Learning to Look (LTL)

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Table of Contents

 
 
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What is Learning to Look?
LTL is an elementary school art appreciation program developed by Diane Darst and Sue Massey and taught by parent volunteers in grades 1-5.  While in the past each grade explored a different period of art history.  Using an inquiry method, students learn how color, light, line, texture, shape and space are used by artists.  For more on the LTL curriculum read the "What is Learning to Look?" Handbook.
 
Getting involved in Learning to Look
Two or sometimes three parent volunteers are needed for each classroom to teach the LTL curriculum and conduct the in-class art projects associated with each lesson.  Look for the call for volunteers each summer that normally accompanies general information on volunteering for various Fox Meadow PTA committees.  Check off "Learning to Look" on the PTA volunteer form. Class assignments are made in late August and parents notified in early September.
 
Getting started
  • Parent volunteers are invited to an orientation session in the fall of the school year.  All volunteers should review the following document:
  • Volunteers for a class should get together to discuss issues in scheduling the classroom sessions and then begin a dialogue with the FM teacher about scheduling, art projects, and how the program will best fit in within that classroom.
 
Teaching/curriculum resources
  • In-Class Art Projects
    • All materials for teaching LTL and conducting the in-class art projects are stored in the LTL closet located on the lower level across from Ms. Faranda’s art room (near the OMPR).
    • Artwork should be done on the heavy white paper available in the closet. This paper will withstand materials like cray-pas or paint.
    • If you find that materials are missing or low, please notify one of the LTL Coordinators.
Tips for your classroom sessions
  • Teachers may have personal preferences on how they like to have the in-class art projects structured, and so any final “product” will depend on the projects that are conducted.
  • While there are posters of the artworks in the LTL closet that can be used as visual aids, high quality printouts and the SmartBoard projector are also a great option.
  • Conduct yourself like a teacher.
  • Communicate with your teacher.
  • Communicate with the students and parents. Sample emails to send home about projects are available in the Parent Volunteer Orientation packet.  These can be sent out by the class parents if needed.
Tips for project “books”
In the past, the students made LTL project books and that concept has been evolving to allow for creativity on the part of the parent volunteers, flexibility in working with the teachers, time and budget constraints.  Some sort of project book or packet is highly recommended though.  A project book allows for the students to have a tangible memory of the artwork that they studied. It also provides a keepsake of the childrens’ art from that year.
 
Templates have been created for each grade in both MS Word and PDF to produce a project booklet with the collected artwork.  A sample book is available in the LTL closet for viewing.  Here are suggestions for producing the project books:
  • Use the heavy weight paper in the LTL closet for the individual art projects.
  • Ensure that students write their names on their artwork.
  • If the project is finished at the end of class, have one parent volunteer collect and store the work.  If the project will be finished later, ask that the teacher collect them to give to you when complete.
  • If the class is working on a group project, take a picture of the student working and the finished work – which can be used in the project book
  • After the completion of the last in-class lesson download, customize and print the appropriate project template.  The Word templates allow volunteers to customize them for their class.  The sheets will look best if printed in color.  If you lack the capability to print the sheets, please speak to one of the LTL Coordinators for assistance.  PDFs of the templates are available to show how the formatting should look in case the Word document appears wonky upon downloading.
  • Collate the template sheets with the artwork to produce a booklet for each student using the Slide n’ Bind plastic covers available in the LTL closet.  Alternatively, books can be comb bound or stapled if the parent volunteer chooses.
  • Distribute the booklets back to the students once all of the classroom sessions are complete.  
 
 
 
 

Scarsdale School PTAs