This Saturday went very well for our class in my opinion and calmed my nerves completely for probably the rest of the semester. The main objective for the class was to learn to mix colors with paint which I taught through a demo. Hurwitz and Day support this process in saying :"Watching a concept develop as a process is explained is not only fascinating to children but arouses a desire to begin seeing for themselves how to handle new materials and ideas." This method seemed to be the most effective as it was a lot easier to teach students how to mix colors by doing it in front of them than it would have been to try to tell them how to wet the paint correctly and how to get the paint into the pallet (we were using the tempera cakes which made the process a little different and a little more difficult.). Students were also shown how to create monsters using the paint blobs created with the primary and secondary colors. I was amazed at how well the creatures came out and how excited the students were to make them.
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| some students even listed where these monsters could be found |
Hurwitz and Day also talk about student motivation and the importance of using intrinsic motivation rather than always using extrinsic motivation. The first assignment on Saturday was to draw a place that they see everyday in their sketchbook. I think that having the students draw something that was that much of a part of their life was a form of intrinsic motivation as they all wanted to show/share a part of their life with the rest of the class. Overall I think the class went very well and I am very excited for the second part of my lead teaching section.
This Saturday went very well for our class in my opinion and calmed my nerves completely for probably the rest of the semester. The main objective for the class was to learn to mix colors with paint which I taught through a demo. Hurwitz and Day support this process in saying :"Watching a concept develop as a process is explained is not only fascinating to children but arouses a desire to begin seeing for themselves how to handle new materials and ideas." This method seemed to be the most effective as it was a lot easier to teach students how to mix colors by doing it in front of them than it would have been to try to tell them how to wet the paint correctly and how to get the paint into the pallet (we were using the tempera cakes which made the process a little different and a little more difficult.). Students were also shown how to create monsters using the paint blobs created with the primary and secondary colors. I was amazed at how well the creatures came out and how excited the students were to make them.
I remember reading about the importance of intrinsic motivation versus extrinsic motivation. It sounds like having them draw something that was important to them was a GREAT way to have them intrinsically motivated and engaged with their classmates. It sounds like this week went great for your group, and I am glad it calmed your nerves for the rest of the semester! Sometimes a good day is all that it takes.
ReplyDeleteI really liked your project idea. We had a bit of 'mud making' with our color mixing, which I know is a part of the discovery process with new materials, but I think they really would have liked a visual representation of this color plus this color makes this color that they themselves would have created. Learning new things all the time right?! I also love how excited students get during demonstrations. You can physically see that desire to try it out for themselves in the way that they stand and lean in and practically run back to their seats to try it for themselves. I am also glad that you had a good week! Way to go!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your successful lead teaching day. I too enjoyed your monster blob project. They each look really detailed and unique. I feel like the blobs were a good way for them to explore the color and not focus too much on the shapes. It also fits well in the imaginary theme by having the kids transform their blobs. Also I agree that having the students sketch a place they know can be intrinsically motivating because it is unique and meaningful to each person.
ReplyDeleteI think intrinsically motivating kids by bringing in subjects that kids can relate to (in your case, sharing something that is part of their life) is a briliant way to motivate those kids. I have personally observed that, kids tend to be more motivated when they have encountered something they can relate to.
ReplyDeleteOn a side note, What do you think could be the 'possible extrinsic motivation' for your project? I know this question is bit far-fetched, but it brought me to think 'hmm, is it possible to have an extrinsic motivation to paint funny animals at that age?' (excluding getting candies for their work I guess )