In a message dated 04/14/2001 2:42:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
JDecker@woh.rr.com writes:
>
> Part of my reason for asking for everyone's area of expertise is to show my
> students that even artists and art teachers are not "good (experts) at
> everything". So many of my students come to me with a poor attitude about
> art, "I am not good in art" --I know you folks hear it, too. I tell them I
> am not all that "good at art either" if they mean "gifted" or "talented" at
> creating art.
> Judy, funny, how we all approach things differently! I have a couple of
> reactions that I say and do when a student claims he/she is "not good in
> art". They want to know why I'm so good and they are not. I explain that
> to be really good at anything requires practice. Everyone, from a musician
> to a doctor must practice, practice, practice. The more art ones does, the
> more one will become comfortable. I do acknowledge that, yes, I am an
> "expert", but that I have been doing art since I'm 2 yrs. old and I've
> since had a lot more schooling than they have. I want to serve as an
> inspiration and I guess the kids do know the truth, anyway, so I don't deny
> it. What I suggest is they carry a sketch pad, do art at home on the
> weekends, and give them "rainy day" art ideas.
>
Another way I approach this attitude is to explain that some artists are more
"painterly", while others have an aptitude in sculpture, for example. I
remind them that I'm consider myself a painter, although I can "do" all art,
it's the type of art in which I feel I excel. Judy, YOU ARE an expert-
gifted, talented, however you want to put it, in computer imaging!!!! Please
don't sell yourself short by claiming that you are "not good at art either".
I'd say you are pretty damn good- you've found your strength in the computer-
pure inspiration for your kids!
Two more ideas: when my students say "I don't know how to do this", I say,
"You are not supposed to know how to do this, that's you're here to learn!"
If you already knew how, I'd be out of a job!" Somehow, they are satisfied
with this rational.
Lastly, I use humor... When a student says CAN"T, I begin my squirming and
itching routine! I twitch and jump around the room scratching myself....you
see, I'm highly allergic to the word CAN'T!!! My students only say can't now
to be funny and they get a kick out of my reaction. Keep in mind that I
teach K-5, a captive audience, maybe this routine wouldn't go over with older
ones, but who knows?
Susan on Long Island
