I will pull this class over...

Day 1 and I'm still alive!

So high school. Hmm. Still kind of sucks. I made it through the hour class, which actually turned into about 45 mins because the students trickled in. Introduced myself, asked them to do the same..."tell me your name, grade and what you like about art, or what art you have done."
answers I recieved:

"I'm Bob, 12th grade and.....I like art..." ...hmmm okay, anything specific?!

"I'm Tom, I'm in 11th grade and I got put in this class by Mr. Jones, I didn't even know I had this class. I can't draw" ...wow, great. LOVE that enthusiasm!

"I'm Todd, 12th grade, I like art." ...yeah, that answer was already used.

"I'm Jane, i'm in 9th grade and I like to art cuz i got an 'A' in it." ....Toto I don't think we're in Bennington anymore

"Why do you keep saying that? you said it like 5 times" ...wait! this isn't an answer you say, I was thinking that same thing...I love when kids don't pay attention right after I tell them not to talk over or under other people! Ugh!

So the answers were pretty bleak, as was the interest in....anything. But when we got down to drawing their names (and I mean just your basic "I would like you to draw your name with some relationship to something you like" kind of deal.) things TOTALLY CHANGED! Just kidding! Yes there were a few kids who actually had some talent, some who used their imaginations (yippy) and a handful who couldn't even figure out how to write their names in even an uninteresting way. So I proceed to show them what block lettering is, or bubble letters, draw a shape and make your name fit inside that shape. It was a little like pulling teeth, now I know why I didn't become a dentist.

And here I was worrying that I wouldn't have enough for them to do on the first day....turns out I think this sketchbook creating project may take all week, not just a day! SAWEET! no need to use my brain. Loves it!

I think this is going to take some getting use to and if all else fails I'm pulling out the improv games! I swear I'll do it! I will pull this class over and make you pretend! someone better warn those kids what could happen.