RACHAELSDIGITALPORTFOLIO

ArtEducationPhilosophyStatement

WhenIwasyoungerI,likesomanyothers,assumedteachingwaseasy.AsI
progressed,Irealizedthatwasnotthecase,butmypassionforlearningandteachingcontinues
topushmetowardsmygoal.Iassumethattherewillbeterribledays,andtoughstudents.
However,withthosedaysIknowtherewillbedaysthatmakemewonderwhyIeverdoubted
myself,andstudentsthatwillchangemeforthebetter.
Ibelievethatateachershouldbeasourceofgoodintheworld.ThatswhyIchose
teachingasmycareerIwanttobeasourceforgoodintheworldthatwillinspirefuture
generations.Thewonderfulthingaboutteachingisthatyoucanopenachilduptoaworldof
possibilitiestheymayhavenotconsideredbefore.Iwanttomakelearningfun!Schooldoesnt
havetobeallaboutcoveringthegovernmentmandatedcurriculum.Itdoesnthavetobejust
readthissolvethatdonttalktoyourneighbor.Youcanplaygamesgooutsideworkin
groupsgetmessy!Iwantmystudentstogetexcitedaboutlearninganddiverightin.Iwant
themtofeelsafe,andvalued.Iwantmystudentstogrowuptobecitizensoftheworldthat
spreadgoodnessandhaveapassionforlifelonglearningnomatterwhatroadtheychoose.
IamlookingforwardtoseeingmypassionforlearningputtouseasIworkinavarietyof
subjects.Thatbeingsaid,Ihaveapassionforthearts.Ibelieveeveryonemusthavean
appreciationfortheartsandmyheartbreaksforthechildwhonolongerseesherself/himselfas
anartist.ArtisaboutexplorationExplorationofideas,materials,andoneself.Iwanttoshow
studentsthevalueofart,andthatartiseverywhere.IreallyenjoythequotefromPicassothat
stateseverychildisanartist.Theproblemishowtoremainanartistoncewegrowup.Ithink
itissotrue.Childrenaresocreativeandcreatetheirownlittleworlds.Somewherealongthe
waythatcreativitygetspusheddownandaschildrengrowtheylosetheirinnocenceand

passionforlife.Ithinkitnevertrulygoesawaycompletelyandcanbereignitedthroughartistic
explorationandexpression.
IfIcanfindawaytogetkidsexcitedaboutartmyworkwillbemyjoy.Furthermore,ifI
cangetkidsexcitedabouttheirlearning,hopefullythatwillgetparentsexcitedinthelearning
processaswell.ParentsandTeachersarealmostpartnersindevelopmentsoitiscrucialthat
thereisastrongrelationshipbetweenthetwo.ThepathIhavechosen,thatofaneducator,is
certainlynotaneasyone,butitisinfinitelyrewarding.Everyonehassomethingtolearn,and
somethingtoteach.Thatswhatissogreataboutthisprofession.Eachdaybringsnew
experiences,andeachyearbringsnewkidswithnewexperiencesandoutlooksonlife.Its
doingthesamethingbutwiththatconstantelementofchangethatwillmakeitinterestingand
engagingforever.

Class1:IntroductionJanuary7th

Unit(s)Reviewed:
SelfPortraitUnitPlanEmmaTurner

Notes:
Excellentunitlotsofpicturesandwellthoughtthrough.Thelayoutiseasy
tounderstandanditmakessensehowitislaidout.Ienjoythatsheevenhasthe
timingbrokendownrightnowtothe2minutecleanup.Ithinkitsasmart
approachtohavegoalswrittenforeachday.Shealsohasawidevarietyof
examples,asseeninday5withthefamousselfportrait,andday6withtheeyes.
Lotsofgood,specificquestionsaswell.Inclass5shehasatleast4questions
listedforeachartistwhichisagreatbasetoworkfrom,thoughImsureyou
wouldbeabletothinkoforganiconesofthespot.Itisalwaysgoodtohavethat
preparationthoughforifwordsfail!

ClassNotes:
Imreallylookingforwardtothisclass!Thereweresomegreatideasandthings
peoplebroughtintodiscuss!HonestlyImquitenervousasIfeellikeIhavenoideahowImade
itthroughmyundergrad.Imhopingthisclassgivesmesomemoreconfidenceinmyabilityto
actuallyteachart.

