The sights and sounds of children will fill the Art and Journalism Building on Saturdays in October and November.
Ball State University's Department of Art will have Saturday art classes for local elementary and middle school students in first through sixth grade. The classes will meet from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. every Saturday from Oct. 4 to Nov. 22. This semester's theme will be "Art and Entertainment." Students will learn about art used to entertain, such as comic books, animation, puppetry and theatrical costumes.
Art education students use the first part of the semester to prepare for the classes. Mary Carter, assistant professor of art, said students' preparation for these classes actually takes place in their art education classes. In a series of four classes, art education students learn how to teach art, what content to teach and how to write lesson plans. The final step is to actually bring children in and let the art education students teach.
"Our program is unique in that it teaches art education units that revolve around a unifying theme," Carter said.
She said the program is great because it teaches students how to manage kids who push their buttons. After each class, students are debriefed and talk about their experiences, both good and bad, Carter said.
"They leave this class having a real teaching experience," she said. "When students leave, they are really, really well prepared for student teaching."
Ball State art student Tim Compton said the classes were a good experience because they gave him a chance to use all the theories he learned in class and then apply them. The experience was all inclusive because you had to make lesson plans and come up with examples for a class of 20, Compton said. All the classes are videotaped so students are able to critique the way they teach, he said.
"It helps us become better teachers," Compton said.
Each class teaches the children art history, art criticism, aesthetics and art production, Compton said.
Carter said classes generally fill up quickly and are limited to 20 children per class.
On the last day of class, all the children's art projects are set up like a gallery so parents can see what their children have been working on, Compton said.
Art class registration can be done through bsu.edu/art from the Children's Art Classes section. The cost is $35 per child with a $25 family rate for each additional child. Registration will also be open on the first day of classes from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. on the first floor of the Art and Journalism Building.
ClassesWhen: 9:30-11:30 a.m. every Saturday from Oct. 4 to Nov. 22Register: 8:30-9:30 a.m. Saturday in the AtriumFees: $35
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