What do you consider when writing curriculum for your art courses?

Curriculum- plan for the entire course (content, standards, objectives and goals)

explicit (curriculum)- specific written out (intended plan) state specified- Art and design standards

implicit (curriculum)- life lessons that are not intentional, natural and student directed

Null (curriculum)- the curriculum that we do not teach

I think when you are writing your curriculum you need to have an understanding of your students and their skill levels. I think that this is important because you don't want to teach the students something with the assumption that they already have background knowledge of the project. I also try and have an art history reference to my art lessons. I think that the students need to be familiar with other artist's work to make and enhance their own work. That being said, I try to incorporate some form of art history research into all of my lessons. For example, if the students are going to make a self portrait I would have them research one artist's portraiture that they find aesthetically pleasing. I would then have them incorporate or make their portrait in the style of their specific artist.

Other thing to consider when writing curriculum...

-culture/ religion
-prior knowledge
-goals (long-term)
-diverse/ special needs
-resources and materials
-art and design standards
-life long skills
-integration with other classes
-interest of the students
-variety
-Teacher's strengths and beliefs

Art or Teaching? Can only an artist teach?

Art or Teaching...
I think as an art teacher it is important to have a balance of both your own art and teaching or your students work. I feel that it is important to still practice as an artist being a teacher but I do feel that the students come first. This is because as a teacher you choose to instruct your students on how to practice art and advise them. I feel that both could be done simultaneously but when it comes down to it the students outweigh your own work (during the school year).

Only artist can teach?
I don't think that you need to be an artist to be an art teacher. I feel this way because of a former basketball coach of mine. He was a 5'3" Asian American who never played organized basketball. He was one of the most intelligent coaches that I had and he has the accolades to back his coaching up. I do feel that this can overlap into all areas. Obviously there are some areas that it would be difficult to teach especially if you have never experienced what you are trying to teach. I don't think that everyone has the ability to do this but it can be done by a select few. I believe that having a passion and knowledge of the specific area is most important to be effective in teaching it.

What can you expect to see or do on the first day of art class?

First Day

    On the first day of class I think it is important for students to see the work of past student's projects. To me it is important to show not only the best student's work but the students who were not as talented. In doing this, I would show the student's growth and development throughout the class (If I have not had any students previously I could show my development throughout my art career). I would like to make it clear to the students that they can learn to be a better artist. For example, drawing takes practice it is similar to a muscle and the muscle is only going to get stronger if you exercise it. I would also like to introduce myself to the students and have them do the same to their classmates and for my sake of learning students names. Another helpful way to learn students names would be to do a project on the first day where they make name tags.

Where Do I Go From Here?

Where am I at...

  Currently I believe that I am at a stage in my art teaching career where I understand the techniques and practices of an art educator. I understand how to write lessons plans and curriculum maps and have the knowledge to come up with my own ideas. Likewise, I know where to find and how to use other resources to inspire and borrow from others.

Where am I going...
  As I listed earlier I think that I have a strong understanding of what it takes to be an art educator. One thing in particular I want to work on is engaging with all the students in the classroom and gaining more comfort with instructing the students. I also want to feel open and free to any criticism because I feel that it is an important part of an educators growth.