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!