Ballou High School ​Visual Arts Department
2017-2018
  • Welcome
  • Ms. Bonavia
    • Educational Philosophy
    • Grading Philosophy
    • Master's Portfolio
    • TAS Report 2016 DCPS
    • T.A.S. Report 2016-2017
    • Resume
  • Daily Blog
  • Flipped Classroom
    • Course Syllabi
    • Art Design & Foundations Art-A05
    • Instructional Design Plan for Foundations of Art Ballou H.S.
    • Art Essential Questions
    • Art Vocabulary
  • Student Gallery
    • Lesson Plans 2016-2017
    • DCPS Scope and Sequence
    • Critiques/Reflections
    • Rubrics for Evaluation
  • AP Studio Art
  • Teacher Work
  • Press Releases
  • Contact

The Broader Strokes of Life

11/29/2015

0 Comments

 
PictureOne of my beloved students. I taught her in kindergarten- 5th grade and again in high school. What a blessing to be next to her at graduation. My life is blessed.
     My favorite medium to paint with is watercolors. I love the transparency of the paint and how the layers work together to create deep rich color. Each layer of paint plays an important part of the final outcome of color and ultimately the painting as a whole. However, when I paint in watercolors, I find the task to be arduous and tedious. With watercolors, I need to make very controlled deliberate brush strokes in order to get the exact color that I am trying to achieve. It takes hours and hours of work laying color in order to complete the painting. So many times I quit and never finish. 
     Lately, I find that painting with oils gives me great satisfaction because I am able to use broad brush strokes of paint and achieve my desirable outcome more quickly. As I was painting with oil paints last night, I had a revelation about the broad strokes of paint that I was placing on the canvas to the broad strokes of life that I am making in life.
     Have you ever heard the expression, “Broad strokes of life”? When someone uses this idiom, they are describing a situation or defining life with broad strokes; meaning that they are leaving out the fine details. Just like an artist can paint a painting with broad strokes and leave out small details that might not be necessary in order to have a beautiful painting, so do we when we focus on a major goal in life instead of a particular activity.
     Let me explain it a way that you will understand. High school is like a broad stroke in your life. It is a four-year period where you are accomplishing a degree. However, in the process of accomplishing your degree, (that broad stroke) you encounter many problems, distractions, and frustrations: peer pressure, failures, social problems, grades, etc. As you walk through this time in your life, you never want the small details (fine strokes) to define the ultimate larger goal (broad stroke) which is graduation. 
     We all face obstacles that set us back. Sometimes our walk in life is; three steps forward, two steps backward, but we keep walking in order to reach the finish line. We can get very discouraged by life if we focus on the small details. Sometimes the small details cause us to want to quit and give up. It is so important that we keep our eyes focused on the larger goal. Ballou High School has a 50% graduation rate. That means that 50% of our students quit before reaching the goal that they set out to achieve when they entered 9th grade. So, what can you do to be in the 50th percentile that graduates?
     My advice to you is not to focus on these fine details that at times causes us to become frustrated and want to quit, but instead keep your eyes on the big picture; the ultimate goal of graduation. Unfortunately, some parents, teachers or schools fail to show the high school student the final picture clearly enough in order for the student to understand what they are working towards. I think that every 9th grader should be required to attend high school graduation ceremonies every year until they actually walk across that stage themselves their senior year. High school graduation should be held during the school day and every student should be required to attend. Possibly, hearing “Pomp and Circumstance” and watching students walk across the stage and handed a diploma will inspire them to persevere and continue to achieve the goal of graduation. 
     It's easier to quit something that you don’t understand or see will help you in life. It is my greatest desire as a teacher to help you understand that your ticket out of poverty is education. African American author, Brandi Bates put it best when she said, “Wrote my way out of the hood…thought my way out of poverty! Don’t tell me that knowledge isn’t power. Education changes everything”.
     Knowledge is power and it is a power that can never be taken away from you. Keep your eyes on the ‘Broader Stroke’ and don’t let the little set-backs keep you from achieving your goal of getting you high school diploma. I'm here to teach you, motivate you, and cheer you on all the way! 

Love, Ms. B.


0 Comments

A Bouquet of "Gratitude".

11/28/2015

0 Comments

 
       I don’t know if I ever told you guys this but I have a “gratitude journal” that I keep. It is not a store bought journal but instead it is a handmade journal that was made in our classroom.  I daily write in it all the things that happened throughout my day that I am grateful for. Funny thing about gratitude journals…they bring out the gratitude in you! Let me explain.

    There are many days when I am either tired, in a bad mood or when I don’t think that anything special took place and I feel that I don’t have anything to write about.  However, I routinely sit with pen in hand and I think of all the things that I am grateful for in my life and sure enough, it never fails, I can always think of something to be grateful for. As soon as my pen touches the paper I feel my spirit lifting and happiness enters my heart. Gratitude changes everything! I researched the benefits of gratitude in a person’s life and look what I found!





