Journal Entries
10/26/13
First day at Paden Elementary! Friday went well. I got to meet Karol at 9 and help her with her class until 10. When I came back around 1:50 I helped Mr. Wong's fifth grade class with brainstorming ideas for the art contest and filling out their paper. After school ended I went to the boiler room to fill up the paints, but the paint had been sitting there for awhile I think, so it took me a bit to mix the big bottles up. I should try to find an easier way to fill the smaller bottles up than using the funnel because the paint pours very, very slowly. I only got five bottles filled and I was there until 5:05.
Anyways, that was my day.
11/1/13
Just got back from the afternoon clay residency. I really like what Karol is teaching the kids. She tends to give the kids metaphors on what the clay is doing/feeling when they make it, paint it, etc. I came in a bit late for both sessions today, so I was not able to hear the story's/metaphors, but when I speak to the kids they always repeat it and tell me what the clay is doing. It's very cute.
In the beginning sessions, the order seems a bit more chaotic, so it's good that I'm there to offer suggestions and extra hands. Mainly, deciding how to instruct the kids is the most challenging. For instance, we needed to distribute the colors to each child and it was difficult to hand out the colors when certain kids wanted certain colors. In the later session I went to, it was sorted out by having the kids share with their neighbors when they wanted a different color. The later sessions are definitely more organized.
All in all, the kids love making the vessels and, even more so, painting them. The only thing we had a bit of a problem with in the end was cleaning the paint residue from the tables. Maybe next time we could have some sort of cloth or something to cover the table so it doesn't get so messy.
For the most part, the clay sessions are going great. Organization is the only issue, but that is pretty easy to sort out.
11/15/13
I did some foil etchings today in Ms. Cheren's class. The art docents were very nice to me. I enjoyed observing the kids and the docents. It helps me see actions and reactions and what works for the students. Sometimes the docents are really organized, sometimes not so much. Depends on what area they’re working on. I think when they work with the kids as a whole, they’re better at explaining things. But when they’re one on one, they tend to get a bit… nervous, maybe? Probably because the students not their kid so they have to think more about how to explain it to them and how to treat them. I’m better at the one on one part. Probably because I’m closer to their age and maturity level, haha.
11/22/13
I worked in Ms. Gills class today with an art docent named Andrea. She had a daughter in that class, I think. Either way, she was very nice. I liked the way she taught the kids. She was gentle, but she could also be direct with them since she was familiar with the class. Ms. Gill is a pretty tough teacher, but her kids are very well behaved. I wonder if that’s related at all...
12/13/13
We worked on “hot air balloons” today. The kids had a few different sessions of creating a paper mache balloon. I wasn’t there for that part, but I helped them make baskets today. We used those green strawberry baskets and the kids weaved string through it to make it look nice. Sometimes the kids would get frustrated with how they were weaving it, so I would do it a few times to get them back on track. Some kids tried to trick me into doing it for them. Nice try, kid, but I’ve been a student long enough to know that trick. They grow up so fast.
2/7/14
I created and executed my own art docent class for Alyson's 5th and 4th grade class. We made a sort of "3D art" where I had them pick something to create from their field trip. They would draw the object and cut it out then cut out smaller details of the art and glue them to each other. Im still working on the report, but it was really fun!
3/7/14
Ms. Bingham is putting on a play for her class. It’s called “US Geography”. She gave me a copy of the play to look over. It’s actually pretty funny and cute. There’s TONS of songs… I hope the kids can sing well. Either way, the parents will love them. Can’t wait to start working on it!
5/2/14
Ms. Bingham wanted me to organize some things for the play. Things like characters and props. Here’s what I gave her today:
Characters:
-Captain alpha (can divide into two people [three only if needed]. First section ends at page 16. Second actor comes in at page 17)
-Gamma (same as Captain Alpha)
-Lieutenant Delta (same as captain alpha)
-Game Show Host (not many lines, good as is)
-Stephanie (Good as is)
-Micheal (Good as is)
-Omega (Good as is)
-Southwest Aliens 1 and 2
-New England Aliens 1, 2 and 3
-Dudes 1, 2 and 3
-Mid-Atlantic Aliens 1 and 2
-Great Lakes Aliens 1, 2 and 3
-Rocky Mountain Aliens 1 and 2
-Appalachian highland Aliens 1, 2 and 3
-Southeast Aliens 1 and 2 (has a few back and forth lines, can divide into more aliens if needed)
-Valley Girl Aliens 1, 2 and 3
Additional characters:
Song 6- mermaid appears and sings a part
Song 7- Lewis and Clark "row" by
Sets:
-Hill background (for most of the play),
-Game show background will consist of a small cardboard backdrop of a simple, eye catching design that can lean against the main set
-For ship scene the hill background will stay, bu some sort of blue material will be waved on the stage to represent water
Props:
-card board cut outs of things mentioned in the songs can be used in choreography (for example, song 2 can have a cow cut out and have a actor pretend to be sat on by it)
-for the game show scene, actors can have cardboard podiums attached to them hanging like overalls as they come in so they can easily leave as well.
