Miss Art of Teaching

Visual Arts Year 6 Term 2 My high school offers transition lessons for our local primary school. Every Tuesday afternoon, our local primary school brings over their Year 6 students. The students are split off into groups to try a few taster classes. It helps prepare them for high school as they learn about the school structure and routines. Inside my classroom, they have been working together to make the 'What Lifts You' mural. Every student contributes by making a feather design. Resources that can benefit Year 6 students: Instructions:  What Lifts You Year 7 Term 1 Every year we start off with a Self-portrait unit with the Year 7 students. I decided to spice things up and use Snapchat filters on my students. We used the dog filter on Snapchat as it still allowed a reasonable amount of realism to be portrayed in their artworks. Students' artworks are now on display in the CAPA corridors. Resources that can benefit Year 7 students: Instruction...

Every year we start off with a self-portrait unit with the Year 7 students. I decided to spice things up and take Snapchat selfies of my students. We used the dog filter on Snapchat as it still allowed a reasonable amount of realism to be portrayed in their artworks. I teach 3 x Year 7 classes. Instructions. 1. Take individual photos of students using the dog filter on Snapchat. 2. Print out the photos as A4.  3. Create a grid for students. Photocopy a class set. 4. Using the same grid, photocopy it onto overhead sheets. Make a class set.  5. Attach the overhead sheet over the photo. 6. Show students how to use the grid system. I like to start from the nose. I always print out an example and attach it onto my whiteboard and show them how to follow the grid system. A great artist to introduce is Chuck Close. He uses the grid system in his work.  If students have trouble following the grid system, make them a view finder so they can isolate th...

Since last night, I have been working, working and working. There is so much I want to do but physically I can only do so much in one go. I got up early this morning to finish off what I wanted to do. I think I must have a love and hate relationship with working in my own spare time. I find what I do interesting but at the same time, I whine to myself. I spent almost two hours last night uploading new prizes onto the Vivo online school shop, making facebook posts and sending emails in regards to the school's Vivo rewards program. Vivos is a rewards program we used to reward students using virtual points. Students can exchange the virtual points for a prize of their own liking.  I have been actively seeking for more donations from the school and local community. Parramatta Riverbank has kindly offered a double pass to see Dracula. Here is my post on the school's facebook: Above: DRACULA double passes. I started making a PowerPoint for the 'Meet the Teachers...

I added a new class mascot into my classroom. She's going to help keep an eye out for me. My Wicked Witch from Wizard of Oz may have an unhealthy habit of eating naughty children. Above: Pop Vinyl figure. Students have already started asking me where they can purchase one. I started taking 'Snapchat' photos of my Year 7 Visual Arts students. The photos will be used for their portrait drawing unit. Students will be using the grid drawing system to break down a bigger image into manageable parts. By using the Snapchat filters, it makes this unit of work more appealing to them. It also makes the drawing task a bit easier since there are also cartoon aspects to it. I have included some eye stickers over their photos to protect the identity of my students. When I print their pictures out, there will only be the dog filter. Students had a blast taking photos. Above: Photos of students using 'Snapchat' filters. I have also been taking photos fo my stu...

I had a terrific day meeting new students. There were a lot of new names to learn but it helped by repeating their names and assigning them with a 'number' for the iHelp chart (classroom job distributor). I also encouraged class discussions by pulling out their names, which I had written on paddle pop sticks.  I am so glad to have made some very positive relationships with a number of students last year. Today, I asked two year 12 students to help me put up the 'Happy Notes' backdrop. They are students who I have always stop to have a chat but don't actually teach them for any subjects. Sometimes moments like these make it even more special. I appreciate the time that I get (if I do get it) to speak to students in the morning. A simple wave and hello helps to brighten up their morning. Bribing them with Vivos (School virtual rewards system) also work! Above: Happy notes wall. Need to fill up the back wall with more Art related posters. I didn't actu...