Picture
http://happierhuman.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Benefits-of-Gratitude5.png
So think about keeping a gratitude journal...you'll be surprise how many things there are to be grateful for in a day. Imagine that every little blessing in your day is a flower for you to pick and enjoy. If you look closely and have an open heart, I promise you that by the end of the day you will have a beautiful bouquet of flowers in your hand and a smile on your face. I love you guys, Ms. B.
0 Comments

Brokenness

11/17/2015

0 Comments

 
Picture
    Today I woke up and thought about brokenness. I suppose that word came to  my mind this morning because I woke up feeling wonderful and happy, allow me to explain. I am in the midst of the "Blizzard of 2016" and I am snowed in and alone here in this apartment, and yet I feel an amazing sense of contentment; something that I have not felt in years. I woke up and thought to myself, "You have come a long way." 
   You see, there was a time when being alone and snowed in during a blizzard would have been terrible for me. I would have invited a friend over or gone to someone else's place just to escape being alone. The fact that I am content with myself makes me proud and happy. 
    As I pondered all these thoughts this morning, my mind went to the word, "brokenness". I did not get to this place easily, I had to be broken in order to find myself.
   I recalled a blog that I wrote back in July of 2014 about brokenness. I read what I wrote back then and I smiled to myself. This morning I will re-post that blog. I would not be who I am today if it were not for 'brokenness'.
There is beauty in brokenness. 

Blog Posted on July 20, 2014


Pictureclose up of my "New York" Sketch
Today, I woke up early to go to church. As I showered and dressed to get ready to go, I was thinking to myself about all the things that took place in my life that got me to the point  where I am today. Some of the things are good, but many are bad. Why do bad things happen to good people? Why do some people have it easy and others struggle? Why are some kids rich, privileged, come from great families, great neighborhoods and others are born into poverty and broken homes?

I am sure that you have asked yourself this many times, that's because it is an age old question that many people have asked for centuries. It's philosophical in nature and too deep to get into on a daily blog, but allow me to just touch upon a thought I had this morning as I prepared to leave my apartment for the day. 

Because I am a thinker, it is the little things in my daily life that sparks or inspires intrinsic thoughts to me. For example, this morning I opened up a new bottle of perfume that I had purchased a few days ago. It is a designer fragrance that comes in a stylish, elegant bottle. As I opened the box to pull out the bottle of perfume, I admired the chic design of the packaging. When my hands touched the bottle, I appreciated its beauty and elegance. I anticipated how delightful the scent would be. Then I broke open the seal and there it was....the delectable scent that I love so much. I just stood there for a moment taking in the aroma and enjoying the beautiful fragrance.

As I spray the perfume on, a thought occurred to me. Yes, it is beautiful and elegant, but I had to break the seal of the bottle before I was able to enjoy the fragrance.

It is the same in my life. Sometimes, it takes those times when we feel 'broken' when in actuality we are just being form to be the best that we can be. I could not enjoy the perfume until I broke the seal.

At times, life breaks us. We have disappointments and heartaches. Parents let you down, loved ones, society, teachers, siblings, all let you down.You feel broken. You can stay in that state of brokenness and accept the hand that was dealt you (some do forever) or, you can take your brokenness and use it to your advantage. Allow it to strengthen you. Let it teach you contrast in life. Remember in an earlier blog that I said to you, it is the dark times, the hard times that teach us what we don't want. We would never know what we want in life unless we experienced what we don't want. They are life lessons. Being broken can be the best thing that ever happens to you, it has been for me and many others. It makes you stronger, trust me, I know first hand. Read about the lives below & allow the stories  to encourage you along your path of life.

*Beethoven lost his hearing but continued to compose music.

*J.R Rowling was on welfare but continued to write Harry Potter and she now is wealthy and famous

*Malala Yousafzai survived being shot in the head by the Taliban and has become a global advocate for human rights, women's rights and the right to education.

*Scientists such as Galileo, Louis Pasteur, Albert Einstein, Thomas Edison, and Alexander Graham Bell all had severe learning disabilities. Einstein couldn't get a job. He was passed over repeatedly in life. He went on to do great things including winning the Nobel Prize.

*Steven Spielberg was denied by USC’s prestigious film school not once, but twice.

*As a sophomore, Michael Jordan was rejected from his high school’s varsity basketball team.

*Dr. Seuss’ first children’s book, And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street, was refused by 27 publishers.

The list goes on and on....trust me!

Sometimes it is out of the tragedy that great art is created. Listen to music...if it wasn't for heartache and pain we would not have beautiful songs, poems, dance, art, movies, theatre, operas etc...

