Before we begin a new theme at Summers-Knoll, all of the teachers research that theme, and begin to form lessons and project plans that we want to do with the kids. We also have meetings to share our plans with each other and sometimes combine classes or take whole school outings together. The really fun part for me is when the kids become involved and then the plans take a new turn. For instance, when studying Renaissance art, I really became attached to the idea of studying and talking about perspective in realistic depictions of scenes. I was also interested in the narrative and symbolic nature of Renaissance art. For a warm up, we began by learning to draw human proportion and talk a little bit about chiaroscuro, or intense shading. The kids got really excited about this. Which means my lessons on perspective will have to wait, while we take this lovely turn in the road and study drawing more deeply. Having the flexibility to follow where the student's interest takes us is a gift. By going to the subjects that interest them, we all have a more meaningful experience. But also, this is a little bit of an explanation for why the calendar that I have posted will not always match what you see happening in the room. I think it is important to have a kind of a road map for the theme, all the time recognizing that we will be stopping along the way and changing the course a bit.
Friday, September 17, 2010
Some thoughts about planning
Before we begin a new theme at Summers-Knoll, all of the teachers research that theme, and begin to form lessons and project plans that we want to do with the kids. We also have meetings to share our plans with each other and sometimes combine classes or take whole school outings together. The really fun part for me is when the kids become involved and then the plans take a new turn. For instance, when studying Renaissance art, I really became attached to the idea of studying and talking about perspective in realistic depictions of scenes. I was also interested in the narrative and symbolic nature of Renaissance art. For a warm up, we began by learning to draw human proportion and talk a little bit about chiaroscuro, or intense shading. The kids got really excited about this. Which means my lessons on perspective will have to wait, while we take this lovely turn in the road and study drawing more deeply. Having the flexibility to follow where the student's interest takes us is a gift. By going to the subjects that interest them, we all have a more meaningful experience. But also, this is a little bit of an explanation for why the calendar that I have posted will not always match what you see happening in the room. I think it is important to have a kind of a road map for the theme, all the time recognizing that we will be stopping along the way and changing the course a bit.
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We are lucky to have you, Ruth. This is such an amazing start to the year, David is entranced with the idea of realistic drawing and painting and he's in love with the art. You have a gift for making this all so exciting for children. Thank you!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Ruth! I've enjoyed hearing Oliver talk about his realistic drawings. I also love how he is integrating his sense of humor along with the realism as his father's portrait so clearly shows him imitating our dog's facial expressions. Michael really does make this face (did you hear about the "whale eye"?)! Love it.
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