theoretical lessons

hey :) . if anyone has suggestions or ideas about projects or lessons for this class, i'd love to  know what they are...

thanks

Day 5:

intendoexpressica: Self creation and the power of choice

setup: concentric circles 3-6 chairs around a table in the center, surrounded by a circle of 5-9 desks. 1sheet newsprint, 1 sheet drawing, 1 pencil, 1 eraser, 1 box of 8? 12? colored pencils.

project: monster and superhero

prep: part 1: i'll probably lightly outline basic generic face and face parts on each the sheets of paper, lightly enough that it won't be visible once there's marks over the outline, but so there's a more or less familiar point of departure, if they want that.  

part 2: construction paper shape cutting(s) they'll each get a plate of shapes from construction paper

part 1, about 40 minutes - drawing just the face of the ugliest (i don't know if 'scariest' would be more or less effective)- monster you can imagine (30-40min). i don't know if i'll have them start on newsprint with pencil or whatever or just go right at the more durable paper, but it's nice to know there's two sheets of paper before or while starting to draw. it's possible that the monster-face drawings will become glued to paper plates and made into masks, i'm not sure.

part 2: design (ing) yourself as a superhero using the construction paper shapes at your seat. i'm not sure yet whether i'll say they are free to cut their own shapes as well or not. i'll probably spend some time having them come up with  their super-names and special powers and characteristics. i'll probably bring in either paintmarkers (not the toxic ones:)) or wate soluable paint crayons, so they can have more choice about their supercostume and hair designs. i'll cut out things like wings and capes and crowns and flowing pant-shapes in addition to the head and face parts and shapes for the torso and legs and arms etc.

question to ponder: why do superheroes help people who are in trouble?

Day 6: 

Changing your world with the power of intention 

or : Relating to your life like you should be treated

setup: probably one large circle of desks, with at least 1.5deskspace between desks. maybe i'll have space music playing at a really low volume on a table in the middle, and i'll walk around the outside of the circle instead of the inside. 1 sheet newsprint, 1 (probably 11x17) sheet of toothier, heavier paper, maybe watercolor paper. 1 pencil, 1 eraser, colored pencils, possibly watercolor pencils, though i probably couldn't get one set for each student, so i'd have to have them pick like one or two colors probably after they'd already used colored pencil. maybe i'd just give them one, like from choices of three or something, like just going around, or maybe i could send a box in either direction, but i'd have to stay in the inside of the circle while they used them- or maybe i'll go around the circle and have them pick a color aloud at the beginning of class and then put it next to their name(s)

 project: Dream

questions to unfold or contemplate: how should life treat me? what do i want?

imagine the most perfect best friend you can. this friend always listens to you and loves you more than

anything and is always around when you need help or someone to talk to or play with, or to just keep you company. draw your dreamlifescenomapue as though you're telling your friend about the parts of you and of your life that are most important to you.

leave a space in the center of the paper, about 1/4 the size of the paper, empty. - (i'll maybe outline it lightly, a circle, i guess, or square. draw a representation of your future life, ex. family, house, neighborhood, job, or you can draw something that symbolizes a particular part of the life you'll have, like a paintbrush, or a basketball. draw the things in your lifedream that you love about it forward. while you're working on you're drawing, remember that you're making your future you love come true.  treat your drawing the way the life you want should be treated. when you're about to get frustrated or destructively treatful, remember, this is your life. how you treat yourself is your choice.

post project dream...The Friend

in the empty space in the center of your lifemap, draw a picture of yourself with your friend.

Day 7: Remembering Integrity, transforming the cultural context with the power of desire (or: turning the goat around)

setup: concentric circles. 1 sheet of posterboard. 1 box markers.

Project: The Plan

quadratic listchart

this project is still being constructively theorized.