SYLLABUS


Rationale:


It is my hope that this course will give you a chance to gain some knowledge, skills, experience and strategies necessary to be an effective teacher of visual arts.  You will have a chance to:

  • develop your visual thinking and problem skills

  • experience a variety of different studio materials and strategic approaches to using those materials.  (The goal is not to become a great artist - although I believe that you will discover the artist within yourself is you allow yourself to take chances and to step into the unknown.  It is scary, but exhilarating to try something new.  And, by the way, it is the same for your students!  So, what you learn about yourself as a learner is something that I hope you will incorporate into your teaching.)

  • learn to use the language of visual arts in presenting, doing, speaking with children, and evaluating works of art

  • learn about the ways children grow and develop in the visual arts

  • learn how to plan, organize for, present and pace successful and meaningful visual arts experiences

  • learn to incorporate art appreciation into whatever you do

Required Texts: Children and Painting - Cathy Weisman Topal

                          The Arts Curriculum Frameworks for the state of Massachusetts

                          Course Pack

                          Art Supplies

Week 1:            Introduction, Overview and Expectations

           winter vacation.jpg (147920 bytes)

Carol Kim

  

  Taking the Plunge!

  Workshop: Drawing from Memory: My Winter Break . . .

  An introduction to being a Student and a Teacher in the art studio - Strategies for beginning a

  drawing; Strategies for adding color      

 

Week 2:             Understanding the Context: Why Teach Visual Arts? The History of Art Education in the United

                          United States

 

Winslow Homer

    Looking at the Lesson Plan for the Winter drawings: What's important?

    Workshop: Color, Value and Composition: The Pleasure of Mixing Colors and Painting a

    Composition

 

                

Week 3:              Becoming familiar with children's Stages of Growth and Development in the visual arts
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Carrie Green

 

      Discuss Motivation Drawing Assignment

      Workshop: Drawing Animals: Trying Different Drawing (Thinking) Strategies; Introduction to 

                        Craypas Techniques

Week 4:              Thinking With a Line - A Look at a Pilot Program

                           Workshop: Printmaking - One Process; One Material; Multiple Applications: How to Deepen an

                                             Exploratory Experience

                           

Week 5:              Incorporating Art History into Teaching: Looking at Precedents (Mary Cassatt and Japanese genre

                          prints) Thinking about Texture, Contrast, Repetition and Composition (Getty video) The life

                          and work of artists reflect the times in which they lived.

                          Discuss Art Room Observation: Focusing on the Role of the Teacher

                          Workshop: Printmaking from a Template

Week 6:              Integrating Visual Arts with Classroom Units of Study - See how Art can Inform History - The 

                          The migration of Black people from the rural South to the urban North (Getty tape)

                          Introduction to the Teaching Practicum

                          Workshop: Group Mural of Downtown Northampton - Cut Paper, Composition and Collage:

                          Take a close look at the buildings in downtown Northampton. Notice shapes, colors, signs,

                          and distinguishing details of a few of your favorite places.

 

Week 7:  

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Brenda Rae

   Workshop: Exploring the qualities of Clay - the Power of an Abstract Shape - an Introduction to 

  Sculpture - Critical Thinking in the Classroom

Week 8:              An Introduction to Reggio Emilia and "The Hundred Languages of Children"

                          Workshop: What are Materials? Be sure to bring your bags of found materials to class!!

Week 9:             Support Groups meet to share ideas and get feedback for teaching practicum.

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Erin Harris

    Workshop: Black Ink Painting of East Asia: Using the Arts to Explore Another Culture

Week 10:            Support Groups meet

                           Play "A Token Response" - Art Criticism and Aesthetics game

                           Workshop: Watercolor - Mixing Media

Week 11:            Practicum Presentations

                           Workshop: Portfolio Review with a partner

Week 12:            Presentations - Portfolios Due

Week 13:            Presentations- Good Luck!

 

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