I'll leave you with some London, instagram style.
Cheers,
Jeff
Saturday, January 26, 2013
Update
It's been awhile but I figured I should probably update this to reflect what I've been up to recently. Just after getting married in 2011, my wife was told that her Counseling position was being cut due to budget limitations. We were thinking about moving anyway and we decided to make the jump into International Schools. We now live in London and we're loving every minute of it! I teach Art to High School students in an American school just outside of london. Check out what we're up to at our blog. To see more student projects and for some good teaching resources I've collected, check our wiki. To see some of my recent artwork, check behance! Finally, my wife, Lauren, has started a blog around working as a School Counselor at an International School. You can find her here!
I'll leave you with some London, instagram style.
Cheers,
Jeff
I'll leave you with some London, instagram style.
Cheers,
Jeff
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Last Day of School!!
Well, my last day with students at Bolivia finally came and went. This week has been a flurry of last minute finishing touches on bobble heads and stop motion projects, passing back all the artwork I've been hoarding, putting up our art show at central office, painting ceiling tiles and having our art club party (thanks for all the frosted donuts and cupcakes)!!
Every year on the last day at Bolivia, teachers come out to the parking lot to make a tunnel for 5th graders to run under on their way to the bus. As is tradition, the buses then do a lap around the parking lot to say goodbye. Here's a few shots from my phone.
Every year on the last day at Bolivia, teachers come out to the parking lot to make a tunnel for 5th graders to run under on their way to the bus. As is tradition, the buses then do a lap around the parking lot to say goodbye. Here's a few shots from my phone.
Stop Motion Animations
Our 5th graders have worked very hard to finish up their stop motion animation projects. Students organized themselves into small groups and worked on concept development, storyboards, photography and music selection. We finished the project this past week with a school-wide presentation!
Below are several highlights, followed by links to each group's video for student viewing. We hope you enjoy our films!!!
A note to parents: These videos have been uploaded to YouTube but are not listed in public search results on that site. The only way these can be accessed is by clicking the link from this website.
Rockband
Haunted Bathroom
The Bugatti
Alien Vegetables
Space Alien
Nightmare Come Alive
Flying Frog
Burrito
Links to every group's video:
Flying Frog - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sMb-d2oWZ6Q
Alien Vegetables - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Grk_B-ueqBM
Burrito - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W0p0dAPyL1Q
The Bugatti - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JH8IMFiiPPY
Haunted Bathroom - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLQ_bLhmAZI
Formation of the Earth - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-LLvfQUskw
Space Alien - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UNSJSEaxS_0
Nightmare Come Alive - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHdk9_mOd54
Rockband - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3QB9UUd5xNE
Devil Demons - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yrkNV5dBTFk
Jewelry - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtdp6DSixAI
Walking Shoes - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ipvqVNiF6Jc
Rocket Horse - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MolWWMzBhIA
Spy Shoes - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSiwc3UnOpk
Sea Monster - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lvM33F3qd8k
Fishy Fishy - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmklSpRLYwY
Werewolf Dog - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U9iotCflRGI
Snakes - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kulwICWKV80
Cupid - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2AqEcHAGXkU
Hearts - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3R9eg_B8l4s
Sumo Horse - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8bAQQ8IoT_w
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Seattle Part 2: Play, Creativity
I just saw that I started writing a summary of some of the talks that stood out to me from the Seattle NAEA Convention way back in March but for some reason never posted it. Better late than never I guess. There were lots of other talks that I wanted to touch on so perhaps when I get some time I'll go back and add them.
-
The following are some of the highlights / takeaways from noteworthy presentations at the 2011 NAEA National Convention in Seattle. Creativity and play were consistent themes that I noticed in several of this year's presentations. Along those lines, quite a few talks dealt with the restrictions we place on student work. After attending these past two conventions, I've found that I've expanded my thinking on what subject matter / ideas students are "allowed" to work with. When I first started teaching, I was inclined to have them stay away from controversial subject matter or outlandish ideas. More and more often, though, I've found myself asking why not. And so I've tried to let students pursue many of those ideas to see where it takes them. That being said, I'm probably still somewhere in the middle - not quite going so far as some of the presenters (who suggest total freedom and discuss art as a healthy way of dealing with difficult topics such as violence, sexuality, etc.)
Creating Early Childhood Environments to Support Creativity & Imagination - This was a panel of presentations but Pat Tarr gave a particularly great talk on how to promote student exploration, inquiry, creativity, etc. She suggests organizing a large variety of different materials to create a rich environment that promotes discovery, interaction, multi-sensory experiences, kinesthetic experiences, exploration, wonder, inquiry... and to provide opportunities for students to really engage in the exploration of materials. She describes the teacher's role in modeling a sense of wonder, taking an open ended approach, a sense of what if?, and ability to carefully listen to students. All too often, too many restrictions are placed on students' creativity and with this talk, she encourages teachers to "say yes."
This panel made many connections with the TAB approach, which, coincidentally is what I went to see next.
Play and Collaboration in the Choice Based Studio - Kathy Douglas
Teaching Artistic Behaviors (TAB)
I found Kathy's talk at last year's convention to be very compelling and so I checked in once again. She didn't disappoint.
For those that don't know, the basic concept of TAB is to encourage a student directed art room where students are truly intrinsically motivated and use a wide range of materials (of their choice) to complete projects (also of their choice). TAB teachers set up stations around the room and introduce (open) them by going through various techniques, proper care of materials, relevant ideas, etc. Instructions / inspiration are also posted and supplied for each center.
