Reflection #3

What is the value of using children's picture book illustrators as an entrance to both understanding and making art?

Picture books allow the students to see firsthand what art means. It allows them to focus on the meaning as wells as the different forms. It helps them to create and use that specific art style and make a copy of it, or make one as their own. Picture books are so broad and there are so many different types, which in return develops different styles of art. I thought it was beneficial to know about the illustrator and their background as well as their style because it helps viewers to see why and how this illustrator came up with their ideas.

So What can I do to effectively prepare to teach about artists and their techniques/styles?

I can prepare myself by learning about various artists as wells as learning about the different techniques, styles, and inspiration each illustrator brings to their artwork. I can also practice myself and see how it feels to create something similar to theirs.

Now What - Why will that be important to me and to my students?

Being able to teach about an artist and their techniques and styles will be very important to both my students as well as myself because it will help our mind have the ability to integrate art in doing just about anything. Most importantly, it will help my students with their other subjects. Studying and really looking into a person and the way they do things will help my students and myself to be more observant. I noticed each group presented a different way and presented a different illustrator. This opened my eyes to see there is more than just one way of doing things. That is really important for me as a teacher to learn and act upon.

Reflection #2

WHAT?
I have learned a lot about visual art and the complexity of it. Art is not just colors on a board or paper, although that has something to do with it. Art is defined by its elements and its principles. Art is the feeling a person receives as they focus on what makes this form of art so special.

SO WHAT?
As a teacher this means a lot to me. Knowing that visual art is so broad and so difficult will help me better teach my students that art is not merely perfection or standard. Having the knowledge of the elements and principles in visual art will help me better teach my students the different types they can use. It will give them guidelines so they won't feel discouraged or be afraid to be creative. I can better point out the feelings and moods of what the illustrator wants us to see by knowing the important ways in which they do that. In return, this will help my students understand and demonstrate what they want their viewers to recognize. Some students learn best visually so knowing this will help those students to succeed and do better in school.

As a person, this is important to me because I am able to look at life different. I am able to look at life as an art piece. I am able to recognize the important things in life and focus on my intrapersonal and interpersonal intelligences. Visual art is so meaningful in discovering meaning. It is an easier type of communication because you can visually see the picture.

NOW WHAT?
I will prepare to effectively teach my future students by discovering the different forms of visual art. I will prepare by learning and focusing more closely on what makes art so different and unique, as well as what makes art important and valuable? Learning the elements and principles of art and really seeing examples of this has changed my perspective for the good. I love art and always have, but I never knew why I liked it or what made it so special. I never recognized what the illustrator was trying to say or trying to show. This will change the way I teach by using more visual art in my classrooms. Visual art is descriptive and enjoyable. Visual art tells a lot to a person in a simple but creative way. Visual art makes a person have to think. All of these explanations of visual art are examples and reasons of why I will include it in my classroom as well as how I will include it in my future classroom.

Reflection #1

What has been your personal experience with the arts? Did you have teachers who taught and/or integrated them in your education?

When I think of art classes I think of drawing. I have always loved art and have had an interest in it but I never thought I could do it. I was afraid to try. I cannot draw so I think that is something that automatically drew me away from the arts in school. In elementary, I remember my teachers always having us draw out what we understood from the story. We would also do projects that integrated art. When I was in 5th grade, a project I had to do was to write and illustrate a book. I really enjoyed that project and still to this day look at that book. Later on in my education, I realized art was more than just drawing. I took music and photography. I was really interested in the process of photography and enjoyed every minute of music class. My teachers integrated several categories, which included research as well as finding the perfect picture or finding the perfect song or tone. They then integrated the meaning whether it was from history or something I would learn in another class. This was when I really realized my passion for art.

So what impact have they had in your life? What were some of the characteristics of your favorite and least favorite teachers? So what does that mean for you as a future teacher?

Even though I may have not taken many art classes, I remember each teacher who used art in my learning. Some characteristics portrayed in my favorite teachers were, the ability to get the message and content across to all students. I had many teachers teach in different styles and I really enjoyed that. These teachers were also very positive and even though we knew I was not the best in art, they still encouraged me to do my best. Characteristics some of my least favorite teachers portrayed were unfriendliness. I wondered why they went into teaching. I also remember being afraid which blocked my need for creativity. To this day, I still hesitate when it comes to doing creative projects with not much time to work with. When I become a teacher, I have learned from my teachers what to do and what not to do. I want a friendly environment as well as a positive environment. For me as a teacher, I want to be open to all and realize not every student excels in one area but recognize their desire to try. Integrated will help make this process easier.

Now what do you want/need to do it terms of your preparation to effectively teach and integrate the arts as a teacher?

I need to become more familiar with the different genres of art as well as the different types. I tend to forget certain subjects fit into the art category. I need to become proficient in art myself so I can teach it to my students and not have the fear or negative attitude I have now! I also want to find connections on how I can relate art to other subjects.