SHANNON DOWDALL
Post Primary Teaching
Throughout the past three years I've had the pleasure at teaching in three schools across the county, here I have met some amazing educators and have learned so much through experimentation and researching processes and curriculum. Below I have included a sample of projects and works I have delivered in the classroom.
Ardee Community School, Ardee
During this school placement, I taught 5th Year students once a week for 6 weeks. The students immersed themselves into a tactile project surrounding the theme of Sustainability producing numerous outcomes including a collage composition made from recycled magazines, a mixed media painting and a relief collograph print made from recycled materials to be able to achieve a print from this. I also ran a portfolio preparation course for 5th year students, some of which being accepted to art colleges around the country.
Unit 1
Sustainability through Mixed Media - 5th Years
Teaching collage and mixed media painting to 5th-year students in a community school was a journey of discovery and self-expression. Witnessing the students embrace the materials and techniques underscored the potential creativity that can be produced in the classroom. The experience reinforced the notion that art education can be a catalyst for both individual growth and the strengthening of collaborative bonds.
Aim:
To create a final mixed media piece under the theme of sustainability and the sustainable goal number 12. Students will use a variety of processes including, drawing, collage, transfer printing and painting. Exploring each of these methods using a variety of AEDP such as texture, shape, line and colour. Students will be incorporating the theme of sustainability through their work by using recyclable and found materials.
Learning Intentions:
Success Criteria:
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To be able to explore and research the theme of sustainability.
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To understand the theme of responsible consumption and production
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To know how to complete a fully realised mixed media piece based on the theme of responsible consumption and reduction
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Have an understanding of collage techniques and artists.
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Reference the theme of 'Responsible Consumption and Production' in their work.
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Produce pieces that include wide representations of the art elements and design principles.
Inver College, Carrickmacross
Throughout my time in Inver College, I taught 11 hours a week, ranging in year groups. I taught 3rd year students during the crucial time of the end of the state exams, cross checking registers and sealing State Exam project envelopes, I also inviligated the 6th year practical exam, brought 2nd year students through CBA1, as well as teaching first years, TY's, 5th year and 6th year visual studies. I also hosted an Art Club once a week during lunchtime where we experimented and produced personal pieces of art and talked about art and its importance in the world.
Unit 1
3D Food Sculpture - 1st Years
Teaching a 3D sculpture art project to 1st-year students was a vary rewarding experience that highlighted the importance of turning imagination into tangible forms. Witnessing the students explore the tactile nature of sculpting materials and bring their ideas to life in three dimensions was a rewarding experience. The process not only honed their fine motor skills but also encouraged them to use the art elements and design principles within their work.
Aim:
To create a detailed 3D piece based on the theme of food under the title ‘Five Star Meal’, students will be constructing a 3D piece using processes such as creating sketches and thumbnails, making prototypes and creating an armature for their sculpture. Using AEDP including texture, shape and colour, taking inspiration from surrealism.
Learning Intentions:
Success Criteria:
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Know how the processes behind creating a structure for a 3D piece.
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Be able to apply the theme of the project into their idea planning and brainstorming.
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Understand the work of a 3D sculpture artist.
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All students will complete the 3D structure process, adding details with colour and paper mache.
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Some students will incorporate the influence of a studied artist's style into their 3D piece.
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Students will reference sketches when building their pieces.
Unit 2
Visual Studies - Today's World
While also spending time in Inver College teaching art, I took up a 5th Year Visual Studies class. During this time, I decided to teach the students the Today's World section of the Visual Studies curriculum which was the first year this section had debuted in the visual studies course. As there was no exam paper to reference, I spent a lot of time researching and compiling information to be able to teach this section but overall I am very happy with the learning that took place.
Aim:
To explore the topic of Today’s world through the four topics of Artists, Theory and Thinking, Artists: Processes and Media, Art as Social Commentary or Commentator, Art in the Environment, to identify and develop personal opinions on artworks and art spaces and critically discuss the work of artists.
Learning Intentions:
Success Criteria:
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Understand what conceptual art is and it’s qualities and media include.
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Be able to analyse a graphic design poster using critical language.
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Respond to the presentation of work in a gallery or museum.
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Some students will understand and interpret conceptual art and its place in the world, developing opinions on value
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All students will explore the works in IMMA through their virtual tour feature and make notes on the presentation of the works.
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All students will be able to discuss and explain what environmental art is and give examples.
Ballymakenny College, Drogheda
Throughout my time in Ballymakenny College, I have had the pleasure of teaching a large combination of year groups including, 2 classes of SEN students, bringing 3rd years through CBA2 and the beginning of the state exams, 5th years Visual Studies, TY Photography module and other year groups including first and second and TY. During this time I have completed a number of projects with excellent student outcomes.
Unit 1
Two Colour Reductive Lino Printing - 2nd Years
Teaching reductive lino cutting to second-year students was a rewarding experience as it encouraged them to explore a subtractive approach to printmaking. Witnessing their creative journey from carving the linoleum to producing intricate designs adding texture and mark making highlighted their evolving skills and imaginative expression. They progressed their skill base further by learning how to introduce a second colour to their lino cuts.
Aim:
To explore the process of lino printing using colour and line based on the theme of Natural vs. Dismantled. Documenting the process in a notebook using a variety of media and creating a two colour lino print.
Learning Intentions:
Success Criteria:
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To be able to observe primary source objects in their natural and dismantled forms through the use of different media.
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Produce a final design for a lino print incorporating the AEDP.
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Understand the process of lino printing and the steps involved.
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Produce a series of tonal, line and continuous lino drawings based on a primary source
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Propose a final design sketch and thumbnails based on photographs of the primary source.
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Produce a two colour lino print with texture based on their research.
Unit 2
Tetra Pak Printing - TY
From my experience of teaching Transition Year students in art class, they prefer a more hands on and practical approach to the projects they undertake. So, I wanted to incorporate an element of sustainability, creating an artwork from a piece of recycled packaging that they would transform into an artwork in itself. The Tetra-Pak prints were a hit immediately and there was some excellent and innovative outcomes throughout this project.
Aim:
To create a Tetra Pak stamp print based on the theme of, ‘Ireland’s Icons’, including line and shape.
Learning Intentions:
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Understand the advantages of the Tetra Pak and how it is used today in terms of sustainability.
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Understand how to design, cut, print and mount a Tetra Pak design and print.
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To be able to talk about the work of Orla Walsh and how her work inspired the project
Success Criteria:
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Successfully cutting with and holding a scalpel according to the Health and safety rules.
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Successfully pulled inspiration from the support study artist Orla Walsh and incorporated this into their designs.
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Successfully develop a Tetra Pak print from the theme 'Ireland's Icons'.