WWW.JENNIFERLOVEGIRONDA.COM
  • HOME
  • ABOUT
    • ARTIST
    • TEACHER
    • MUSE
  • BLOG
  • CONTACT
  • GALLERY
  • Press
  • SHOP
  • STUDIO 2-110
  • #AngelDropART
  • HOME
  • ABOUT
    • ARTIST
    • TEACHER
    • MUSE
  • BLOG
  • CONTACT
  • GALLERY
  • Press
  • SHOP
  • STUDIO 2-110
  • #AngelDropART

Links, MCSD Art Meeting

8/29/2012

0 Comments

 
  • http://www.dermandar.com, create cool panoramic images from your own pictures
  • http://photoshow.com, create slideshows with music and transitions
  • https://www.yola.com, easy web-site creator
  • http://www.planbookedu.com, on-line lesson plan book 
  • http://www.picmonkey.com, easy to use picture editor 
0 Comments

I get a good feelin'...ABOUT ART!

8/21/2012

0 Comments

 
Picture
The day I realized it was okay to go crazy for art.
So...I love art history.  Love it.  

When I go to museums and galleries, I literally want to jump for joy, pump my fists in the air, clap...just express my love for art. And I never did.  I always kept that inkling to run and do a cartwheel to myself.  Until a little over a year ago.

I was selected to attend the Robert Rauschenberg Power of Art workshop in DC...I think it was 2009?...anyway, side note, teachers- look at this link, they select about thirty art teachers from across the nation for this, it is A-MA-ZING...

Ok, back on topic...excited about art...so one perk for me was that my friend Lauren lives near DC so we got to spend some time together when I wasn't in my workshops.  One of the the things we did?  Visit the National Gallery of Art.  
And, I guess I couldn't hold it in any longer.  I started doing jumps.  Actin' silly.  Just trying to express how excited I was to be around all of this art history.  Lauren commented that it was the most fun she had ever had at an art museum.  It was for me too!

So I kept that memory in my back pocket...til I went to Minnesota last year...and saw Claes Oldenburg's 'Spoonbridge'.  And...I just had to...leap.  (pic is in the slideshow) John was there and took the picture....then again on my recent trip to Chicago, I felt compelled to do the same thing.  Only...I was by myself.  So I took my pictures.  It was fun.  I did get a few folks to take pics for me, and it was just...fun.  


Here is my idea.  I teach in a rural area.  Many of my students have not ever been to a gallery or art museum.  Now, I am a grant writin' diva, but I can't always secure funds for field trips, and certainly not for all of my students.   When I show art  and talk about artists with their lessons sometimes it is hard to make that connection because they don't always have the prior knowledge.

So what if they saw the same artwork...and their art teacher was in front of it, lookin' all silly?  Or excited?  Yes m'am.

I am using the slideshow to the right to introduce my opening Art History overview lesson with my students in grades 6-8.  (Basically, the each grade level has a different focus, in sequential order by grade level, on the art history timeline.)  This was a fun way to show that I love art history, it can be fun...and to give them a connection to the work.

When we learn about Seurat's Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte, they will remember, 'hey, I saw Mrs. G actin crazy, and this picture was in front of her.'

Anyway...just an idea I had.

And I also had the idea that maybe I will have them do their own 'reaction' pics to the art from their art history project...thinking green screen...gotta talk to my friend Mr. Nottage on this one...
0 Comments

First Days of School

8/17/2012

2 Comments

 
I just had probably my best first week of school EVER.  Seriously.  If the rest of the year is this amazing...fingers crossed.

In the rest of this blog post I have just posted a few things that I do for the first day of school that, well..work.  They just do.  Its a bit random, but just some things that might be helpful.
 

Enjoy!
Picture
Best. Ever.
If you don't have this book- go buy it.  For real.  I had a chance to hear Harry Wong speak as a part of my North Carolina Teaching Fellows senior conference.  Looking back on it now, I realize how fortunate I was to have had this experience.  The book itself is so useful and applicable to any classroom...but hearing him speak, that is on another level.  

So...that is my absolute shameless plug for this book that really helped me to set a solid foundation for my teaching practice. This is my tenth year teaching and I still use ideas from this book.

He talks about the importance of establishing your Rules and Procedures on that first day.  It clicked for me and that is how I start class every year.  The way I figure...if I tell them from the first day...then they know my expect.  Honestly, there is nothing worse that someone getting mad at you for something, well, that you didn't know wasn't okay to do.  Sounds silly maybe?  But if I specifically tell them and model for them small things like how to enter the room...well, then they know to slow down, take a breath and come into the room in a calm manner, showing me they are ready to learn, and setting the tone for class.  

Here are my Rules and Procedures.  

Picture
Mrs. G is my teacher!
One concern students have the first day is, 'am I in the right place?'.  Besides the big ol' ART sign and Mona Lisa on the door I also stand at the door to greet my students with a smile.