-host for game show will have note cards
-cut out of a ship that the actors will hold as the sail across the lake
Song 2 props: cattle cut out
Song 5 props: broom to "sweep" the alien off her feet, cut outs of hearts
Song 8 props: cut outs of food pass by as they sing (orange juice, key lime pie, sweet onions, catfish on toast, peanuts, peach, sweet potatoes, jambalaya, and/or gumbo)
Song 9 props: cut out of numbers 49 and 50
5/9/14
The kids got through the whole read through today.
Also, I think that the substitute will be leaving a note for Ms. Bingham about the day. While the kids were a bit loud, I think that the substitutes technique for calming them was inconsistent and ineffective.
She tended to make passive aggressive comments like "really?" And "wow guys" when the kids were loud instead of using the clapping in a rhythm to get their attention (she had done that when I first got to the classroom and the responded well to it).
I feel like her lack of commandment in that area made the kids feel free to be louder than usual which, in turn, made her more irritated with the class. But that's just my two cents.
I was not there for the morning of the class, so I can't account for any misbehavings of the class or any observations of the substitute then.
5/16/14
I just spend SUPER long making the background for the play. Seriously, it was exhausting. The paint kept dampening the paper, so it kept ripping. It didn’t help that we had to paint it outside, either. The backdrop was too big, so it had to be painted outside. Some of the kids were rowdy, too. I felt so bad, because Ms. Bingham needed to take the whole class outside so they could help me while also practicing the play. But, despite everything, we got it done! I’m just glad we only needed one backdrop.
5/23/14
So close to the performance! I’m excited! Even the shy kids have come out of their shells and are performing well. I thought there would be some terrible singing, but most of the leads have awesome voices! I was surprised. We were just focusing on some last stage directions and making sure everyone knew what they were doing. I hope everything goes to plan!
5/30/14
Okay, so the kids were amazing! I’m SO proud of them. I decided to record the whole thing. And I took pictures of them. Unsurprisingly, not many could stand still. I’m seriously going to miss this class. I’m really glad I was able to work with this class exclusively. Some good news, though! One of the students is going to my school next year! I can’t wait!
First day at Paden Elementary! Friday went well. I got to meet Karol at 9 and help her with her class until 10. When I came back around 1:50 I helped Mr. Wong's fifth grade class with brainstorming ideas for the art contest and filling out their paper. After school ended I went to the boiler room to fill up the paints, but the paint had been sitting there for awhile I think, so it took me a bit to mix the big bottles up. I should try to find an easier way to fill the smaller bottles up than using the funnel because the paint pours very, very slowly. I only got five bottles filled and I was there until 5:05.
Anyways, that was my day.
11/1/13
Just got back from the afternoon clay residency. I really like what Karol is teaching the kids. She tends to give the kids metaphors on what the clay is doing/feeling when they make it, paint it, etc. I came in a bit late for both sessions today, so I was not able to hear the story's/metaphors, but when I speak to the kids they always repeat it and tell me what the clay is doing. It's very cute.
In the beginning sessions, the order seems a bit more chaotic, so it's good that I'm there to offer suggestions and extra hands. Mainly, deciding how to instruct the kids is the most challenging. For instance, we needed to distribute the colors to each child and it was difficult to hand out the colors when certain kids wanted certain colors. In the later session I went to, it was sorted out by having the kids share with their neighbors when they wanted a different color. The later sessions are definitely more organized.
All in all, the kids love making the vessels and, even more so, painting them. The only thing we had a bit of a problem with in the end was cleaning the paint residue from the tables. Maybe next time we could have some sort of cloth or something to cover the table so it doesn't get so messy.
For the most part, the clay sessions are going great. Organization is the only issue, but that is pretty easy to sort out.
11/15/13
I did some foil etchings today in Ms. Cheren's class. The art docents were very nice to me. I enjoyed observing the kids and the docents. It helps me see actions and reactions and what works for the students. Sometimes the docents are really organized, sometimes not so much. Depends on what area they’re working on. I think when they work with the kids as a whole, they’re better at explaining things. But when they’re one on one, they tend to get a bit… nervous, maybe? Probably because the students not their kid so they have to think more about how to explain it to them and how to treat them. I’m better at the one on one part. Probably because I’m closer to their age and maturity level, haha.
