I have been fairly busy over the past three weeks: wrapping up school, speaking with teachers, and preparing for my final presentation. However, I have also been doing a lot of work I'd like to share with you now.
Since I last posted I've been spending a great deal of time with the students at Abilities Family Learning Center and have had some very interesting experiences. I have worked with an intelligent young man who's cursive is grades above his print, an adorable six year old dyslexic who is responding very well to forming his letters in play doh, a thoughtful boy with a love of all things aquatic, and an eager young girl with an "interesting" pencil grip. These students have taught me so much in the short time we have been together like how to see the world like a child again and consider a new perspective. In addition to working with the children I have created a poster and begun to advertise for the summer months. I have also taken and cleared a TB test to allow me to volunteer in the school district.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Friday, May 21, 2010
Lesson Planning
I have a new respect for my teachers. Lesson planning is hard! Not only do you have to figure out what you want to do in the first place, but there is also research, materials, time, and potential challenges that must be thought through.
Next week I will be going in to work with the students for the first time. I've been trying to plan some basic activities for the trial run. We have not fully worked out the week's schedule but Thursday (when Kelly comes to visit ^^') I will be working with a student for several hours on more artistic activities. I'd like to find out a little more about this student's challenges so I can know how best to approach things. ;D
Next week I will be going in to work with the students for the first time. I've been trying to plan some basic activities for the trial run. We have not fully worked out the week's schedule but Thursday (when Kelly comes to visit ^^') I will be working with a student for several hours on more artistic activities. I'd like to find out a little more about this student's challenges so I can know how best to approach things. ;D
How to Advertise?
I've been working on creating a poster that June can pass around to her students and their parents so we can gauge whom our program can benefit most. Luckily most students already have scheduled hours with June so it's merely a matter of finding those who are willing to participate. I've been thinking about how to describe the idea so parents and children can get excited about it but won't feel overwhelmed with initial information. I also need to work out the kinks in how long the program will be offered. The poster should be going out this weekend, so I'll post the final version when I'm finished!
Meeting with June Heinz 5/19 1-3pm
Today June Heinz(my mentor) and I met to discuss our plan for the coming weeks of Endersession. She gave me an overview of the different challenges her students face and how we can best work with them. For some students who have more of a verbal and/or written language barrier, motor function issues, or situations like dyslexia, creative writing activities would be excellent because they can learn how fun it can be to express themselves while facing challenges. However, students with more severe learning disabilities would do better with more artistic activities because this would all them to express themselves without feeling frustrated.
Something I had not considered before is the impact of these students working in groups with each other. One might think that there might be a comradeship among the students if they were able to work together. This may be true for some activities, but for most a very stable inner balance must be maintained for each student to be comfortable. Often children facing these problems will self judge and internalize feelings of insecurity that may materialize when working with the others. Therefore it is better for the students (and their self esteem) if the do the bulk of their learning activities independently or with a friend that individual trusts rather than any kind of group situation. We decided that in this situation, I would be best working with her students individually.
Something I had not considered before is the impact of these students working in groups with each other. One might think that there might be a comradeship among the students if they were able to work together. This may be true for some activities, but for most a very stable inner balance must be maintained for each student to be comfortable. Often children facing these problems will self judge and internalize feelings of insecurity that may materialize when working with the others. Therefore it is better for the students (and their self esteem) if the do the bulk of their learning activities independently or with a friend that individual trusts rather than any kind of group situation. We decided that in this situation, I would be best working with her students individually.
Friday, May 14, 2010
What this is all about
My Endersession and Girl Scout Gold Award Project involves facilitating an art therapy and creation group with developmentally disabled adolescents. I will be working with June Heinz at Abilities Family Learning Center and several of her students. I have submitted a proposal to Girl Scout Headquarters and my project has been approved. (I have pasted a portion of that proposal below.)
I have now begun working with the planning process: brainstorming activities, assembling materials, pulling from my own experience, and working on how to advertise. I will be holding a meeting with June next week to hammer out the specifics of the project and will post the updates here.
Excerpt from Council Approved Proposal:
1. Describe the issue your project will address, what you hope to achieve, and who will benefit. If your project culminates with an event, tell what it is and estimate the number of participants. If your project will benefit an organization or group, attach a letter of endorsement from them.
This project will address developmentally disabled adolescents who are often not given the means or the opportunity to express themselves due to their situations. It is my goal to bring them expressive media (art and writing) as a form of therapy to encourage them to think creatively and give them a way to express themselves. I will hold afterschool creative workshops with small groups of 3 or 4 a few times a week so that each child can get highly individualized attention and feel encouraged to pursue their artistic voices. I am qualified to facilitate their artistic growth because I have been creating art all my life and am a California Arts Scholar. I will be able to bring all that I have learned in my work to give them various ways to voice their opinions as well as introduce them to various styles of art. These creative workshops will culminate in an exhibition of the work that is produced with students’ families and friends invited to see what they have to say.
2. Discuss your reasons for selecting this project.
Based on my own experience as well as research I’ve found that creating art enhances feelings of self confidence and personal esteem-qualities that adolescents with developmental disabilities have a harder time establishing. The process of creating something new, beautiful, and meaningful promotes a feeling of achievement and inspires individuals to keep pursuing that feeling-which can ultimately better their own lives. I want to work with these kids because I want to give them that feeling and hear what they want to express. Overall, I think that by utilizing my artistic strengths and sharing them with others I can make a positive contribution to the community and inspire these kids to express themselves.
3. If your project is an event, workshop, program, etc., that has been done before by someone else, how will you modify it to make it your own?
