ART 309-1
Professional Art Education Sequence: Elementary
Evidence of successful teaching and learning during ART 309 Clinical Experiences:
IPTS (2013) Standard 7. “Assessment- The competent teacher understands and uses appropriate formative and summative assessments for determining student needs, monitoring student progress, measuring student growth, and evaluating student outcomes. The teacher makes decisions driven by data about curricular and instructional effectiveness and adjusts practices to meet the needs of each student.”
Description
This unit plan, focused on nature and environmentalism, is designed for middle school students (grades 6–8) and consists of four engaging lessons. Students explore the integration of natural and found materials into their art, emphasizing creativity, environmental awareness, and diverse artistic techniques.
Lessons include:
- Creating ceramic pinch pots and weaving with natural and repurposed materials. (2 part lesson)
- Using found, natural objects like leaves and sticks to make stamps.
- Photographing natural elements for a collage.
- Experimenting with watercolor and incorporating unique techniques to represent weather-related themes.
The unit encourages students to connect their artwork with environmental concerns while developing their artistic skills across various media.
We were very fortunate to get 8 students that were very well-engaged in the projects we developed for them. They were consistently engaged in the material and were flexible when we had to change things up on the spot.
Some things that could be improved upon were consistent and clear communication between the teachers. There were instances of misunderstandings and delays in communicaiton that lead to a lot more things having to be straighted out day-of than there probably should have been. There were also a few miscommunications of project requirements before seeing examples because each teacher was leading their own lesson.
The part I most enjoyed about the 5-week art camp was the kids. The students that we were teaching were such joys and there was not a single week where I was not smiling the whole time and laughing because of their antics.
Rationale
Creating a unit plan and co-teaching a Saturday art camp has been an effective way for me to prepare for becoming an art educator. It gave me practical experience in lesson planning, classroom management, and adapting instruction to meet the needs of diverse learners. I had the opportunity to apply what I’ve learned in a real-world setting, assess student understanding, and refine my teaching strategies to support creativity and skill development. This hands-on experience has helped me build confidence, practice collaboration, and develop the responsiveness needed to lead dynamic and inclusive art classrooms.
Lesson Plans and Examples
IPTS (2013) STANDARD 6 -Reading, Writing, and Oral Communication - The competent teacher has foundational knowledge of reading, writing, and oral communication within the content area and recognizes and addresses student reading, writing, and oral communication needs to facilitate the acquisition of content knowledge.
Lesson Plans
Handouts
Teacher Artwork Examples
Week 1
Week 2
Week 3
Week 4
Week 5
Student Artwork Gallery
Classroom Setup
Description
Displayed below is the setup used by the students, it is an open concept design with the desks in a u-shape pattern angled towards the screen.
Rationale
As an educator it is important that I facilitate proper environments for learning, vis-a-vis an ability for students to preform open discussion about topics and encourage peer-to-peer learning.
Evidence
Professionalism, Advocacy, and Leadership: Pal 1
IPTS (2013) STANDARD 9 - Professionalism, Leadership, and Advocacy - The competent teacher is an ethical and reflective practitioner who exhibits professionalism; provides leadership in the learning community; and advocates for students, parents or guardians, and the profession.
1
Description
description of the gallery, and the iaea conference
​​
The Libby Rothfeld exhibit is a mixed medium gallery of various pieces in multiple formats.
​
​
Rationale
My inherent ability as an art teacher dictates that I must experience multiple mediums not only as an educator but as an artist. I further my art literacy by further expanding my knowledge in multiple mediums. The way I propagated my understanding of mediums is by observing the Libby Rothfield gallery. Her mixed medium design combines aspects of the mundane and the intricate, utilizing sculpting, fabrication, tile, wood, and plastic
Evidence
2
Description
Rationale
Evidence
The Illinois art educator association is an annual conference where art educators all over Illinois can convene, and share concepts and ideas.
The IAEA conference is useful in regards to the ability for Art teachers to develop panels and explore techniques to further student comprehension and understanding of different mediums.
Professionalism, Advocacy, and Leadership: Pal 2
IPTS (2013) STANDARD 9 - Professionalism, Leadership, and Advocacy - The competent teacher is an ethical and reflective practitioner who exhibits professionalism; provides leadership in the learning community; and advocates for students, parents or guardians, and the profession.
1
Description
I have an Instagram page dedicated to my artwork and my small business. I use my account to share my art with anyone who comes across my page.
Rationale
Having a page dedicated to my artwork allows me to see how I've grown as an artist since I started the account in middle school.
Evidence
2
Description
Rationale
Evidence
The McLean County Juvenile Detention Center is a state funded correctional facility.
The takeaways I've received from MCJDC provided me with an alternative view on how to accommodate students, and relate to the unconventional challenges they may face in regards to their personal life.
