![]() The past two years I have join the sixth grade team on their Outdoor Education field trip. Each teacher facilitates a different learning activity to engage students with their environment. Several groups of around twelve students rotated among the different activities for two days while visiting the camp. For my activity, I introduced each group to the land artist, Andy Goldsworthy. Prior to the field trip, we watched a video of Goldsworthy at work. We then looked at photographs of his finished work before attempting our own creations at the camp. (Below is the video we watched of Andy Goldsworthy creating, as well as photographs of his finished works) At the camp, we walked along a path to a large clearing surrounded by woods, prairie grass and a creek. I explained the importance of preserving the wonderful environment around us. Students were to find materials from the ground, but without pulling plants or trees apart. Although we used materials similar to Goldsworthy, students were not permitted to leave their finished structures. I asked groups to dismantle and return materials to their original locations. (Below is an image of the awesome classroom we worked in during the field trip) After the expectations were established, students were allowed to work individually or collaboratively. They collected materials, then built and arranged interesting structures in the style of Goldsworthy. Each of the students used a digital camera to document their creations. (Below are images of student work from 2013) (Below are images of student work from 2012) I had such a wonderful experience on this trip last year. As a first year teacher, this was a great opportunity for me to get to know my students. I learned from each group and I believe the trip helped all of us have a more meaningful school year.
STAY TUNED NEXT WEEK FOR THIS YEAR'S CREATIONS!
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![]() Last Sunday, I enjoyed a great exhibition titled, 30 Americans, at the Milwaukee Art Museum. I first learned of this exhibition years ago while preparing an art lesson for the Boys and Girls Club of Bloomington-Normal. I selected Kehinde Wiley as the artist to focus on and to demonstrate how meaning may be communicated through facial expressions and body language. I began looking for resources to share with the participating children (ages 5-12), and came across an online video promoting 30 Americans. Fast forward to a couple of years later and the exhibition is only a short drive from my new home, teaching at Oregon Elementary School. I was thrilled to see so many artists' work I had studied and admired. Now I am able to share those works with my students. My colleagues and I have been reviewing the latest draft of Common Core Art Standards. One of the priority standards will be to teach students how art may be presented. I decided to take this opportunity to introduce the concept of curating an exhibition to each sixth grade art class. These students are already studying Kehinde Wiley for a photo alteration project. I first defined exhibition and curator for students to take notes in their sketchbooks. We then watched the following video to give us information about the 30 Americans exhibition. After the video, I instructed each group of students to look at twelve images from 30 Americans and arrange them on a gallery map. Each table included a map, exhibition guides and printed images from the exhibition. I encouraged students to think about the following questions:
Below are images of the classroom setup, student collaboration and response activity ![]() The student reflections poster was also inspired by the Milwaukee Art Museum. Pictured to the right is a wall within 30 Americans full of visitors' responses to the exhibition. I asked my students to write down what they thought, felt, liked or learned from this activity. The reflections are on display next to a student gallery example in the Oregon Elementary School art hallway and is pictured below: |
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