Moments of contemplation

It has been almost two weeks since our last day of Circle Round the School and I can't believe what an enriching time it has been.
When I started the class I had absolutely no experience working with children. My only teaching experience was with undergrads and they are definitely easier to teach. For example, you expect the undergrads to come to class with a certain level of skills. I can give them writing assignments or projects with some parameters and let him have at it. Most of the undergrads already have an idea of how they want their film to look or what film(s) they want to write about. I am there to give them a new method of thinking and possibly enlighten them on a few new films.
On the other hand, the students at Circle Round the School came out with all kinds of ideas. Their imaginations go wild and they have all kinds of creative ideas for their films. Pradeep and I would teach them the basics of visual storytelling as well as the production process. We would guide the students but they would do the work. Although, at times it may have been difficult to keep them focused, they always seemed excited about the ideas and their energy may have been tiring but kept us excited too. As a teacher, I wanted them to do as many projects as possible. It was amazing to watch them create movies. Many of the students didn't have any experience with cameras yet when it came time to make their films they blew many college age students away. They weren't worried about the type of camera or effects but instead they wanted to tell a story. A genuine, sincere story.

The Creative Loop as observed by Keith

Watching students be creative over the past four weeks has inspired me as an artist.  I see the wonderful things they are doing and it makes me want to change the way I make art.  Everytime I learn from individual students I have more to share with entire classes.  Thank you students!

Film Making Fun!

penultimate rehersals-Susie

Only one more day of rehearsals left! Costumes and props are ready. Lines are pretty much memorized (even those who stepped up today to fill in), and children around the county are practicing their projection and enunciation... I know everyone, teachers included, are very excited about Friday's upcoming performances.
I want to share a few snapshots from today's rehearsals. If anything, just to show off these amazing costumes they have created.
This is one of the three ministers in the king's court. She can't see the cloth being woven! Lucky shot, I guess. And her expressions throughout the performance are priceless...
Dress rehearsal tomorrow -- and then the big show. I know it will be a smashing success! With all the enthusiasm the kids are showing, and the pride they have in their shows, it already is.
-Susie - costumes and mask workshop for the Paper Theater

Stepping up: play's the thing!

This week I have seen some magical moments: yesterday our Amazon queen, who came off as pretty skeptical of all this acting silliness at first, asked if the group could rehearse at recess. Of course we said yes! (Always say yes, is our theater motto.) She rounded up her cast and we ran the play after lunch. Bravo! This morning we heard that our beloved Emperor had broken her ankle—right away, we found a willing understudy for this role, and another for the role that actor vacated: these two started learning lines, and did a great job in rehearsal, with everyone helping. Today we heard some quiet voices, finally emerging from shy actors' (male and female) mouths. The ACTion is getting bigger, and everyone seems to be having fun. In the first week of this program, I was so nervous: would we be able to interest the kids? Would we get plays? Would we actually produce them, with words, music, costumes, props and puppets—all that?? By now I know that Friday night we will have four dazzling performances, each the product of a group of young people and adults working together—a true collaboration. This is the joy and magic of theatre, and this is why I love this work! (which is also play—funny, isn't it…?)

Last week

Last week (the 3rd week) found some unique movies. We were ecstatic when the morning and the afternoon all wanted to do comedies. The morning kids did spoofs on Rocky and the Child's Play movies. Our afternoon, did their own version of Indiana Jones. They made some great choices with their shots and compositions. Impressive considering the time they are given.
It is amazing how watching movies your whole life can give you a film education (like the majority of the students.) They may not have understood composition or shot choice at the beginning but they knew what looked "correct" and what did not. It makes me wonder when people started making films, how did they create the "rules?"

Another group of filmmakers

Today marks the next group of filmmakers in our class. Every week brings a new challenge but Pradeep and I constantly think of ways to keep the students busy and creative. This group seems to have endless amounts of energy but seem eager to get behind the camera and watch films (one student even heard about Charlie Chaplin's Modern Times and wanted to watch it.) We're looking forward to see what these groups have for us. They all love horror films (I mean who doesn't) but a lot of the students want to do something different. Lets keep our fingers crossed to some new rocking stuff.
On a side note, we were pumped on how they did with the camera. Many of the students didn't have experience filming but they set up great looking shots and tried different angles.

