Turn this image in any direction and create a drawing from it...

Sub Plan: Print the file above, and have students use their imaginations to turn the image into something creative in any media you have available. This image can also be printed onto good drawing paper if you hand feed it through a copier. I like to enlarge it to fit on 11x17 inch drawing paper. You may remove the text and encourage students to look at the image from any direction. If you post images from this assignment, please credit this blog in some way. ArtEdGuru.com 

If you have permission from students, you can email me an image to post as an example on this blog. Contact information is in the tab to the left. Subject line "Zen Sketch Submission."

Individual & personal expression is important in art. (THIS POST explains how I assure individuality.) In some modes of thinking, art, without expression, is craft. We can have an academic argument about that, but for me, if all students exit my room with essentially the same "thing," my lesson is a failure. 

How do I "square" this with my other belief that crafts are significantly important to include in a rich arts education experience? I do this by incorporating choice within the exploration. We study the roots of the craft, and it's cultural significance. Then I find ways that students can use that mode, and avoid cultural appropriation.

One way is to build an expressive vocabulary in the use color, shape, and form. Another is to explore one's own culture, traditions, and symbols, and re-imagine the craft object in this new light like...

"How would I use the tools and techniques I learned about Asian paper lantern to make one with an Irish theme to reflect my own heritage?"

After you watch the video above, comment below how you incorporate crafts into your own art education practice.

For more than 30 years I have been teaching a choice-based art ed program, here in the USA and early in my career in both Egypt and Japan. I have learned a thing or two and have shared much of it through my books HERE.

I have just enough on my YouTube pedagogy playlist to offer several hours of professional development, and that will grow over the coming months, and likely years. Though the Covid Pandemic has been a painful experience in many ways, I have learned to teach virtually, and see the opportunities this presents. The always-free playlist is HERE.

If you are seeking a certificate of hours, more information about that is in the link to the left, or HERE. 

If you feel your school, district, or State Art Education Association would benefit from what I have to offer, I am available as a guest speaker both in person and virtually. More on the HERE. I teach full time as well, but I am nearing retirement and hope to continue sharing my knowledge with teachers for many years to come.

Fun Tip: If I am wearing a RED SHIRT, the video is one where I am working off a script I have created, so it's concise and focused. If I am wearing a BLUE SHIRT, then I am speaking extemporaneously on a given topic. My "Mr. G" apron means I am demonstrating a lesson or tutorial. These are meant for students, but will be informative for teachers. 

These are some fun posters I was inspired to make based on a recent Facebook post. I believe it's important to focus on the student when designing lessons so they remain student-focused, not product-focused. 

I asked art teachers on Facebook, "what advice would you give to your "First Year" teacher self?" These are the top 10 pieces of advice.

​NUMBER ONE: Start your retirement saving immediately. A Roth IRA, 401K or 403B. Retirement feels like a lifetime away, but it will be upon you in a blink. It can be painful or joyous. This was reiterated by many. You will never get rich as a teacher, the future of teacher pay is always in flux. You must always be ready to look after yourself, so start small and increase your contributions every time you get a raise.
 
2. Never take student unkindness personally. Their lack of "filters" is part of being a child. Their minds are not yet fully formed so expect that they will make poor decisions. Show empathy to win them over. Remember that their lives, outside of school, may be hell.
 
3. Don't be their friend. Students have friends. What they need is a teacher who sets clear and fair boundaries, stays consistent, and is the stable, loving anchor in their lives.
 
4. Don't let work pile up. Being prepared is very important, being flexible might be even more so. Plan well, create lists, and use all your contracted time to work but...
 
5. DO NOT give up your weekends or vacations for school work. If you are doing more than can be done in your contracted day, pull back and simplify. It is okay to say NO to others at work when you are overwhelmed.
 
6. The first year is always the hardest. Find a seasoned yet happy teacher as a mentor. Maybe a few. Do not be an island -- do not "do it alone."
 
7. Don't hang out with negative teachers, it's infectious. Visit the rooms and observe those with great attitudes and amazing classroom management even if they are not art teachers. (If you don't know who that is, ask your administration, they know.)
 
8. Celebrate successes. Reflect on, but don't dwell on failures.
 
9. Stay active, have hobbies, don't let work "define" you.
 
10. Don't use your own money to buy supplies. (Advice HERE) 

BONUS: Make friends with the janitors and secretaries. Treat them well! Always be on their good side and life will be good. ;-) 

Resource HERE for New & Student Teachers. Free if you have an Amazon Kindle account.

Still life drawings are Booooring! There! I said it!

The teacher selects objects,
the teacher sets up the display,
the teacher has students draw objects that have no connection to the artists... Even I don't want to participate in that, and I'm an artist! I explain this more HERE.
 
At the very least, the student should choose some objects, HERE is how I have done that before. Each student can bring one and a still life can be created. Another option is for each student to create their own. HERE is a fun way that can be done.

In this post, I am sharing a 3rd option, created during the 2020 -2021 pandemic and home-based learning. Students walk around their home and select 5 or 6 objects that represent important aspects of their lives. They should be encouraged to create a list and document their individual meanings. My 5 objects were:
 
1. Candle: Symbol of birth & wedding
2. Wooden "E": representing my name.
3. Origami: Father connection & My year in Japan
4. Brush: Me as an artist & Japanese education
5. Seashell: My love of the beach
 
Some time is taken to arrange the objects, then to play with the light source to enhance shadows. I suggest students use a towel or piece of fabric as a background. I told my students to use something without a pattern to simplify their work, but advanced students should incorporate pattern for more of a challenge.
 
The video I have linked below focuses on watercolor as a media, but this could be done in any media. I reference my workbook in the video.
 
By letting students choose their own objects, and create their own still life, you guarantee originality and deeper meaning. When the project is complete, students should be encouraged to write about their artistic choices and decisions as well as share with peers. I do this at the sketch phase for critique and a chance to hear ideas for improvement.