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Lesson Plans


Re: Art is not recess

[ Thread ][ Subject ][ Author ][ Date ]
Fran Marze (fmaiu+@pitt.edu)
Sat, 6 Feb 1999 14:29:24 -0500 (EST)

When you think of how much fun we have teaching art, then it is easier not
to get upset by the perspective of others. In all honesty, now with the
stress on teachers of state standards in reading; I know teachers at our
high school have to work very hard with the standards for reading and
writing and the state testing. Perhaps you could talk to the teachers and
explain that when you are starting a new lesson with a demo and
motivation, you need everyone there. Maybe when there is a continued
lesson or studio time, the students could come late if they are able to
stay or work in their classroom with their art. is this an option?

ANyway, you have this same stuff at the high school level. Just now I am
in some hot water because I found out that a memo went out to guidance
counselors about requiring keyboarding class for all computer courses,
including computer art! The young man who teaches computer art said it's
not necessary; I'm dept. chair and never heard a word of this. So students
are being told in meetings that they need keyboarding before taking
computer art, which is one of our many art courses. I spoke to the
principal about this and said it didn't make sense as they use the mouse
in computer art (and their sketchbooks) not a keyboard. I said I felt it
was just another way to promote keyboarding. He was offended so I'm in hot
water it seems. But, you see, these issues of what is important come up in
all places. I remember when i left elem art to teach English at the high
school, one of my third graders said I was going to be a "Real Teacher." I
was for 12 years ; now I guess I'm not. I think it is all ludicrous.

Hang in there. Try for some compromises that work for you. The Win-win
stuff. Fran