Hi there. My name is Meg Winnecour, and I am the Art teacher for all grades and the 6th Grade Humanities teacher.
Outside Hanger Hall, I am an artist, a mom, a reader and writer, a hiker and biker, and a cook. My outfits are usually colorful, certainly comfortable and always stained with either blueberries (my daughter’s favorite food) or paint (my favorite medium). Will you forgive me?
Inside Hanger Hall, I am a/an
- creator and protector of our very special creative space
- guardian of wonder
- champion (defender!) of childhood and adolescence
- asker and answerer of questions
Speaking of asking questions, that’s how we’ll initiate each and every class, be it Humanities or Art.
6th Grade Humanities:
Consider that as humans we are each on our own Heroine’s Journey. In order to know where we want to go and what’s the best way to get there, we have to understand where we’ve been. Throughout the year we will explore the question, “Where did we as a civilization come from?” We’ll study ancient civilizations like Mesopotamia, Egypt, India, China and Greece and look at the fundamental contributions they made to our world as we know it. We will also read, discuss and write about great literature in the form of novels, epic poetry and anything else we can get our hands on to help us connect with what it means to be on this Heroine’s Journey of ours.
Art:
Consider that you already have everything you need to be creative inside you. Your visual expression is unique and perfect: there are no mistakes in art. All you need to be an artist is someone (me) to protect your creative space (our classroom, your expression) and ask you big, juicy questions. (Plus, I’ll occasionally show you a nifty art trick or two to help you make things look the way you want them to.)
Each year will be an exploration of a central question. Each project will focus on a different answer to that question through different media and art techniques.
6th grade: What makes me human?
7th grade: Who am I?
8th grade: Where am I going?
6th and 7th grade art students will create works of art in response to ideas I compose after listening closely to each group of students. Each project will incorporate new skills and techniques and reflect each student’s inner life and authentic viewpoint.
Each 8th grade art student will, after extensive brainstorming, journaling and discussion (with me as well as their classmates) create 5-7 projects of their own design whose completion will be assisted through conferring with me and her fellow artists.
I am so excited for us to roll up our sleeves and get to work!
See you in September.
Meg
