The Reflective Practitioner: Providing a Creative Space
1
Getting Ready for Teaching
Videos
Above, there is a link to the Children's Creativity Museum in San Francisco.
Bellow, there are two links: one to Adam Grant's talk on original thinkers.
Lucy shared this inspiring video; I hope you also get to watch it.
Progression
The purpose of today's class was to create consensus about teaching, its importance and its best possible practice through the visual and performing arts. The students were made aware of the "principles of progression" (simple to complex), thematic progressions, and the transition from creative freedom to sensual awareness to control of the form (Brehm & McNett 2008). Finally the main steps of lesson planning were reviewed, namely:
- Gathering information about your thematic topic
- Finding conceptual links between the specific art and a curricular topic
- Narrowing the material down to a focused and manageable lesson
- Building a progression that meets your objectives
- Considering the use of any of the arts explored in class
1.
How can you best communicate your excitement and
enthusiasm for teaching this lesson?
"When teaching a subject, one must be passionate
about it in order to transmit it in the best way possible. Excitement grasps
students’ attention. Bringing a smile to the class and any visual/touchable aid
is always a good idea too." Ana Moreno
"The
best way of communicating your excitement and enthusiasm is to really know
about what you are teaching. It is very important for you to be able to answer
your student’s questions and to give examples." Isabella Iglesias
2.
How can you build on your students’ interest in
their current topics of study?
] "I believe that the best way to spark the
students’ interest is to make the topic their own. They should see it as
something relatable. For example, if teaching about Earth Day, tell them how
its their world and they should take care of it. They’ll care about any subject
that involves them." Ana Moreno
1
" "Building students’ interest and their current topics of study can be achieved through the use of relatable news articles or fun activities which focus on the topics." Masai Rains
"One
way I would use to make my students interest is to try to find a way to relate
the topic being taught to something that is going on now a days or in some time
period that they could remember. In my opinion, I believe that current events
are most of the times much more interesting than studying things from the past." Isabella Iglesias
. What are your students’ strengths and how can
you capitalize on them?
" My students are creative, all kids are. Their
capabilities have to be exploited as the teacher makes every topic a varied
one. Once again, for example, if I am teaching about Earth day, I can do
multiple activities to see who thrives in what. A little bit of math, a little
bit of painting, a little bit of singing. Let all of their talents get exploited." Ana Moreno
1 "The strengths of students vary, so to capitalize on them I must be able to teach in a multitude of ways which accommodate for each of them." Masai Rains
"Strengths: well-behaved, good with numbers, participatory
(only in Math classes)
Scenario: The
student has excellent skills in Math (adding, subtracting, multiplying,
dividing, etc.), but has a lot of trouble with English words, therefore has a
tough time with word problems. This is because he comes from a low SES
immigrant family and it is the first generation family member to go to school. He
has no one at home to help him with his homework since none of his family
members speak English. He is classified as ESOL but still does not have the
background information he needs.
"If I had this case, I would emphasize a lot on
basic mathematics so he realizes that he is very good at it and feels
comfortable with it, and then little by little I would integrate teaching the
English language." Isabella Iglesias
4.
What barriers prevent students from fully
participating in a creative/arts class?
"I think that what prevents them the most is
their own selves. Thinking they can’t do something, or that their work is not
as good as someone else’s." Ana Moreno
1 " Shyness,
boredom, and lacking social/artistic abilities are all barriers which prevent
students from fully participating in a creative/arts class." Masai Rains
"In
my opinion, whenever the creative/arts class is not mandatory, the main reason
why students do not enroll in these classes is because they have too much work
from their other classes. Sadly, most teachers pay more attention to the core
academic courses that to the arts. For most parents, especially from low SES,
it is more important for their child to go to an English/Math/Science class
than to an arts class, because most people believe that art is not as
important. What most people do not think about is how we all have different
abilities, and many people are able to do much better in the artistic rather
than in the academic world." Isabella Iglesias
1 5.
How can you as a teacher overcome those
barriers?
"The best way to aid or fix this is by
congratulating everyone and treating everyone as an equal. There will be
students who are better than others at the arts, but as long as they put their
heart into it they are all the same and they should be reminded of that every
time the teacher has the chance to do so." Ana Moreno
"These barriers can be overcome by creating a comforting environment which allows each student the ability to express themselves without feeling self-doubt." Masai Rains
"One
of my main goals as a future teacher is to try to include the arts in my lesson
plans as much as possible. I am a true believer that people have different ways
of portraying their abilities and their talents, and the arts are usually one
of these ways. Not every student will be good at it, but by having both the academic
and the arts I will give opportunities to every student to give their best." Isabella Iglesias
6.
How can you draw creativity & expressions
from your students so they can experience the making of art?
" They have to be confident in the classroom, and
be surrounded by things that can give them ideas in order to exploit their
creative juices. For example, (once again) on Earth Day, having the classroom
decorated with that theme can give them ideas to express themselves. Also, they
must once again all be sure that they are all good at what they do, and that
there is no wrong in creativity." Ana Moreno
1 "For
students to draw creativity and experience the making of art, a low pressure
atmosphere must be developed so that the students do not feel as if they can
have a “wrong” answer." Masai Rains
"I
would have a lot of decoration in the class in order for them to be motivated.
I believe that the best way to motivate students, especially in the arts, is to
have their own work in the walls. This will not only inspire creativity, yet it
will motivate them to continue experiencing the arts." Isabella Iglesias
Finally, the students shared with each other the topics they will consider teaching in their upcoming mini-lessons.
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Teaching Topics
Finally, the students shared with each other the topics they will consider teaching in their upcoming mini-lessons.
- Masai Rains: The origin of the African Djembe drum
- Victor Starr: The History of Psychedelics: How it boosts Creativity
- Lucy Pampana: Italy: Monuments, Language and Cuisine
- Carmen Boyd: Food Pyramid
- Nate Strickler: Business Technology
- Marissa Hanson: Sexual Anatomy
- Kennedi Stephens: Black Women: Music and Songs as Expression of Emotions
- Amanda Clichy: The Science of Horoscope or Introduction to French
- Danielle Mcintosh: 7 Continents
- Alexia Hirlemann: American Sign language:
- Mackenzie Buckley: Copywriting for Advertising
- Kyra Williams: Ocean Safety
- Christina Beltran: Theater Sports Games: Acting Abilities
- Angela Moon: The Five Senses
- Camila Neumann: Playing the Piano: A Simple Song
- Gillian Sutherland: Marine Ecosystems
- Destiny Washington: Theater: Lose the Fear
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