Week 1: Introduction
I apologize for changing the blog address.
Since there’s another course need a blog and I want these two blogs to be
separated, I create this one only for VTS. I just move the VTS part here.
Let me introduce myself first. As you all
know, I’m from China. I graduated from China Central Academy of Fine Arts, and
my major there was Art History. But I taught high school students around 17
drawing class in an art studio in China when I was an undergraduate student.
After graduation, I came to America with my husband and taught art class in a
Chinese Language School. Here, I worked with the kids between 7-11 years old. I
taught them painting, and sometimes brought them some masterpiece to introduce.
And I also have a private art class at my home, my students are twins, they are
7 years old (maybe 8 years now), I teach them Chinese traditional painting and
let them see lots of masterpiece in Acient China. As my major was art history,
I always introduced a lot, but when I have some experiences of VTS now, I think
I should lead them to read more than just talking by myself.
This semester, I will continue work with
the kids in Chinese Language School. Actually, I have not met them yet. (I’ll
begin my class on the first Sunday after Labor Day.) But I think the size and
the students won’t change much from last semester. There are about ten
students, they are from Grade 2nd to 5th , most of them
are America born Chinese, and some are mixed, some are from other parts of
Asia. Most of them can speak Chinese, so
I could teach them by using two languages. The classroom is really nice,
there’s a big screen in front of and close to the tables and chairs, so I think
all of the kids can see the pictures clearly.
The class lasts for one hour and once a week.
I should admit, before this class, I know
little about VTS, so I focus more on drawing or painting skills and developing
their ability of imagination during teaching. Now I find VTS is important for
the people to understanding the visual things, especially living in 21st
century, so I think I should make a big change. What I worry about is to lead
the kids really discuss about the picture I show them, it may be a challenge
for me, but I hope I will solve it. And I also hope they could love VTS, and
develop themselves from it.
As a foreigner, my English is poor, there may be some language mistakes let you misunderstand or cannot understand so clearly, please let me know if have any questions. Thank you for patient.
I love that you included a picture of your class on your blog! The are a very cute group! I imagine that you will have a great time with them this semester! I know it is exciting for them, also, to be learning traditional Chinese painting along with the Chinese language. I wish I had time to join your class!
ReplyDeleteAs an art historian, I am sure the VTS method must feel strange to you since its objective isn't providing students with art historical information. It will ignite their curiosity, however, and make them want to seek out information about artworks, artists, their cultures, and their social and political contexts for themselves. Please remind me on Sept 29 to talk to you about ways in which I used VTS with my elementary students to support art history and art criticism. It is a different approach, but I think you will find that VTS can support and enrich traditional art historical teaching.
And your English is VERY GOOD, Chuting! You express yourself very clearly in speaking and writing!
Great job!