11/22/13
I worked in Ms. Gills class today with an art docent named Andrea. She had a daughter in that class, I think. Either way, she was very nice. I liked the way she taught the kids. She was gentle, but she could also be direct with them since she was familiar with the class. Ms. Gill is a pretty tough teacher, but her kids are very well behaved. I wonder if that’s related at all...
12/13/13
We worked on “hot air balloons” today. The kids had a few different sessions of creating a paper mache balloon. I wasn’t there for that part, but I helped them make baskets today. We used those green strawberry baskets and the kids weaved string through it to make it look nice. Sometimes the kids would get frustrated with how they were weaving it, so I would do it a few times to get them back on track. Some kids tried to trick me into doing it for them. Nice try, kid, but I’ve been a student long enough to know that trick. They grow up so fast.
2/7/14
I created and executed my own art docent class for Alyson's 5th and 4th grade class. We made a sort of "3D art" where I had them pick something to create from their field trip. They would draw the object and cut it out then cut out smaller details of the art and glue them to each other. Im still working on the report, but it was really fun!
3/7/14
Ms. Bingham is putting on a play for her class. It’s called “US Geography”. She gave me a copy of the play to look over. It’s actually pretty funny and cute. There’s TONS of songs… I hope the kids can sing well. Either way, the parents will love them. Can’t wait to start working on it!
5/2/14
Ms. Bingham wanted me to organize some things for the play. Things like characters and props. Here’s what I gave her today:
Characters:
-Captain alpha (can divide into two people [three only if needed]. First section ends at page 16. Second actor comes in at page 17)
-Gamma (same as Captain Alpha)
-Lieutenant Delta (same as captain alpha)
-Game Show Host (not many lines, good as is)
-Stephanie (Good as is)
-Micheal (Good as is)
-Omega (Good as is)
-Southwest Aliens 1 and 2
-New England Aliens 1, 2 and 3
-Dudes 1, 2 and 3
-Mid-Atlantic Aliens 1 and 2
-Great Lakes Aliens 1, 2 and 3
-Rocky Mountain Aliens 1 and 2
-Appalachian highland Aliens 1, 2 and 3
-Southeast Aliens 1 and 2 (has a few back and forth lines, can divide into more aliens if needed)
-Valley Girl Aliens 1, 2 and 3
Additional characters:
Song 6- mermaid appears and sings a part
Song 7- Lewis and Clark "row" by
Sets:
-Hill background (for most of the play),
-Game show background will consist of a small cardboard backdrop of a simple, eye catching design that can lean against the main set
-For ship scene the hill background will stay, bu some sort of blue material will be waved on the stage to represent water
Props:
-card board cut outs of things mentioned in the songs can be used in choreography (for example, song 2 can have a cow cut out and have a actor pretend to be sat on by it)
-for the game show scene, actors can have cardboard podiums attached to them hanging like overalls as they come in so they can easily leave as well.
-host for game show will have note cards
-cut out of a ship that the actors will hold as the sail across the lake
Song 2 props: cattle cut out
Song 5 props: broom to "sweep" the alien off her feet, cut outs of hearts
Song 8 props: cut outs of food pass by as they sing (orange juice, key lime pie, sweet onions, catfish on toast, peanuts, peach, sweet potatoes, jambalaya, and/or gumbo)
Song 9 props: cut out of numbers 49 and 50
5/9/14
The kids got through the whole read through today.
Also, I think that the substitute will be leaving a note for Ms. Bingham about the day. While the kids were a bit loud, I think that the substitutes technique for calming them was inconsistent and ineffective.
She tended to make passive aggressive comments like "really?" And "wow guys" when the kids were loud instead of using the clapping in a rhythm to get their attention (she had done that when I first got to the classroom and the responded well to it).
I feel like her lack of commandment in that area made the kids feel free to be louder than usual which, in turn, made her more irritated with the class. But that's just my two cents.
I was not there for the morning of the class, so I can't account for any misbehavings of the class or any observations of the substitute then.
5/16/14
I just spend SUPER long making the background for the play. Seriously, it was exhausting. The paint kept dampening the paper, so it kept ripping. It didn’t help that we had to paint it outside, either. The backdrop was too big, so it had to be painted outside. Some of the kids were rowdy, too. I felt so bad, because Ms. Bingham needed to take the whole class outside so they could help me while also practicing the play. But, despite everything, we got it done! I’m just glad we only needed one backdrop.
5/23/14
So close to the performance! I’m excited! Even the shy kids have come out of their shells and are performing well. I thought there would be some terrible singing, but most of the leads have awesome voices! I was surprised. We were just focusing on some last stage directions and making sure everyone knew what they were doing. I hope everything goes to plan!
5/30/14
Okay, so the kids were amazing! I’m SO proud of them. I decided to record the whole thing. And I took pictures of them. Unsurprisingly, not many could stand still. I’m seriously going to miss this class. I’m really glad I was able to work with this class exclusively. Some good news, though! One of the students is going to my school next year! I can’t wait!
