South High School - David Olson - Ceramics 0hrs
Franklin Middle School - Melodee Strong - Art 5.5.hrs
April 9 - April 15
This week I spent my first day at Franklin Middle School with Melodee Strong in her 6th, 7th, and 8th grade art classes. Though the time I was there I was ripping paper and mixing papier-mâchè glue, I really enjoyed being in the classroom and observing.
Being able to sit and watch how the students interact with one another and Melodee was very interesting. I think thee dynamic of the school is also an interesting one, especially given the student body demographics. Given that the school is 75% Black and African-American the way the school functions as a body and institution was very different than my experience at Barton and South, but also different than my own middle school experience. I was very interested and curious about the fact that I felt more comfortable at Franklin and in that classroom than I did at the other schools. To me this was interesting because of my relationship with other people, and going to majority-white schools. The interaction that I had with the students was also a more positive one. The students definitely seemed to be more intrigued by who I am and what I am working on here at MCAD, but also why I was in their classroom.
The 6th and 7th grade students were preparing to do a mask project in conjunction with Cinco de Mayo celebration. While a majority of the students don't celebrate the Mexican holiday, Melodee engaged them in the project by mentioning that student will also learn about other cultures and be able to make masks that represented their cultural background.