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Lesson Plans


Re: sketchbook debate...(long)

From: gregjuli
Date: Thu Jun 01 2000 - 20:12:56 PDT

  • Next message: Rdunkelart: "Testing"

    Whoa , wait a minute, when a math teacher gives an a homework assignment, aren't
    kids doing it on their own time? They may not always like it , but the math
    teacher has a good reason for giving the assignment.

    Karlawald wrote:

    > My
    > students saw it as my trying to tell them what to do in their own time, even
    > though I gave them a big list of things to choose from, and even though many
    > were "fun" drawings, and even though they only had to choose from the list
    > some of the time.

    Kids are kids and will often find something to argue about . They will not
    always appreciate what you are doing for them at the time( especially in middle
    school!)

    >
    > Next year, I'm working on trying to encourage them to keep their own
    > sketchbooks for their own purposes. An article I ran across (from the same
    > Arts & Activities issue with the Calligraphics lesson!) says that teachers
    > shouldn't distribute the same format of sketchbooks for all students, since
    > their responses are supposed to be so unique, their sketchbooks should be
    > unique to their needs

    Well , then we could say that about a lot of subjects- unique to their needs. I
    think if the assignments are open ended enough , a same format will work fine.
    The student who really wants to do well can take that assignments to any level
    he/ she wants.
    After reading all the posts ,after my initial calls for suggestions on sketchbook
    motivation, I've come to the conclusion that I will definetly stick with
    sketchbook assignments and continue to use a format with as many open-ended
    assignments as possible. One of my assignments in the past has been for the
    students to set a time where a staff member at our school could model for them.
    I give them a month to do that. They need to do the at least half of the figure
    if not the whole figure. They can decide who poses, how they pose( sit ,stand,
    lean. etc.) when they can do it, what setting and so on. And so they are making
    choices within parameters. The staff loves the looking at the photocopies I make
    of the sketches.

    > also..It's just going to be an uphill battle to
    > convince some that copying cartoon figures or magazine pictures for page
    > after page isn't as useful.

    You are so right! Middle school kids are notorious for overdosing on the cartoon
    and cutsey sketches. That's why I think they need the guidance with some sort of
    format.
    I love Ann H's comparison of praticing a musical instrument with sketching. Our
    band and chorus kids are told what to practice. No open choices there.

    >
    > I'm thinking of making a rubric for the broad things that sketchbooks should
    > (or could) be, and every 4 weeks or so have them briefly tell about it

    I think a rubric would be a good start.

    > Anyway, my question is, would these changes have made the process more
    > interesting to you, or am I being idealistic?

    Sometimes you just have to try it for yourself, But after giving sketch
    assignments for 7 years, I'm basically pretty happy with what I have. It's just
    those occassional whiners that get me rethinking things at times. Of course,
    that's what summer is for. Reflection and relaxation.
    So as there will always be some who are not thrilled with sketching( right
    Bunki-lol),sometimes you just gotta take your medicine. I'll always remember how
    hard my ceramics professor made us work. I thought he was going overboard with
    learning every bit of possible info. But I sure appreciate that now and feel
    pretty competant (sp?) in that area.
    Ok , I'm done rambling. But most of your posts , especially Larry's makes me
    believe in sketching and that middle school kids need a basic format.
    MaryB 

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