Sweetest Class Ever

Today's first class was Ms. Hatch's eight grade class. They were working on a canvas for a project on Robert Delaunay and the Orphism movement (so they were focusing much on colour co-ordination and blending gradients in acrylic). Personally I have to say I found them to be by far the sweetest class of the younger age groups. I remember two students in particular Bertie and Isham who were both clearly very close friends and also genuinely interested in art. They asked me a lot about what colours they should choose which showed their tremendous enthusiasm but I also took as a very clear sign of a lack of self confidence in their artistic expression. If they didn't make begin to make a few of their own choices then they wouldn't really be able to gain an understanding of colour. So I spent a bit of time with them while going around other students and made sure to ask them what colour they thought was best and I explained the reasons why that may be a good or bad colour choice (and I will say they often both chose very strong ones so they really did have an excellent sense of colour but just needed to be aware of this and be confident).

It was afterwards I found out from Ms. Hatch that Bertie wanted to be a jewellry designer and Isham an architect. I'm still stunned they're so certain of what they want to do at their age but not only that they're very specific fields. No wonder they were so enthusiastic.

Ms. Hatch also told me about one of the students who was incredibly talented and also interested in art but had some problems in anger management and how everyone was affected. I didn't tell her but I believed I could relate somewhat as I had some problems with controlling my emotions as a very young child, having tantrums and I remember what it was like. I wonder why it is some people start out with unable this. When I can I will endeavor to find theories on the subject.

-LUNCH BREAK-

I gave the presentation on masks again. This time I knew more but now I'm thinking I should definitely at some actual examples of artwork featuring paintings that fit the UNESCO guidelines or show the cultural expressions of the masks. That ought to help deal with some of the confusion.

And now I have to make sure I have a lesson plan to teach my neighbor english. Things haven't been the best so i'm going to do something I foolishly resisted and use MUZZY.