Miss. Stocek “Dee”
dmiller@wrvsu.org
I am focused on helping all students create and fully develop their imagination no matter what age. I am convinced that giving even our youngest students choice in how they will create their projects makes a difference in their core classwork. I work on projecting what master artists convey in their work and try to help students learn how to look using Visual Thinking Strategies (VTS) and drawing skills.
I think that all students are artists when they come through the Art room door. I help them calm down the negative thoughts they may have by listening to them and offering advice, active ideas, and being their cheerleader.
I propose that all ideas can be used, changed, formed, and collaborated on. I know that if you darken the lines you like and forget the lines you don’t like, nobody is going to notice. I have a feeling that there are more artists waiting to happen than anyone at any school thinks.
This year is a drawing year meaning that less technology and more hands on projects are activated. This will be implemented through choice tables for K-5, and life skills and positive ways on communicating through art in grades 6-8, and lots of drawing experiences as well as yearbook design, mixed media projects, and sketchbooks for grades 9-12. I believe that playing jazz music in the Art room creates the studio atmosphere that I want for all students. I discourage students from saying that their work is not good and encourage them to talk about the parts that they like. I want to share with them the power of self confidence when ideas become something tangible and successful.
Articles I encourage you to read:
Olga Hubard’s, Rethinking Critical Thinking and Its Role in Art Museum Education
Olga Hubard’s, Illustrating Interpretive Inquiry: A Reflection for Art Museum Education
Ron Ritchhart’s, Creative Teaching in the Shadow of the Standards
Ron Ritchhart’s, Learning to Think: The Challenges of Teaching Thinking
Books I encourage you to read:
Philip Yenawine, Visual Thinking Strategies: Using Art to Deepen Learning Across School Disciplines 2013
TED Talks I believe that are important to understand how the Arts are important to your student:
Bring On The Learning Revolution!
What adults can learn from kids
Art with wire, sugar, chocolate, and string