Franklin Middle School, Melodee Strong, 6th grade, 6 hrs
On Monday, I started my cross-stitching lesson at Franklin Middle School. I began with a short powerpoint that showed two examples of the project that I had made and work by two artists - one from 1830 and the other a contemporary piece by local artists Wone and Youa Vang. On Monday, students began working on their pattern for their cross-stitch, using an internet search as a starting point. Many students were ambitious and found larger patterns than they were going to be able to work on, and I enjoyed seeing their excitement about the project. A majority of patterns were focused on Naruto, hearts (including a watermelon heart), and Fortnight. There were quite a number of students gone on Monday, so Ms. Strong and I reintroduced the project to those sixth graders the following day.
I visited Franklin again on Tuesday and Wednesday to help students start their cross-stitch. Ms. Strong was gone on Wednesday, so I was leading the class with a sub assisting. I noticed the students listening to me and following my direction over the sub’s, which was an new experience for me as a teaching artist that has very much relied on Ms. Strong (or Ali at Barton) to direct their classrooms. Wednesday was definitely the most impacting out of the days I taught, and I am looking forward to talking about this with Lynda.
This upcoming Monday, the 29th, I am visiting Franklin again to check in and help students when needed. I have been busy in the studio the past two weeks preparing for an upcoming pop-up gallery at the Northrup King building, and putting the finishing touches on the library gallery show I have been curating. Currently, I am focusing on finishing a bronze piece I casted with my Casting and Mixed Media course, and working on installations for finals.