I watched a bit of Mr. Holland's Opus the other day.  This is my all time favorite teaching movie and  I can't help myself but stop and watch some of it whenever it is on.  The scene I caught was his first day ever of teaching where he asks a group of high school students "What is music?"  This scene got me thinking... what is art?

Being the geek that I am, I asked google.  

I woke up in the middle of the night last night thinking about this question.  This is partially because of a cricket at my window and partially because I am a bit stressed about the start of the new school year.  I want to change things up a bit and challenge the students to be more thoughtful in their work and in their perception of the world around them.  But I worry that I may be aiming above the heads of my middle school children.  

This will be the first year of a new evaluation system that includes Student Learning Objectives - requiring pre- and post-tests to gauge student progress through the course.  I am actually considering a writing prompt that is as simple as this question - "What is art?"  But, I fear asking such a general question will result in a general answer and the great philosophical potential will be missed by the students (and some of the administrators!).  

But maybe that is the point - they won't get it in September but by June they will see the depth of thought that can go into responding to such a  question... 

In "What is Art?", Leo Tolstoy says:
Art is not, as the metaphysicians say, the manifestation of some mysterious idea of beauty or God; it is not, as the aesthetical physiologists say, a game in which man lets off his excess of stored-up energy; it is not the expression of man’s emotions by external signs; it is not the production of pleasing objects; and, above all, it is not pleasure; but it is a means of union among men, joining them together in the same feelings, and indispensable for the life and progress toward well-being of individuals and of humanity.

I believe this.  So perhaps it is time to raise the bar and to engage my students in deeper thought.  Perhaps it is time to ask the question, "what is art?"

3 hours and 50 minutes... In the grand scheme of life, this isn't much time. But for a teacher accustomed to 42 minutes chunks of time, 3 hours and 50 minutes is huge.

I've spent a much of today reflecting on my first college teaching experience. I feel mostly positive about what I was able to accomplish - introductions in a meaningful and thoughtful way, review of the course syllabus, and construction of a hand-bound book for use in the course. It was great to see the students find the rhythm of book binding and create a useful and personal journal. Having used this exact technique with 8th graders, I was pleased to see the college students grasp the procedure and be able to repeat each step indepentantly.

My reflections today brought to mind some areas that need improvement. I assumed a certain skill level that may not be universal. I also need to spell each week's activities out a bit more specifically to avoid confusion. And unfortunately, I think there will need to be a conversation regarding professionalism in general as this course is aimed at preparing students for careers as teachers.

I don't think I spend enough time reflecting on middle school lessons.  When I first began teaching I thought about every activity extensively after it was completed.  But as time goes by, this practice gets a little weak.  I hope to return to reflection this school year and think about how lessons are successful and how they may need improvement.  Without reflection, I won't learn anything from my daily practice.    

All in all, I survived. I feel confident I can teach college art education, and do this well. I believe that I have a wealth of useful knowledge, skills, and experience to share as I continue down this college path.

24 hours from now, I will be able to say I survived my first day as a college art education instructor.  At this moment, I am both excited and anxious about what tomorrow will hold.  Getting to know the course site 36 hours before the start of the course has really helped to fuel my anxiety.  Falling out of a doorway onto the concrete on my way to the campus library didn't do much for my ego.  However, reviewing the material we will cover on day one has been a nice reminder of why I want to help future art educators along their path.  

Week one's readings include Daichendt's (2009) article on George Wallis where he discusses the idea of artist-teachers.  I believe strongly in, not only the idea, but the reality of being an artist/educator.  I believe it is important for students to see their teacher as a practicing artist.  When students see their teacher as not only a source of information but also a producer of creativity, the dynamic in the classroom can change from one of resource to inspiration.  As an artist/educator, I am constantly helping to renew my teaching practice by developing my artistic skills and knowledge.  Art is a field where change is constant and remaining current is essential.   

Tomorrow is the beginning of a new journey for me in art education and I can't wait to start down this path.  Wish me luck! 

Today was kinetic sculpture day with Meryl Tardash.  Meryl is a college professor and sculptor working with kinetic, or moving, artwork.  She has had the opportunity to produce a number of public art pieces, many of which make us of mobile structures.  I found today to be a huge challenge because of the patience required to find balance points.  Patience is not my forte but Meryl had patience to spare and helped me to grasp the idea of asymmetrical balance.  We talked a great deal about the work of Alexander Calder and how he was the first artist to create suspended works.  Meryl spent time explaining the science behind kinetic works of art and specifically the physics of asymmetrical balance (d(istance) X w(eight) = w X d).  I have a friend who infuses his physics class with art by having the students build functional mobiles and I would like to pursues       

I've never been drawn to sculpture in the same way I'm drawn to two dimensional artwork. This is partially the result of my own limited exposure to the media and partially because of how I think and see as an artist. Today's activity may have brought me around a bit.

Artist, Bruce Lindsay, worked with our group to create plaster casts of our hands. We used a kit manufactured by Casting Kits that allows you to create a mold and cast simply and easily. The results are pretty awesome and would work great with students.

In my opinion the benefits of professional development such as this are twofold... First, I'm exposed to new techniques and ideas that are revitalizing to my teaching practice. Second, I'm able to make personal and professional connections with other artists and educators. In talking with Bruce today I found a possible co-conspirator in my pursuit to give my school a sculptural mascot. I also found a valuable resource who may be able to help me pursue a sculptural project of my own that has been waking me up at night. Stay tuned, I see big, three dimensional things in the future.

Connections with Sculpture is a FREE, three day program for educators in Hamilton and Trenton, NJ.  The program includes hands-on workshops, tours and practical information for educators who wish to bring their students to the sculpture gardens.  The program is grant funded and provides for transportation and workshop expenses for the educators to bring their students to Grounds for Sculpture during the upcoming school year.  

Living in central New Jersey has it's perks. One of the greatest perks is my proximity to Grounds for Sculpture. If you're within two hours, this place is worth the drive. If you're farther away, it is still worth the visit!

GFS announced a FREE professional development program for educators in Hamilton and Trenton. I applied and was accepted to the 3-day program which will include tours, artmaking, applications for the classroom and a grant for transportation to bring my students to view the grounthe during the school year. I'm very excited about this opportunity but today's pouring rain has me a bit bummed. Here's hoping that the schedule is adjusted and we stay inside today! I'll post later with details of the day's activities.