The Predictable and Not So Predictable Things About Students

This week we focused on the five senses and how these senses help us shape who we are as well as help us understand the world around us. We looked at the artist Vic Muniz and his one series of paintings where he utilizes chocolate instead of paint. I found it interesting and a little surprising that while showing Vic Muniz's piece "Paparazzi", one student, who likes to read the titles of the pieces, exclaimed, "Hey! That's a song!" It's interesting that such young children (6 and 7 year olds) know of Lady gaga and her songs. I am a fan of Lady gaga myself and it is just intriguing how we can have some of the same interests in pop culture even though there is a noticeable age gap. Finding these common interests helps build relationships and shows the students that we are people too- not just teachers.

The kids enjoyed using their fingers and chocolate syrup to create self-portraits. While it was tempting for them to lick their fingers, they knew that it was against the rules for they were going on a field trip to get ice cream later. It was interesting and a little predictable with how the kids reacted with using their fingers to paint. Many thought it was super cool and would watch the syrup drip off of their fingers. Other students found it sticky and wanted to wash their hands shortly after doing their painting. Then there was Christina who used her pinky to try and maintain the fine details that she noticeably makes in her art. After a little while, as predicted, Christina asked for a paint brush to finish our her painting. I was just grateful that she was willing and tried to paint with her fingers (her smallest one nonetheless) frist before asking for a brush. One student, after seeing Christina receive a paint brush, wanted one too in order to fill in her background. We allowed this and were prepared for other students to ask for paint brushes as well, but one one else asked. Overall it was a fun tasty day of art.

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