Theater week 3-4!

This morning group is made up of five boys who seem to know each other well. They talk mostly about video games and i'm kind of shocked by how easily they speak about killing people. The play they're working on is from a Greek myth which is kind of bloody in itself so they should be right at home. Reid is excelling at making shadow puppets of decapitated heads on pikes. Robbie and Seth B. on paper mach`e and Seth W. is making a deer with moving legs. Brittany and Katie are all of the students in my afternoon class. They are willing to work but as yet we are still waiting for our prop list. we've made a canopy on stakes and a mirror, next week a spinning wheel and loom. Also we need to create some money and pay the weavers.
-Skip

Theater week 1-2!

This group set the stage with flats we built last year for the Opera House. Everyone seemed to like the "Night Sky" design we created so we won't paint over them this year. We are adding a new element to the theater this year- Shadow puppets- a 7/8 ft screen that is back lit produce the stage for the puppets. They're flat, cut out of card board, and made to move using joints with paper fasteners. Students have gotten the hang of making puppets and now we have giants, vikings, lions, snakes, bees, and lightning. KC and Alison are two students who want very much to perform on stage with the puppets. Kayla was great at making the bee puppets but is shy when it comes to being on stage (even behind a screen). I'm sure she'll find something else to do, music perhaps.
-Skip

Circle in the schools program

Artist's Statement- Douglas French.

You may be wondering what I'm doing here, in this school teaching kids how to build sets and props for their play. Shouldn't I be working on my own projects, carving woodcuts or building sculpture for our regions budding Art Market? My reasons for teaching go back a long time. In the summer between my sixth and seventh grade years two teachers from my school started a theater program for kids who had nothing to do in summertime in Aurora, Ohio. Dan Dyer and Bill McKitrick produced a play called "Love Rides the Rails" on the stage at the High School gym. There were maybe twenty of us kids involved show and we learned the on stage and back stage aspects of theater that's when I first got my hands on wood and canvas, paint and paper, fabric and the idea of making things that represent other things. My role as "Truman" in "Love Rides the Rails" didn't lead me to a life on stage, but designing and building stuff for the theater started me off on my path as an artist. I'm here to give these kids the chance I got way back when, and to say thanks to my teachers Dan Dyer and Bill McKitrick who changed my life for the better.
-Skip

Teaching for CRS - Katie

Over the past few weeks I have been reminded of what an absolute pleasure it is to work as an instructor for the Circle Round the Square program.  All of the instructors’ careful preparation, their level of commitment, and the high quality of instruction are mirrored by the students’ enthusiasm.  The kids are truly engaged in the creative process that each discipline offers. 

I love that this program gives each child at least a full week to dedicate to each project.  That time allows them to dig deep for their ideas, and to confront and overcome the challenges that art-making inevitably presents.  The kids feel a wonderful sense of pride and accomplishment when they really stick with a project from start to finish.  I have seen it time and time again in my own studio.

It is so important that this program gives children the opportunity to explore many different media and disciplines in art.  They learn that even if one discipline does not match their strengths and interests, there is another that is a perfect fit for their unique talents and abilities…  and my students, even those who struggle the most, often walk away from my studio feeling more confident about their abilities.  And I know that that confidence-building is happening in each of the studios all summer long.  This program is teaching the children to see how extraordinary they all are; and to value the experience of making art.

A Chance to Shine-Katie

This summer, my students have engaged in mid-project critiques.  My students’ role during the critique is to make positive comments about the effective use of design elements in their peers’ work.   

During one of these critiques, we reviewed the work of a student who clearly struggles in school and with art.  The other students gave him feedback that was positive and genuine.  As they spoke, I could see a look of pride cross his face. 

Later, he told me that the work he made in my class was the best he’d ever done, but that he could see it wasn’t as good as some of the other students’ work.  I reminded him of all of the positive comments he had received during the critique, and he just sat there and smiled shyly to himself.  That critique had definitely meant a lot to him. 

I don’t know this student very well, but my guess is that he is not a child who frequently receives praise for his work.  The Circle Round the Square program has given him an opportunity to shine – an opportunity that he may never have had without this program.  

