Photography Nametags: My Aesthetic

 This year our 7th and 8th graders can choose electives for the Integrated Arts. This year I'm offering Photography. We don't have a dark room, so we'll be using digital cameras and our cell phone cameras and there is still SO MUCH to learn just focusing on that!

Usually I start my art classes with a nametag project. It's a great way for me to get to know the kids and their names and chitchat with them. 

It didn't seem appropriate to have the students in Photo draw their names and tell me about themselves in a traditional way, so I decided to have them create a photo collage using Google Slides and the fair use photos Google's search feature in Slides uses.

Our school uses the Google Suite and has for 18 months or so, so the students are somewhat familiar with it. This would be a good opportunity for them to brush up on their skills. 

PART 1: See what Google Slides Can Do With Photos

Students were asked to create a Google Slide and use the Insert/Image/From the Web search feature to import an image of their choice. They then had to duplicate the image so that there were 9 total on the slide. 

Then they need to learn about the adjustments you can make within Google slides. They needed to do the following:

• Enlarge a photo
• Shrink a photo
• Crop a photo
• Invert or flip a photo
• Change the transparency
• Adjust the brightness
• Adjust the contrast
• Recolor the image

PART 2: Create your Aesthetic

Students were asked to create a Google Slide and use the Insert/Image/From the Web search feature to import multiple images. If students search this way, these images are fair use and we can use them in class for personal use. We looked at several aesthetic compositions and how the images, color and arrangement of images told us about the artist. Students were encouraged to search for "[their favorite color] aesthetic" in the image search. I then had them expand to include hobbies and activities such as "camping purple aesthetic" or "reading purple aesthetic." Searching this way helped them to find images that had a similar color scheme.

We looked at the finished aesthetic compositions by class and then my student teacher created this display in our hallway. It's nice to have such colorful art to look at right away. I've also had students say "I think I'd like this person" when they looked at the work. So interesting!

Lots of fun and a great low pressure refresher on Google Slides.

Enjoy!

Using Google Slides to Create a Distance Learning Routine

Ok, maybe it's time to get back to the blog! I've been away for a while juggling full time art teacherin' and living life with my four kids, husband and myriad of pets.

Working from home has just started for me. I'm teaching Art to grades 6-8 art and monitoring the studies of my four children who range from elementary age to high school. I'm a bit overwhelmed, but keeping a semblance of a schedule is hopefully going to help.

In my art in-school class, students are greeted with a slide projected on the whiteboard telling them what they'll be learning today. I thought doing the same for my personal children would be nice--so out came the computer and Google Slides. I've been waking my children up and we have breakfast together at 8:00. We "meet" and go over the day's slide with the plan for the day.

An example of today's slide.
Google Slides makes it easy to create
a slide with images from the internet or your computer.

For my personal children I also have a second slide. This is more of a schedule to show major meetings and appointments that we all need to be aware of. I set this slide up on an ipad in the kitchen and the kids can walk by and "swipe up" to see the slide and check in. I probably check this far more than they do, but my littlest one has enjoyed it.

Slide 2: This is the slide that is displayed during the day
to keep us on track.

Do my children like this? Well, some are tolerating it (high schoolers), and others are pushing back on having a schedule at all (middle schooler!). But my elementary kiddo and I really like it. I cannot possibly keep track of everyone without some sort of schedule. Also, this isn't vacation--at least in my district. I'm still expected to work and my kids are expected to be doing work. It cannot be a free for all.

Will this work for you? Maybe. Maybe not. But I will tell you that this is a HUGE transition and if I can create a sense of normalcy during this time, I will. Keep it simple. This is what I know. If you know someone who home schools already, reach out--home schoolers, we need you! Or find a trusted friend and ask what they are doing. Stay away from the negative people and the ones who say they aren't having their kiddos do anything--that's not going to help you feel any better or come up with solutions for how to work through this time.

Be kind to yourself.
Your house will get messy.
You will feel overwhelmed.
You may get frustrated at times.
You won't always stick to the schedule (especially if you are in the zone having fun or working on a project).

I hope you find this helpful. Please share how YOU manage work and kiddos at home to keep everyone on track--I'd love to hear from you!