Sierra Thomfohrda: Blog II

How have you grown as a teacher from this experience so far (skills, understanding, or knowledge gained) (lesson planning, classroom management, demonstrations, etc…)?

Throughout this internship my lesson planning and adapting skills have grown. I have learned how to plan an engaging lesson, as well as learned how to adapt that lesson in many ways. From engaging students who are not interested in the media, to students who have different abilities. It has been challenging getting students interested and thinking about the context of projects and I think that is one area that I have grown most. Even if they are using markers and plain paper rather than the media being taught, I talk the student through questions to get them thinking about the content. I have found that most often students become engaged once they are able to connect the context to their own life.

What new understandings do you have about children/education/your role in the classroom?

I am beginning to understand that in my role as an art educator I am responsible to teach about the elements and principles of design, art history, ect, but I am also responsible for connecting with each student. Taking the time to sit next to a student and help them with their art, but also ask about their day, or weekend. Some of the strongest connections I have made with students this semester have been when I sit next to them to help with their art, but also just listen to what they have to say. Connecting with the students is building a better classroom rapport, and helping me be more in tune with how to address classroom management and knowing why students might be misbehaving or what that students needs to get back on track.

What has made you happy about teaching this quarter?

So far in the internship, I feel the most satisfied when I make a connection with a student or feel that I the students were engaged and absorbing the information. After leaving for the night, and reflecting on how that session went, I feel proud if I was able to manage a behavior situation or talk through a problem with a student. When we made bubble paper, the room was a disaster, but the students were well behaved, experimenting with materials, sharing ideas, and having so much fun. That was one of the most rewarding days, to see the students so engaged in their creations.

What is something that you would like to work on improving by the end of the semester?

I would definitely like to improve my classroom management skills. During the class students have a hard time interacting with each other in a positive way. I am currently and would like to continue to develop my classroom management skills in building a class community where students interact positively and support each other. I am not sure what to say in situations or how to redirect students into positive interaction. Another thing I want to develop more is knowing what will help students when the need time to regroup.

Leona Sonnentag: Blog II

How have you grown as a teacher from this experience so far (skills, understanding, or knowledge gained) (lesson planning, classroom management, demonstrations, etc…)?

I have grown because I think that I have gotten a little better at classroom management.  I now understand the importance of setting boundaries in the beginning of the class so the students understand what we expect behavior wise.  I have also gotten better at understanding that if someone is misbehaving it is probably for a reason other than just the class. Simply talking to them one on one and showing that you care can really make a difference in students attitudes.

What new understandings do you have about children/education/your role in the classroom?

I have a better understanding about how important setting boundaries in the beginning is so you can start building relationships instead of worrying about behavior every day.  I also learned that you can’t just be worried about being everyone’s friend because you won’t get anything accomplished and that’s not important anyways. What is important, though, is teaching and making sure the children understand what you are saying.

 What has made you happy about teaching this quarter?

What makes me happy about teaching is when the children get enthusiastic about what we have planned.  I think it helps the day go a lot smoother and when they are excited about what we are doing they willingly participate which is great!  It also makes me happy how well me and Leah work together, we are both super flexible with each other and the plans.

What is something that you would like to work on improving by the end of the semester?

I would like to keep improving my classroom management skills.  I still struggle with that a lot. I would also like to improve my lesson planning and becoming more creative with ideas for the course.

Autumn Stiller: Blog II

How have you grown as a teacher from this experience so far (skills, understanding, or knowledge gained) (lesson planning, classroom management, demonstrations, etc…)?

I have gained a new understanding when it comes to individual student situations, how it can affect their behavior and ways to deal with those situations. I also have learned the limits of my students’ skills as artists. Choosing more challenging projects in moderation can help push students just enough but, challenging them too often can cause discouragement. I have become more attentive to the fact that project introductions and demonstrations need to be kept short enough for students to have time to work on and finish their projects in the time allowed. It has been challenging to come up with one day lessons. Two day lessons aren’t recommended because you may or may not have to same group of students the next day. I think I have grown and been able to have enough practice with one day lesson that I feel more confident that the majority of students will have just the right amount of time to complete them.

What new understandings do you have about children/education/your role in the classroom?

A new understanding that I have about the classroom is how much control I have and need to assert. Until this experience I have only worked with students from well off family backgrounds and have little struggle in their lives. This opened my eyes up to the many different family backgrounds and situations students are in and how that can affect their behavior. Based on their background, each student may need to be treated/educated in different ways in order to get through to them.

What has made you happy about teaching this quarter?

One thing that has been rewarding through this experience is that as students have been working on crafts I have received work from some unexpected students with messages that say, “You’re awesome! Best art teacher!” These messages from students encourage me because, it’s validation that I might be getting through to them the passion that I have for teaching art. I have enjoyed encouraging and challenging students with new projects that they initially feel are impossible but, by the end of our time together, have executed well and learned something new. I love to see students who are proud of their work.

What is something that you would like to work on improving by the end of the semester?

By the end of the semester I would like to work on improving how to confront negative behavior in the classroom. I would also like to improve my authority in the classroom as well. It has been challenging at times to get the attention of some students. I know these are the areas in which I lack extensive experience. I hope to find the strategy that works best for me.

Autumn Stiller: Blog I

What is your teaching experience so far?

Prior to this P.A.I.N.T. Internship I have had minimal experience formally teaching art. However, I have been volunteering and working with kids at Sunday school for the past eight years. The only formal art teaching that I have done is one lesson at Children’s Art Club and a second lesson in Kim Robert’s classroom at Oaklawn Elementary. Now I am able to get more teaching experience through this internship and I couldn’t be more excited!

What are you looking forward to about the class you will be teaching?

I am looking forward to getting to know the students and discovering their artistic abilities. The class I am teaching is Arts and Crafts for students who are third through fifth graders. This age range of students, and younger, are what I am most familiar working with. They all have their own unique personalities that show through their work.

What do you hope to learn/gain from this experience?

I hope to become more familiar with the structure of a lesson plan and implementing it in a classroom setting. I have written a number of lesson plans but, have only had the opportunity to teach students twice. I hope to learn more about activities that work and ways that they can be altered to work better. Classroom management and dealing with student behavior is another important factor that I hope I will gain more insight on during this experience. I have so much to learn and so much I believe I can take away from this experience.