Gamble Center, Rockland, ME
Susan Johnson, Oceanside High School, Ann Roy, Waterville, and Carolyn Brown, Camden Hills
Twelve art teachers met on Saturday, January 26 to share stories of working with AP Art students and to share information and ideas………. and everyone found inspiration to continue the great work they are doing.
Everyone reported in, sharing information about current program issues and frustrations; course loads, time issues, impact on students, choice, continuity, curriculum, process, budgets, class sizes, student issues, pre-AP, scheduling issues…….. As usual, everyone had interesting bits to share. We felt a bit like AA for AP Art teachers – the telling is always somewhat cathartic. The on-going challenges continue to exist, and we continue to work through them. It helps to compare program structure and curriculum, giving the group new ways to approach current problems.
Some shared some lesson ideas. One teacher shared a folded book project and gave everyone instructions. The group looked at student work, giving feedback and asking questions
After lunch Kal introduced some brainstorming activities – 6 word biographies, mind maps, cut paper squares, and an appropriation activity. Using photocopies of famous art work, photocopies of patterns, and assorted art supplies, participants created their own appropriation. The group thought about different approaches and different ways the project could be adapted to student use.
Plans for next meeting – Someone suggested meeting in August, before school starts, with a focus on some printmaking strategies. Coincidentally, there is a printing press right in the Gamble Center classroom. This was a great opportunity for building community with teachers across Maine.
Thank you to Kal Elmore for contributing the content of this blog and to Suzanne Goulet for contributing the photograph!
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