Week 4

Ms. O left school sick yesterday and decided to take today off, so I subbed for her! Jewelry 1 is continuing to work on their first project. Compared to all the other courses, Jewelry seems the most engaged and persistent in their work. I think this is because it is a choice-based curriculum in which she introduces a set of techniques and then they can create whatever they want as long as it incorporates the set of techniques she demonstrated. For example, the first project they must use two different metals, incorporate negative space into the design, then rivet the two pieces of metal together, and then use a patina on some part of the piece. They take those guidelines and then create keychains, magnets, jewelry, objects, etc. Whatever they decide to pursue. I believe that because it is so open ended, they are more engaged and invested in their projects. I want to take that same idea and apply it to her Intro to 3D classes, because they are not engaged in this project. There are a few who are, but it was hard to control the amount of phones and laptops that were out during these classes. Also, I had to stop complimenting students' wire sculptures, because any time I did they would reply, "Yeah, Ms. O did that part." I just think that there are more ways to make students more invested in solving their own problems and working on their own projects instead of asking Ms. O to do the hard parts. An idea I have for Intro to 3D next semester is to make it a choice-based curriculum like Jewelry 1. Basically the course introduces students to techniques and processes in several different 3D materials (wire, clay, plaster, paper). So what I would like to do is have students select a theme for their semester in Intro to 3D. It could be identity, relationships, love, war, etc. whatever they want. Then, each material I introduce, students have to create a 3 dimensional work of art using the medium and techniques I demonstrate that responds to their selected theme. Then, by the end of the semester, they have a body of work that explores a theme through different mediums and processes. I think it would be a huge success and I can't wait to propose it to Ms. O.

Last week, I talked about the students in special ed who were having difficulty participating in the wire project so Ms. O and I brainstormed new approaches. This week, they have been working on the yarn portrait and it is working great! They are actually able to help in the process instead of their peer aid doing the project for them.

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Still feel weird hovering over people as they're doing their projects. Most of them did not ask for help so I just felt like a distraction. It was also awkward when I would walk by people on their phones and they wouldn't even attempt to hide them or put them away. They just kept going about their business. To me that shows there is no control over phones in the classroom, it's just a norm to be able to use them during Ms. O's class. Definitely not something I can reverse in the middle of the year, especially without her enforcing it while I'm not here, so I just ignore it now and remember to make sure I strictly enforce it at the beginning and through the year when I student teach next semester.

Other than that, I had a great day subbing and can't wait for next week!