Maddie: post for lesson 6

 

 What a Relief Printmaking: Exploring Patterns in Nature

Part 1: Presentation/Discussion and Four Element Stations

Overall I am pleased with how the lesson went :) I think that the lesson was most successful in the beginning when we had discussion.  The students seemed to be engaged and could even naturally lead me to the next point I wanted to make. They are so intelligent!  The discussion and powerpoint presentation was based around patterns, in particular, patterns in nature.

The students got to explore patterns in nature using the four elements, which has been the constant thread throughout the entire unit.  They rotated stations of water, earth, wind, and fire. 

In the earth center:

Students got to use magnify glasses to observe detailed patterns in gemstone, leaves, plants, flowers, bark, seeds, and lavender petals.  They then sketched what they saw.

In the wind center:

Students got to listen to wind chimes by a window.  They got to draw what the sounds looked like as patterns.  They discovered that wind chimes are often played in meditative music.

In the fire center:

Students got to observe an incense burn.  They drew the patterns of the smoke.  They discovered how incense is aromatherapy and could help relax people because of the smells.

In the water center:

Students created patterns in water by mixing it with lavender and olive oils.  The students drew the patterns they saw with the magnifying glasses provided.  They also placed a sheet of paper onto the oil and water mixtures to create patterns on the paper, which was then stuck onto the window to shine light through the patterns.  Students learned that olive oil can naturally heal dry/irritated skin.  They learned about how lavender oil is used in relaxation massages.

Images from the Water Center:

Was the earth, wind, fire, and water stations successful?

I believe that the stations worked well!  I would maybe adjust them for next time by shortening them to 5 minutes instead of 10 because the activity was just meant to provide students with inspiration for the final printmaking project.  I believe they were inspired enough within the first 5 minutes.  This would allow for more time to work on the actually printmaking.

I thought that the sketches the students made were very thorough!  I noticed a few students actually taking notes and writing terms down such as "lavender oil.  I was initially concerned about the sound levels of each station competing with one another, but I was pleasantly surprised at how there were no conflicting noise.

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Part 2: Relief Printmaking: Individual Prints & Collaborative Tapestry

After the students saw each of the four elements stations, they got to watch a demo for drawing into the styrofoam.  I think i could have chosen a better area to demonstrate.  For some reason, I did it in an awkward corner and the students focus was all over the place.  

I wish that I had gotten better styrofoam to use as the inking plates.  The one I got was covered in plastic, which made it a little more difficult for the students to draw into.  It wasn't a disaster, but it could have been better.  

My original plan for the printmaking was to have students practice printing on fabric and paper, then work on a collaborative tapestry that they could print on, collage on, and in a later lesson add paint, beads, and other textures.  Since I tried to pack a lot into the lesson, the students pretty much ran out of time to work on the tapestry.  The prints they created on fabric and paper looked so great though!!  Katie and I plan on providing the tapestry next Saturday for students to collaborate on.  

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Part 3: Final Thoughts

Something I wish I did better was documentation.  Even though I was the lead teacher, I feel that I should have attempted to take more photos and write down more stories/ideas of the students.  After the water station, I didn't take any! (I wish I had final product photos to share on this post!)

I also feel like I need to improve the fact that I let my emotions get the best of me.  Once I start to feel slightly overwhelmed, I tend to loose my collected-self.  I let my feelings override my presence to the moment.  I feel like the demo I gave showing students how to make a print was all flustered because I knew that time was running out.  Something I can do to work on this is changing my perspective.  It shouldn't be about me and my emotions, but about the students and their needs, ideas, creations, and teachings.  

Overall, the students made me so happy.  They are so eager and willing to try new things.  It is rewarding to see a lesson played out and students enjoying themselves.  :) I had the best support I could have ever asked for from Katie, Myoungsun, and the guest helpers from 401!!!