Saturday, October 11, 2008

Apples for the Teacher



Apples! Everywhere there are apples in the first grade hallway. The first graders have been eating apples, applesauce, and apple pie, writing about apples, what they look like, feel like, and taste like, and reading about apples. Their favorite story is about Johnny Appleseed. Do you remember when you were their age and first heard the story of Johnny Appleseed?


In my classroom, they drew an apple in oil pastel. I showed them two red apples the first day... one was real and one was a fake I bought from Wal-Mart... have you seen fake fruit lately? It's amazingly real looking. The kids could hardly tell them apart... I could hardly tell them apart. We looked at the shape of the apple, the color variations in the skin, the placement of the stem, and the little shiny spot where the light reflected.



It took them about four 30 minute sessions to get from start (put your name at the bottom of the paper, now flip your paper over so you don't see your name... etc) to finish (we talked about the qualities of their drawing, about how they blended blue and white in the background). We discussed colors of apples, how they are not all red, and not all shaped the same. For the purpose of the lesson, we all drew the same apple.



The vigorous manner in which first graders color lends itself easily to the smooth rich color of oil pastels. The result of all their 'scribbles' in the background, which I encouraged, is an impressionistic style of painting. The kids don't know that yet, but their parents will appreciate it. The main focus was that they learned how to blend two colors with oil pastels by laying down a dark hue (blue) and applying white on top. They are beautiful to see as I walk down the hall.

Thinking about those first graders drawing this apple, now that I'm sitting at home in a quiet, relaxed environment without the distractions of managing a classroom, is quite different than what I was thinking about them as we drew the apple in that classroom environment I was managing. (I'm chuckling as I write that.)



Before I started teaching art (this is my second year), I pictured my classroom as being a peaceful refuge where students would fearlessly explore their creative urges, yet where they would sit attentively, listening to every direction and instruction I give them. Not only listening, but in this fantasy, they actually followed up and did what I asked them to do, in the order it was given. Yes, it's a fantasy that I strive to realize every day.


Yet, when the lesson is over, their work is done, and the teacher hangs it on the wall, I stand back and admire what they did... and I remember individual students, how one broke his oil pastels on purpose one day and I had to send him back to his classroom... how one girl was more interested in tipping her desk over, and another who thought she was finished coloring and started playing, and knocked her oil pastels to the floor. I recall stepping on oil pastels after I distinctly remember telling them to check the floor for pastels on the floor near their desks and chairs.

As the recollections pass before me, I also remember a student saying in surprise "Look! White and blue makes light blue, Mrs. Gilmore!" and another saying to a pal "Your apple looks beautiful, Shana." My mind preserves them all, like mini video clips... kids bent over their drawings so intently coloring that they don't realize I'm standing in front of them watching; the image of them as they walk into the classroom and see their papers and bags of oil pastels sitting on their tables... music playing somewhere in the background. The looks on their faces... a generous gift ... parents and friends have wanted to be a fly on the wall to see those faces.


Teachers, once in awhile, get to be flies on the wall... I count my blessings every day.

I dedicate this entry to teachers all over the world, in all types of classrooms.

16 comments:

  1. I once volunteered in a first grade class for the semester, and watching them soak up the knowledge, and how they are so unassuming and unbiased is a treat. You are blessed to be around that every day. An apple a day to you :o)

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  2. Teaching, in whatever form, often offers up such rewards. I tutored a friends home schooled daughter this year in a couple of subjects she was having trouble understanding and her mother didn't feel able to help her with. One of the subjects was Math, which I have always loved. I was amazed at how much of my high school math/algebra/geometry I actually remembered! LOL! The best reward was when I would see in her face that dawning understanding when she would finally get it.

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  3. Bea, isn't it just amazing how such wonderful creations can emerge from controlled chaos. I'm sure your young students are benefitting highly from your teaching. BTW: I absolutely loved the story of Johnny Appleseed.

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  4. I had a lovely moment yesterday. I was doing some office work at the church presbytery when there was a ring at the door (I'm not usually there during the day so am always apprehensive about who may be calling) but there were three little five year olds in coats and wellingtons with a basket each. There were also two teachers. Our pastor had told them about the apple tree in his garden and invited them over - then promptly forgot to be in! God obviously was 'on the ball' getting me to go around. So there was the delight of these little ones finding that apples really do grow on trees, that the fallen ones have slugs and snails living in them and that their teacher is very good at climbing ladders and throwing apples - they were not so good at catching. Joy in the everyday!
    Mairie

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  5. What a great entry. Who hasn't had their lives touched by a special teacher?

    I love how one kid drew the light reflecting off the apple. Very clever!

    Beth

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  6. Bea,
    I really like this new site. You have created an excellent site. Nice apples.
    David

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  7. I give teachers so much credit... I have a few that I look back on very fondly as they gave me something to carry forward.. well most did but these are special ones. Love the pictures!

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  8. Hello Bea! Love your new colours and format. One thing that I like at Blogger, is the ability to change things so quickly without AOL interruptions, lol. Still, I miss the old place. ::SIGH:: - Those children are sure lucky to have you as their teacher. Those apples look good enough to eat, too! ((HUGS))

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  9. Hi Bea, I found your blog via Roxxymama...

    I enjoyed your post today. I have dabbled with the thought after I retire from my present job and take a second job, that teaching might not be a bad idea. I love children, and used to enjoy teaching at church. Who knows! You are truly blessed.

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  10. Great to see you here, Bea. Looking forward to more of your, do I dare say this?...delicious...entries. LOL
    Karen

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  11. Bea such a beautiful blgo!
    big congrats!
    love,natalie

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  12. I used to love this time of year when I was in elementary school. Going on a field trip to the local orchard, bringing apples back to school, making apple sauce is school and then having it for a snack......those were the days!

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  13. dear Bea,
    hi!
    I cannot find Marti, Kelli and Monponset (High Above the Courtyard).
    What can you tell me and can you help Marti and Kelli?
    love,natalie

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  14. Loved this entry. Heck, I could almost taste those apples. Your job has got to fill you up, just fill you with such warmth. I know one of those little ones will remember you as that "Special" teacher one day. We all have one. Well, I'm running late, I see. I still have journals to visit. Thanks for visiting mine "A New Beginning."

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  15. Wonderful entry! My mouth actually started watering for an apple. You know, of all the grades I'm help out with over the year, first grade has to be my favorite, and I can still remember specific things about the kids in Eler Beth's first grade class. Great memories!

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