly stated what was going to happen during the class period and how the students were going to do accomplish the given tasks. This is a lesson my particular art room teacher used for several years.
2. The teacher, her / his teaching strategies and format / process of the lesson as presented
- I have had the great opportunity to see three art classes with the fifth graders. The first class period I observed, the students were drawing self-portraits in their portfolios. I had a wonderful experience with this assignment. I was able to see many different artistic talents and I was also able to learn more about my host classrooms students by their personal touches they added to their portraits. The second art class I attended, the students redrew their portraits on a smaller piece of paper and then traced their mini portraits onto linoleum blocks. The host art teacher told me they were going to carve around their portraits after the tracing was done (unfortunately I was not there to see this part of the process). I especially enjoyed this portion of their project because it was shortly after we worked with the linoleum blocks in our own studio. The third art class I attended, the students inked their linoleum blocks and printed their self portraits on three differently colored papers.
3. Student engagement of the lesson, classroom atmosphere, and environment
- Every student enjoyed this lesson and were all involved. The classroom was covered with student art. There was not any blank wall space available. The students told me they loved having art class.
4. Classroom behavior management
- The art room instructor has a safe seat for students who are disruptive but she clearly states her expectations for the students at the beginning of each class.
5. Compare the art classroom to the regular classroom in regards to the teaching strategies, lesson presentation, student engagement, classroom atmosphere, environment, and behavior management.
- The art room instructor and the classroom instructor had similar styles of behavioral management
Classroom Field Reflection
1. What form of arts integration or interdisciplinary learning units have you observed? In what ways were the visual forms investigated, learned, discussed, or produced in the classroom?
- Currently, the fifth grade students are working on a Native American project. For this project they have been integrating writing, reading, social studies, and art. They have chosen a particular aspect of Native American life and have become an expert on the subject. Next week they begin their presentations where they are required to have a visual. I have worked with many of the students on their projects but one idea in particular is Northwestern Masks. For this student's visual aid they have created their own tribal mask. He had to research what the masks looked like, what they were made of, what they stood for, why they used them, when they used them, and so on. He will present on the mask he created.
- There was no particular Big Idea or theme presented but I have discovered several themes that could define this project such as relationships, identity, celebrations, and many more. Students have not only been instructed but encouraged to use their imagination and be as creative as they want. This project has given me a chance to see how incredibly talented this group of students is.
- Truthfully, my host teacher does an amazing job integrating many topic areas into projects. This Native American project is not the first time I have seen such integration and I am blown away by his ability to integrate so many topics.