NAME:
Ms. Coburn
SCHOOL:
Spring Wood Middle School
CLASS:
Middle School Art
SCHOOL PHONE:
630-894-4101
I have been teaching in District #20 since 1978. I taught elementary art at
Waterbury for eight years, and began teaching at Spring Wood Middle School
in 1986. I am a graduate of Grand Valley State University in Michigan, and
have studied at the Art Institute of Chicago.In addition to teaching art,
I am an illustrator and painter. I am currently working on a masters degree
in education.
I have high expectations for my students, and this is something I share with
them at the onset of the course. A main objective I have for students is
that they learn to think divergently, putting things together in a new way.
This is the creative process. In aligning our curriculum with the state and
national standards for art education, students will become familiar with the
Elements and Principles of Design, and have experiences in the various art
forms and medias. Art history will be taught at all grade levels. Sixth
grade will study the art of the 18th century, 7th grade will study the art
of the 19th century (Impressionism), and the 8th grade will study the art of
the 20th century. Students are encouraged to self evaluate their art works
through writing and group critiques. Students use a Visual Diary, a
sketchbook and journal combined. They are encouraged to work in this
weekly, and to respond in writing to their art. Finally, I strive to have a
visual pleasing, happy, and fun environment in which students are encouraged
to create freely.