Lessons from Student Teaching: Completed Spring 2013

Steckel Elementary School (2nd-3rd Grade)

2nd Grade: Warm/Cool Non-Objective Paper Weaving

Students explored the concept of warm and cool colors. Why are certain colors considered warm and why are certain colors considered cool? 
Once students had explored these ideas, we look at artist Helen Frankenthaler and the way that she painted. Students then painted like Helen Frankenthaler experimenting with the way paint interacted when applied to a wet surface. Students created a wet on wet watercolor wash with warm colors and then created another with cool colors. Once these were dried students were introduced to weaving and weaved the two papers together. 

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3rd Grade: Giacometti Action Sculptures

Students will be introduced to the work of Alberto Giacometti. This lesson follows a lesson that they have done in gesture and figure drawing. In this lesson students will be translating a 2D figure drawing of an action pose of their choice into a 3D wire sculpture that is inspired by the abstracted figure sculptures of Giacometti. Once our wire armatures are complete student will cover them with aluminum foil. Students will then be in charge of creating a title for their work. 

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Second Placement: Kutztown Area Middle School (6th-8th Grade)

Self Ethnography Abstract 

Self-Ethnography (n.) is “ The documentation and analysis of the self as a foreign culture through field research” (Smith, 119). Students will be asked to look at themselves as a foreign place. They will document in detail their movements, activities, behaviors, and conversations throughout the course of 5 days. After documenting their daily activities, students will be studying their research and will be asked to use their research and findings to create a map using mixed media that is a visual representation of them self. How will they abstract their life? Visually show themselves that is out of the norm? Students will examine and analyze the work and process of contemporary abstract artists Mark Bradford, Squeak Carnwath, and Sue Simon.  They will use their work for inspiration in the creation of their own abstract pieces. 

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Clay Mandalas 

In loose terms mandala translates into “circle”. Mandala’s are intricately designed symbols that are cross cultural and hold many meanings.  In this lesson students will be exploring the world of mandala’s and the many ways that they have been used through out history. 
Students will be developing their own mandalas designs. We will be focusing on how we can create simple but effective designs. Students will be doing this by exploring how symmetry can create a balanced and unified design. Once their design has been enlarged, students will be creating a slab of clay and then will transfer their geometric design on it. After the design is transferred students will be taught the technique of sgraffito and will carve their design out. 

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