March 2nd

The students were finishing up the origami unit today with one last project from their booklets. It was a level three project, and if they were advanced, they were allowed to move on to the level four project if they felt individually capable. As usual, the teacher folded a piece of paper in front of the classroom and went through the steps so the students could follow. There were students that got off track again as I worked my way around the room and assisted them. This particular project was a Lilly, and it was much simpler than the other level three projects they had been doing before. This made my job a bit easier, because there was a lot less confusion. The students got through the project in a timely manor and were happy with the end results. Many of the girls were so excited about their paper flowers that they put them in their hair. There was some scented lotion in the room and some of the girls put lotion from their hands into the center of the flower to make it smell good. The guys didn't seem to appreciate this project as much as the others, but they did male oriented projects on other days to make sure that everyone enjoyed at least one of the origami projects.

When they had finished the origami unit, the teacher began explaining how they would be painting their ceramic containers from a couple of weeks before. She explained how they were at the bisque stage and were ready to apply paint. She brought the students into the back room where the acrylic paint is kept (it surprised me that they would be using acrylic paint instead of glaze). The teacher explained that they had to be careful with their use of the brushes and only take a small amount of paint at a time. Their resources were limited, since they only had so many palates and needed to share between each table! Their painting resources are very limited. She also showed them how to dust off their bisqued pieces before applying paint. Then, she took all of the students over to the sink and showed them how to properly clean a brush (warm or cool water, soap, and brushing motion over the palm of the hand). There were some brushes in the room that were not properly cleaned out, and she showed them what not to do with this example. When the explanation was over, the teacher dismissed the boys to dust off their pieces and the girls to get their paint. Then they switched (to avoid chaos). This system worked well. I positioned myself in the paint area to make sure that the student knew what they were doing and stayed to help them if needed.

Once the students knew what they were doing, the teacher and I talked for a bit. I asked her about the lesson that I will be teaching in the near future, and she is very flexible. I suggested that I could teach something involving drawing, since the supplies of this class are quite limited. She said that sounded like a good idea because the paint resources are very limited and can be very chaotic to use appropriately. Also, the students are moving into a drawing unit, with ribbon drawing to start them off. She said that I could use two days to teach my lesson and it doesn't matter if it interrupts one of her projects. I really appreciate her flexibility and openness.

Since the idea of layoffs are still fresh, I felt it inappropriate asking her why she became an art teacher. Instead, I asked her about the principal observing her. She told me that he had observed her just last week during her drawing class. It is a regular occurrence that she is observed by the principal. I found this to be unusual, since the other teachers I have worked with very rarely are observed. She didn't seem to mind that he was observing her, but it does seem a little nerve wracking to me. I also asked her if she turns in her lesson plans to the principal. She said that there is a monthly outlook of her lesson plans that she shows the principal, but other than that it is pretty relaxed. The other district that she had previously worked for asked for a weekly plan. She told me that it is pretty rare to find a school that asks for all of your lessons.

The students were busy painting their containers. During her talk, the teacher discussed mixing colors with the students and explained how using color straight from the tube is not the best option. It was disappointing to see that most of the students were in fact using the colors straight from the tube. I think the main reason for this is that the students only had about ten minutes to paint before class was over, and they felt rushed. The teacher did tell them that they could save their colors until tomorrow with plastic wrap, but they still seemed to rush through things.

As they painted, the teacher and I began talking again. She apologized for being "so crabby" lately, and I simply said that I understand why she is upset with everything that is going on recently and that I realize it is a lot to take in. She talked to me about how a layoff could affect her and her family and personally opened up a bit. It was very hard to hear, knowing that many people are going through the same thing right now. Politics aside, the possibility of a layoff and the personal consequences of it on her are heartbreaking. I was happy to listen to her and hear her out, as I can only imagine her stress level.

It was time for the students to clean up, and we monitored to make sure the everything was put away and clean before they left. One thing I have noticed that works well in this art classroom is that the teacher dismisses the students, not the bell.