Ah, the every humbling experience of Junior Scholastics.


Our middle Tennessee regionals just finished, and my wonderful 8th
graders received three silvers.  I just finished going through the
judges' rubrics, and understand most of the comments.  Now, the issue is
to help some of the most sensitive I have to understand that they don't
have to take this one "rejection" as entirely gut-wrenching.


I've talked to other art teachers in the district, and some feel that I
SHOULD NOT share the judging rubrics with my students.  In fact, I was
told that really, the rubrics were more for ME than the students.


I disagree, after reading the rubrics.  They seem to be sensitive to the
level of work performed.  But

I'm still dreading the thought of the kids who've always excelled, not
getting the aclaim they expecterd.


I was going to research the five stages of grief (isn't rejection like a
small death?)  and re-reading <underline>Art & Fear
</underline>(recommended by one of you when I had my first artistic
rejection!) but I Googled "rejection of visual artists" first and found
this great article, "Dr. ARt on Dealing with Rejection." 
(www.nohoartsdistsrict.com/art/article_archive_feb_04.htm).  


Should we help our students learn about rejection?  I know I could have
used some prep!




Maggie Tucker


arttucker@earthlink.net

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