First of all, great Buckminster Fuller quote. I had the wonderful privilege of being able to spend time with Bucky in about 1976. He was amazing, and he kept emphasizing the qualities we all need over the tools. He told us that the biggest and best challenge lying ahead is to get rid of limited thinking and find ways to do more with less. That is how he was thinking when he developed the geodesic dome. Thanks for bringing back good memories. -I really like the student advisory board idea. My students also appreciate shorter instruction and more time to explore/work. -Have you tried tic-tac-toe menus for choice? I love them, and I think you might be able to adapt them to art class. Each menu covers a single concept, but students must choose three different menu items as a way to create a project or demonstrate understanding. We make them as multi-modal as possible. - I am not surprised that you have seen an increase in engagement. You have a great article in your Diigo about choice and engagement, and your results reflect the message in that article.
Rosalind, I just commented on Vallory's Blendspace about that. Is that what you are calling flexible rubrics? Could you send me one. I'm just trying out new ideas for the "old way I wrote rubrics."
You discussed creating a student advisory committee who suggested shorter durations of instruction, and more challenging art projects. You then took the step to plan lessons that allow for more student choices to encourage more engagement and excitement, as well as a timeline for checking in with students.
I think this is a really cool solution. I also really like the blogging and mentoring components to this project. I say the following with great respect because I believe students having art is crucial. A subject like art can be more flexible than some other subjects.
How much weight do the students’ suggestions carry? How much are you willing to change your lessons?
Most importantly though, I think the two-way street you have paved is awesome. In addition to more exciting and engaging art instruction, you are teaching students an extremely important lesson in life.
Gregory, I listen to the student suggestions if I can't do it I explain why. I usually can include their ideas. One funny exception was the girl who said she didn't like drawing faces and that was the next lesson. I thought it was funny, but explained that I still have to teach what the middle and high school teachers need the students to know. This is a new procedure, so I'm sure it will get easier and more streamlined. Right now I'm taking notes on what the students are saying before, during and after the lesson--that takes some time.
Theresa, I like/I wonder/I wish I like how you are listening-listening to your student's voice. Sometimes, we as teachers have what is best in our minds and simply go with it. I am guilty of this, at times. When students feel heard, they are validated and utilize critical thinking and problem-solving. I wonder if the student advisory board could acknowledge the artwork of their peers in a more public forum. Does your school have morning announcements? Or perhaps an end of the year celebration? It could be something as simple as a "Monthly Masterpiece" where students analyze pieces and display them on a bulletin board. With this practice, you could teach students how to stop and really admire the beauty in the artwork of their peers. You could pick multiple pieces and the prize could be having lunch with the advisory board in your classroom to talk about their inspiration or motivation for their pieces. I think that this could build engagement/excitement for leadership and art! Just a thought... I wish that my art colleagues could observe your art council. I think they would really find it fascinating, as my school truly values both fine and visual arts. Let's connect!
I sent you a reply about the "Monthly Masterpiece" and teaching students to admire each other's work. Cool idea about the morning announcements and highlighting one student's art a month or week.
When I first started teaching, I had an "Artist of the Day" award. Out of all the students I saw in one day, I would choose one student to call home and brag about and post in a special art display area. I'll think about that again. The parents loved the phone calls and the kids loved the certificate and recognition. I would intentionally pick students that needed encouragement or tried something new or hard!
First of all, great Buckminster Fuller quote. I had the wonderful privilege of being able to spend time with Bucky in about 1976. He was amazing, and he kept emphasizing the qualities we all need over the tools. He told us that the biggest and best challenge lying ahead is to get rid of limited thinking and find ways to do more with less. That is how he was thinking when he developed the geodesic dome. Thanks for bringing back good memories.
ReplyDelete-I really like the student advisory board idea. My students also appreciate shorter instruction and more time to explore/work.
-Have you tried tic-tac-toe menus for choice? I love them, and I think you might be able to adapt them to art class. Each menu covers a single concept, but students must choose three different menu items as a way to create a project or demonstrate understanding. We make them as multi-modal as possible.
- I am not surprised that you have seen an increase in engagement. You have a great article in your Diigo about choice and engagement, and your results reflect the message in that article.
Rosalind, I just commented on Vallory's Blendspace about that. Is that what you are calling flexible rubrics? Could you send me one. I'm just trying out new ideas for the "old way I wrote rubrics."
DeleteYou discussed creating a student advisory committee who suggested shorter durations of instruction, and more challenging art projects. You then took the step to plan lessons that allow for more student choices to encourage more engagement and excitement, as well as a timeline for checking in with students.
ReplyDeleteI think this is a really cool solution. I also really like the blogging and mentoring components to this project. I say the following with great respect because I believe students having art is crucial. A subject like art can be more flexible than some other subjects.
How much weight do the students’ suggestions carry? How much are you willing to change your lessons?
Most importantly though, I think the two-way street you have paved is awesome. In addition to more exciting and engaging art instruction, you are teaching students an extremely important lesson in life.
Gregory, I listen to the student suggestions if I can't do it I explain why. I usually can include their ideas. One funny exception was the girl who said she didn't like drawing faces and that was the next lesson. I thought it was funny, but explained that I still have to teach what the middle and high school teachers need the students to know. This is a new procedure, so I'm sure it will get easier and more streamlined. Right now I'm taking notes on what the students are saying before, during and after the lesson--that takes some time.
DeleteTheresa,
ReplyDeleteI like/I wonder/I wish
I like how you are listening-listening to your student's voice. Sometimes, we as teachers have what is best in our minds and simply go with it. I am guilty of this, at times. When students feel heard, they are validated and utilize critical thinking and problem-solving.
I wonder if the student advisory board could acknowledge the artwork of their peers in a more public forum. Does your school have morning announcements? Or perhaps an end of the year celebration? It could be something as simple as a "Monthly Masterpiece" where students analyze pieces and display them on a bulletin board. With this practice, you could teach students how to stop and really admire the beauty in the artwork of their peers. You could pick multiple pieces and the prize could be having lunch with the advisory board in your classroom to talk about their inspiration or motivation for their pieces. I think that this could build engagement/excitement for leadership and art! Just a thought...
I wish that my art colleagues could observe your art council. I think they would really find it fascinating, as my school truly values both fine and visual arts. Let's connect!
I sent you a reply about the "Monthly Masterpiece" and teaching students to admire each other's work. Cool idea about the morning announcements and highlighting one student's art a month or week.
DeleteWhen I first started teaching, I had an "Artist of the Day" award. Out of all the students I saw in one day, I would choose one student to call home and brag about and post in a special art display area. I'll think about that again. The parents loved the phone calls and the kids loved the certificate and recognition. I would intentionally pick students that needed encouragement or tried something new or hard!