Kitchen Tales

When a child arrives 10 minutes early to class and smiling shyly pulls out a fruit tart she made at home the previous night from her lunch bag, a cooking teacher's heart melts. One of my students took her mother to the store and purchased fresh fruit, yogurt, and tart shells and recreated one of the recipes from class for her family.

Another young man, twice my size, sidled up after class and whispered, "We have some tortillas at home. How did we make those pinwheel sandwiches again?"

When I told the class we were making food for the families at the performance, one 11-year-old boy's eyes lit up and he raised his hand and nearly shouted, "I'm making those cucumber things stuffed with cheese." He had diligently peeled a cucumber with a lemon zester, removed the core with an apple corer and stuffed it with striped string cheese. He then carefully sliced it with another garnishing tool. This young chef spent 15 minutes creating these little appetizers while the rest of the class giggled, sliced, ate, and wriggled at the table alongside him. He was beaming proudly as he presented his culinary masterpiece to the group and a visiting teacher. He then incorporated them into a sculpture and proceeded to taste the whole thing. The kids have been counting how many new foods they try during the week. The average count has been as high as 8-10 new fruits and vegetables.



There is always one "meal" where we all sit around the table with our creations in front of us and eat and talk and share stories and recipes. It is surprising to me how even the young, wiggly kids calm down and talk about their favorite foods, their family traditions, how the world eats. Truthfully, the conversations and behaviors are better than many grownup dinner parties.

The first day of class, we make collaged cookbook/food diaries to keep track of what we eat all week and to fill with recipes, snack ideas, and maps of where our food is grown.

It has been amazing to watch the kids eat raw and cooked vegetables. After spending time cutting, slicing, sculpting, and sauteing the veggies, they want to taste them. Not all of the tastes are pleasing to the kids, but they are surprised when they find new things that they really like.

MacGyver Costuming

It is amazing to watch these kids in action. We have four plays under construction right now, each group with their own distinct personality. I came in with boxes and bags and bags and a few more boxes of other people's "junk". Each group - with their play in mind - have sifted through and created the most amazing costumes, masks, and props for their shows! They have a giant named Thrym - who was at one time some bamboo, cardboard, sheets, and raffia. They have a huge sun mask made from computer boxes, newspaper, and old wrapping paper. They have Greek tunics sewn (by them) of old sheets and ribbon. And they have medieval capes and hats made from old unwanted fabric. They sewed it, paper mached it, taped it, and tied it. I can tell how proud they are of their work just by the fact that they always want to wear their costume to march down to the stage and show off what they made to everyone else at the end of the day.
All of this from other people's junk. Bravo kids! Bravo!
Susie - costume/mask workshop for the Paper Theater

It is the 3rd week and memory boxes are looking spectacular! The kids are coming up with complex designs and aesthetics embellished with nostalgic ideas often found in much more seasoned artists! Some designs include personal spaces designed not only on the exterior of the boxes, but full environments within the boxes. Many memories are immortalized in these boxes via written word in small stories, as well as descriptive photos pasted onto the exteriors. I can't wait to see these boxes presented all together for the full public viewing at Stuart's Opera House!
Hopefully these boxes will serve as art pieces and get a second life as memorabilia boxes that the kids can cherish.
Aaron Smith, Instuctor: Memory boxes

clay is great!

The clay classes have been going great! Students looked at different cultures that told stories with their art. We looked at Egyptian, Mesopotamian, Greek and Mayan low relief carvings. What we discovered was the artists had to portray the stories of their kings and gods. The poor artists never got to tell their own stories.
We want to tell about ourselves. We picked an event in our lives, or important people, and sketched out an illustration. Then the students rolled out the clay slabs and drew their stories into the clay.. we practiced the art of low-relief carving by removing the backgrounds and rounding our center motifs. Many carved, pressed and stamped details were added.
Glazing added the fun element of color. Students learned how to scraffitto details through the glaze and into the clay.
These works are magnificent! Everyone has taken their time to do a good job, and tell a lively or touching story. We can't wait to see them all on display!!

The film class is going awesome!
The students are so creative and have come up with very cool ideas. It has been fun to help let their visions hit the screen. They've been taking charge of the cameras and really making the movies their own.
We can't wait to show everyone the finished projects.

