10 Things I've Learned as an Art Bridge Teacher

Here I am with some of the 26 most devilish angelic kids I've ever been able to work with.. If you've been with 1st graders, you understand.. But overall, more angelic than anything. :)
This experience with Mrs. Olsen's class has been one of the most rewarding and growing experiences for me as I think about art and teaching as both future avenues for my life. Here are ten highlights/learning moments from my experience:

1. It doesn't matter how crazy or dumb you sound to yourself, first graders BELIEVE YOU. Sarcasm was not understood, and it also gave me the opportunity to make any project seem more appealing or spooky or exciting than it really was! Mrs. Olsen had this skill down to a science.
2. Patience is a virtue (also mastered by Mrs. Olsen). There were moments when it took everything in me not to roll my eyes or get frustrated. But the crazy thing was that most, if not all, children don't mean to bother you. They are genuinely curious. Feeding into their curiosity in a constructive way was a learning experience.
3.  Giving each project boundaries but large amounts of freedom allowed them to see themselves as artists.
4. Each child wants to feel validated and important, not only as people, but as artists. Giving positive feedback is something they take to heart.. Do it as often as you can!
5. Don't be afraid to be firm when a child is not buckling down and working. How are they supposed to enjoy art if they spend half of their time throwing paper airplanes?
6. Using each art lesson as a lesson that reaches other parts of their core curriculum allows them to use different sides of their brain.. And it hits home for some kids that aren't so left-brained.
7. Did I say patience was a virtue?
8. Create a fun atmosphere. I found myself laughing at the quirky things and mannerisms the kids would do.. and It made my job more enjoyable and REAL. They believed me to be an excellent artist (so trusting), and hopefully, even their friend. If you want to teach, you have to have followers that trust and enjoy being around you.
9. The minutes spent worrying about the layout of lessons on the drives to the school, were.. quite unproductive and useless. More often than not, plans changed and adaptation was needed. Often I would create a lesson that I didn't realize had a component that was beyond their level. Just find a solution.
10. Unity. When I would say "Hocus Pocus" each child would repeat and give me their almost-full attention. That brought us together and helped Mrs. Olsen and I control the classroom. Everyone needs to be on a team.

I've loved this experience and working with the amazing Mrs. Olsen and her first grade class. Merry Christmas! My email is sunnyleavitt@gmail.com if anyone has any questions about lesson plans!
Sunny Leavitt

Lesson 10: Chinese New Year Drums

For our final project, I wanted to continue with the cultural theme we had set with the Scottish dance. I decided to make Chinese New Year Drums with the children.. But I didn't want it to be merely a crafty instrument. I knew that the project could turn into that.. so we learned about pattern as we decorated the drums. I shredded and ripped pieces of different patterned scrapbook paper and each child made a collage of sorts by layering and ripping the paper themselves to decorate the outside of a drum. The drum itself was made by hot gluing two paper plates. After a lesson on pattern (link to powerpoint included), we learned how to tie knots and strung beads onto ribbon that strung through holes on both sides of the drum (pictures in pwpt).
The kids loved the pattern and the abstract artistic freedom they had, but I would have to say they were most excited about the concept that you can use art as enjoyment in everyday life, such as an instrument.
here's the link to my powerpoint presentation/lesson plan:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B6Bdj58CXKjIdklwcDJvQzZiMjJ2MlRfcGpVOGZTbi03cDVj/view
It was very bittersweet to say goodbye to these kids, as this was my last lesson with them. So.. we celebrated with cupcakes and went around the classroom and each shared our favorite project/thing we learned about art this semester. Kids say the darnedest things.. I'm trying to remind myself they liked more than just the Chinese Drums. Hopefully it's just their short term memory. ;)

Nate learning about patterns

Sharing with the class what they learned this semester about art!

Lesson 9: Scottish Dance/Christmas Around the World

Mrs. Olsen informed me that the kids were in the process of learning about Christmas and traditions in other parts of the world. As I was thinking about ways to tie an art project into such a broad topic, she suggested that I stray away from painting and drawing for a class period and taught the kids part of a Scottish dance that I have been learning as part of BYU International Folk Dance Ensemble's performance of Christmas Around the World. I was a bit hesitant in my abilities in teaching dance to a bunch of cute but clumsy first graders, but it was a great learning experience for both myself and the kids. I created a brief powerpoint presentation with facts and interesting information about Scottish traditions and dancing (included). I then showed a video of my group practicing in class for our performance. We discussed what art means, and hopefully opened their eyes to different kinds of expressive art forms. We then learned a short routine to Scottish bagpipes and practiced our coordination and expression!

I definitely felt a bit underqualified to teach dance, and have an immense amount of respect for dance teachers. I think the project would have been a bit easier if I would have understood the dancing levels of six year olds a bit more concisely.. They were not as coordinated as I imagined! But it definitely made for a nice change of pace and an attention-getter.

My group and I! The kids enjoyed the plaid costumes!

here's the link to the video we watched:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZbpnibKwe4&feature=youtu.be

Here's the powerpoint I used:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B6Bdj58CXKjIQlI1Zk1yYVhuSXVaLVh6VGw2VzJUSnhHNWNr/view

The powerpoint includes my lesson plan for this dance!

