Self-Created Unit Plans with Lesson Plans and Teaching Materials 7B: understands a variety of current age-appropriate instructional strategies and their applications. Description: Symbol Unit – I taught this unit at the high school level during my first student teaching placement. The class was Contemporary Crafts, and it had a mixture of each grade level, 9-12. In this unit students learned about symbolism and contemporary issues. They were introduced to contemporary artists, like Banksy, Vik Muniz, and Ai Weiwei, who use symbols in their artwork to communicate a message about contemporary issues. The students chose an issue that is important to them to be the focus of their printmaking projects. Then, they planned and designed two symbols that represent their issue to use in their final piece. They carved one symbol into a small, rubber eraser, and the other symbol was made into a stencil from a manila folder. They printed the small symbol multiple times and close together within the stencil to make up the larger symbol. They were also required to write about the connection or relationship between their two symbols and why the issue was important to them.
Fanfiction Unit – I taught this unit at the middle school level during my second student teaching placement. The class was Elective Art for 8th grade. This unit focused on narrative ceramic art. Students were introduced to ceramic artists, Amanda Smith and Beth Cavener, who tell stories through their art. Students also learned about the difference between various types of ceramics: sculpture-in-the-round, relief, freestanding, and functional. Students wrote fanfiction, new versions of their favorite stories (book, movie, or television show), and created ceramic art that tells the story.
Rationale: Both of these units demonstrate my ability to develop age-appropriate instructional strategies and apply them. The symbol unit is more advanced and requires the students to think about current issues in the world, while still allowing for student choice. The students were able to engage with the lesson because they chose issues that were personally meaningful. I understand that student choice and personal connection are both essential to successfully engaging students. So for the fanfiction unit, I also worked to develop the lesson to the students’ personal interests and age-level. The students were able to connect with the topic of fanfiction because they could relate to the experience of watching movies or television shows that did not end how they wanted them to. This demonstrates my ability to get to know students and incorporate their interests into my lessons to get them excited about making art.
Assessment Methods Portfolio 7E: understands the role of assessment in measuring students’ learning and curriculum development. 7F: understands different assessment methods and their application in visual arts education. 7K: uses a variety of assessment methods to analyze and report students’ learning. Description: Below is an example of a unit plan I developed, data of test scores, and analysis and reflection of student growth. For the ceramics unit, I gave a pretest and a posttest to assess what the students learned during the unit. This assessment was geared towards ceramics vocabulary. I created data for individual students and put together a visual to represent their growth. Finally there is a reflection that analyzes the impact my instruction had on student learning and how I will use this knowledge to improve my instruction in the future.
Rationale: This data collection, analysis, and reflection all demonstrate my understanding of assessment in measuring students’ learning and curriculum development. In my reflection I identified specific terms students learned during the unit and terms they were still struggling with. I also planned how I would develop future curriculum to meet the specific needs of these learners.
This data collection, analysis, and reflection all demonstrate my understanding of different assessment methods and their application in visual arts education. In this unit, I planned a variety of assessment methods, many of which are based on performance and skills. I also informally assessed students’ abilities to interpret and analyze artwork. This summative, written assessment shows that I can also develop formal assessments that provide accurate information about student learning.
This data collection, analysis, and reflection all demonstrate my ability to use a variety of assessment methods to analyze and report students’ learning. In my reflection I discussed specific instructional methods and assessment methods that worked well for this group of learners.
Professionalism, Advocacy & Leadership: PAL 1 7G: understands the need for continuing study, self-evaluation, and professional growth. Description: During my first placement of student teaching, I went to several institute days for the district. I learned some of what it takes behind the scenes to keep a school district operating. I got to see first-hand how a school works together as a community to best serve their students. I learned about Professional Learning Communities and saw how they work together to meet the requirements of the district. The art teachers from two different high schools in the area came together to work on new curriculum to meet the new evaluation process.
Rationale: Attending these meetings demonstrates my initiative to experience every aspect of being an educator. It demonstrates my ability to learn and grow as an educator on all levels.
Professionalism, Advocacy & Leadership: PAL 2 (at least 1 submission) 7N: advances his or her knowledge of current developments in the field by participating in professional development activities (e.g., coursework, professional organizations, and workshops). Description: During my first placement of student teaching, I taught a watercolor lesson for the school’s art club.
Rationale: My initiative to volunteer and teach a lesson for an extra curricular club at the school demonstrates that I am willing to go above and beyond my minimum responsibilities. It shows that I am an active and professional member of the school community and will take any opportunity to learn and grow as an educator. Finally, taking responsibility of the club is evidence of my effort to take on a leadership role at the school.