G:Class

All out inspiring presentation. We had some wonderful discussions come out of the quote by Richard Flood, New Museum Chief Curator that was given to us. It would have been beneficial to slow down the presentation of the slides and discuss what we were looking at a bit more. My students and I both felt like we wanted more info on the images. Overall, it was great way to get my students to think about media and global issues.

Yesterdays News was very informative as well as engaging. Clearly, the students were compelled by the photo essay presentation to discuss the power of images in media and how they can “confuse” society at large. The discussion questions and prompts were interesting and relevant. My group had a wonderful discussion about change in society, during which it was deemed that as humans it is our job to try influence change, but my students were not sure that this is possible. We began with a free write, so the students could better express their thoughts. Very enlightening.

The very first session at the New Museum comprised of our students from City-As-School meeting the Curatorial Associate, Benjamin Godsill. He showed a slide-show of a variety of pictures from all walks of life from the last 7 years. The students were immediately trying to find out what the purpose of the photos were and how were they either connected or not connected. The comments and reactions from the students to the photos were very animated and I think that they really connected to the presentation since they were able to recognize many of them. After the slide-show, we had the students move into a circle and they discussed their reactions to the photos and why they were important. As the discussion continued, there was even a quick disagreement between students, which I actually enjoyed! Seeing their opinions come so easily was refreshing and educational for everyone, since often many students have “nothing” to say when they are asked “what do you think”? We closed early due to the time restraints and asked them to ponder how are artists agents of social change and I will continue this discussion in the next class.

Overall, the students really enjoyed their very first trip to the museum. They were asking immediately when we would return to see some of the actual art.

Follow up (Feb 12)

Today’s class was so kick ass- chaotic but full of order at the same time!! we went through the last 2 parts of yesterdays news- and discussed the article mentioned and its 2 discussions…then we went over the final project and i gave them the handout which we read together…and finally we took NY Times papers and did a practice round of clippings and social commentary….they were so into it!! at one point the whole class was quiet, reading and clipping and writing….so amazing!! AND some of the kids have really gotten into their journals, put stickers on them and already utilized them for personal stuff-

The only thing some had a hard time realizing was that this was their first piece of art AS THE ARTIST...so when they were asked what message did they want the viewer to get from it, many of them were like ?? what but as we went over it more, they started to slowly understand….:)

so successful to say the least!!