Brainstorm

Today Wendy told the theater group stories in the class room. Then they got the chance to choose their play. The morning class chose the play Atlanta. They were very excited! Well that sums it up. Have a nice day!
-Zach Bowens

story time

Today we listen to stories so that the kids could vote on what play they wanted to do. we also did some games outside! they were fun!

film class!

The past two weeks have been going great. Kids are learning so much and really getting into learning about film making! we have new groups this week and so far they seem to really be enjoying it!
-Abbi :)

Over heard @ lunch!...This lunch is like Thanksgiving!

The New Beginning

Today is the day when the program gets a new group of kids for the whole thing. They seem to enjoy everything we have done today, and the a guy that came in named Dan helped break the ice so that the kids felt comfortable. His games were pretty fun and funny! This group is going to do awesome and I cant wait to see the final product in two weeks!

-Zach Bowens

Today we got a new group of kids, they seem to like the class so far. I think this play will be fun for them and the teachers because they are older kids so they can act more things out!! looking farward for the next 2weeks with this group of kids and to see how the plays turn out, hope to see you all at the finally night(July 17,09) to see all the wonderfull plays the kids have prepared for you!!

Thank you!

Thanks to all the teachers that have blogged so far! its going great! Its good to hear about all the different opinions of the different classes!..thanks, Abbi..:)

Helping Hands!

I love working with the kids in the program! Its such a joy to see the creativite coming out in the children. This will be the second year interning in the art program. I started a little late in the program but I know that it will be a blast. I'm helping Susie make the costumes and also a stage manager for the plays. I'm looking forward to the next 2 weekes!

Shelby:)

Stage Hands

Well my name is Zach Bowens and this is my second year interning for the Paper Circle and its so fun. I am currently helping a woman named Susie with props and stuff backstage, she is very nice. I started a little bit late in the program so I havent got a chance to meet the kids very well but overall its going pretty good and I cant wait to see the final result of the plays on July 17th.

Play

This year is my second year as a teacher with the program.  But compared with last year the teachers as a whole are more involved in playing with the students.  It feels like a positive development in this year's program.  How do the other teachers feel?

I see it as an opportunity to deepen relationships with students and enjoy the day together.

Insights form diverse learners.

All the teachers are trying to bring important content to their lessons.  We are also trying to assess the learning that takes place.  One of my lessons asked students to be observant and think critically as they learned about the art of letter making.  They were to document their understanding on a worksheet.   To date the most perceptive student in my classes is also an unlikely one.  This young man has a challenging existance and struggles with many things, including the handout designed to document his understanding of the material.  While he wasn't able to demonstrate his comprehension in writing his participation was superb, both in quality and quantity.  His participation helped the class and helped me as a teacher.  I will always remember this young man as I try to accomodate diverse learners in my classroom.  The Circle Round the Schools Program deserves considerable credit, the small class size made it easy to see and acknowledge this boy's brilliance.

Unexpected Thrill

I like the project I am leading, Message in a Bottle, but enthusiasm from students has surprised even me.  They love painting bottles.  One student commented that this, his third year of the program, is his  favorite year so far.  Why?  In his words, "We get to paint bottles."  

What makes painting a bottle more exciting than a canvas?  I have my theories but what do you think?

Keith

Painting Studio Notes - Katie

It has been a great year so far in the painting studio at Circle Round the Square.  There is so much talent in all four groups that I've worked with, and the kids have been working really hard on their paintings.  

The students have been drawing and painting birds that will become part of a flock of birds in the final exhibition.  Each student's bird expresses something unique about them.  You can see a little bit of the student's personality in the bird they chose to draw, in the way they drew their bird, in the colors they chose, and in the details they emphasized.  

I'm looking forward to working with the other four groups of students in the program starting next week!    

Works in Progress

The Lunch Bloggers peeked into classrooms to photograph the art projects. Some of us learned how to upload and edit photos to use on the blog.

Memory boxes and collage materials were in Aaron's room.

Painted bottles are ready for messages in Keith's Message in a Bottle class.

Bird drawings are almost ready for paint in Katie's class.

Ann's ceramic class uses Mayan carvings for inspiration.

Mexican Cooking/Tortilla Making

Tortilla Press

The art of taco assembly. Make it colorful and flavorful.

The finished soft taco.


We made salsa and taco seasonings.

Let's eat.