Blogging in the Art Classroom Found Objects • Shared Stories • Resources

Anita Horton, Teacher and ArtistAddison, Texas

Teacher: 12 years

• 5th Grade Art

• 6th Grade Art

• 2-D/3-D Art (7th Gr)

• Studio Art

• US Sculpture

• US 3-D Mixed Media

• US Ceramics

A Year in US 3D Coursework

The Sculpture Track at TCA

1st Trimester: Sculpture

2nd Trimester: 3D Mixed Media

3rd Trimester: Ceramics

My problem:

How do I differentiate between Sculpture Class and 3D Mixed Media ?

Sculpture vs. 3D Mixed Media

Traditional materials used in Sculpture

• Plaster • Wood • Metal • Clay

Non- traditional materials used in 3D Mixed Media

• Appropriated materials (using existing materials or objects that were neverintended to be art materials) • Artwork connected to narrative stories and symbolism• Many times, the “concept” or the “process” becomes more important than the art “product”

Teaching 3D Mixed Media

I don’t teach Technology, but always look for ways to incorporate it.

Doing my own research about Found Objects, I stumbled on a blog called Found Object.

It was a mystery

Why did the author collectthese objects?

What was the story behindthese objects?

Why did they catchthe author’s attention?

No “About” Page

• Date the object was found

• Street on which object was found

• City where object was found

But I wanted more!

What was the story aboutthese objects?

Why were these objects important to the collector-author?

I searched and searched foranswers and . . .

there were none.

Thus, my project was born!

• 14 days

• Find an object that has meaning to you andphotograph it

• Write a traditional Haiku(5/7/5) to give readers a hint of why this object caught your attention.

What I had to set up

• Approval from administration to give daily blog access to specific students

• Give URL’s of all blogs to administration so they could check on the development of student blogs

• Allow iPhone use in class if students didn’t have access to a personal laptop to use

• Devise rules for composition and layout of blog

Blog Rules

1. Never use your home or school address. Use appropriate images and wording, reminding students that administrators have access.

2. The title and “theme” of blog had to work together.

3. Take one photo per day associated with something personal and write a Haiku poem.

4. Layout to be consistant: Set up on Day 1 and then design will follow format rules from that day forward.

Pay Special Attention To These Things:

• Each entry had to have 1) Image, 2) Haiku, 3) Heading/Title, 4) Description, 5) Date for each entry.

• Quality and interest of photos

• Spelling, punctuation and capitalization – be consistent

• Correct syllables and vocabulary for Haiku

• “Mysterious Factor” – is there anything that compels the reader to want to come back and read more on the next day?

Example 1: Alex L.

Example 2: Evan B.

What I soon discovered . . .

• In a world of short attention spans and hurried schedules . . .

INTROSPECTION and REFLECTIONstarted to show up.

Example 3: Megan A.

A bridge into their lives

The blogs gave me an opportunity to know these kids, their struggles and hardships, in ways I would have NEVER been able to see in the classroom.

By reading their words, I was able to begin conversations with them. When I was concerned with what I was reading, I started a conversation.

Example 4: Nashon E.

Example 5: Alex W.

Blogs can be used for many things. . .

• Blogging can be used to form a reading or writing discussion on art history.

• Blogging can be used to post short current events articles from the art world. Invite students’ thoughts and critique.

• Blogging can be used to gather research on any topic by dividing work up among students.

• Blogging can be used to post photos and homework assignments online.

• Blogging can be used as a portfolio for artworks made over a year’s time.

• Blogging can be used to connect your art class to the world!

But Where Do I Start?

• You can have your own Blog• You can have a classroom Blog• Each student can have their own Blog• Your class can connect with other students around the world on their Blogs

Wordpress or Blogger – both FREE!

Blogging Resources:Pinterest

Kidblog

Comments4Kids

Comments4Kids

ePals Global Community

ePals Global Community

Activity Idea #1

Post a Homework Question

• Each student writes a one-paragraph response.

• Require students to respond not only to the reading, but to each other’s responses as well.

Example:

Why do you think this artwork was viewed as controversial when it first appeared in public?

Activity Idea #2

Notes for the Day

• Assign one student per day to be the scribe for the class during lecture. This is great for discussion based classes, or lectures, where you want the students to focus on the discussion and not worry about taking notes.

Activity Idea #3

Classroom Artist Blog

• Each student does the research about one artist discussed in class lectures.

Example:

Requirements could include a photo of artist, biographical information, and photos of artworks.

http://hortonartschool.blogspot.com/

In closing, my blog and my story . . .

THANK YOU ! ! !