Up Up and away!

There is a lot to being a teacher.  Much more than I ever knew before I tried my hand at becoming one.  Preparation is as much a part of the package as the actual teaching time.  Susanne and I have spent many hours planning curriculum, gathering supplies and brainstorming about projects and activities for our students.  We have enjoyed the quiet, cool hours spent in our classroom, organizing, cleaning, labeling, and laminating - making a vibrant space where creativity is inspired.  Yet, throughout the summer we have greatly anticipated that noisy surge of energy present in a classroom where children are exploring, learning and creating.  On Wednesday of last week we finally met our energetic third graders.  Of course we had a concise, obligatory discussion of "classroom expectations" and then we got busy!  It is always a good idea for new art students to experience "success" at the first attempts of artistic exploration. This not only builds confidence in their own artistic skills but also their confidence in our ability to instruct them.  This particular activity of drawing and designing hot air balloons always delivers!  At first glance, to capture the alluring brilliance of these floating beauties can seem impossible - down right intimidating.  But on closer examination the students learn that hot air balloons are mostly a simple combination of circles and rectangles.  The rest, the exquisite, colorful designs are whatever the student artists dream them to be - dots, zigzags, stripes and swirls, lightening bolts, hearts, flowers and cars, the solution is theirs to imagine.  This is why children need Art. They need the freedom to create a solution that is always right.  They need practice in recognizing that compliant parts often form the more daunting whole.  It was a productive first day and as imaginations engaged and the feeling of success grew palpable in the room, we knew our school year had finally begun!