Max Richter - The Four Seasons (Recomposed)

Today

 

 

Today I had the opportunity to visit another art classroom within the school district. It was super cool to see a new room after being in the same two rooms (elementary and middle school) as a student teacher and also to speak with a different teacher with different approaches. I took a ton of photos for ideas in my future classroom... whether small (yarn and clay storage, clean-up strategies) or big details (lesson stations, introduction videos, end of class reflection/share time). Above is some documentation. 

I get to spend another day there, but even after today, I come away with a ton of confidence in my own approach to teaching and reassurance that I can pick a little from here, pick a little from there.

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Just came across this entry on Rookie about the artist Chris Ware. He holds a special place in my heart since lighting the Muybridge Horse in Motion spark as inspiration for mine and my sister's idea for our Sister Tattoo. What a great artist! 

Student Work

 

 

Up top: Kindergarten turkeys
  
Middle: 8th grade mandalas

Bottom: 6th grade masks

On Being Not Dead

NY Times: "On Being Not Dead" by Bill Hayes • • • HERE

Sigur Rós - Ekki múkk

"Sigur Rós gave a dozen filmmakers the same modest budget and asked them to create videos for their album Valtari. The filmmakers had complete creative freedom and the band was completely unaware of what to expect..." - Unwashed & Somewhat Slightly Dazed

Jet Screamer on The Jetsons

Designer: Jessica Hische

Designer Jessica Hische - her project "Daily Drop Cap". Check out her work here.

Von Trapp

Just listened to this interview with Christopher Plummer on Weekend Edition, and they ended the segment with a recording of him singing "Edelweiss" from The Sound of Music. A favorite song of mine. Listen to and watch the clip here.

Mazzy Star- Blue Light

Today

 

 

Above: 2nd graders' work from today's open studio. They amaze me and warm my heart every day.

 

 

Above: the 1st graders' turkeys are finished! They've been taken home, accompanied with proud smiles and love for their work. "Happy Thanksgiving, Tom the Turkey!" 

 

 Above: 8th graders' still lifes. One more day for them to work, one day for critique, and then I am finished with this group. I'm sad for this as I've grown close to them, but as they say, "It's a part of being a teacher". 

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This is my own still life for tonight. Back at home to drink beer, eat these chips (very sweet), watch the coverage of the raids in Gaza, and talk with my parents. They're sleeping now, but the fire's still going. So here I sit, warming my back, ready for another brew, and then up to my room to listen to this Big Box record, "Die Now". One last thing: a herd of gobbling turkeys charged me after school this afternoon! It was intense and exhilarating! 

Ok, godnat, goodnight, sove godt 

Circus in Stop Motion

Paper circus in stop motion by artist Anna Pfeiffer from Hase Weiss.

Also, Hans Christian Andersen papercuts found here. 

Sufjan Stevens- Djohariah

Student Work

Above: 7th graders working on self portraits, and 3rd graders learning how to blend chalk pastels to finish their still lifes (using an Elmer's glue resist). Soon I'll post photos of the 6th graders' masks, 8th graders' still lifes, and K & 1st graders' turkeys. 

Above: New wall art I have... is a gift from a first grader, given to me on a stressful day. She approached me so sweetly saying, "Ms. Sogaard, here", and walked away. I feel peaceful every time I look at it.

Student Teaching

 

 

• First photo- the sky on my drive home from school one day. 
• I was so happy to be in the elementary school for Halloween this year, even if it meant 0 focus from the students in the classroom. They dressed in hilariously cute costumes and paraded around the town (a surprisingly large portion of the community comes out to see this!) 
• Last photo- went up the street to visit the high school, and displayed here are my students' final pop art pieces. Fantastic! 

Father John Misty- Hollywood Forever Cemetery Sings

A sweetie recommended Father John Misty to me, so here I share with you. What makes this song even better than it already is-  Aubrey Plaza (a.k.a. April from Parks & Recreation... a girl crush of mine!) is in the video. 

And Then...

...this song- shared with me by my sister, Katrina. Thanks, Tweety Bird!

Fiona Apple- Shadowboxer

Absolutely! Thank you, Fiona.

Today

• Ate dinner and sipped wine among a sea of heavy set men wearing John Deere overalls (it's Farm Toy weekend here in Dyersville, the National Farm Toy Capitol of the world). 
• After eating and thinking I was alone out by the car, I burped loudly and then turned to see a gang of old ladies staring at me... one mouth agape. 
• Became angry at the entire human race twice! 
• Taught lesson two of the turkey projects to the first graders. It is a major feeling when 35 minutes alone with 22 six year-olds goes really smoothly. 
• Came home to my parents' to see our dog, Zoey, wearing a cone. Two aggressive neighbor dogs mauled her bee-hind, and it is cringing to look at. Never before would I have thought this dog would let me help her eat (she has a temper), but tonight we've bonded as I crouched to tip her cone and her food bowl.
• Just ate a butterfinger from my parents' halloween candy stash. 'Tis my favorite candy bar! Been too long since I've had one: