The formation of a personal pedagogy and the informing of an art-making practice.
PLANNING & PREPARING
ALISON
ROBIN
THOMPSON
Preparation is crucial in instructing a classroom of learners. In providing multiple methods of information delivery for students through visuals, resources, digital technology, etc., learning and comprehension is facilitated.
Curriculum Planning
The plans following are just a sample of the lessons I have taught, and written.
Feel free to use and adapt these lessons in your classroom!
Sculpture & Ceramics
-Interdisciplinary, year-long unit between science and art
-Repurposing nontraditional art materials and found objects in eco art
Magnolias for Pittsburgh
-Public, installation art lesson
-Written proposals and collaborative sculptures using found objects,
or sculptural material of (instructor's) choice
The Fantastic Body
-Year-long, advanced studio curriculum with clay, plaster, and found
objects
Masked Identity*
-Clay mask-making inspired by Greek theater masks
-Emotions and Identity
Art Accessible*
-Year-long studio curriculum addressing accessibility in art
-Low-cost/no-cost art, public art, and slipcasting/moldmaking
Introduction to Ceramic Design Principles
-Introduces principles and science behing working with clay
Craftsmanship in Ceramics*
-Introduction in craft and art, through ceramics
Digital Technologies
Growth in Motion
-Instruction on Final Cut video editting software
-The impact of growth on self, through stop motions
Student-Generated School Yearbook*
-Techniques needed to create an in-house yearbook using In-Design
Bookmaking
Math Art-Star Books*
-Finding interdisciplinary connections
- Creating star, accordian books with math-inspired designs
Personal Letters*
-Reflecition on self and identity through bookmaking
-Illuminated letter cover design
Jungle Books*
-Pulling inspiration from personal jungles, wild and urban
-Studying artworks by Henri Rousseau and Charles Sheele
-Sol LeWitt and minimalist art through bookbinding
-Coptic stitch binding
Personal Culture, Design in Bookmaking*
-Reflection on personal culture
-Researching famous artists from the same region or culture
Two-Dimensional Art
Blind Line Contour Drawings - Mystery in Abstraction
-Observations and form through abstraction
-Exciting, and surprising drawing exercises,
TIbetan Prayer Flags and Linoleum Block Portraits
-Self portrait an identity
-Linocut printmaking and Tibetan culture
Mail Art
-Investigation into the culture and history behind mail art
-Mixed-media collage postcards
Lesson/Unit Plans | Additional Resources
Curriculum Unit
Eco Art Prezi
Lesson Plan
Curriculum Unit
Body Objects PowerPoint
Lesson Plan
Greek Mask PowerPoint
Mask Handout
Curriculum Unit
Planning & Reflection
"Ceramics: The Basics" PowerPoint
Craftsmanship
PowerPoint
"InDesign: The Basics" Tutorial Book
Lesson Plan
Math Art
PowerPoint
Planning & Reflection
Handout
How to Make Book Covers
Lesson Plan
Personal Letters PowerPoint
Planning & Reflection
Handout
Lesson Plan
Personal Letters PowerPoint
Planning & Reflection
Handout
Lesson Plan
Lesson Plan
Planning & Reflection
Handout
Coptic Stitch Handout
Lesson Plan
Blind Line
PowerPoint
"Mail Art" PowerPoint
*I have used these lessons with only minimal modifications in special needs envornments
The Study of Visual Culture Helps to
Inform my Planning Strategies
A deep look into the potential impact of visual culture on the formation of individual ideologies is necessary in teaching the arts. Meaning is derived from images and media via symbolism, stereotypes, and more. Art educators, and their students must be able to deconstruct images and better examine the deeper messages within. In being able to do so, they may become informed viewers, allowing them to take control of the massive flow of visual culture that surrounds us in this increasingly media-saturated culture.
One must also investigate the deeper connection between art, life, and visual culture. Art educators and their students must view the world as artists, and relate politics, media, artwork, writing, and more to the practices of looking. Some even understand teaching as a type of performative art, and continually inform their pedagogy through this performance.
Various philosophical and historical approaches to art education must also be taken into account, including that of Vygotsky and Piaget. With this formal background in art education, teachers can go on to ponder the influence of other factors, such as play, on art-making, or child art.