List of "centers" - chalkboard, puppet, architecture / construction / blocks, sculpture, drawing, photography, paint, fibers.
A nice quote: "children discover their gifts... we don't tell them... all we have to do is notice it and applaud it." This is really meaningful as I think a big part of the reason I ended up developing my creative talents and pursuing the arts was because I had this kind of support - someone to recognize and applaud. I try to do this as much as I can in my own practice as I think it can be extremely important for young people.
She also makes a point that not all work should be intended for exhibition. Much of the work is an experimentation and aesthetically, not that pleasing. She has students self assess the quality of their work and choose what they would like to exhibit. She always has them write artist statements to accompany their work. Assessing students, one of the things she looks for is if students are applying what they've learned to new situations (which they are constantly).
All together, she makes a compelling case for having less structure and more opportunities for students to take a central role in directing their own learning, and to really explore the materials. Giving (early childhood) students opportunities to play seemed to be one of the underlying themes of many workshops in this convention. The presenters made the case that this is important in developing creative thinking, developing social abilities, language, etc.
-
The following are some of the highlights / takeaways from noteworthy presentations at the 2011 NAEA National Convention in Seattle. Creativity and play were consistent themes that I noticed in several of this year's presentations. Along those lines, quite a few talks dealt with the restrictions we place on student work. After attending these past two conventions, I've found that I've expanded my thinking on what subject matter / ideas students are "allowed" to work with. When I first started teaching, I was inclined to have them stay away from controversial subject matter or outlandish ideas. More and more often, though, I've found myself asking why not. And so I've tried to let students pursue many of those ideas to see where it takes them. That being said, I'm probably still somewhere in the middle - not quite going so far as some of the presenters (who suggest total freedom and discuss art as a healthy way of dealing with difficult topics such as violence, sexuality, etc.)
Creating Early Childhood Environments to Support Creativity & Imagination - This was a panel of presentations but Pat Tarr gave a particularly great talk on how to promote student exploration, inquiry, creativity, etc. She suggests organizing a large variety of different materials to create a rich environment that promotes discovery, interaction, multi-sensory experiences, kinesthetic experiences, exploration, wonder, inquiry... and to provide opportunities for students to really engage in the exploration of materials. She describes the teacher's role in modeling a sense of wonder, taking an open ended approach, a sense of what if?, and ability to carefully listen to students. All too often, too many restrictions are placed on students' creativity and with this talk, she encourages teachers to "say yes."
This panel made many connections with the TAB approach, which, coincidentally is what I went to see next.
Play and Collaboration in the Choice Based Studio - Kathy Douglas
Teaching Artistic Behaviors (TAB)
I found Kathy's talk at last year's convention to be very compelling and so I checked in once again. She didn't disappoint.
For those that don't know, the basic concept of TAB is to encourage a student directed art room where students are truly intrinsically motivated and use a wide range of materials (of their choice) to complete projects (also of their choice). TAB teachers set up stations around the room and introduce (open) them by going through various techniques, proper care of materials, relevant ideas, etc. Instructions / inspiration are also posted and supplied for each center.
List of "centers" - chalkboard, puppet, architecture / construction / blocks, sculpture, drawing, photography, paint, fibers.
A nice quote: "children discover their gifts... we don't tell them... all we have to do is notice it and applaud it." This is really meaningful as I think a big part of the reason I ended up developing my creative talents and pursuing the arts was because I had this kind of support - someone to recognize and applaud. I try to do this as much as I can in my own practice as I think it can be extremely important for young people.
She also makes a point that not all work should be intended for exhibition. Much of the work is an experimentation and aesthetically, not that pleasing. She has students self assess the quality of their work and choose what they would like to exhibit. She always has them write artist statements to accompany their work. Assessing students, one of the things she looks for is if students are applying what they've learned to new situations (which they are constantly).
All together, she makes a compelling case for having less structure and more opportunities for students to take a central role in directing their own learning, and to really explore the materials. Giving (early childhood) students opportunities to play seemed to be one of the underlying themes of many workshops in this convention. The presenters made the case that this is important in developing creative thinking, developing social abilities, language, etc.
Saturday, April 09, 2011
Thursday, April 07, 2011
Seattle Part 1: Photo Highlights
Wow, this has definitely been a crazy year! I'm going to attempt to get back on track with the blog... Lots to post so we'll see if I can make it happen.
On line at the first Starbucks store
Anyway, here's a start. I recently attended the 2011 NAEA Convention in Seattle, WA. Here's a recap of pictures of some of the sights I took in around the convention and in the city! Next post, I'll try to recap some of the many highlights that stood out to me.
Pike Place Market
View from my hotel room!
On line at the first Starbucks store
Space Needle
Richard Serra @ The Sculpture Park
The Exhibitors Hall
Printmaking demo
Throwing on the wheel
Amazing Nick Cave show at the Seattle Art Museum
Nick Cave's Soundsuits
From a presentation on the design process
From a presentation by Dr. Root Bernstein on correlations between scientists and the arts / creativity
From a presentation on keeping visual journals
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Our new Timberlake
Last year, the Bob Timberlake Foundation awarded Bolivia an ongoing grant to create a collection of artwork at our school. We're very excited to have received our newest print, Grandfather Mountain, which was beautifully framed by the wonderful folks over at Murray Art & Frame in Leland. Take a look next time you're in our front office!
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