I will not only be sharing various types of creative media with them but I will also be giving each individual and their work attention, encouragement, and personalized critique. I will also focus the students on collaborating with each other to help them build productive teamwork skills and foster friendship.
4. How will your project benefit or involve the community beyond Girl Scouting?
The project will benefit individuals with developmental disabilities because it will raise their self confidence, create feelings of achievement, foster growth of collaborative skills, and give them an outlet to express themselves (thus potentially reducing destructive feelings that could lead to depression.) It will also benefit the families and friends of these individuals because it will create a happier, healthier environment for everyone.
5. Quantify your goals, give numbers (how many volunteers will you have? What is your goal for the number of participants?)
I will have 2-3 volunteers (adults/older teenagers) and/or parents at each of the sessions to make sure everyone is encouraged and to handle any issues that may arise. Each student is responsible for the direction of their own work; the volunteers are there to be an asset to them and encourage their creativity. As said before, each session will have 3-4 students and there will be a few sessions a week with different groups of students.
6. Outline your strengths, talents, and skills that will be put into action.
I will teach the students various styles of visual art (such as collage, simple drawing, color schemes, etc) as well as various aspects of creative writing (short fiction, poetry, prose, monologues, etc) all skills that I developed through various art and writing instruction I’ve had over the years. I will utilize the most effective and enjoyable activities that I’ve experienced to make the experience meaningful for them. Because I understand the process of art making I will be able to be patient with my students and guide their own artistic journeys.
7. How will you use LEADERSHIP skills (recruiting, directing, teaching, organizing, etc.)
First off I will be very patient with the students as I understand that the nature of their situations requires a lot of energy and encouragement from me to get things done. I will create an agenda for each session and follow it through thus organizing my time effectively for the sake of the students. I will help the kids where needed, teach them new skills I have learned from my art facilitators, and ensure everyone is satisfied with the work they have created.
I have now begun working with the planning process: brainstorming activities, assembling materials, pulling from my own experience, and working on how to advertise. I will be holding a meeting with June next week to hammer out the specifics of the project and will post the updates here.
Excerpt from Council Approved Proposal:
1. Describe the issue your project will address, what you hope to achieve, and who will benefit. If your project culminates with an event, tell what it is and estimate the number of participants. If your project will benefit an organization or group, attach a letter of endorsement from them.
This project will address developmentally disabled adolescents who are often not given the means or the opportunity to express themselves due to their situations. It is my goal to bring them expressive media (art and writing) as a form of therapy to encourage them to think creatively and give them a way to express themselves. I will hold afterschool creative workshops with small groups of 3 or 4 a few times a week so that each child can get highly individualized attention and feel encouraged to pursue their artistic voices. I am qualified to facilitate their artistic growth because I have been creating art all my life and am a California Arts Scholar. I will be able to bring all that I have learned in my work to give them various ways to voice their opinions as well as introduce them to various styles of art. These creative workshops will culminate in an exhibition of the work that is produced with students’ families and friends invited to see what they have to say.
2. Discuss your reasons for selecting this project.
Based on my own experience as well as research I’ve found that creating art enhances feelings of self confidence and personal esteem-qualities that adolescents with developmental disabilities have a harder time establishing. The process of creating something new, beautiful, and meaningful promotes a feeling of achievement and inspires individuals to keep pursuing that feeling-which can ultimately better their own lives. I want to work with these kids because I want to give them that feeling and hear what they want to express. Overall, I think that by utilizing my artistic strengths and sharing them with others I can make a positive contribution to the community and inspire these kids to express themselves.
3. If your project is an event, workshop, program, etc., that has been done before by someone else, how will you modify it to make it your own?
I will not only be sharing various types of creative media with them but I will also be giving each individual and their work attention, encouragement, and personalized critique. I will also focus the students on collaborating with each other to help them build productive teamwork skills and foster friendship.
4. How will your project benefit or involve the community beyond Girl Scouting?
The project will benefit individuals with developmental disabilities because it will raise their self confidence, create feelings of achievement, foster growth of collaborative skills, and give them an outlet to express themselves (thus potentially reducing destructive feelings that could lead to depression.) It will also benefit the families and friends of these individuals because it will create a happier, healthier environment for everyone.
5. Quantify your goals, give numbers (how many volunteers will you have? What is your goal for the number of participants?)
I will have 2-3 volunteers (adults/older teenagers) and/or parents at each of the sessions to make sure everyone is encouraged and to handle any issues that may arise. Each student is responsible for the direction of their own work; the volunteers are there to be an asset to them and encourage their creativity. As said before, each session will have 3-4 students and there will be a few sessions a week with different groups of students.
6. Outline your strengths, talents, and skills that will be put into action.
I will teach the students various styles of visual art (such as collage, simple drawing, color schemes, etc) as well as various aspects of creative writing (short fiction, poetry, prose, monologues, etc) all skills that I developed through various art and writing instruction I’ve had over the years. I will utilize the most effective and enjoyable activities that I’ve experienced to make the experience meaningful for them. Because I understand the process of art making I will be able to be patient with my students and guide their own artistic journeys.
7. How will you use LEADERSHIP skills (recruiting, directing, teaching, organizing, etc.)
First off I will be very patient with the students as I understand that the nature of their situations requires a lot of energy and encouragement from me to get things done. I will create an agenda for each session and follow it through thus organizing my time effectively for the sake of the students. I will help the kids where needed, teach them new skills I have learned from my art facilitators, and ensure everyone is satisfied with the work they have created.
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