Images/Artists:

AlexFunk

JulieDeleplante

RachaelGough

Class2:DrawingJanuary12th

UnitsReviewed:Cartooning:
Grade9ArtKaileyLittle

InclassIremembersayingthatIdidntmuchcareforthisunit.Ifeltitdidntmakealotof
sense.Itseemedquitejumpy,liketherewerepartsmissingandmorelessonsthat
neededtobedoneinbetween.NowthatImlookingatitagainIunderstanditmore.I
stillthinkitsnothowIwouldteachit,butIthinkitwouldwork.Ifeellikeitmightbemore
successfulinahighergradethoughbecauseIfeellikeitreallyreliesonstudentshaving
agoodfoundationalunderstandingofartandImnotsuretheydoingrade9.

ClassNotes:
Thisclasswasgreat!HonestlyIdontknowifanyonehaseveractuallysatme
downandtaughtmetheelementsofartwhichisactuallyfrustrating.Ifeellikethatissucha
foundationalthingthatwouldhavereallyhelpedpushmyartisticpracticeandunderstanding
further.ThatisdefinitelysomethingIwouldlovetoclearlycommunicatetomyfuturestudents.
Itsareallygoodfoundationtostartartwith.Ifyourestartingclasswithanimagedonthave
themjudgingitrightaway.ThatpushesthemtotheendofBlooms.Youwantthemlookingatan
imagewithfresheyes.Startmyidentifyingtheformalelements.

Agreatassignmentwediscussedisshowingablurryimagetogetstudentsworkingontone.
inaclassortwoitbecomesalittlemorefocused,anddrawthatforafewmoredays,constantly
workingwiththesamepiece.Slowlyasstudentsdrawtheimagebecomesmorefocusedso
theycanrefinethedetailswhilelearningabouttone!

Theupsidedowndrawingisagreatwaytogetstudentsfocusedonline!

BOOKS:
DrawingontheRightSideoftheBrainBettyEdwards
CartooningIvanBrutetti
TheNaturalWaytoDrawNicolaides
MagrittesMarvelousHatD.B.Johnson
SeeingThingsJimWoodring

Images:

Class3:Drawing&PaintingJanuary14th

UnitsReviewed:
ArtistTradingCardsBrianSkinner

Excellentjobofdifferentiatingforthedifferentgrades.Verywellplannedandthought
out.Excellentintegrationofformalelementsofart.Clearoutlinedexpectations(eg.The
studentswillcreateacardwithatleast20pinholesandtwolinesizes[double
threading].onpg.10).Ithinkthisunitplannedcouldreallyusesomepictures.In
comparingittoEmmasfromfirstclassitsapolaropposite.Thereisabout3picturesin
theentire27pageplanwhichdoesntmakeawholelotofsenseforart.Artisvisualso
whatareyoushowingyourstudents?

ClassNotes:
Agoodstrategytostartteachingstudentsperspectiveistocreateachartandlook
atdifferentthingsforeachlayer.Sodownthesidehaveforeground,middleground,and
background.Onthetophavethingslikevalue,line,texture,space,andcolour.Havestudents
consideranddiscusseachoftheseelementsforeachlayeroftheartwork.Thisgetsthem
thinkinglikeartists!

Youcouldstartbygettingstudentsoutsideandactuallyexaminingthelandscape!Havethem
lookingatthelinesandtheobservationstheycanmake.

Dre&RyansDrawingUnit:Thisunitwasveryinteresting!Ithoughtthattheuseofthebody
wasanexcellentwaytogetstudentsthinkingaboutlineandtheapplicationofmediums.Italso
remindsmeofperformanceartwhichwouldbeanotherinterestingavenuetoexplore.Both
activitiesdoneinclasspresentedagreatwayofremovingsomethinginordertoswitchup
traditionalart,Ithinkit'sagreatwaytohavestudentsthinkaboutartinawaytheymaynot
necessarilyhavebefore.Additionallyitreallyengagesstudentsandallowsthemtohavefunand
play.Ithinkthat'sessentialinordertoencourageclasscommunitysothatstudentscanfeelfree
torelaxandexploretheirdifferentideaswiththeirpeers.Thereisalotofroomformodification
foreachdifferentclassyou'llencounter,anditcanalsobemodifiedtoreallytransitionnicely
intoseveraldifferentunitsyoucouldfollowthisoneupwith!

