Miss Art of Teaching

During period 3 today, I tried teaching the ALARM Matrix to my Year 11 Visual Arts students. ALARM is A Learning And Responding Matrix developed by Max Woods. It is used to provide a framework for writing, learning, deconstruction of tasks and provide students with feedback. Reflecting on my lesson today, I probably confused my students more. I made students highlight certain passages using colours that correspond to the ALARM Matrix. It was hard for students to differentiate between 'explain/discuss', 'analyse' and 'evaluate'. We ended up using yellow to cover the 'identity/outline/describe' sections and we used purple to cover the 'Interpret' sections. Students found these two areas easier to identify in passages. I decided that there must be an easier way to teach students. I asked students if other classes were using the ALARM Matrix and only one student put her hand up. The rest of the students have been using PEEL strategies. The s...

I've had a really good week with my classes. I enjoyed knowing my students more and being able to teach my content with little disturbance. I hoped they enjoyed their time in the art classroom. Throughout this week I focused on understanding the ALARM matrix, getting out my Year 11 theory assessment task, making my students aware of their time management and productivity during class time, assisting Year 7 with their self-portrait drawings and decorating my classroom. During the week I also focused on looking for more prizes for the school rewards system: Vivo miles. I posted on different Facebook groups and had one response from a gentleman who works for Eckersley. He is offering art supplies and free medium workshops. I also promoted new prizes on assembly, through the school Facebook page and through student's notices. Students are snapping up raffle tickets to build a higher chance of winning a double pass to our local wildlife park. On the side, I am still activ...

My laminator is starting to hate me by making weird noises when I feed it with more paper. Time to hit Aldi and get a new one for $17. Aldi's 'Back to School' sale is starting tomorrow and I am going to fight for goodies. I should probably set myself a budget so I don't overspend. It was too hot today to trek out. But I have been eyeing 'The Beach' event at Barangaroo. It is literally an enormous man made beach with 1.1 million recyclable polyethylene balls.  The event is part of the Sydney Festival, which runs until the 29th of January. This event is free before 9am and the last free entry ends at 3:30pm.  Today, I tried to do a bit of work by reading up materials in prep for my first Year 11 Visual Arts class. I am happy that I have the opportunity to teach a senior Art class this year. For the last couple of years I have only been teaching Year 7-10 Visual Arts and Photography subjects. I have experience teaching Year 7-11 TAS subjects but I have been wai...