I have been broken more than once in my life and because I do not give into failure I take my brokenness and I turn it into a sweet fragrance of peace, happiness and contentedness. It  has taught me independence, worthiness and raised my self-esteem.  Never let your outward circumstances dictate your future. Overcome, your circumstances...many before you have. I love you guys, have a blessed day. Ms. B. 

Picture
Watercolor by Nabila: Senior 2014
0 Comments

The Art of Getting Started

11/8/2015

0 Comments

 
Picture
     I apologize for not writing lately, I have been overwhelmed with graduate school work and teaching. However, here it is, Sunday evening, the time that I usually set aside to write a blog and I have no inspiration for a topic. So, I sit here in front of the computer, waiting for a thought to enter my mind that will inspire me to write.
     Most of the time my blog topics are inspired by some random event that happens during my day, but tonight I have nothing. However, that ‘nothing’ is actually very inspirational.  I just had the thought, “Just get started”.  Sometimes in life, that is all that it takes; getting started. I will call this blog, “The Art of Getting Started”.
     The hardest part of any endeavor in life is getting to the starting line. I always have great intentions, amazing thoughts and incredible aspirations in life, but making the ‘commitment’ to start something big is one thing, actually starting is a whole other ball game.
    Artists are dreamers. I paint more paintings in my head than I do on canvas. I write many stories, most of them never find their way to paper. I love to daydream, however, as wonderful and creative as it is to be a dreamer, dreamers don’t get the job done.
    I have always attributed success to be connected with action. Most successful people actually worked on something that lead to their success. They may have started off as dreamers, but at one point, they had to get up and make their way to the starting line.
     Have you ever heard the saying, “Dreams don’t work unless you do” or thought about the differences between dreams and goals? There is a vast difference between dreams and goals. For starters,  dreams will stretch your imagination, but goals will stretch you in ways that will transform the place where you are right now in life. Goals can offer you a future, but dreams are only momentary pleasures.
      Sometimes, it only takes one step to change your dreams into a goal. It may take you many years to reach the finish line, but keep in mind, “The journey of thousand miles begins with one step”.
     Don’t get me wrong, dreams are wonderful, and entertaining, but also remember, that dreams won’t produce tangible results in your life.
      Allow your dreams to inspire you, but try to remember that it is goals that turn dreams into actions, and it takes "actions" to make changes.
    So don’t just lay around and wait for something to fall into your lap, get up and start something! It is wonderful to dream, but at one point, you must get up and walk to the starting line.
    Have a wonderful week students and friends! I am rooting for you all the ways! Love, Ms. B.

0 Comments
    Picture

    Donna Bonavia

    I am an art educator and  a professional artist. I write this blog to guide my students in  (SEL) social, emotional, and academic development. S.E.L. is the District of Columbia Public School's priority because we believe that we must educate the whole child.


    Picture
    Yale National Initiative
    Fellowship 2017


    2017-DCPS Standing Ovation recognition Highly Effective Teaching

    Picture2016-DCPS Standing Ovation recognition Highly Effective Teaching
    ​


    Picture
    DCPS Capital Commitment
    Fellow
    ​2015-Present

    Picture
    2015 Teacher of The Year Blanche Ely High School

    Picture
    2015 Civic Recognition Award Winner

    Picture
    2015 Greater Pompano Beach Chamber of Commerce
    Picture
    Picture
    2015 Claes Nobel Educator of Distinction The National Society of High School Scholars
    Picture
    Teacher of the Year 2008
    Picture
    Teacher of the Year 2006-2007
    Picture
    Disney American Teacher Award Nominee "Creativity In Teaching" 2001
    Picture
    Teacher of the Year 1999
    Picture
    Teacher of the Year 1998
    Picture
    Outstanding Service-2011-2012
    Picture
    Outstanding Service-2010-2011
    Picture
    Outstanding Service-2009-2010
    Picture
    Outstanding Service-2008-2009
    Picture
    Outstanding Service-2007-2008

    RSS Feed

    Archives

    October 2019
    September 2019
    November 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    May 2017
    December 2016
    March 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014

    Creative Commons License
    This work by Donna Bonavia is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
    Based on a work at www.msbonavia.com.

Location

District of Columbia Public Schools

     "The years 2012 to 2017 will be a time of dramatic progress for the District of Columbia Public Schools. With this strategic plan, we recommit DCPS to providing every student with a safe, academically challenging, and inspiring learning experience. 
     DCPS’ five-year strategic plan, A Capital Commitment, provides a roadmap for building DCPS into a high quality, vibrant school district that earns the confidence of our community. The plan defines an overarching purpose as well as five goals that will guide DCPS’ work through 2017."

Contact Us

Subscribe

Join my mailing list today!
Join Now