Images/Artists:
JimDine

DavidHockney

Class

Class4:Painting&ColourJanuary19th

UnitsReviewed:
HiphopGraffitiLisaWillier

Notes:
Ireallylikethisunit!IliketheagerangeforitaswellbecauseIfeellikestudents
arealittleyoungerandthereforelesslikelytoactuallygooutandvandalizethingsafter
experiencingthisunit,astheymightwhentheygetalittleolderandarefeelingmore
rebellious.Excellentorganizationandresourcesforeachclass.Theorder/progressionof
thelessonsmakesenseanditflowsnicely.Doesanicejobofintroducingformal
elementsandIthinkitsagreatideatostartwithlinebecauseitsjustso
basic/foundational.

ClassNotes:
greatideatohavestudentsdisplaytheirworkaroundtheschool.Setupaprocess
liketheuniversityhastodisplaytogetstudentsusedtotherealityoftheartworld!

Startingwithline,introducingcollaboration,etc.

Karl&Hailey:
Unitisagreatwaytoreallygetstudentstalkingart!Seamlesslyintroduces
elementsofartatthesametime(line,colour,audience,composition,etc.)Likedtheemphasis
onhavingstudentsmakepurposefulchoicesinartandnotjustthrowingsomethingdownforthe
sakeofaproduct.Italsoisquiteopenandthereforecanbeeasilymodifiedtofitdifferentgrade
levels.

Graffitivideowasinteresting.Ihavepostedmynotesbelow.Itriedtojustwritekeywordsand
thenIwasgoingtoconvertitintoamindmapbutIreallyenjoyhowitisnow.Ireallyenjoyed
thewaytheytalkaboutart.Itssointerestinghowtheydontconsiderthemselvesartistsbut
theyreusingallthisformallanguage.StudentswouldLOVEtolearnaboutgraffitibutthereare
definitelywaystogoaboutitbecauseyouhavetobesocarefulwithsubjectslikethat.

Images:
GeorgiaOkeefe

AndyGoldsworthy

Class

Class5:Printmaking&PopularCultureJanuary21st

UnitsReviewed:
PopArtUnitUnknownAuthor

Notes:
Ifeellikethisunititquiteshort,anditmaybecouldhavebeensloweddownabit.
ThatbeingsaidILOVEthattheyreintroducingcomputerartprograms!Thatisgreatif
yourschoolhastheresourcestodoso.Ifeellikethereneedstobemoreteachingabout
colour.Theystartwithagreyscale,whichIthinkitanexcellentwaytobegin
understandingpopart.Buttheiralreadystartingproductiononthefinalpiecebylesson
three.Itseemsalittlefast.Perhapstheycouldextenditandcovermoreformalelements
besidesvalue.Ifeelcolourshouldbeaddressedifyouregoingtobepopartbecauseit
issuchanessentialelement.

ClassNotes:
Classpresentationday!Iwishmorepeoplegaveusfeedbackonourunitbut
everyoneseemedtoenjoytheclass!makingtheshirtswassogreatandIwouldreallyloveto
givemystudentstheopportunitytodoit!Itisagreatwaytogeteveryoneexcitedaboutartand
reallysellthemonit!IfIcouldchangeanythingaboutourpresentationIthinkIwouldhaveliked
ustotalklesshahaIfeellikewewentonforawhile.AdditionallyIwishthelessonsflowedabit
betterbutIfeellikeitstoughtoreallyteachthistopicwellinsuchashorttimespan!Itcouldbe
awholeunit,asopposedtojustanassignment.