Internship Hours
Date
10/26/13 11/1/13 11/15/13 11/22/13 12/13/13 2/7/14 3/7/14 5/2/14 5/9/14 5/16/14 5/23/14 5/30/14 |
Hours
4 3 3 3 2 5 2 1 2 5 3 2 |
Total: 35
Closing Report
When I first started this internship, I thought it was going to be very structured and formal. I thought that the art docents were professional volunteers and that I would have a set schedule for my lessons. I am so glad that I was far from that assumption. Instead, the art docents were parent volunteers. The woman who hired me, Karen Chin, was also a parent and was very open to allowing me to manage my own schedule. While having a strict structure is great, organizational wise, it’s not necessarily my style. I feel less intimidated when I am in a looser environment. On top of that, the program was still very organized. Karen allowed me to explore my options in the internship, ranging from observing/assisting the art docents to teaching my own lessons. She even wondered if I wanted to work with drama as well as art after going over my resumé. I, of course, said yes to all options. I wanted to work my way up from observing to creating my own lesson, hopefully dabbling in some drama as well. I’m amazed. Looking back, I can see that all the goals that I set for myself, I achieved. Although I had no idea what kinds of things I would be doing.
Throughout the internship, I started as an assistant who would take various “gigs”, for lack of a better word. If an art docent was holding a lesson and was interested in some help from me, I would check my schedule and try to come in for that session. I would help set up the art lessons, go around and help the students or answer any questions they had, clean up the art lessons and (if needed) hang up their artwork in the hallway. It was a bit challenging at first, mainly because I wasn’t used to being the “authoritative” figure in a classroom, but eventually it became very familiar to me. I was ready to challenge myself with something bigger: teaching my own art lesson.
Luckily, there was a teacher who was interested in me teaching a lesson for her combined 4th and 5th grade class. She was also the teacher who was putting on the school musical for her class (something I would later work on). Her name was Ms. Alyson Bingham. I worked with her for a long time; she was an important mentor and friend to me during the internship. She guided me through the process of teaching my art lesson (description in log 2/7/14), helping me manage my time and explain myself correctly to the students. Teaching the lesson brought up surprising problems, but there was one in particular that I’m proud of solving on my own. Most of the kids weren’t exactly sure what they wanted to create; I was surprised since I usually come up with ideas right off the bat. It put me in perspective and made me think about how I usually come up with something creative. I decided to teach them how to brainstorm, since they could use it for any situation. I asked, “Everyone who didn’t have an idea in mind, could you please raise your hand?” They all did. Then, I told them to yell out possible ideas- anything they could remember about the topic- and I would write them down on the whiteboard. After we had a long list, I turned to them and asked the question a second time: no one raised their hand.
I had never been more proud or accomplished during my time at Paden Elementary. I learned a lot about building relationships, connecting with students as a teacher, explaining my point/message and becoming a better leader all around.
Throughout the internship, I started as an assistant who would take various “gigs”, for lack of a better word. If an art docent was holding a lesson and was interested in some help from me, I would check my schedule and try to come in for that session. I would help set up the art lessons, go around and help the students or answer any questions they had, clean up the art lessons and (if needed) hang up their artwork in the hallway. It was a bit challenging at first, mainly because I wasn’t used to being the “authoritative” figure in a classroom, but eventually it became very familiar to me. I was ready to challenge myself with something bigger: teaching my own art lesson.
Luckily, there was a teacher who was interested in me teaching a lesson for her combined 4th and 5th grade class. She was also the teacher who was putting on the school musical for her class (something I would later work on). Her name was Ms. Alyson Bingham. I worked with her for a long time; she was an important mentor and friend to me during the internship. She guided me through the process of teaching my art lesson (description in log 2/7/14), helping me manage my time and explain myself correctly to the students. Teaching the lesson brought up surprising problems, but there was one in particular that I’m proud of solving on my own. Most of the kids weren’t exactly sure what they wanted to create; I was surprised since I usually come up with ideas right off the bat. It put me in perspective and made me think about how I usually come up with something creative. I decided to teach them how to brainstorm, since they could use it for any situation. I asked, “Everyone who didn’t have an idea in mind, could you please raise your hand?” They all did. Then, I told them to yell out possible ideas- anything they could remember about the topic- and I would write them down on the whiteboard. After we had a long list, I turned to them and asked the question a second time: no one raised their hand.
I had never been more proud or accomplished during my time at Paden Elementary. I learned a lot about building relationships, connecting with students as a teacher, explaining my point/message and becoming a better leader all around.
Pictures!
"Life is the art of drawing without an eraser." John W. Gardner