Give 'em a hand

Scholars worked on design projects using their hand as the subject.  To tie in lessons on shapes vs forms and various lines, (emphasis on diagonal for this assignment) scholars created their designs, used 5 to 7 diagonal lines, and chose no less than 3 but no more than 4 colors.

Working on the finishing touches

Scholars devote their class time focusing on the lesson objective

Once scholars drew their hand and added their lines, they created a variety of interesting shapes.  Scholars used their colored pencils to fill in their shapes making sure that no two colors ever sat side by side or were on top of each other.

Scholars Jazz up their designs with color and make each one Unique.  Even Mr. George would be impressed.

Once scholars completed their designs, they were asked to go back in and look at the values they created.  If their designs used all light colors, they were challenged to consider if it would be more interesting if a color they were using, say Purple for example, used both dark purples and light purples in their designs.

Scholars are informed of the lesson objectives, shown a partial example and view a demonstration.  After a quick question and answer session, scholars get to work to meet the objectives.  In our lessons, the objectives are clearly defined but how each scholar gets to the destination is up to them. After each session we review or critique to measure understanding.

Completing the GRID

This is one of my and my scholars favorite assignments. For this assignment, I research and select historic individuals for my scholars to study, sketch and draw.  Once an individual is selected for a particular MOD/class, I print their image and grid off the photo.  Each scholar receives a 1" x 1" from the photo.  Scholars are not told ahead of time who the individual is.  Instead, scholars focus on their portion of the photo and recreate it on a 6" x 6" piece of drawing paper.  Scholars pay attention to the lines, shapes, values and textures in their photo and using a simple #2 pencil, attempt to recreate their portion of the photo.
Once scholars have finished their grid drawing and we have discussed the ratio and proportion and have practiced exercises related to ratio and scale, the scholars come up one at a time, find their grid number on the large image and attach it.  It is awesome to watch scholars begin to hang around the large drawing as it begins to "reveal" who the historic individual is.  Scholars will take guesses and try to see who's right.  I love to see the bulbs come on and that Ah-ha moment is achieved when they see who it is and they get it.

Josephine Baker

Ray Charles

Constance Baker Motley

Once scholars are finished with their grid drawing, they begin studies of the human figure.  Studying a persons proportions and measuring, scholars will be able to accurately render a drawing from a model in real life.  Until that time, scholars will begin studies and sketches using wooden mannequins.

Scholars practice sketching from a wooden figure.  As scholars create studies from the mannequins, they build up confidence and skills needed to measure and render drawings of a human model.

How can someone find out if they are HIV positive?

 

Although a person may have HIV symptoms, that alone is not an indicator that a person has HIV.  If you feel that you are at risk or may have been exposed, the only sure way to know is to get an HIV test.  Thank you again Mr. Tommy Amico for your visit and your information.

Dec. 1st World AIDS Day

On December 1st, invited guest, Tommy Amico with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services stopped by to discuss with scholars the facts of HIV and AIDS.  Mr. Amico answered questions, cleared up confusion and myths and asked students to begin to have frank conversations with parents.

Thank you Mr. Amico for visiting our class and giving us the facts on HIV / AIDS

 Mr. Amico encouraged scholars to ask him any question.  One question that was asked in multiple classes was if Magic Johnson was cured of AIDS.  Mr. Amico was very frank. "NO. Magic Johnson is not cured of AIDS."  Due to Johnson's wealth, that allows him to travel to countries that offer experimental medications and treatments.  One of those medicines Johnson is on, suppresses the AIDS virus, or keeps it under control.  BUT, if Johnson were to contract another virus such as another person's cold, flu etc., that AIDS virus could "Blowup" and become a big problem.  Unless a cure is found for AIDS, Johnson will eventually die due to complications from the AIDS virus.

Students asked questions about myths they had heard from friends or read about on the internet

3 Goals of the HIV / AIDS Stategy