Prof&PeerFeedback:

JaniceRahn:
Ilikeyourbroaddefinitionofthebrandtoincludeartistsfromthepasttothe
relationshipofglobalcorporatebrandstopersonaltags.Youdidalotofresearchand
synthesizedaninterestingvarietyofimages.Iwouldpreferfewerimageswithspecificquestions
directedatthemtoshowmehowyouwouldengagestudentsinthevisualtoteachthe
objectives.Youincludedexcellent"keyquestions"butinyourfinalunit,addressyourquestions
toimagesspecificforyourencountertowhohowyouareintroducedtheconceptsandskillsfor
thatlesson.I'lltalkaboutthisinclass.Youbothseemedpersonallyinvestedintheunit,andhad
experiencewithprintmaking.OnequestionIwouldchangeisinthefronttemplate:Iwouldsay:
Isprintmakingavalidformofartwhenitisareproductionofsomeoneelse'simage?(for
exampleWarhol)Thisoccursagainonpagethreeinessentialquestions.Youstateitthisway
laterintheunitanditisclearer.

RyanKenworthy:

Ifoundthisunittobeagreatexample,greatjobJesseandRachel.There
weresomeinterestingvarietyintheencounterswhichIpersonallyappreciated.Theuseof
soundwaveswasalsoaverycreativeandinterestingwaytointegratetechnologyintothe
lessongivingthestudentsexperienceandpracticeworkingwithdifferentprograms.The
brandingelementoftheunitreallyengagedmepersonallyandIcanseehowitwouldreally
motivateeventhemostunmotivatedstudentstoparticipate.Thereweresomegreatideasand
reallycreativethinkingtoworkfrominthisunit.


Images/Artists:
MaxErnst

EricCarle

WearableArt/TshirtDesigns

Class6:VisualLiteracy,AdvertisingJanuary26th

UnitsReviewed:
ArtMakingwithAdvertising,AppropriatingandDesignAmanadaPayne

Notes:
Ididntreallygetthelinkbetweenadvertisementsandgraffiti.Iguessitsa
sitespecificthing?Itjustseemedlikeanoddjumpfromlessontwoandthree.Itseems
likeitstryingtodotoomuch.Ithinktheycouldhavebeensplitupintotwounits.The
firstonadvertising,andthenanotherongraffititofollow,makingasmoothertransition
andensuringyouhavetimetoexploreeachtopicthoroughly.Ialsowouldbehesitantto
doacritiqueingrade8.Kidsatthatagecanbeharshanddisrespectfultowardstheir
peerssoifyoudochoosetodothatyouwouldreallyneedtomakesureyousetsome
rulesandexpectationsupbeforebeginning.

Notes:
Thisclasswasstressful.IreallyhateadvertisingandIfeltitwasanoddchoicetosort
throughthesesexistadvertisementsandcombinethemtotryandsellaproduct.Ithinkitcould
serveasaniceteachablemomenttoeducatestudentsonthedangersofadvertisementsetc.
butIsupposeifthepointistoeducatestudentsonvisualliteracyitmakessense.Ijustdont
agreewithit.Iwouldratherhavestudentsremakeittoremovethestereotypesorharmful
messages,butthenthepurposechanges.Itsatoughtopicthatwilldefinitelytakemorethought
onhowIwouldliketoeducatemystudentsonthematter.

Thegallerytourwasnicethough!Iwouldlovetotakemystudentsonfieldtripsandhavethem
exploreforthefirst15minutesorsoandchoose2works.Theycouldthencomebacktogether
andtellmetheirchoicesandIgivethemaworksheetinreturn.Theycouldeitherfillitoutalone
orinpartnersanditwouldgetthemtalkingaboutartwithmyworksheetasguidance.Ithinkit
wouldbeanicewaytobuildstudentsautonomy/individuality.


Images/Artists:
RoyLichtenstein

AndyWarhol

Class

Class7:PapermakingandBookmakingJanuary28th

UnitsReviewed:
Printmaking&PapermakingAngelaMcPeake

Notes:
Verythoroughandanexcellentrationale.Ienjoyedthatshehasstrongsocial
contextconsiderationsthroughout.GreatthatsheincludesahistoryorpapermakingasI
feelthatwaslackingasIwentthroughschoolandIthinkitreallyhelpsstrengthenthe
qualityofworkthatisbeingproduced.Ithinkthechoicetoincludedigitaldocumentation
isexcellentplanning.ThearentalotoflessonsbutIdontthinkitneedsit.Youcould
perhapsstretchitoutbutthelessonshavealogicalandsmoothflowtothem.Very
extensivelessonplansaswell.

