Although I think my students enjoyed painting during fine arts, it was a management and organization challenge. Challenge may be an understatement. And of course I was being formally observed. Of course I would choose the most difficult task to try when I am being watched and my every move is being recorded. But I really wanted to do art that included skill....so here we are.
We survived through it; not too much paint ended up on the floor. The clean up was wild but it happened. Through all of this I learned a lot. Don't EVER paint with Grade 7 students. That's what I was thinking at first. But now I realize that I just need to refine my instructions, my modelling, and my organizational skills. (Also my EA's were completely AMAZING)! First of all I needed to take out the paint and show my students exactly what to do! Like have a pallet of paint and begin painting. Do a few lines. Then bring out a finished version of the art. Just like on the Food Network when Martha says, "now I'm going to put this in the oven. I am taking out one I've already made before. And that's a good thing!"
Also getting kids to move their desks from lines into groups, then move to other groups to find their paint colour, then nominating a person to collect the group's materials....then.....starting to paint.
It looked more like this.....Mrs. Radloff gives instructions. Everyone gets up and desks and chairs start flying. Once the desks are stationed students think they need to stay in 'their desks'. When I clarify it, kids finally get into their colour groups. Then all the kids sit and wait, forgetting to nominate anyone to collect materials. Then Mrs. Radloff thinks, 'you know what? maybe its less chaos if she and the EAs just hand everything out. This entire process is wild, very few children finish, and it took me four more days to get everyone done. Four DAYS.
So as I was reflecting I realized one big thing....CHUNKING. Chunk directions. I could have said, move desks and sit down. Then I could have said okay choose one student and go retrieve materials. Then sit down again. Then I could have modelled the strategy. Then the student could have started. Lots of 'could haves'. I guess that's what practicum is all about.
Great post Ida Mae!! I felt like I was right there with you in your classroom...going through the process!!! Oh wait....that was MY grade 7 art lesson that I was reliving while I read your blog! haha! Yes, there was chaos! But were the learning goals met? yes. Did the students complete the paintings? yes. Did they engage and enjoy the project? yes and yes. Would we do things differently next time? YES! but not entirely!! The management issues that you have reflected upon are about it...break directions up and make the setup/cleanup process more clear and straightforward. Other than that...I'd say job well done!
ReplyDeleteSounds chaotic but fun :) I had a formally observed lesson that just BOMBED.. it was math, but it was Halloween and chaos definitely describes it. I felt so defeated at the end and was dreading my post-conference with my PS. When I sat down to talk to him about it, he said "what do you think you could have done differently?" I was thinking that everything could have been done differently, but I thought about it and told him exactly what I would do differently next time and how I would have managed the class better. After that, he told me that all that matters is that we are actively reflecting on our lessons and experiences to do better next time. He also told me that if every lesson went well and according to the plan, that I would never learn anything.
ReplyDeleteSo now chaos just means "learning experience." And, teaching would be so boring if we didn't have a little chaos now and again :)
Very good points...it's difficult to see those moments as learning moments at first...but I was thinking that we can't (and can't be expected to) be perfect teachers that know a lot and have so much experience and all the answers. I was thinking about it and really we only had 3 weeks......that's it...now we only have 6 weeks. And I know that is good but that isnt a lot of time....so it's okay that we are new and making mistakes and struggling.
ReplyDeleteI am picturing certain kids doing this lesson and I'm smiling.... Sounds like a really good learning experience though. Controlled chaos can be good, that might be an activity that those kids never get exposed to anywhere else in their lives
ReplyDeleteManagement of art lessons is a topic I will try to squeeze in before practicum next year - I'm afraid I let you sink or swim on that, although I might have written some tips on lesson plans. But you learned a lot from it - I don't think you are really committed to order in the classroom until you've experienced the chaos - and this is a great discussion! Thanks for sharing so bravely.
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