Events in the Art Classroom!
10/31/2019
These weeks past have found the Lower School exploring the world of book arts. We've been working with the concertina form. Space Week found us writing thank-yous afterward to Su Curley, NASA Engineer, and Rich Overbeck, Moon Rock Expert.
The 1st-5th Grade classes completed 707 Postcards for Veterans, a project that Rachel Botson and I have coordinated the past three years. We delivered the postcards to the volunteer office at the VA Medical Center on October 28th. Each postcard will be given out all over Alaska to veteran for varied occasions, such as the Thanksgiving Blessing. Alaska has about 80,000 veterans, with about 40,000 of them registered. A total of 158 hours made this project happen. The Fifth Grade are working on their paintings inspired by Guernica. They are working within the parameters of using values with one area of color. The K-5 are working through different techniques of printmaking: monoprint and linocut. We have studied line, shape, value, texture, rhythm, and one point perspective. We have touched upon self-portraits, and will going in-depth in them soon. We will be studying the leaders of our country who characterize compassion and an awareness of world cultures. We will develop our skills in drawing people. There are many ways to teach art, and for the children to learn confidence through the process of art is one of the many goals I set as a teacher. I have several volunteer teacher assistants in my classes, who help make sure my classes have supplies passed out, and are duly cleaned up. The 5'x4' painting that the Eighth Grade completed in May, and Rachel Botson and I delivered with two students, has been hung permanently in the lobby of the VA Medical Center. It looks great! Stop and visit if you have time. The VA Medical Center is across from the Tikahtnu Mall. Artist Notes: I have a painting hung in Jens Restaurant, and several paintings on display at the Georgia Blue Gallery that are rotated frequently. I will be part of the December 7th Trunk Show at the Georgia Blue Gallery, displaying small paintings, notecards and drawings. I'm taking down my solo show at the Allstate Office in Palmer this coming Monday. I will be hanging paintings this coming Tuesday in the group show, Prophetic Art, with two other artists November through December. It will be at Humdingers Gourmet Pizzas in Palmer. I have a solo show in March-April 2020 at the Physical Therapy Office in Wasilla, and a solo show in May 2020 at the Bearpaw River Brewing Company on the Palmer-Wasilla Highway. Talkin' L2
10/26/2019
Today second and fifth-graders participated in a podcast that is meant to help teachers understand how research in applied linguistics can direct their methods in language classes.
Students were interested in calling in after we had a discussion about the way that our classes work to help them acquire language. I was somewhat dismayed that they didn’t immediately answer a question I asked them: what are the two ways we acquire language? With some guidance, students eventually replied that we acquire language when we understand spoken and written messages. (Songs also count as “spoken” language.) Linguists like Bill VanPatten have helped me understand that when we hear or read language that we understand, we start creating an implicit system for that language in our brains. The opposite is also true: if we listen to or read language that we don’t understand, we don’t process anything and don’t develop any fluency, even if we can talk about the language or conjugate verbs. Ideally the activities in Lower School Spanish classes provide input that all the children understand. They have a signal (the "Whoosh") to tell me if I am not being clear, and they are mostly confident about using it. Meanwhile, we learn songs, and discuss their meaning. We tell stories and read novels, making sure that what we read is comprehensible so as to lay down grammatical and syntactical forms in our brains. We interview class members to get to know one another, and as we do, we continue the process of absorbing critical phrases and verb conjugations. It’s important to reflect occasionally not only on how, but on why we offer Spanish classes, so today we called into the podcast, Talkin’ L2 with BVP. The moderator enjoyed the questions our children asked, and answered the children seriously. Take the opportunity to listen to the section with the PNA students, if not the entire podcast. There is always some fluff in this particular podcast, mostly because it shakes language teachers’ deeply-held beliefs and pushes us to work harder and more efficiently. A little humor helps that medicine go down smoothly. Our students’ interest, their questions, and their deportment make me proud to be part of PNA. Here is the link to the podcast. Start at 26:38 to hear PNA questions. Interstellar Music!
10/18/2019
While NASA didn't send the real David Bowie into space, this astronaut was able to cover his famous work, Space Oddity during his free time in the International Space Station. I've been looking for an excuse to show my students this incredible video. Finally, the opportunity presented itself!
We were also able to look into Gustav Holst's famous work, The Planets. The Planets' provide a musical representation of all the known planets of the Solar System seen from Earth at the time of which it was written (1914-1916). Each piece has a different character that coincides with the astrological character of each given planet. For example, Mars (the bringer of war) is vivacious, intense, and fast paced! Venus, (the bringer of peace) on the other hand, is serene and beautiful. Space week has been an awesome experience for both students and teachers alike! We wanted to thank everyone, parents and volunteers included, for all of the hard work that was put into making it all a great success! What an amazing opportunity for the kids! Have a great weekend! -Mr. Bissell |
Specialist & Enrichment Teachers Archives
February 2021
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