In Response to Mr. Harsh

For Tuesday, February 2nd, 2016, ARTED208 was asked to watch a video by a teacher - Mr. Harsh.  The video was an excellent example of teaching aesthetic experience in our art classes.  I easily became engaged with watching the video and Mr. Harsh because of his enthusiasm and love for not just the material, but also his students.  Such was apparent by the end of the video when he became choked up talking about what the students thank him for at the end of the school year - that he taught them how to love themselves.  

How powerful is that?  Seeing a real example of how we impact our students lives.

• How does Mr. Harsh teach aesthetics?

Mr. Harsh taught aesthetics by moving them gradually into the understanding of what aesthetics mean.  He turned something ordinary or "practical" as he put it, and described experiences (such as pouring creamer into coffee) in a way that was beautiful and showed his point - that aesthetics are an experience and that experience can be even something simple in everyday life.  

• How does Mr. Harsh engage students?  How do you know that they are ENGAGED?

 He was also very successful in engaging his students.  I think one way he was able to engage them successfully was the fact that he went through the class lesson and teachable moments in both English and Spanish.  By doing such, he didn't leave anyone out and developed a level of respect with the students.  His enthusiasm was contagious, and his energy was so positive with everything he said.  It was obvious to me that the students were engaged because he had to do little to no prodding to get them to participate and/or ask questions.  Students volunteered with their responses to the red dye being dropped into the water, and no one needed their arm twisted to do such.

• How does Mr. Harsh create instructional opportunities adapted to diverse learners?

This is where it was so cool he took moments in the lesson to talk in both English and Spanish!  Perhaps there are students in the class that know the basics of English, but by him going and saying instructions once in English and then once in Spanish, not only is he allowing them to understand what the lesson is about, but also for them to make that connection of what he is saying and better their own language skills.

• Are there topics that Mr. Harsh touches on that you would not?
• Or would you address topics in a different way? 

 I believe Mr. Harsh did a very good job with delivering the material and how he presented it.  Nothing felt unrelated or irrelevant.  I don't think I would address these topics in any other way.  Mr. Harsh is actually something of an inspiration to me now.  

To define "aesthetics" at a fifth grade level:

The way a person can appreciate and experience beauty - or what one considers beauty - in not only art work, music, literature, etc - but also in everyday life moments.