VTS II Week 8

VTS has become one of my favorite activities. I teach 470 students, K-4 on a three day rotation, 5 & 6 on a four day rotation. All classes are back-to-back. If I need to use the restroom I have to call the nurse. However, no matter how harried the day has been, VTS gives me a chance to relax. I think I've commented before, the entire process is a challenge that I truly enjoy. It's like a game where everyone wins. I love watching my classes as they collectively uncover meaning. When a students comments on something no one else has noticed I usually hear a whispered, "OH! That's good, nice job". I VTS with grades K-5 regularly and 6th grade occasionally. I've VTSed everything from tea-cups, to the Post-It War, and all points in between. I find myself doing a solo VTSque of tabloid covers while standing in the check-out line at Wal-Mart. (I've visualised inviting others to participate, wondering what kind of responses I'd hear.)



As far as my unit, the only frustration I have is with timing. It's been difficult for me to see exactly how all the pieces will fit. Since the culminating project is clay I am somewhat limited time wise when it comes to the actual production. I was afraid my fourth grade students were growing bored. We had VTSed three images, done a little bit of writing, and a few preliminary sketches. I kept dangling the promise of the clay tile, but six weeks can seem an eternity to a 10 year old. Then, I discovered the Oreo cameos of Judith Klausner. Students spent two fifty minute class periods experimenting with relief techniques on sandwich cream cookies. (One boy even brought in a portrait sculpted of the seasonal green cream filling that he had created at home. I'll bet parents are wondering about the art room happenings at Partridge Elementary!) Hopefully this experience will have added to their knowledge base and tide them over for a bit longer. I think I'll have to wait until the end of this unit before I can say if I would make any changes.