Miss Art of Teaching

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...

I am going to keep today's post quite light.  I recently purchased a laptop bag for $34.99 from Forever New. I am loving it. It is easy for me to carry my class worksheets, a notebook with my checklist, phone, and even a water bottle. It goes well with all outfits and it is comfortable to hold.  For the entire week, I have been pairing all my outfits with my cat shoes. They are the only wedges that make me feel like I am walking on heaven. I can easily last a six-period day in them and still feel good. The students love them and I receive a lot of compliments. It goes with everything.  Today the Year 7's received their photo package and showed me my photo. I am so glad that my face is not as greasy compared to the previous years.  My favourite person gave the CAPA faculty a visit today. All the art teachers got into one photo. I used to team teach with her. She is a fantastic mentor and friend.

This year, I volunteered to take photos at the swimming carnival. I ended up taking and uploading around 230 photos onto the school Facebook page. Students enjoyed having their photos taken. Overall, I had a great day but being sick and in the 39 degrees heat did not really help. My legs were extremely sore and my muscles ached.

I love seeing students sketching and documenting ideas in their Visual Arts Journal. Year 9 and 10 students are working on creating ideas based on 'Environmental Issues'. School photos was on today. Hoping the Year 7 enjoyed their first high school photo session. 

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...

Year 7 will start their first day tomorrow. I still remember my first day of high school. I was standing alone in my roll call line waiting for instructions on where to go. The only other person I knew, was standing very far away. My six years of high school life was like a roller coaster ride. There were many ups and downs. However, my 'memories' remind me of how high school was not just about the academic side but about making life long friends. Every day I speak to my high school friends via sms and I meet them regularly for food feasts and hiking trips. Since I am the Year 7 Adviser, I want students to see the value of making memories. It has become the focus of my speech. I want students to make memories together. I want them to also understand that we all take part in someone's memories, so we need to remember to be kind to one another. Kindness is also the theme for my classroom this year.  I will be taking a lot of photos as I love recording down memories and I...