The Last Steps

Today was the last time I would visit for my Arts Bridge Experience. I have really enjoyed my experiences and learned a lot of useful skills. Those skills were used today with my final lesson to wrap up the Fables lesson from last week.
I had asked Mrs. Black to have the students write a fable of their own and come up with a moral to their fable. Just in case they were not able to do that, I had prepared a list of fables from Aesop's book of fables that the students could use as a basis for their cover illustration. The students had written fables with Mrs. Black though, so I was able to move forward with the lesson as planned.
I began the lesson by talking to the students about their fables. I asked for a few volunteers who would like to read their fables for the class and tell us the moral of the story. There were quite a number of hands that were raised, so I called on one student and, before calling on the second student, informed the class that I would only be taking one more volunteer. There were still some students who wanted to share their fables, so I told them that as we worked on their illustrations I would go around and listen to their fables if they wanted to share them with me.
Both of the students had imaginative fables with some good morals. They had done a good job with their writing. I was able to then use their fables as examples as I started prepping the students for what they would be doing for art that day.
I asked the students to tell me some of the characteristics of a fable to review and clear up any misunderstandings. They remembered the characteristics perfectly, so I moved on quickly to talking about the illustrations they would be making for their fables.
This reminded me that we needed to finish the crocodile drawing I had been walking them through last week. I took some time doing that with them. I asked them to get their papers out from last week and waited for them to all be ready. When there were just a few students left who were still looking for their paper, I told them I would wait for a few moments more and then begin. After waiting for a little longer, everyone was ready and I began to help them finish up the crocodile we started on the 3rd.
Once I was done with the crocodile, I finished explaining the illustrations assignment. I wanted them to use perspective in their drawings and illustrate a scene from their fable. Do help review, I asked the students for some examples of how we show perspective. They provided great answers. One, you make things in the background smaller. Two, you have things in the background higher up on the horizon than things that are closer. I then added that you can use overlapping to help transition into their drawings.
Using the fables that were shared earlier, I explained some ideas of what they could draw and some compositions they could think of. I also reminded the students that they needed to have a setting for their characters. They shouldn't just draw their characters on a blank page.
I then let the students get to work and began walking around the room to help them as needed. I noticed a two girls that got up to look at some picture books on animals. I realized that that would be a great resource for the whole class if they needed help knowing what their animals look like. Using the hand clapping rhythm I got the classes attention, making sure that everyone was paying attention before speaking, and told them that they could spend one minute at the picture book corner to get a book to help them draw their animal if they wanted to get a reference photo. Those that didn't want a book, or didn't need one, I told to continue working.
Once the students began looking for books, I helped them find ones that had pictures of the animals they were looking for. When everyone was back at their seats, I began making the rounds again to help students and ask them questions about their fables. I also made sure to talk to those that had wanted to share their fables but didn't get a chance. I asked to hear their fable and had them tell me what the moral was.
The students had great illustrations and very creative fables. It was fun to work with them and help them come up with ideas for their compositions.
At the end of my allotted time for teaching, I said goodbye to the class. I then told them that today was my last day and they all thanked me for coming. They were disappointed that I wouldn't be coming back, they wanted to know where I was going. This helped me realize how important these relationships with my students can be. As a teacher, I have a great opportunity to make a difference in the lives of my students. It is a great responsibility was well, but it is one that I am glad to accept.
One student asked me where I would be teaching when I become an Art teacher. They wanted to know if they would see me again. I told them that I am hoping to be a high school teacher, they didn't like that it would be so long before they saw me again. I was really touched and it helped reaffirm my resolve the be the best teacher I can be. I will miss them too, but maybe I'll see them in high school.