Day 3 was great; the students are becoming more comfortable with me and are beginning to ask me more questions! I even got to contribute to the lecture that Mr. H. was giving, which I appreciate because I gave a greater source of credibility and authority. This was important for me, especially with the 8th graders. I’m starting to feel less and less like an observer, and more like an actual teacher.
In one class, Advance High School Art, they are doing large self-directed paintings. They are working in teams of two, painting themed collages that are about 7ft long by 2ft tall. There are special holders for these set ups in the halls, and many painting of this project from the past fill the halls. The project is mostly self-directed, and the students are working at very different paces.
Mr. H. and I have decided on a lesson for me to teach, and I will be coming in to do it on Monday through Wednesday. That puts me in a bit of a crunch situation, but I think it will be a good learning experience for what it will be like as a real teacher. A little pressure will be good for me, and I will be sent the criteria for the lesson this weekend. I am not writing my own lesson because Mr. H. has a specific agenda for what to teach this class, and I have to respect that. The class I will be teaching is 2D II, the most advanced class offered this semester. Although I have not been in this class due to my schedule, I will making special arrangements for next week, as Mr. H. feels that I should be teaching this class for the best experience.
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Day 2
Mr. H is great to work with. He has only one rule: be nice. When students want to use the restroom, he lets them go without a pass or anything. If they cause trouble when they are gone, they will not be allowed to go again. Other rules are not listed, as they are basic school rules, involving food in a lab, profanity, fighting, and whatnot. The students are well behaved for the most part, and listen when Mr. H. calmly asks them to stop misbehaving. The classes I am observing in are 8th grade art, advanced high school art, and 2D II. I am also usually present for a sign language class that takes place between art classes that is very interesting. Procedures are basic; attendance, cleanup, and rules are well respected and done with a naturalness that seems to have been developed out of habit.
Mr. H. has an abundance of knowledge, and we never run of things to discuss. All things are very relevant, insightful, and I feel like I have learned more from him in 2 days than I could learn with others in a semester. I fully intend to student teach under him if possible. He believes in what he does and has such experience and insight that I almost can’t imagine student teaching under another. We have already begun discussing what lesson I will be teaching, and his lesson are amazing, incorporating higher thought that goes far beyond art itself, teaching students things without them even realizing the new skills and knowledge they have acquired beyond the art itself, but it is clearly evident to me as I watch them work and discuss. I believe I will be teaching the 2D II class, maybe as soon as next week!
One question I had for him was why he got into teaching. When Mr. H. began his teaching career, he was a biology teacher. Being that his father was an artist, he eventually learned to teach it, saying it was something that he tried to get away from but couldn’t. Haha! I guess the power art has over people is strong. He says he enjoys teaching art much more, as it involves life skills and knowledge from other disciplines as well as personal expression. I feel that it is good when a person knows they want to be a teacher before knowing what they want to teach, as it shows there interest in the development of children rather than their own personal interests (although when you chose a discipline you will likely pick the one you know the best). It not a matter of if subject passion is important for a teacher (as it obviously is), its just that the priority should be dedication to the students and their growth. I feel Mr. H. is an example of this, and I’m glad that he is teaching a subject he loves to students that he cares about.
Mr. H. has an abundance of knowledge, and we never run of things to discuss. All things are very relevant, insightful, and I feel like I have learned more from him in 2 days than I could learn with others in a semester. I fully intend to student teach under him if possible. He believes in what he does and has such experience and insight that I almost can’t imagine student teaching under another. We have already begun discussing what lesson I will be teaching, and his lesson are amazing, incorporating higher thought that goes far beyond art itself, teaching students things without them even realizing the new skills and knowledge they have acquired beyond the art itself, but it is clearly evident to me as I watch them work and discuss. I believe I will be teaching the 2D II class, maybe as soon as next week!
One question I had for him was why he got into teaching. When Mr. H. began his teaching career, he was a biology teacher. Being that his father was an artist, he eventually learned to teach it, saying it was something that he tried to get away from but couldn’t. Haha! I guess the power art has over people is strong. He says he enjoys teaching art much more, as it involves life skills and knowledge from other disciplines as well as personal expression. I feel that it is good when a person knows they want to be a teacher before knowing what they want to teach, as it shows there interest in the development of children rather than their own personal interests (although when you chose a discipline you will likely pick the one you know the best). It not a matter of if subject passion is important for a teacher (as it obviously is), its just that the priority should be dedication to the students and their growth. I feel Mr. H. is an example of this, and I’m glad that he is teaching a subject he loves to students that he cares about.
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