Reflection #5 - Drama Part Two

What: This week in class, we used children's literature to incorporate drama games and activities into a lesson plan. We all got to participate in the activities that each group prepared and presented to the class.
So What: I found it really interesting and surprising that all of the groups were able to come up with so many fun and original ideas. Each group found a way to get the listeners engaged and involved in the content of their story. I especially enjoyed the group presentation where a historical storybook was used. I think using drama games is a great way to help students understand and even enjoy history, mostly because I think it is one of the more difficult subjects for elementary students. It was really fun for me to see how each of the games could work at different grade levels as well. Many of the activities gave the listener free reign to use their imagination and I think this is something that can really help children to develop a better understanding of a subject.
Now What: I really enjoy doing these sorts of class presentation. I feel that by doing lesson plans on drama, I am able to examine how it can help and entertain students. I think these factors make it so I will be more likely to use drama games in my own classroom. I really appreciate having all the examples on the class website available to me. I think having those ideas available will also make me more likely to use drama with my own students one day. I'm really excited to see how the other sections of creative arts will be similar to this one and to see if I will enjoy them equally.

Reflection #4 - Drama Part One

What: This week in class we learned about different ways to expose children to drama. We played several games and also learned ways to use drama in other daily subjects you teach in your classroom.
So What: I have to admit that I was pretty skeptical about this week's lesson. I've never taken a drama class in my life so I was a little nervous to learn anything along those lines. I was pleasantly surprised to see all the different ways you can teach drama to young children. I loved learning about how to use dramatic activities in other subjects or content areas. When we read the story 'Jessie Goes to America', it was so fun to see all the possibilities that would help kids understand the concept of immigration. I loved seeing how you can get students involved and excited about a topic.
Now What: I was really excited to learn more about something that I know so little about. I think drama is something that kids could really enjoy if it is used in a fun, non-threatening setting. I think now that I know more about the types of activities you can do with kids, I will be more likely to try and incorporate these lessons into my own classroom.

Reflection #3 - Visual Arts Part Two

What: I have really enjoyed learning about the elements and principles of art in class this week. Although it was review for me, it was interesting to interpret this lesson from the point of view of an elementary student. I really liked being able to look at the prints displayed around the room and determining which ones used which elements or principles. I also enjoyed using the decks of paintings at our tables and holding up good examples of each principle and element.
So What: There are so many ways you could incorporate using the principles and elements of art into your classroom. They would definitely be a great tool to use when showing students a new book. It would be great to allow students to examine the art in the book and construct their own opinions about what good examples of art elements and/or principles the book demonstrates. As a teacher, I think a big part of teaching art is allowing students to work at their own pace and share their own ideas about a piece of art. Allowing students to participate in engaging, fun activities such as the ones we did in class would encourage them to get excited about art and to enjoy evaluating a particular piece of art.
Now What: Teaching the elements and principles of art is a basic step in helping students understand how to evaluate art, but it is also very important. By watching each student share their ideas or opinions about a particular print or painting, there is a lot of great insight a teacher could obtain. You may be able to learn more about that student's learning style or their strengths in school. By spending time to teach students the basics of art, a teacher could find ways to help their students succeed in other subjects as well.

Reflection #2 - Visual Arts Part One

What: This week in class, I really enjoyed learning about the elements of art. Of course I had been introduced to these before, but I had never examined them through the eyes of an elementary student. By completing the projects demonstrated in class, I was able to try and determine how a young student might interpret this form of visual arts.
So What: As a teacher, I can definitely see how the concept of the elements of art could be a difficult and perhaps boring one for young students. I loved the way we were able to use engaging art projects to learn about each element. The projects we completed in class were something I can definitely imagining using in my own classroom and it also made me curious about what other projects for elementary students I could find pertaining to the elements of art.
Now What: The more I learn about teaching art, the more excited I become to incorporate it into my own classroom one day. I find that so far in this class, I am constantly wondering how I can learn more about art. I have become excited to do my homework and complete my own art journal that will hopefully assist me with teaching art in my own classroom one day. Most of all, it is fun to get back to being an elementary student and completing my own art projects.