Every year, the art education majors take Elementary Methods of Art. As a part of the course, they teach homeschoolers during the class period. Through paint and paper, the class adds color to the lives of 64 homeschooled children.
For many homeschooled families, extracurricular experiences are a valuable piece to their children’s education. In light of this, the Elementary Methods of Art class offers this opportunity, recognizing the universal language of art as a means to unlock untapped potential.
While these classes offer homeschoolers the ability to discover a new passion, it also gives Taylor students the ability to realize their own as future art educators.
Hannah Richardson, assistant professor of art education and pre-art therapy, reflected on the purpose of this inclusion in the department.
“It is a mutually beneficial experience because the Taylor students are getting the opportunity to teach, and the homeschool families have an opportunity to have six free art lessons,” Richardson said.
Students in this class are required to create a brief curriculum map, formulate a lesson plan, make a bulletin board and gather the materials that would be distributed to the homeschoolers.
Working in pairs of two, each individual is required to teach three out of the six classes while their partner observes them.
This system creates a constant feedback loop in which the students can gain a deeper perspective than just simply “playing teacher.” Instead, it illustrates the process of planning, executing and responding.
“I love watching my students teach because this is really where they're able to start gaining practical knowledge,” Richardson said. “I can lecture on everything, but really getting in front of students and having that opportunity to think on your feet, intentionally plan and recall what happened is really exciting to see.”
Students who teach the course have to be especially intentional when building their class structure. For many of the homeschoolers, this was the first time they experienced a classroom before.
Senior Katherine Stutzman, art education major, is working to develop a vision for her classes.
“I have a lot of collaboration implanted in my lesson because I think that's an important skill,” Stutzman said. “While my goal is for students to learn that they can be artistic and creative, I also want them to learn people skills like working with others or learning how to be respectful. I think the art room is a really good place to learn those things.”
In preparation for their own career inside a classroom, the Taylor students have to equip themselves with more than just art supplies. They also have to reflect on their own philosophies and codes of conduct that they would want in their classroom.
Teaching a body of people requires formulating boundaries and guidelines. This is especially prominent with kindergarten through fifth-graders who are not familiar with a classroom setting, let alone art itself.
Where these Taylor students have taught about watercolor and 3D paper, they have also demonstrated simple values like cleaning up one’s own mess.
Stuman’s partner, sophomore Mantha Brownson, an art education major, prepared herself for managing a classroom while still encouraging those in it.
“My personal philosophy is that we should have light in our classrooms rather than demanding silence,” Brownson said. “We should be able to collaborate because that's the nature of art. The important part is trying to find that balance, which I'm hoping I can learn for myself by experimenting in the classroom.”
Thursday mornings or Friday afternoons, the homeschoolers can learn art that encourages their young minds to express themselves through various mediums, Brownson said.
“(Through) teaching these kids, I’ll be able to experience the different things that students are able to pull away from an art classroom,” Brownson said. “They’ll be able to have a different way of looking at the world and way of expressing themselves.”
The homeschooler’s artwork will be showcased in the main hallway of Metcalf as a display of not only the blending of colors, but the blending of the surrounding community and the artists within them.
