Observations•lesson plans•reflections

Below are a selection of ‘observation lessons’ both announced and unannounced done by different members of Goshen Administration to understand more about the many different art classes I teach. You can download the lesson plans, the observation ratings and the post reflections on how I thought I could improve my teaching in the future.

SAS Observation: Painting unit-splashing dogs

Students practiced their guided drawing skills and used a sharpie to give texture and detail to their dog. They then used watercolor paints for color and did splatter painting in a controlled environment to give movement and energy to their mixed media painting!

GHS Unannounced Observation: Ceramic Hybrid Animal Sculpture

Ms. Cascino's class was fully engaged for the entire time of the observation. The students were highly motivated and were actively working the entire period. The lesson flowed easily while Ms. Cascino reviewed the topic of the Hybrid Animal project and assisted students in creating their sculptures.

GHS Studio 1 Observation: Illustrative Collage unit

Students started with skill builders creating small collages of landscapes and musical instruments to understand cutting, layout and color theory. The final project in the unit was to illustrate a scene from a fable or fairytale using found magazines, lettering, handmade papers and tissue paper.

GHS Announced Observation: Drawing from Life

Studio 1 students took a final assessment in June in observational drawing by first learning and discussing the importance of visual communication through ASL in the Deaf community and then learning their own initials in ASL. The students drew their own hand in this hand shape using value, shading and line techniques.

GHS Ceramics Observation: ceramic Sgraffito Glazing technique

Students used ceramic hand building techniques to create a ‘slab’ vase. To glaze their vessel, I taught a method called ‘sgraffito’, laying down underglaze and carving away a design to leave the color of the clay. Ava’s vase pictured here won first place at Scholastic Art Awards.

GHS Announce Observation: design a Playing Card in Adobe Illustrator

Ms. Cascino utilized all available technology and the presie was well thought out and full of useful information. It generated great conversation and the students were informed of the history of the playing card, understanding the connections between symbols utilized and events relative to specific time periods. Objectives were displayed and clearly explained. Ms. Cascino used correct terminology throughout the lesson, paid close attention to each student's level of understanding. She also made connections to real life application of the skills promoted in this lesson.