Reflection #5

What: This past week in class we learned more about process drama. We were able to experience activities and learn about different children's books.  I really enjoyed watching/listening the group presentations because I was able to learn about different books, but I was also able to see how the groups incorporated fun, interesting activities into the text.  For example, one class was talking about the Holocaust and how people were crammed into cargo trains.  Each person would only have enough room to stand still.  They did not have room to stretch their arms, legs, nothing.  For their activity they had made a box with tape on the floor and told all of us that we had to fit into the box.  The box represented the cargo trains that people crammed into.  Doing this activity gave me a small dose of what it was like for Jews during the Holocaust.  

So What: In my future classroom I would like to implement as many drama things as possible.  I would love to use activities to help explain certain lessons because children (as well as adults) learn so much better when the lessons are visual.  

Now What: Doing these drama activities in class has really made me see the importance of art, especially drama.  I came home after class last week and told my husband that "I feel like I'm finding my inner drama-self."  I love that we've been able to do fun activities and things where we aren't sitting at our tables for hours.  In preparing to implement drama into my future classroom, I will continue to participate as much as possible in class now.  I really think it's important that each one of us students (in the EL Ed program) become confident in ourselves and be able to act silly, and act out of our comfort zones at times.  I'm really excited to practice these activities someday soon!

Reflection #4

What: Today I learned how to open up and express myself through drama.  We learned many different games to help children feel comfortable with themselves and with others.  I have come to the conclusion that using drama in the classroom can be very beneficial and can really help many students learn.

So What: The activity that I think I will use the most is the "Who started the motion" game.  I also really like the "machine" game. These two games are great for getting students out of their seats and doing something productive, although not class curriculum.  I think the motion game is more of a fun one that can be used as a reward when students act well, and the machine game gives students a chance to be creative and think outside of the box, but at the same time have a good time.  I would like to use the motion game on the first day of class as a sort of ice breaker.  It will hopefully help students to feel more comfortable in class.

Now What: I think it's important to incorporate drama into all curricular events because it helps students become more outgoing and comfortable with themselves.  Also, when you get to where I am in my life (college) jobs and internships come easier when one is outgoing and able to communicate with others.  Students also need drama because everyone needs to be well-rounded regardless of what their hobbies are.  Having a general idea about a lot of things is a great thing! 

Reflection #3

What: This week in class we learned the 6 principles of art: proportion, balance, variety, rhythm, emphasis, and unity.  To be honest, I have never heard of, or referred to, these 6 principles before this week.  However, I really enjoyed learning about them because it helps to better understand pieces of art.  In the past when I have gone through museums, or places with art, I have looked at the works of art for a brief few seconds and continued on to the next piece.  Now, after learning the principles and elements of art, I hope that I will be able to take time when I go to museums and really look at what the artist is trying to say/illustrate. Using children's books to better understand art is a fabulous idea in my opinion.  The pictures are usually rich with color or with detail, and the pictures are usually very simple, or at least simple enough for children to understand.  Also, because there are so many children's books, you can probably find every element and principle of art in at least one picture book.  

So What: When I am a teacher I hope to teach my students about the different artists and the different and unique techniques they use in illustrating.  By doing this, students will be able to find out which principle they enjoy using, if any.  They will also be able to look at pieces of art and understand the message the artist is trying to convey.  

Now What: Well, I already talked about how learning the principles of art can benefit my future students and myself, but something I have not mentioned is being artistically literate.  In our day and age, and it will only progress more, more and more people are learning about the arts, and even if art isn't something a person is interested in, it is still something they should have a general knowledge about.  If there is ever a time to add something to a conversation, it's nice to be the one to make the comment.  I believe all people, no matter what field they may be in, should be well-rounded and have a general knowledge about many things. 

Reflection #2

Visual arts is something that I always enjoyed while in elementary school, and still enjoy even in college.  Having art be "visual" helps me (and I'm sure other students as well) see things clearly and really get a feel for what art is.  

While doing the visual art activity in class I learned the six elements of art, which I did not know before this class.  I also learned just how important each element is and how creative a person can become through each element. When I become a teacher I hope to allow students to really experience visual arts, and come to know the six different elements.  As a person, I will now look at pieces of different artwork and better understand where the artist is coming from.

One way I can prepare to teach my students about the visual arts is to continuously practice with the visual arts and to get better at each element.  When I have successfully done this, I will be able to explain the elements with more clarity and have more confidence when teaching my students.  

This activity changed me because I hadn't experience many of the different elements before.  For example, I had never drawn a color wheel, and after doing the "color" section I now know how to make a color wheel.