Lesson 8: Portfolio and Crepe Paper Line Composition Lesson Plan

Line Crepe Paper Bleeding Composition LESSON TEMPLATE

Subject Concepts		Art Concepts
Content Covered:       Understand careers and how delve into a real-life application of an art career		Content Covered:       Fine motor skills, value, painting control, variation of lines
State Standards & Objectives      (USOE/UEN): Social Studies Objective 1c: Recognize and demonstrate respect for the differences within one's community (e.g. play, associations, activities, friendships)		State Standards & Objectives (USOE/UEN): Integrated Core Objective 2c: Develop manipulative skills (e.g., cut, glue, throw, catch, kick, strike).
Learning Outcomes:     The student will be able to…         Get a glimpse of art take into the future and understand the career of an artist		Learning Outcomes:     The student will be able to… Create a variety of lines and define their main characteristics. These lines will then be used in a colorful composition that represents their art as a whole (portfolio).
Lesson Plan
1.     Display portfolio and discuss art career 2.     Discuss lines and line movement in various pieces 3.     Show varied crepe paper and instruct each child to take a handful 4.     instruct as children create asymmetrical compositions 5.     Let children paint thickly with water to solidify crepe onto paper 6.     When dried, instruct students to take of crepe paper to see their marvelous work!		Materials Needed: ·       Watercolor art construction paper ·       Strips of varying sized crepe paper (enough for a handful for each child) ·       pencils ·       art portfolio to present ·       water cups for each table ·       paintbrushes for each child ·       Lysol wipes for messy clean up

Lesson 8: Artists' Portfolios and Line Crepe Paper Piece

For this lesson, I tried to shoot two birds with one stone. And to be honest.. sometimes this is a great thing, but for first graders, it leaves a lot of room for them to miss the point a bit. If I could do it over again, I would make my emphasis a bit more! However, as the kids got into the activity, they had a lot of fun and I think they learned a lot about value and lines as well!
Basically, Mrs. Olsen and I had talked about how we wanted the kids to get a look at what an artist's portfolio looks like, and to introduce them to their own portfolios as they are young budding artists. I brought in my art portfolio and showed the kids 4 of my original pieces that I have created (mainly from this semester). Each piece was specifically chosen to be shown because it had or was composed of "lines." This led to us defining what a line really is and me giving them a visual quiz of sorts on different pieces and what pats of the composition could be counted as lines. I explained the purpose and wonder of "your very own" portfolio and then showed them the portfolios I have made for each child (thick black construction paper, halved, stapled, and labeled). I love seeing their excitement levels when they receive things! It makes my job even more enjoyable! :)
After our line discussion, I started pulling out pre-cut strips of crepe paper from a box that I had on a  table. They described these strips to me (jagged, short, long, smooth, flowy, etc,.) I then told them that they would use their best "painting skills" and paint a variety of lines to create a solid composition on their own piece of watercolor paper. This paper would eventually be used to decorate the cover of their portfolio! They each grabbed a handful of strips and began arranging them on paper. They then took paintbrushes dipped in water and patted down the strips. Once the strips had dried, the crepe paper left a beautiful bleeding! This led us to talk about value as well.

It really was a lot to cover in 45 minutes, but at the end of the day, I would do it again!

The crepe paper bled more than expected.. which was more to clean up!

I absolutely love how this one turned out!

I love the bleeding of the colors that mixed!

Lesson 7: Symmetrical Self Portraits Lesson Plan

Symmetrical Self Portrait LESSON TEMPLATE

Subject Concepts		Art Concepts
Content Covered:       Defining characteristics in “artistic” text		Content Covered:       Fine motor skills
State Standards & Objectives      (USOE/UEN): Reading Informational Text Standard 1: Ask and answer questions about key details in a text.		State Standards & Objectives (USOE/UEN): Objective 1a: Students will develop a sense of self.
Learning Outcomes:     The student will be able to…         Observe the similarities and differences amongst facial comparison and composition.		Learning Outcomes:     The student will be able to… Define physical characteristics on themselves and understand the “mirroring” effect and symmetry used in art to create realistic facial proportions.
Lesson Plan
1.     Gather children at desks to marvel over their super cool “chopped in half” faces! 2.     Identify key parts of the face and composition 3.     Display example on overhead of symmetry and practice “folding our papers with our eyes” 4.     Instruct kids in figuring outline of face and let them begin mapping their faces with crayons 5.     Discuss use of symmetry and answer questions about key elements as you walk around classroom		Materials Needed: ·       Art construction paper ·       8 by 11 inch pictures of each child’s portrait, sliced in half ·       pencils and crayons for each child ·       laminator ·       over head for display

Lesson 7: Symmetrical Self Portraits

I thought the kids would be excited when I gave them a sneak peek of our symmetry project last week when I visited.. but I had no idea absolutely HOW excited they would be until I came Tuesday to a group of bubbly kids who could hardly contain the fact that they were "cut their faces in half," and bring it home to show their parents. Oh man, I love these kids.
I had taken a picture of each child the week before after our symmetry paintings. I got their head shots printed in color at Cougar Creations and cut each face in half and pasted them onto 8"11" paper. To save time, I wrote out their names underneath the portrait. I began the class by showing them portraits of both Vincent Van Gogh (done by himself) and Frida Kahlo (same). We discussed symmetry, reflections, and how to mirror when we draw or compose. And then..
I let the kids go LOOSE! Well, not completely. We drew out our face shapes with crayon and then I let them take it away! It was awesome to see so many kids raising hands to ask about methods for mirroring the nose or alligning the eye. I loved this assignment because it really got the kids thinking and they were so proud of the work they accomplished! I had been having a few students who would go too crazy or goofy with my art assignments. But for this one, I can't think of one kid who didn't put honest effort and concentration in perfecting his/her own self portrait! I would recommend this project for first graders one hundred times over! The fact that it was of themselves definitely gave it a personal connection!

 Blake did an amazing job!

 I love that first graders love to proudly show their work!

Sweet Kate and her self portrait