Grading System

In going over grades today, I came across a student report that had 62 assignments that were 100 points each expect for one assignment that was worth 15 points. In speaking with this student, he/she was missing five assignments toward the end of the trimester due to illness, the last five assignments of the trimester. When I went over the report, there were gaps in assignment such as 16-31 which were not on the report. No total point value was evident and the grade was averaged. This student had 22-A's, 9-B's, 9-C's, 3-F's, and 5-zeros. This student is barely getting a "C" according to this report. It's amazing what those zeros did to the average. Is this an accurate report or grade for this student? I don't think so.

Workload

Over the past couples of days, I have thought about the amount of work in lesson planning along with the rigors of family life. What does this have to do with teaching strategies? Well, I have asked myself the same thing. With this experience, I have learned much more than realize. For instance, my limitations of what I can complete within a time frame. This will eventually relate to activities outside the classroom such as an art club or other groups students might want to form. Maybe then, I can effectively plan the amount of time I need to design some lessons and what strategies will work for that lesson best. This quarter I hope to incorporate effective literacy strategies along with openers that will engage students.

Not Snow Again!!

Today, we began our new trimester. I am finally full-time teaching with some guidance of course. In all our classes, we set our agenda for the day. Then, we outlined expectations, how to get in touch with us outside the classroom, how to check grades, and showed all the required materials for art. Next, we showed examples of what previous projects and works of art students have done in past. So far, our last class of the day had the most energy. All in all, classes went well not to many students drop classes and we did have some additions. It just seems like every time this winter when something shifts or changes, it snows. Hopefully it will only last this week.

What's up

Son of Rambow completely awesome movie! Husband sleeping on the couch even better. Getting husband back for bobble head while I was sleeping in the car the best!!! Husband signing to song while sleeping and butter on glasses. what the ?? I can't see.. Don't know wasn't me.. I would never,well maybe. Husband almost believed he rented the movie "Son of Rambow" but eldest daughter couldn't cover the lie. Darn. Almost had husband believing he rented movie. Oh well.

New Start

On Monday, I will be teaching full-time which I can not wait. I will have all new students and I am outlining the projects and concepts I will be teaching the 3rd trimester along with our final assignments from winter term this weekend:) In looking at my cooperating teachers style of teaching, I will be imploring more discussion as part of my lectures along with chunking the art processes so that students can stay engaged instead of zoning out, perhaps. With our art classroom set-up which has a tall podium like desk up front, I find this desk cumbersome. As always the weekend goes by way to fast and I am looking forward to spring break!!

What not to do in the future!

As the class has progressed with their created equal projects, the trimester ends this Thursday 3/12 which leaves students feeling rushed to finish their artwork. Students have put a great deal of time and research into their chosen topics and images to profess ideals. At this point most students won't finish their projects. So if I did a project of this magnitude, I would allow for more time since projects similar to this require additional studies with the art process as well as reflection of societal believes and morals. Even I have been working with the class to create my own image which I chose to look at those on the fringe of society such as the elderly, homeless, and drug additions because these are all instances that impact individuals at some point in their life. When I am finished with my image, I will post it.

Created Equal

Well, today I sure am tired. Today, the librarian come in to our Art 9 classes to present an introduction to our concept based unit "Created Equal." In the presentation, the librarian passed around a collection of books that express the ideals of created equal. Each student was allotted 30 seconds to look at the book and decipher its overreaching ideals and then passed the book on. After the students had gone through the collect. Then, a group of books were passed out that expressed how we are not equal. Then, as a whole class, we listed the ways humans are equal and the ways humans are not equal. Finally, we viewed a slide of artwork stating visual ideas of of unequal and equal aspirations. Tomorrow, students will pick a topic the class generated list and list possible images for their topic. I thought this lesson was interesting and the students were engaged with exceptional insights. After discussion and working on the conceptual lesson in EOU classes, I though this lesson fit well. At http://www.zreportage.com, students will explore images and articles based on created equal ideal.

To the Classroom

Well, just as I began to put together our last art project (unit) of the trimester, I was pulled away to attend college classes. It has been a rough beginning for my B-placement with being sick and adjusting to climate and the ever changing expectations of a new district. My cooperating teacher was awarded the Oregon Art Educator of Year, so I have high expectations to live up to. In the Hugh Hartman Campus in Redmond, they have combined the students who are high achieving, IB MYP and Global Academies, who are highly motivated students along with students who have failed out the educational system, the Success Academy. Yes, you would think that failing students would find inspiration in those student who are achieving but I find that belief quite different in the real world. I am finding it difficult to bridge the gap between highly motivated with those who could care less. Any suggestions or comments??

Random

I have to admit this is the first blog I have setup. With setting up my first blog, I anticipate my blog will be about classroom findings during my high school placement as well as concerns with assessments, lessons, student behavior, and of course some random findings. For instance, tonight, while I was setting up my blog, I heard one of my kids hollering at me "MOM HURRY". Come to find out the guinea pig Trista got Christmas had three babies, completely unexpected! When I take over art class after spring break, I am sure I will encounter many random findings which I would have never expected.

During our last class session, our class discussed the grading system using I, C, B, A. I really think this grading system would be beneficial if used properly. In using this system, I don't think small activities and homework should be included. I feel homework should assigned on limited basis and is a continuation or research of current class work. Too often, I hear from students that homework is busy work and has little purpose. Or perhaps we need to rethink how we assign homework. What are some thoughts about homework after our last class session extremely large stack of work?