week 15 reflection

This is the final blog for this class, and I am grateful to have participated in this class. I can now see that I would like to teach with some sort of art, drama, dance, or music in every day. This may be a little high of a benchmark for some, but i want to show the kids there is art in every subject. something that really stood out to me in field was the lack of arts and the mindset that it was too difficult. I think that it might be hard the first little while, but eventually it would become automatic. I need every advantage I can get if i am going to get a job in teaching.

week 14 reflection

What: I have seen what the arts could be like in my classroom. I like the idea of teaching arts integration.

So what: I have had the opportunity to see the different genres of art throughout the semester, and I can see after field that arts needs to be in almost every lesson. I am excited to teach the curriculum in a different way other that bookwork, worksheet, and just writing. I am really interested to see what my classroom would be like with the arts as a staple, and not just a rotation once a week.

Now what: I know that arts has played a big role in my life. Most of the things I remember in my school experience, were artistic in nature. I believe that for me I will be using the arts for almost every lesson. The arts makes connections that nothing else can.

week 13 reflection final week of field

What: we have been learning how the arts enhances lessons and wakes up the students minds.

So What: this last week of our field, my field partner and I have been busy teaching the kids songs, and art. I noticed that the students really enjoyed making a craft or singing a song. I have been able to introduce singing into that classroom. I sang about 4-5 songs. They were silly songs and patriotic songs, but all of the kids sang along. The teacher never sang any songs.

Now What: I can see through this field experience that I need to have some sort of art in all of my lesson plans. First of all it will break things up, and second it will keep the kids engaged during the day. I know that I have not had the chance to teach full time yet, but hopefully I can retain art in my classroom. I always enjoyed my art lessons in my school days. I can remember more information because of a song, or an art lesson that tied into the subject.

week 11 reflection 3rd week field

What: For this week we have been trying to bring art into our classroom by using music.

So What: I have been able to introduce music into the classroom I was assigned to for field. We sang a song about America I taught the kids how to use their voices properly, and how to sing the song in a round. We practiced for Monday, and sang it on Tuesday, they sang it really well. We also talked about the words and what they meant.
I really think the kids liked it because it was a change of pace for them.

Now What: I know that being out in the classroom and just having field are two different things, but our teacher does not feel comfortable with singing, or games. I got a few looks from our teacher while we were singing. I know that as a teacher I would like to have art in my classroom. The reason for this is that there is art in everything we do in a day there is math, history, science, reading all rolled into one day. A person will never just have an all math day where they only do math problems. A person will encounter many different subjects in a given day and often at the same time. I believe that art can help to tie in all of these subjects.

week 10 reflection 2nd week field

What: I have been learning about how a classroom works and how I could integrate art in my classroom.

So what: I have learned through one of our lessons about art, that you have to allow for creativity. The teacher was long on her lesson beforehand, we had to deal with equipment that didn't work and we did not have the time to finish. We were able to make the turkeys eventually. Using line, shape and texture we were able to make some fun projects. All of the kids loved the idea of being creative. It is interesting that each students personality comes out in their art. Some kids wanted to do the bare minimum and just finish. Some had to have it perfect and make it look like the example, and some turkeys were made very unique.

Now what: I can see a little clearer about how hard it can be to plan some type of art into your lesson. I can also see that once the decision is made to put art into a lesson, the students minds are awakened.
Our teacher is very good at keeping her classroom in order, but there is little to no art. I would be a little board in her classroom. I know that I have quite a lot to learn when it comes to teaching, but I know I want to be more rich in my lessons.

week 9 reflection

what: We have been in the field experience at our assigned 5th grade class.

So what: We have been able to observe that the 5th grade class that we are in, has only one art class a week. They go to a dedicated art teacher. This week the teacher was talking about texture. There are a lot of kids at this elementary that have some kind of art everyday. In the halls I can hear the practicing of several thanksgiving plays. There is also one student who plays an instrument every morning.
the sixth grade is putting on a play and practicing every afternoon.

Now what: Although I have not been able to teach a lesson about art yet, I would like to be able to implement an art in every lesson I can. whether it is a whole lesson, or just a side attraction, I believe that art is very stimulating to the brain.

week 8 reflection

what: Music is a type of expression. Music is tied to emotion. Music is a great tool learning. Music engages kids like no other method. When the mind is "turned on" and there is a positive emotional response, Memorization is enhanced. Who doesn't remember at least one song word for word, but cant remember there math test from the same time period?
So What: My goals as a teacher for music in my classroom, would be the use of music in memorization, and to teach about music. I have always like to sing with my kids. I like to create a song that is personal to them from an existing song. I think that wakes them up if they're not listening, and also cements in their head the concept I was singing about. I do not have a lot of music knowledge, but I would like to learn enough that I could teach it correctly.
Now what:I think that for me to be comfortable with teaching music in the classroom, I need to be comfortable with music. I don't have a lot of experience, but I do love it. I know that kids can learn while they are listening to music. If I can get my students to listen, sing,and make music of their own, then I know it can make a difference in my classroom. I have said it before with other blog entries, I am going to make a list of what each lesson is, what it needs to be good. I will ask where can I add music, drama, art, and dance.