Inspired by My Practicum Students

I am not an origami person.  I've done "some" in the past, but have never taught an origami lesson to my students because I never felt it was my "thing".  One of my practicum students this semester asked if she could teach an origami lesson.  I told her to have at it, because it was something I never did with them.  I watched her teach the lesson to two second grade classes, and they LOVED it!!!  So I decided I'd go ahead and teach my other second grade classes her lesson.  

I HAD SO MUCH FUN!!!!  Now I'm not saying I'm now some origami master, but I think I might try to include some origami into my curriculum!

Bulletin Board/Displays: Practicum Students Edition

As part of my MTSU practicum students' requirements....they had to create a bulletin board or display in my classroom.  I have to admit...it is challenging to come into someone else's room that has a vibe & try to make something that would fit within that teacher's style.  We talked about possible ideas, and I created a list for them of things I'd find useful in my classroom.  However, I did tell them if they had an idea....I was open to other possibilities.  I also let them know I might make changes to their boards/displays once they've left to better fit into my classroom.  This isn't to be mean, but I have to live in this space.....they were just visiting! ha ha
Here are what my practicum students created. 

Doing their best Vanna White impersonation!!!!

I really loved her poster...it is so sweet!! 

I had been working on a unit with my 1st graders about emotions.  

I love that I now have a poster to be a reminder for my students!!

I had a pre-existing board that needed changed out! (this is my super hero inspired ARTIST LEAGUE board) She found this amazing Brazilian artist(female & still alive!!) that I just love!!!!  Can't wait to create some lessons using Beatriz Milhazes as inspiration.

Practicum Take Over!!!

'My practicum students created & taught their own lessons this week!!  It has been fun to watch them as they see success & areas that need improvement.  As a teacher of many many moons.....it is so energizing to see young educators start to discover who they are!!

2nd Grade
Ms. Wilson did a POP ART lesson focused on Andy Warhol's Campbell's Soup Cans.
The kids loved creating their own wacky flavors.
(Though one is Mr. E flavored...and the paint brush has red on it?? My blood?)

1st Grade

Ms. Saunders focused her lessons on Picasso & him abstracted portraits.

The students laughed so much as they created versions of themselves with eyes, ears, and mouths going every which way!  They also enjoyed using construction paper crayons.

Ms. Alday read to the students a story about scarecrows.  The students focused on using shapes to create their works of art.  They also used construction paper crayons.  

The practicum students are doing an amazing job...and my students are really enjoying them being here at our school!!  It is really a win-win situation if you are on the fence about practicum students!! 

SO FUNNY!!!

The practicum students are required to take pictures of themselves & send them to their professor each time they come to my classroom.  Well...I thought it would be fun to brighten their professor's day!!! So we are doing silly pictures in the art room every Monday & Tuesday!! I'm glad they are such amazing sports about this!! 

Can I just keep them forever!!! 

Practicum Students

I'm fortunate to teach in an area that has several colleges that offer art education.  This allows me the opportunity for observations, practicum students, and student teachers.  I count it a blessing, privileged, and duty to welcome these educators in training into my classroom, and be a part of their art education journey.  Any one of them could potentially teach my students in the years to come.  Any one of them could potentially teach my own children.  I care about my students...and I care about my kids!! I want them to have the best possible art education....and if I can play a part in that....why wouldn't I?!?!

I encourage my practicum students to set down and work along side the kids to get to know them...and to model art skills & details in their work. 

I also have them take over parts of my lessons as soon as possible.  I want them to gain confidence in the art room...and have as many experiences as possible!!  They will teach their own lesson in a week or two....this was just getting them more prepared!!! 

They enjoyed the emotion monster lesson I was doing with 1st grade....but I'm wondering why they all did angry?!?!!? What is going on in my practicum students' lives??!??!?! ha ha ha  

Practicum Students' Poster/Display

I've long worked with the art education department at MTSU (Middle TN State University).  I've had a majority of my student teachers come from there, and who knows how many practicum students!!!  They truly have a wonderful program that well prepares their student for the world of art education.

As part of their stay with me (they send me three at a time..twice a week... for about 5 weeks),  they have to create a bulletin board/display.  I'm kind of possessive about my bulletin boards...so have them make posters for my wall.  Here are this year's offerings!! 

Practicum Student Ms. M: 4th Mood Landscapes

Ms. M is the third & final practicum student I have this cycle from MTSU.

(They almost always send 3 at a time!).  

I'm sorry I don't have any images of the the students created with Ms. M.  She did an amazing lesson using art criticism & aesthetics for a majority of the class, and then had a short studio at the end to tie everything together.  The student wrote in their journals, discussed with their neighbors, and shared in large group.  Ms. M did a great job guiding the students through this process!! 

Practicum Student Mrs. J: 1st Grade Seahorses With Pattern

Mrs. J is another practicum student from MTSU that has been spending time in my art room.  She taught a lesson to 1st grade on seahorses.  The students loved her Power Point & enjoyed working with oil pastels for the first time.  They focused on Shape & Pattern.  

Mrs. J has a great teacher voice & is very animated when she is giving instruction!  

The seahorses turned out very cute!!  I loved the variety of patterns & color!!

Practicum Student Ms.H: Lines With Kindergarten

I open my room to student teachers, practicum students, and observations every year.  I believe in helping to develop the next generation of art educators, and truly enjoy my time with them.  This looks like the first year in about a decade I'm not going to have a student teacher.  

However, right now I'm hosting 3 practicum students from MTSU.  They have been a wonderful group!  This post is about Ms. H's lesson.  She chose to work with Kindergarten.  I love when people are up for the challenge of our littlest people!!  She really did well for her first time developing a lesson plan & teaching it!  In the picture she is teaching the students about lines in a kinesthetic manner. So much fun!!

They applied the lines they learned about in a turtle drawing.  They used construction paper crayons to finish their work.  This was the first time Ms. H used them...and she LOVED them(I do too).  One of the greatest things about Ms. H....she wants to grow!!!  I love when a up & coming teacher comes humbly to the table...and just wants to learn!  She is going to learn...she is going to grow...and she is going to make a great art teacher!!

TAEA TUESDAY: Learning A New Skill

TAEA TUESDAY-  This is a feature I'm adding to my blog to address questions/concerns/situations from my TAEA Elementary Division Peeps!  HOWEVER....EVERYONE CAN READ ON!  It is just good teaching info funness(not a word..I know).  

This is in regards to taking on Practicum & Student Teachers.  In TN we have a TON of universities.  There are many opportunities to mentor if you make the connections to do so.       

 

I think most of us can say that "ON THE JOB TRAINING" has taught us a great deal!  I know that even though my training at Bowling Green State University was AMAZING....there were still some holes in my knowledge base.  Come on...we teach in a HUGE field.  ART!  How can you know it all...EVER?!?!? :) ha ha  So my first year of teaching...I learned circle weaving.  It was in the curriculum...and had to be taught.  Lets just say...it was a rough go!!!  However, over the years I've grown to love this project....and it is one of my favorite times of the year.  So today...as I was talking to my practicum students from MTSU...they told me they had never done circle weaving before!  Well...I didn't want them to have to learn the way I did...so during planning...I taught them a new skill!! If you take on practicum students or student teachers...try to find a media or project they may not know how to do & teach them!!!  Think back to your first year or two...and pull from the many things you didn't know how to do!