Craft Time!

Welcome back!

Today I started my unusual art project in class. I did not have nearly enough corks to make the wreath, so I am tabling that idea until I can get more corks. I decided to make the the cork heart instead. The hot glue did not work as well as I would have hoped because I only had synthetic corks but I made it work.

Image Credit: Author's own

Above is my finished product. Hopefully after the glue sets, it will stay together well. It is not nearly as intricate as some of the cork art that I have seen but I am pretty happy with how it turned out!

Until Next Time,

Ms. K

Week 3, Field Begins

Image Credit: Google

Welcome back!

This week, my classmates and I began our field placements. Block 3 field placements require two full-days in field. We are each assigned to a classroom, grade level, and teacher. When I received my placement for this semester, I was slightly intimidated. I am working with older students this semester than I have in previous semesters. I am always concerned that I will not be confident enough with the material that I am to teach. In these situations, I have found it helpful to brush up on subjects that I have not dealt with in a while. One of my favorite websites that I use to refresh my memory is Khan Academy. Mathematics has never been my strongest subject, so I find this resource particularly useful. However, Khan Academy is useful in many other subjects, not just mathematics. It is a great classroom tool to use with students who need a little reinforcement in concepts being taught. 

Unusual Art?!

Welcome back!

Two weeks ago we were to choose a genre of art in which to produce a piece for my Arts in Education class. Since I was not in the room when my instructor was going over each genre (I was stuck in the bookstore line attempting to pick up my textbook), I chose "unusual art" thinking that it would be kind of hard to mess up a piece that is supposed to be unusual. Solid logic right? Unfortunately, little did I know, this genre obligates me to create art by using unusual items...

After lots and lots of brainstorming (and scouring Pinterest), I came up with a few ideas but I am not very artistic and we all know how Pinterest projects turn out! I have decided that the following photo is the goal.

Image Credit: Pinterest

Although I have a feeling that the beautiful wreath above may end up looking more like this....

Image Credit: Pinterest

Due to a limited supply of corks and time, this may end up being closer to my final goal. This project is challenging me to "think outside the box" by using a medium that I would not traditionally think of as a medium for art. This could be a fun project to use in a classroom as well. I could have students use items to create art instead of simply have them create a painting or sculpture.

Until Next Time,

Ms. K

Week 2...A Tad Bit Late

Welcome!

August 31 was the beginning of week 2, and what better way to start off a semester then by heading out on a field trip? For my Social Studies Methods, Arts in Education, and Teaching Exceptional Learners courses, we headed out for an all-day field trip to the Indiana National Lakeshore. The weather was perfect and the trip was wonderful!

First, we went to Miller Woods Trail in Gary, IN. It was beautiful along the trail and so peaceful as well.

Image credit: Author's own

We learned about the Black Oak Savanna and got to see some of these beautiful trees as well. 

Image Credit: Author's own

After we finished the trail, we headed up the road to the Bailly-Chelberg Homestead. I had never even heard of this place before, but it is a wonderful place to take students when they are learning about Indiana state history! 

Image Credit: Author's own

This location has many opportunities for students to witness what life was like in 19th Century Indiana by watching and interacting with staff who portray settlers. 

When we finished our tour of the farm and homestead, it was nearly lunchtime. Our next stop was lunch on the beach! We headed out for Beverly Shores to play in the water and eat lunch on the beach. 

Image Credit: Michelle Hollowell

I had such a wonderful time on our field trip, and even better, I was able to discover a couple of places that I had never been to before!

Until Next Time,

Ms. K