...And we're back. And wow, is it cold. January's been rather hard to get hours for actually in the classroom due to weather, my weak immune system, and other scheduling conflicts, so I've taken to doing a lot of research and planning at home, too. Overall, though, it's so, so good to be back! I'm going to be honest and say that by the last few days of winter break, I was seriously itching to get back into the classroom. Once you get used to being around little kids all day, everything else seems, well, kind of boring. Getting back was definitely really, really fun. As always, here's January's art! My art's been a lot simpler this month because it's mostly been commissions! Now that I'm 18, I'm able to sell my art online and it's been an awesome experience that I'm able to talk to the kids about too- showing them that if you're responsible and motivated enough, art is something that people can turn into a living- or at least another way of making money. It's so cool to get paid for what I love. As for the time in the classroom, we are finally finishing up the mask unit! I am beyond impressed by their skill and imagination with these masks. Every single one looks unique! They've all worked so hard and honestly, the kids that we thought might be 'trouble' have been the ones begging to be able to make another mask. I'll add pictures as soon as they're all displayed! (I try not to take pictures while class is going on just because of the kids' privacy). As we move the mask project along, we're bringing in character design, aka one of my very favorite art concepts. We're making characters or drawing characters from American history or that represent what makes our country great and will be displaying them in the library! This project is combining life drawing (with real live models- the students! They love posing at the front of the classroom, and it's really funny) and character design exaggeration. I've been doing drawing lessons on body language and body shapes to show the viewer what kind of character they're looking at. The biggest challenge is honestly just winter. I'm one of those Seasonal Depression people and I haven't reached my peak of it yet, but I have been noticing a drop in my focus and overall mental health so I'm trying to keep on top of everything as I handle that, and I get sick a lot in winter! I've already missed about 3 days in January due to the flu. Not to mention the snow days and icy roads. Winter is not my friend, reader. Winter is not my friend. But that doesn't mean I'm not trying my absolute best and putting my best foot forward! No matter what's going on in my life I've promised myself that while I'm in the classroom, I'm going to be present, and the only thing that I focus on is being someone for the kids to lean on and look up to. I think that's exactly what I owe them. Other happenings have been pretty mundane! I've been exploring new parts of the school on missions to copy assignments and deliver supplies, using new materials and tools like a loom and a giant paper cutter, and helping kids one on one with all their awesome personal projects. One day I was watching the kids on my own while Ms. Horvath was needed somewhere, and I heard a kid crying. So I turned around as fast as I could and asked the class "Who's crying?! What's wrong?" and I see that one of the girls had made these GIANT fake tear drops and was holding them in front of her face, fake crying. She even made some for her table mates and an entire symphony of (very convincing) fake sobbing ensued. I wonder what our neighboring teachers think I was doing to the poor kids, haha. You never know what's going to happen in the classroom! Hannah, Ms. H and I are also working on a personal project together! We haven't quite decided on what direction to go in but it's all very exciting- I'm sure I'll have more to write about next month once we get it set in motion. February should be a lot of fun- hopefully not as cold! I'm looking forward to whatever the next moth will bring. Thanks as always for reading!
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorKara Archives
November 2018
Categories |