I make sure my name is outside my door- and my credentials. I want my students to know that I am a highly qualified professional art educator.  I list my degrees, I list my NBCT status.  They need to know that I take pride in my profession and I they are in good hands.  

Picture
Seating Chart...bling edition
I always have a seating chart.  Period.  With having so many classes, I put together this board that sits on an easel outside my door. There is a sheet protector attached to it so I can have all the seating charts in there for the day, the students find their seats as they come in the door, and when I close the door I actually pull the seating chart for that class, put it on a clip board and write notes on it, changes seats, etc.

Picture
Table #s

So...how do they know where to sit?  Signs, of course!  I found these big 'ol paperclips one year at Target in the dollar area (I love that spot!) and it is easy for me to label the tables using these.

When the students come in there is a slide up prompting them to get out a piece of paper, part of a PPT I use on the first day.  

Here is what it looked like this year;
Welcome to Art, 2012-2013

Picture
A letter to myself...
One of the teachers here at my school placed a few boxes of envelopes in the resource room...and it gave me the idea to have my students write a letter to themselves as their first activity.  This is new for me but I am happy to report it was a big success.  

My prompts are listed in my opening PPT, but here is the gist of the prompts I gave;
  • Write the date and Dear...your name (on their own notebook paper)
  • Today is the first day of school and I feel...(prompted them to add details, why, etc)
  • One thing I am excited about this year...
  • Some of my goals for the year...related to art, academics, personal
  • If I could give myself advice for this school year...
  • Closing salutation.
  • Fold up, seal envelope and label with name and class period.


The main thing I want to stress is that for this to be effective you have to stress that this is for THEM.  They are the only ones that will read the letter, as it will be sealed.  When my students really made that connection...they just kept writing and writing.  My intent was not only to set the tone for the year, to get them focused and to think of goal setting, but I wanted to give them a chance to do something for themselves, to capture this day, this moment in time.

I labeled each class, secured them with rubber bands and I will hold onto these until the last day of art class, which for my 6-8th graders is in May.  So much can happen between now and May, they are going to grow so much and change and I want them to remember how they felt on the first day of this year.

Anyway, I will update in May as to how this worked out in the long run!

Picture
Name cards
My teaching situation is unique in that I teach 5-8th grades.  Weird, huh?  Middle School...and then one elementary class.  But I love it.  I did do the letter activity with my 5th graders, but I also like to have them make name cards.  This serves three purposes.  First, it helps me learn their names.  Second, it helps me quickly assess their work style and basic drawing skills/creativity.  Third, I can see what they are interested in, see a little of their personality.  I have my 5th graders for only one nine weeks then I get a new group and they are my biggest class so I have to make an extra effort to get to know each of them.

Picture
Scale Bookmark
And...Marzano.  Gotta have that, at least around these parts.  One thing that has worked for me is to print my 'scale' on bookmarks.  The kids get a bookmark, which is always helpful, and they have a tool for showing my their level of understanding of whatever we are working on at that time.  They can place these on their table and point to their 'number' when I walk by and then we can talk about why that is the best description for them or they can hold them up.  I have even had kids take extra to use in their academic classes, which I think is awesome!

I go over this with my Rules and Procedures.

Picture
Scales on the wall
I have the scales posted in my room (of course)...here is how I have my scales described and it works for me.

4-'I got this Mrs. G! ...and I can teach it to someone else'
3-' I understand...but I might need a reminder'
2-'I understand some of what you are sayinh'
1-....ummmm...I need some help!'

2 Comments

The First Day of School...a note from me.

8/14/2012

0 Comments

 
...it's almost here!  Tomorrow is the first day back and I would be lying if I said I wasn't excited.  

Later on I am going to blog a little about some things I do on the first days of school, and I will share some of my documents I use as well...but for tonight...just taking a moment to remember how nerve racking and exciting the first day can be for everyone...students, parents, teachers,admins, support staff...everyone.  


So... here is wishing my colleagues an amazing first day, and to my students...take a deep breath and make sure you begin this year with the end in mind...set goals, short and long term.  It's a new year, new possibilities. 


We are going to have a GREAT year!
Picture
0 Comments

To-Do List for Workdays

8/13/2012

0 Comments

 
Picture
Okay, so I really am that much of an organization junkie that I made a to-do list for my teacher workdays to maximize/account for my time.  I really did.

But...I think it helped.  It forced me to write out some of the things I hoped to accomplish, which I wrote in with pencil, going back and forth between things at the computer physical tasks  in 30 minute increments, then making notes about what I did.

It helped me to accomplish a good amount today, and not to fixate on any one thing for too long...which tends to happen.

Here is a link my printable to-do list



0 Comments

Resource Room.

8/13/2012

0 Comments

 
Here is a mini-tour of the Resource Room here at IMS.  I created this room last summer when I realized 1) I had a ton of stuff that could be re-used and, 2) there was an empty room.  That's how it happened, nothing fancy.

