Teaching art as I see it...
... Should be an experience. This has been my goal for over a decade working at Nichols. When I first decorated the art room I inherited, I wanted students to enter into the art space and experience learning like no other place at Nichols. I wanted students to feel as if they were somewhere other than a sterile environment for textbook learning - I wanted students to think outside of the box and literally experience what that means.
Life has changed so dramatically over the years and so have my students. They stand in this twenty-first century at the proverbial edge of the mountain. They are included and are expected to think like adults without the emotional developmental capabilities nor experiences necessary to act as adults so many are simply going through the motions, all the while being given everything that a "child" could want because - childhood, after all, is fleeting and they must take the helm - ready or not...
I want my students' art experience to be applicable to their other courses, skill based, something new, meaningful and enjoyable. I want them to think about the art they produce - to consider their rationale for production. I want them to follow instructions. I want them to try to imagine the possibilities that don't yet exist...
...It's truly, endless possibilities...
Smiles,
Ms. Benson
[email protected]
Last year's website is here: http://mrsninabensonsvisualartclasses2016-17.weebly.com/
...and here is a link to 2018-19, my last site for District 65: msbensons2018-19visualart.weebly.com/ ....but, the adventure will continue into retirement - at Truman College - Look for my website there, as I showcase the work of adult learners on Monday evenings and kiddies on Saturdays, maybe I'll see you there.
Oh, and for the record:
HOMEWORK is:
Looking up while outside
Watch the clouds by day and the stars in the night sky
Watch the leaves blow in the wind
See the birds and watch how they move
Be still
Be quiet without music or making any sound
Be alone with yourself and close your eyes and listen as you breathe
Look through a PICTURE BOOK - lots of them
Watch a baby sleep
Watch a fish watch you
See the rain hit the ground and watch for a puddle to form
Likewise, watch the first snowfall and watch how it forms around things - encapsulating nature and man-made objects
Build sand castles and make snow angels
Make a line of jellybeans all over the table - then eat them without touching them
Trace your hand on paper and decorate it with only a pencil or pen from inside then do another from outside tear the paper in a meaningful way - think about WHY you did what you did
Find a stick and decorate it with a pen or carve into it with a craft knife, (be careful - remember cut away from you and others - have a bandage handy)
Decorate a paper cup or a toilet paper tube and give it as a gift - make it specific for the recipient
Find a friend or parent or someone who loves you the most and make them draw a picture with you! Think about how much you love that person as you work.
Ms. Benson
Life has changed so dramatically over the years and so have my students. They stand in this twenty-first century at the proverbial edge of the mountain. They are included and are expected to think like adults without the emotional developmental capabilities nor experiences necessary to act as adults so many are simply going through the motions, all the while being given everything that a "child" could want because - childhood, after all, is fleeting and they must take the helm - ready or not...
I want my students' art experience to be applicable to their other courses, skill based, something new, meaningful and enjoyable. I want them to think about the art they produce - to consider their rationale for production. I want them to follow instructions. I want them to try to imagine the possibilities that don't yet exist...
...It's truly, endless possibilities...
Smiles,
Ms. Benson
[email protected]
Last year's website is here: http://mrsninabensonsvisualartclasses2016-17.weebly.com/
...and here is a link to 2018-19, my last site for District 65: msbensons2018-19visualart.weebly.com/ ....but, the adventure will continue into retirement - at Truman College - Look for my website there, as I showcase the work of adult learners on Monday evenings and kiddies on Saturdays, maybe I'll see you there.
Oh, and for the record:
HOMEWORK is:
Looking up while outside
Watch the clouds by day and the stars in the night sky
Watch the leaves blow in the wind
See the birds and watch how they move
Be still
Be quiet without music or making any sound
Be alone with yourself and close your eyes and listen as you breathe
Look through a PICTURE BOOK - lots of them
Watch a baby sleep
Watch a fish watch you
See the rain hit the ground and watch for a puddle to form
Likewise, watch the first snowfall and watch how it forms around things - encapsulating nature and man-made objects
Build sand castles and make snow angels
Make a line of jellybeans all over the table - then eat them without touching them
Trace your hand on paper and decorate it with only a pencil or pen from inside then do another from outside tear the paper in a meaningful way - think about WHY you did what you did
Find a stick and decorate it with a pen or carve into it with a craft knife, (be careful - remember cut away from you and others - have a bandage handy)
Decorate a paper cup or a toilet paper tube and give it as a gift - make it specific for the recipient
Find a friend or parent or someone who loves you the most and make them draw a picture with you! Think about how much you love that person as you work.
Ms. Benson
Extra! Extra!...
I selected the following students to participate in the District 202/65 Annual Art Show, featuring their art inspired by Sandra Cisneros' poem "Clouds"