I began teaching at Perry Central School District in January 2024. I teach 4th-8th grade, including special education classes. In my classroom we have four rules: Safe Choices; Inclusive Classroom; Mutual Respect; Best Effort. These expectations help us to maintain a safe and inclusive art room where we can play and explore all different sorts of media. Projects are student-based and constructivist, and students learn the Studio Habits of Mind.
7th-8th grade students focused on the Big Idea of Dreams to create a room using one point perspective that consisted of whatever the student desired. Students were challenged to think outside of the box and make their rooms as creative as they could. Students learned art skills such as one point perspective, and watercolor techniques.
7th-8th grade students created clay mugs. The prompt was loose so students could experiment and play since they had not used clay before. Students were prompted to create a mug that could be usable or unusable, with additive and subtractive decoration. Students learned art skills such as pinch pots, additive and subtractive techniques, how to join clay, and glazing.
7th-8th grade students created still lives. Students were prompted to set up a still life and draw it using charcoal and white pastel on brown paper. Students learned about composition and drawing from life.