September 2011
Dear Parent,
Welcome back to school! My name is Anna Pasternak and I will be your son/daughter’s art teacher this year. Let me tell you a little about myself. I graduated from a liberal arts college with a Bachelors of Fine Arts degree in Art Education. I then received my teacher’s certification for grades K-12. In my spare time I enjoy working on my own art, reading, and experimenting in the kitchen.
It is my passion to not only teach art, but to help my students become responsible, contributing citizens. I believe all subject areas are connected and it is the teacher’s job to demonstrate how the information being taught relates to “real life.”
In my classroom I emphasize critical thinking and personal responsibility. I want to teach my students the process of making art and not just final production. My lesson plans include art production as well as art history, art criticism, and aesthetics. Attitude towards learning and participation are things I base part of your child’s grade on. The following is a sample grading rubric I use.
Followed Directions / Craftsmanship / Creativity / Effort / Self-Evaluation4 / 4 / 4 / 4 / 4
3 / 3 / 3 / 3 / 3
2 / 2 / 2 / 2 / 2
1 / 1 / 1 / 1 / 1
0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0
One of the largest impacts on your child’s learning is you. I encourage every parent to take an active role in the education process. At home ask your child about what they are learning. Have them describe what they are working on. This builds their visual vocabulary and helps them retain information. You could also encourage them to keep a sketchbook to keep track of their ideas and inspirations. Creative development aids academic performance in that it makes use of the brain in a different way. I value improvement more than perfection. My contact information is listed below; please contact me if you have any questions, would like to inquire about volunteering in the classroom or donating supplies. I look forward to getting to know you and your child!
Sincerely,
Anna Pasternak
(123) 456-7890 ext. 5024