Volunteering in Middle School

VOLUNTEERING IN THE MIDDLE SCHOOL CLASSROOM FOR ART LITERACY

WHAT IS IT that happens to students who move from elementary school to middle school that makes some parents SCARED to volunteer in the classroom? The truth is….mostly positive things! Although there is tremendous pressure to be cool and conform, middle schoolers are lots of fun to teach and interact with, and you may find you even prefer their silly sense of humor and more sophisticated thinking and ideas.

What you will find by volunteering for Art Literacy in middle school:
-Art Literacy lessons in middle school teach about the elements of art like unity, pattern, movement, rhythm, balance, emphasis, balance and contrast using language and examples middle schoolers can understand. You don’t need an art background to present Art Literacy, and the answers to all the questions within the lessons are provided for you.

-The lesson you will be presenting and all art materials are provided for you, as well as volunteer training for each lesson you will be presenting. There are 3 artist/cultures presented a year in middle school (compared to 6 in elementary school). Contact your school’s Art Literacy Coordinator(s) for more specific information about your school’s program.

-Students in middle school don’t get much parent involvement but really appreciate what they do get. They enjoy having a lesson that is for enjoyment and enrichment that they won’t get graded on. Teachers also enjoy having parent volunteers and appreciate how Art Literacy can enhance their curriculum and add to their student’s cultural literacy.

-Middle schoolers are much better behaved with a parent volunteer than you think. You are new and different and possibly their friend’s parent- they will usually be cooperative and polite. Teachers are required to be in the classroom with you when you are presenting the lesson or conducting the art project. Sometimes a big crowd of 3-4 classrooms together in the library are easier to handle than a smaller classroom. Don’t let the size of the group intimidate you. Teachers will handle the discipline problems- that’s not your function or aim.

-By this age some students will have formed doubts about their artistic abilities. Most of the Art Literacy art productions in the new lesson format allow for different levels of artistic ability and also allow for students who work slower to have a finished-looking art piece even if they didn’t have time to make their way through the entire project. Remind students that it is the experience of making the art that Art Literacy values more than the finished art work itself. It’s important for adult volunteers to wander around the room looking at student’s work and giving comments to them like:
“Good work-I like what you’re doing there.”
“What a creative way to handle the assignment.”
“I love the way you’re thinking outside the box.”
“What an interesting take on this project.”
“Wow- I haven’t seen anyone else come up with anything like that.”
“I like what you’ve done with this area right here.”

How to present Art Literacy lessons to middle schoolers:

-Introduce yourself and tell them why you are involved with the program and tell them you are glad to be there with them. Show them you value them.

-Keep the presentation loose and use humor where you can. Don’t read the script- familiarize yourself with it and make it like you’re telling them a story about someone you know. Let your enthusiasm about the artist or culture shine through.

-Encourage their involvement with asking the questions built into the lesson if you can. Try to call on different people each time. Some classes are very talkative and sometimes only a couple of students or even no one will volunteer to answer questions. If no one will answer, just answer it yourself. Don’t worry about their lack of answers- students are under lots of peer pressure to look “cool” at this age and may be afraid to act interested- that doesn’t mean they aren’t! If someone asks a question you don’t know the answer to, just say, “I don’t know the answer to that but I’ll find out and let you know tomorrow.” Then be sure to look it up on the Internet when you get home and report back the next day if you will be at school, or email the answer to the teacher.

-Be positive when students answer questions. Remember that the answers to questions within the lesson are provided for you. Always compliment students when they give a correct or thoughtful answer. Say things like:
“Excellent; yes, you’re right; good observation; that’s it; good job; correct; great answer; good thinking;” etc.
If they give the wrong answer, say things like:
“Interesting, but I’m looking for something else.”
“Okay, does anyone have a different idea or comment?”
“Does anyone have another thought?”
“Does everyone agree with that?”
“Good thinking, but what about this.....”


How to find a way to volunteer:
Many parents have gone back to work when their kids hit middle school. Have them consider these options to still be able to volunteer for Art Literacy if they work:

-Check with your employer and see if they have a company policy of allowing or even encouraging community involvement. Companies like Intel, Nike and Key Bank do, and even allow employees to volunteer with pay.

-Plan your Art Literacy presentation in the classroom far enough ahead so you can request the day off from work, or offer to work a different shift or a weekend day. You will be surprised how much satisfaction you’ll get using a day off this way.

-If care of a younger child is an issue, offer to trade child care with another parent who is also interested in teaching Art Literacy or volunteering in another way.


pmc 2008