Week 11: Initial Blog Responses (4-12-15)

Jon-

Very neat! It was great to see how two kindergarten students respond to such a deep question. It was interesting to hear Presley start with the basics. I think she responded and felt that the jest of art was based around drawing pretty pictures. However, once Jacqui began to give a more elaborate response you could see the wheels turning in Presley’s mind. They were then stimulated to think about whether art is something that you do on your own, if your teacher makes you do it, or if a friend could be the motivator behind the art making. Through discussion, I think their ideas about art were beginning to expand. Keep on asking those why questions! And maybe even have the kiddos come up with some questions of their own. Maybe you can even start a KWL chart. I love the quote from this week’s reading which I think is relevant to all learners:

"Once you have learned how to ask questions--relevant and appropriate and substantial questions--you have learned how to learn and no one can keep you from learning whatever you need or want to know."

~Postman and Weingartner

Shirley-

I like the idea of combining science and art. This lesson is a great way to overlap subject areas. Another great thing is that the microorganisms kind of take on a more non-representational approach which allows for all projects to look unique. I’m curious about some of the questions that you used during the VTS/”looking at art” section of the lesson. What were some of the queries that you posed and how did the students respond (and vice versa)? I bet the students were wowed by many of the images that you chose to display. Did any of the images seem to make more of an impact (just curious)? 
Side note: I recently read clip card lesson plan in SchoolArts Magazine called “At the Cellular Level”. It might be of interest to you, too. The students were inspired to create clay artworks based on what they found under microscopes:
http://www.schoolartsdigital.com/i/152199-jan-2007/8