Return of the 8th graders

Yesterday was the first class in a week that I had with the 8th graders. Right from the get-go, I gave a powerpoint presentation to them about 2 point perspective and then handed them out handouts that I had made that day. The class has between 25 and 30 students, so I think it goes without saying it was hard to control. 2 point perspective is a tricky concept to grasp, and it wasn't long before students were raising their hands and asking for help. I didn't sit down once that class. Instead, I moved from table to table, explaining the next step, evaluating their work, and correcting their mistakes. There was one middle school, Cole, who grasped the concept quickly and easily, and was able to help me go around the tables and help his fellow students. There were some students who needed a lot more help and attention than others. Some just didn't understand what I was trying to say, and I often found myself struggling with the wording I should use to explain it. The thing I liked about the middle schoolers was that they weren’t afraid to ask me for help. With the older classes, I find that students are hesitant to approach me with questions. They are much more likely to either ask their peers for help or ask Mrs. Powers, even when she tells them to direct all questions to me. I got to know the middle school class in one day than I got to know the art foundations classes in two weeks!