What's Going on in the Classroom: Applying Value and Perspective Drawing

Hope these first weeks of school have been going well! I know they've been flying by for me. I'm kinda in love with teaching high school. My husband and I moved into a new house which is much closer to the school, so my mornings aren't nearly as early as I thought they'd be. Also, the students are so creative and talented. I'm enjoying not having to always be quieting kids down.

In my foundations class, we started with a quarter on drawing. I had the students do a pre-assessment drawing which I will use for showing growth. Then we talked about value and light and how to place value (they prefer to call it shading). We have since moved into perspective and are working on a cool one-point perspective project, creating a Surreal hallway. (Thanks Patti for the idea!) More to come on that project later. Students are having a great time, and their skills are improving, it's fun to watch!

Just a quick catch up on our Photography class as well. Student's first assignment was to take pictures of the Elements of Art and Principles of Design. Then in groups, the students worked on sorting the elements and principles without knowing which one was which. We picked our favorite examples of each one and they are proudly hanging in the hallway. On to shooting filming and developing!!

What's Going on in the Classroom: Personal Logo Project

Before diving into the first project that I'm doing with my foundations classes, I wanted to share some pictures of my classroom. It's a big adjustment, not having to decorate as much as we did in elementary. But I still wanted to bring some color and humor into the high school art room.

My desk area looking out on the student tables

Student tables and you can see our metal working station in the back

Student computers

Some decor

Going to implement a word wall for critiques

Sink area

Comfy chair for lounging

Target Goals for the day

I'm lucky to have the room all to myself! Yes, that's right. I'm the only teacher that teaches in that room. I even run a study hall in that room! 

Okay, so enough of that. For my foundations classes, we started off the year with a nice, stress-free project that would help me get to know them more as people and as artists. I introduced a Personal Logo Project yesterday. Now I have to 'fess up, I stole this idea from my colleague who used it in the same class in years past. In class, we talked about famous logos, specifically the Nike 'swoosh', and about what made that logo so great. Then we discussed the parameters for their personal logo. It had to be small, include color, no borrowed images only their own designs, and it had to share something about who they were. 

Funnily enough, it was not so stress free for a lot of the students! But as they began working, I walked around and conferred with them and most of them were able to realize some pretty cool designs! What I enjoyed was that there wasn't a lot of technical skills involved in this project so instead of instructing, I had the opportunity to walk around and observe each student and their skill level and interest in art. I also got to know a lot about the manner and pace in which they work. And even more so, I got to know more about the as a person. I call that a win, win, win! Check out these awesome personal logos.