Planning...

So even though I plan the projects in June, I am always tweaking things. So I have been reading - as usual - and looking at stuff on the computer. Some things planned for P2 & 3:

• Experimentation and in-depth work with aperture
• Flash - both on the hot shoe and off
• More history - this should motivate them to do more stuff that is non-stock or snapshot-y
• Self-publishing
• A report - I've done this when I taught middle school... tons of more work for me but they truly learn more
• Experimentation in the darkroom as an assignment or an element of one
• Formal portraiture - I saw a box of something donated when I was in the room recently; with the lights we got from media last winter and the new backdrop, we can do this for real
• Revising permissible submissions and the frequency of them.

Needless to say, I am not going to back down and skip the really hard stuff. I know many will struggle, but they don't learn and appreciate what I teach if it comes easily. After talking to a former student, I realized I am teaching the right stuff and it should not be a problem if I try to challenge them. I am sure I will get arguments and problems from parents, but this isn't for me. It's for the students and the program. Too many kids get into college and then need to take remedial classes or are not ready for the work and difficulty. I don't want my kids to get by in college. I want them to blow away the other art students...

Now off to do some art...