Finals

After completing the Photostory, my students were to complete one assignment in an allotted amount of time. They were to find their top images and create a single piece that displayed those images. A few are attached.

Photostory

After attending the IETC convention in Springfield a few weeks ago, I decided to try, with my photo 1 students, the idea of creating a simple photostory. Photostory is a free download on the Internet and is slightly different than movie maker, but an easy program to use. In the past as a final project, I have taught them to create moviemaker slide shows of their work for the year. To be honest I was getting a little tired of the same ole idea. The idea of a photostory is that the student tells a story that is both memorable and reflective. I found that the kids really took off on this lesson. Stories were written within days and they were pretty excited about this adventure. It isn't really like writing a paper, but rather I encouraged them to write like they talk. I want to hear them in their stories. I wanted them to tell me a story that was engaging me and to keep the images simple and significant to the story. I encouraged the use of the thesaurus as a reference and using their peers as peer readers. Students added their own photos to the work. Some that they had taken in the class and some that were simply pictures from their past. I look forward to sharing these with you next week. I few have been turned in and will be having a few re-record as they are reading slightly fast or without expression. Easy fixes for a very cool project.

2 day self portrait assignment for photo

We took a couple of days in class to learn about brushes and backgrounds in photoshop. Students were allowed to create self portraits. These are some of their "stories"

IETC

This year I have been lucky enough to attend the 17th annual Illinois Educators Technology Conference in Springfield Illinois. First, I have to start by saying I Love Conferences! I really do. At this point some of you are thinking I am completely nuts. But it is what it is. I think every teacher needs to walk away from the classroom, submerge themselves in with all kinds of Educators and find themselves again. Find the passion, the enjoyment, and the desire to try new things. I like conferences for the simple fact that you come out of them feeling refreshed and excited about heading back to classroom with new ideas. I have found that I enjoy tech conferences sometimes more than I enjoy art conferences. Don't get me wrong I love those too, but there are times when you attend conferences with those that teach the same subject matter as you and you have to play the who's the better art teacher game. I hate that. Tooooo much competition. With a tech conference you have a splash of everyone and it is great to see what people do and the things that they know coming from so many areas. I have been in a lot of different classes in the past two days and I have to admit that I am looking forward to coming back to school and trying some new ideas. I am also thinking about putting in for a session of my own here next year. With the way that schools are changing and headed to project based instruction, I think I can find something to talk about. I'm actually considering a new blog on 365 days of art and technology projects. A blog a day. That would be a challenge! But if I was successful, wouldn't that be a great presentation! Just an idea!

Veterans Day

To many students and teachers alike, veterans day is just another day off of school. To others and some you least expect it is so much more.

My husband is a Navy Veteran from Desert Storm. He served on the Naval Carrier USS America. My husband has such fond memories of his days in the military. He met some of his truest friends in his service. I asked him once if he was ever scared about being in a war. And he simply replied no. And that my friends, is the American Soldier. They have no fear in risking their lives to protect and serve their country. Not many people can say that. So on November 11th, I ask you to think about those people you may or may not know that have served or currently are serving our country and thank them in word or deed or thought. But please take a moment to thank them.

Altered/ Handmade Books

My Art 1 Students started the task this week of creating handmade altered books. This is very hard for some of them to think of a book as a piece of art. It is a challenge to create a book that is inviting and interesting. We have been watching a lot of YouTube videos on bookmaking and creating the individual pages which are each a single piece of art. I am looking forward to how these books will turn out.

off day

I haven't blogged in a few days. Not really sure why. But I have not been myself lately. I even cried yesterday...during class. I know, I know, "There is no CRYING in ART CLASS." But sometimes it just happens. My kids were sweet about it, but still. What a blubbering idiot. Oh well, so today I am just quiet. Can't think well. Again not sure why. Started my kids on some detailed projects today dealing with altered collage which makes them a little quiet too. I think I need to remember that we all have our days where we are on or we are off and then we have those days where we are scattered in between.Tomorrow I think I need to start thinking with my mind and not my heart. That should help. Until tomorrow...