ClassNotes:
Ireallyliketheideaofbookmakingforartclass.Iwonderifitborderstoomuchon
craftthough?Ordotheytendtobemorecombinedink12schooling?Ivewantedtohavemy
studentsmaketheirownsketchbookssinceIfirstlookedintobookmakinginfoundationsclass
myfirstyear.IdontthinkIllbeabletodoitinmyPSllbutitisdefinitelysomethingtolookinto
forPSlllorinmycareer.

Iwouldlovetohavestudentsmaketunnelbooksalso.Theycouldrecreateclassicartworks
anditwouldbeagreatwaytoteachthemaboutforeground,middleground,andbackground.
Likeso:

Images/Artists:
MichelleHolland

SueBennett

SusieWilson

Class

Class8:ArtIntegrationFebruary2nd

UnitsReviewed:
Grade4Art&ELAUnknownAuthor(TheBookwithNoPicturesUnit)

Notes:
Ireallylikethisunitidea!Ilovelanguageandsharingmypassionforreadingwith
students.InmyPSlIbroughtinatleast3newpicturebooksaweekandalwaysread1
tothemThursdaysatlunch.IreadmoretothembuttheyallknewcomeThursdayitwas
bookday.Theyallgetreallyintoitandithelpsbuildtheirloveofreadingaswellas
comprehensionskills.IfindthatmostgreatchildrensbooksIknowofhaveastrong
textualelementtothem.Thefontand/orstyleofthetextlendsinsighttowhatthebookis
aboutandIthinkthatthisunitreallypointsthatouttostudents.

ClassNotes:
Thisclasswasgreat!IwasabletodoacrosscurricularassignmentinmyPS1
withartandLAandIthinkmystudentsreallyenjoyedit!Wetalkedalotabouttherealvs.
relevantandhowwecanmakearteducationandwhatstudentsarelearningrelevantintheir
lives.Thatsabigpartofprojectbasedlearningmakingartrelevant.

Tunnelbooksareagreatwaytointegrateart.

Lowerthanaboutgrade9,youmightwanttostreamlinematerialssoitgoesfaster!

Gotakealookatartistsbooks!

BOOKS:
ONEBOY
findingwordswithinwords(smartboard)
Blackingoutwords&havingstudentsguess(readingcomp)
JosephKosuthchairimage/textintegration

NATURESPAINTBOXPATRICIATHOMAS
THECOLOURMONSTERANNALLENAS
THEDRAGONSPEARL
Artistswhopaintonorusingnontraditionalmaterials
usingimagestoguideunderstanding

MOONSONGLULLABY
IAMRAVEN
CARIBOUSONG
CRAZYHAIRNEILGAIMAN

Images/Artists:

Class9:DigitalTechnologyFebruary4th

UnitsReviewed:
AnimationandTechnologyJeffMilner&DafneCarrasco

Notes:
Ireallylovetheintegrationoftechnology!Ifeellikeartisheadedina
technologicalareaandIthinkitsimportanttoteachsomebasiccomputerartskills.I
alsoenjoythattheystartonpaperthough.Ifeellikepeoplelearnthingssomuchbetter
handsonfirst.Seeingand/orproducingsomethingtangiblebeforedivingintothedigital.
Ifeellikeitwasalittleshort,andsomuchmorecouldhavebeendone!Ithinkthe
studentsmaybenefitfromalongerintroductiontotheconcept,andperhapssome
historyofanimationand/orcartoons.

ClassNotes:
Thisclasswassomuchfun!IreallyenjoyedthepresentationbyAlexandJulie.I
thoughtitwasgreatthattheywalkedthroughthehistoryandhadexamples.Ialsoreally
enjoyedtheanimationcreationtime.Ithinkstudentswouldgetreallyintoitanditissoeasy
onceyoufigureitout.Ithinktheywouldneedquiteabitofguidanceatfirst,andyouwould
needtohaveastronggrasponyourclassroommanagementbecauseitcouldgetoutofhand
prettyquick.