The room is clearly labeled with 'catergories' for different materials, from paper towel/toilet paper rolls, to plastic bags and containers, newspaper, assorted boxes...you name it!  Also in the room, msc. office supplies that seem to make their way to the art room but I felt that other folks might need.

Place the cursor over the picture on the right and move it from side to side to see a panoramic view of the resource room. 
 
Teachers at IMS...please feel free to check out this room- it's for all of us!  You can take from the room or you can add to the collection.  I just ask that you make sure any item that once contained  food/beverages  is cleaned and dry before leaving it in this room.  I hope that this will be a real 'resource' for you!
0 Comments

The Drawing Room.

8/10/2012

0 Comments

 
Okay...so one thing to know about my current teaching assignment is, well, I work at an awesome school but...it's,well... older.  Ok, it's pretty darn old.  We just got a new building the other year but, well, I am still in the older section of the building and have to deal with issues that come along with that...but one thing that is a positive..they have moved teachers to the new building, leaving empty rooms...and I have made use of those.  Last year I turned the old ISS room into a resource room, a place where teachers could find (and bring!) items like plastic containers, and newspaper and msc. boxes.  (I will do a take pics and do a separate post on that, definitely would recommend that if you have the space.)  Also, the old cafeteria is now open for me to share with the band director.  We use it as a rehearsal/3D art area and area to display art and music projects.  It is kind of our showplace.

So where was I?  Oh yes, old building...but a chance to use space creatively.  This year the two classrooms beside me are vacant, so I set up one like a traditional classroom with the desk set in rows.  I figure this is a good breakout area for quizzes or formal presentations.  And the other classroom...well, I turned it into a drawing room
. (below, put the cursor on the picture and drag fro side to side to see a pan of the space)
Picture
The newly created 'drawing room' is connected to my regular art room.
One thing about my art room...I don't have any windows.

Art teachers, I heard that gasp.  

Yep, no windows.  But not anymore!  Now I have created a space where I can have natural light.  My intention for this space is to use only dry media, due to the fact that there is no sink in the this particular room and the floor is carpeted.  I want to use this space for still life drawing and figure studies.

Picture
...so excited to have some LIGHT!
I arranged the tables in a large U-shape with the intention of finding a sturdy table that I can place in the middle of the 'U', but also that I can move if needed for a standing figure.  This space will allow me to leave a still-life set up without having to worry about items being moved.  Also, it is a large room and this set up will allow me to move freely throughout the room, not only to monitor my students behavior but also to be available to help them with their work.   AND...I have natural light! I can't wait to test out this new drawing room!  

Picture
A place to plan...
Another thing that I set up- a dedicated space for my short and long range planning.  

I feel like sometimes I get distracted at my desk with the computer being right there.  This empty classroom next door has a big desk (left) with plenty of place to spread out my calendar and art resources.  I think it will be a good option to have this area to escape to if I am having trouble focusing.  


I have worked in brand new classrooms, newer classrooms, old classrooms and really old classrooms.  Not every teaching space you get will be ideal. I have learned that sometimes you just have to make the best of what you have.   I may not have a brand new classroom, but I do have this opportunity to branch out and I think that my students will only benefit from this.  

0 Comments

Artist-Teacher.

8/8/2012

0 Comments

 
"Don't find time for art, MAKE time for art."

I am going to keep reminding myself that.  I have to.  See...school started back today, and summer break has been awesome, but I am glad to be going back.  Ever since I was a little kid, I have always loved school... been excited about the first days...as a student, and even now as the teacher.  I woke up at 4am this morning ready to jump out of bed and start my day, which for the next few days will be teacher work days...which leads into teaching...and coaching...and clubs...and working out...and just basically my life.  But I have to keep artin'.

I really do love teaching art...but...I love making my art.  Many times as an art teacher it is hard to keep making your own art.  To be frank, some folks don't think that you are an artist if you are a teacher.  

I am an artist.

I am an art teacher.

I am both.



For all of my art teachin' friends out there, let's support each other, remember why we got into this gig in the first place.  


Alright, now bring on the new school/art year!

0 Comments

Links for MCSD Orientation

8/7/2012

0 Comments

 
These are some links that I shared to new hires at the orientation session on 8-7-12.  I hope that these will be helpful!


  • Grants,  http://gironda-granted.yolasite.com/
  • On-line lesson plan book,  http://www.planbookedu.com/ 
  • Cool Websites (from FAEA conference)
0 Comments
    Picture

    General Info:
    3D-1 Syllabus
    Rules & Procedures
    Fee Info
    ​

    Sketch Lists/Info:
    ...coming soon!

    Exam:
    Yes, you have a mid-term AND final


    AP/Portfolio:
    ...you know what to do, so get to work :)



    Picture
    Extracurricular:
    -FC, meetings done for 2018-2019

    Picture

    Not my in my class...but wanna help my students?! Click here!

    Archives

    May 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    July 2019
    May 2019
    February 2019
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    August 2016
    February 2016
    June 2013
    November 2012
    August 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012





    AP...Pics to review
Proudly powered by Weebly