Talks

So if someone walked past the classroom, they would see a lot of talking, not much activity.  Last week was the week of discussions.  In Photo II we had the introduction of the Aesthetics project which I already told you about.  Then, later in the week, I had our first Photo I critiques.  I felt they were comfortable enough with each other to feel free to talk about each other's work.  Um, not exactly.  First critiques (I so detest the word "crit") are always torture, and these sure were.  In first period, there was one girl who was a bright spot.  She claims to have not wanted to take the class, but her insights into people's work was amazing.  She came up with things no one else did.  At one of two points, I could see people with that "Hmmm" look after she spoke.  Great job!

Then there was period 8.  My special class.  The class with the combination that should have never passed muster with Guidance - unless someone is trying to punish me.  Well, they would not pay attention.  Three conversations going at once.  Rude, disrespectful.  So, I did what I now do with certain groups - I ignored the side chatter and gave the attention to those taking part.  The participants get the benefit of a worthwhile class, the others, lose participation points and get the message when they see their grades. So far, it is the only way I have found that works with this bunch.  One of them has learned that when he works, I give him my undivided attention and help.  He has turned it around.  I hope the others will.

In Foundations, a couple of kids finished the exercises early.  So I winged it.  I grabbed a text book and sat with them and discussed some of the paintings that were described in the ditto exercises.  These were things like Josef Albers' Homages to the Square, Bridget Riley's Op Art, you get the idea.  Non-objective, colors, shapes, patterns.  The conversations were fabulous.  They were so deep that they were still talking to me as they left the room after the bell!  And one of the kids is someone who I noticed exhibits some tendencies to possibly fool around and get in trouble in the future, based on some comments he makes.  So I am making sure to redirect him in some sly ways.  I am scratching the surface to find what he is about, and hopefully it will work.  He was one of the kids in that fabulous modern art conversation.  Yesterday, I was working on straightening out the paint container drawers.  He was called out of the room and to have him set up to work when he returned would have been a waste given the time left in the period.  So I had him help me.  We chatted about where he used to live and then I moved it over to art 0 there is a famous art school in his old town - and got to talking about how he used to draw a lot.  He is great to talk to and I hope he gets back to drawing...  His ideas about life, culture, and such are developing and I don't want that stifled in him. He could turn out to be a special person.  We shall see.

Today, the Photo I Portrait Studio Shoots begin.  Not everyone shoots in one day.  Those not posing or shooting must assist.  This helps them get an idea of the possible job opportunities when starting out in the field.  I don't give a whole "Jobs" lesson.  Instead, I slyly slip it in with comments throughout the year.  I have encouraged them to bring in props and stuff.  Very excited for the rest of the week.  It will be chaos, but like my old boss at the NBA used to say, "This is what I like to call controlled chaos."