Water-Color Resist

Today was my final day in the art room at Duran Jr./Sr. High School. I introduced a water color resist lesson where the students are going to use water colors and glue or oil pastels to resist. I began a lesson using the smart board to present a powerpoint to draw the interest of the students. In the powerpoint I covered our inspiration watercolor piece done by Helen Klebesadel (pictured below), talking specifically about her nature or tree themed piece. I also showed the students non-objective art, realism, and abstract art, looking at Josef Albers, Sonia Delaune, Leonardo DaVinci, Thomas Hart Benton, Pablo Picasso and Georgia O'Keeffe. I specifically asked engaging question that would entice students to talk about pattern, rhythm, symmetry and balance (symmetrical, radial, asymmetrical). Some of these questions were as follows: What do you see in this image, Who can tell me what non-objective art means, Why did Sonia Delauney title her painting Rhythm, Is there symmetry in this piece, What is this painting of and what immediately draws your eye in this piece. I taught this lesson to the art foundation course and art 8 (8th grade art). Of any lesson that I have ever taught today was the most I have eve engaged students, which is most likely because I consciously wrote down every question (and answer to that question). This was helpful because I felt that the students actually cared and were interested and engaged in what I was saying. Since the class sizes are so small I told the students that they could simply say answers out loud without raising their hand (although many of the students raised their hands). After the smartboard powerpoint I had the students get into groups of 2-3 and come up with 5 things from the environment (found in nature) that incorporate pattern, rhythm, balance and so on. I then had one of the strudents write down one of their things on the board. As a class we then discussed that what elements are apparent in these objects. Some of the things the students listed were animals, grass, waves, fire and wind among others. I then had the students make three thumbnails using thier list of ideas. As of today of felt more confident than ever before when I was teaching. It was as if the teaching gods were watching over me today. I talked to every student about their sketches where I was able to develop their ideas and help them open the door and deepen their ideas. This lesson is one of Ms.O's that she wrote and I am definitely going to "borrow" it to use for future reference. I am very excited to see that my teaching skills are developing and I am beginning to be more comfortable with each lesson being in front of the classroom.