When I was in college, I took a curriculum development class. We were given an arbitrary amount as our budget, and we had to plan our curriculum and show through our pricing how we would have the materials to back up our plan. The professor told us that we would never see a budget like that in our careers, but that we needed to know how to plan. I also know that a lot of art teachers out there scrape and save for every thing they have. Now, don't get me wrong- I have scraped and saved for a lot, and there are things I have done without, or found a way to have donated. I have run my share of fundraisers, and written grants here and there. That said, I would like to brag on MNPS (Metro Nashville Public Schools) for just a moment. From the time I arrived at my school 16 years ago, I have had a budget. A set dollar amount for every child. Now, not all principals got on board, and some art teachers still struggle, but I have been fortunate that my principals have always done well by my program. And, this summer, we got a textbook rollout. A Big Book for the lower elementary students, and text books for 3rd and 4th. Yep, I said AND. These books came with an e-version, and the "ancillaries" which included music, extra image CDs, prints, illustrated vocabulary cards, artist cards and safety/classroom posters FOR EVERY GRADE. I am simply amazed at the quality and quantity of materials at my fingertips. And, even though we don't always feel appreciated for what we do- I am proud of MNPS for it's support of the Arts, and I look forward to cracking open all of the materials, and giving my students the best possible experience in art. Now- anyone know a good way to store prints? I have flat drawers, but it's always so hard to find what you want that way.
I have a project that is my absolute favorite to break out. It is the torn paper collage. During Olympic season, I love to declare the Torn Paper People Olympics. We really sieze the opportunity to talk about action, and detail. I find that while the students would rely on pencils and scissors, in this instance, not allowing them forces the students to think more creatively, and we get some really fun pictures. Due to my desire to work increasingly with the classroom teachers, I did this project with 2nd grade , and a bit earlier in the school year than I typically would because it fit in with what they are tackling in "Common Core". The athlete performing a trick is themself, in order to work in the idea of self-portrait. On the last day, I gave them sharpies to add any tiny details, and we used erasers to stamp the crowd. As a writing connection, I am having my students write the commentary for their trick. This is where the classroom teachers are helping me.