Iwoulddefinitelylovetodothiswithmyfutureclasses!Studentsgetreallyintoit!Ifeellikeit
couldgetoutofhandifyoudonthavetherespectofyourstudentsandgoodclassroom
management.ThatgoesformostthingsIsuppose.

Images/Artists:

Screenshotfrominclassamination:

Class10:PreparingforOrientationFebruary9th

UnitsReviewed:
AncientGreekPottery/PaintingUnknownAuthor

Notes:
Thisissogreat!Ithinkstudentswouldreallyenjoylearningallaboutancient
Greece.Ithinkstudentsalsoenjoyblindcontouriftheycanletgoandjusthavefunwith
itinsteadofcheatingandlookingdown.Ilikethatitgivesstudentslotsoftimetowork
throughthedifferentactivitiesandlevelsoftheunit.Ithinkitisgreatthattheyare
workingwithdifferentmediumsalso.Thegreeklettersigmaasthebulletpointwasalso
anicetouch.Italsohasastrongcollaborativeelementwhichwouldreallyhelpbuild
classroomcommunity.Idowiththeyhadincludedmoreimagerythough.

ClassNotes:
Thisclasswasshorterbecauseofartnowyesterdaysothereisntmuchtowrite
about.MyTAwillnotbethereonThursdaysoImfeelingquiteanxiousaboutthewholething.
WewereabletoFacetimelastnightthoughanditseemslikeIllbefineandwewillbekeeping
intouchoverreadingbreaktryingtoformulateaplan.

Images/Artists:

Class11:InSchoolOrientationFebruary11th

UnitsReviewed:
IntegratingArtandMath:TessellationsandSymmetryMelissaMartin

Notes:
Ithinkthisunitisagreatwaytomakemathfunandexciting!Tessellationsare
verycoolandIcoulddefinitelyseemyselfusingthisifIfoundmyselfteachingmath.I
thinktheydoagreatjobtoslowlyintroducingthetopictostudents.Greatchoicetoshow
M.C.EscherbutImsurethereareothersartiststoo.Ithinkitsalwaysgoodtotryand
haveavariety.ThatbeingsaidthisisntreallyanartlessonIsupposesomaybeitsnot
asimportant.Greatworksheetsandclear,usefulimages.

ClassNotes:
Theorientationdaywasnotthatbeneficialforme.Ididntgettomeettwoofmy
threeclasses,makingitdifficulttomakeanysortofclassroommanagementplan.Howeverthe
oneclassIdidmeetwaswonderful!

Images/Artists:

Class12:IntegrationofArtFebruary25th

UnitsReviewed:
FantasyArtPictureBookJimWettstein

Notes:
AnotherLAintegrationunit!Ithinkitsgreatwhenstudentscanmakeabookof
anykind.Childrenusuallylovemakingbooksbecausetheycaneasilyshowitofftotheir
friendsandbragaboutmakingabookhaha.Ithinkitsagreatideatoshowimagesto
getstudentsthinkingandgetthatimmediatereactiontoavisualimage.Thisunitallows
studentstohavequiteabitofcreativecontrolandreallyusetheirimaginationswhichis
great,especiallyforthisagelevel.Kidscanbesounsureofthemselvesinjuniorhigh,
andIthinkitsgreatwhentheygetachancetoshowwhattheyreinterestedin.Iwould
lovetousethisintegrationunitaswellifIteachELA.

ClassNotes:
Theresourcesweregreat,andImreallyexcitedtostartteaching!Imhavinga
toughtimebecauseIfeellikewhatmyTAwantsisdifferentfromhowIwouldteachitbutshe
sayswekindofneedtosticktoitbecauseitsinthecourseoutlinethatshehasdistributed.I
likedJanicesideathateachweeklyprojectshouldbepartofatotalfinalprojectandIthinkIm
goingtogowiththebookidea.Ithinkstudentswillreallylikeanditcanshowitofftotheir
friends.IthinkIllmakeitabookaboutthemandthatwillsatisfythegenerallysefishnatureof
teenagers.

Images/Artists:
Blu

Swoon

JimWoodring

Class13:PeerReviewMarch1st

UnitsReviewed:
None

ClassNotes:
N/Aseeunitplan