Note: To protect the privacy of our members, e-mail addresses have been removed from the archived messages. As a result, some links may be broken.

Lesson Plans


art videos and Middle level discipline

[ Thread ][ Subject ][ Author ][ Date ]
Pamela W. Lackey (pwl_smsd.pa.us)
Thu, 15 Oct 1998 15:19:46 -0400

In reply to the issue of what whould be desirable in an art video for
high school; here are my problems with art videos that I have seen:
they are, frankly, BORING! really deadly boring. Real snoozers.
Also, many of them feature artists whose expertise is, again frankly,
questionable. If you are going to demonstrate a painting technique,
please get a serious painter to do the video, not a "hobbiest". High
School kids need to see real artists in action. For instance, I have a
short clip of Chuck Close working in his studio that is great. My last
problem is that they are usually so expensive. Come on! $89.95 for 30
minutes? Where and how can we complain about the rediculously inflated
costs of these videos? Who has money in their budget for it after bying
supplies?

Regarding the issue of middle level discipline, I teach 7th and 8th
grade one block a day everyday. I know a lot has already been posted,
so I'll be brief. This is a difficult level, but I have learned to
enjoy these kids a lot. They require a great deal of structure.
Structure every minute. The only time my kids get into trouble is when
they have nothing to do, so I never allow that to happen. A sense of
humor is required. I don't understand the struggle regarding rules.
We have a written discipline code at our school. All I do is tell the
kids that I follow it without exception and remind them to read it.
That covers every possibility from disrespectful attitudes and speech to
gum chewing to destroying materials. They love to be creative and they
are highly motivated to learn how to draw. Have fun.