|
|
THE PRACTICE: CLASSROOM CONTEXT -- Choice-based art education provides resources and opportunities to construct knowledge and meaning in the process of making art.
|
Content Presented By:
|
|
Teaching for Artistic Behavior Partnership
|
|
What is it?
The ideal learning environment supports student learning through the effective structure of time, the careful arrangement of space, thoughtfully chosen materials, and a method of classroom management that allows teachers to respond to student needs.
Structuring time
Whole-group demonstrations are brief and frequent. Students are exposed to many art concepts and may choose to try something new every week or to continue working on one piece for an extended period of time. The permanent arrangement of materials in centers allows students to plan art works in advance of the weekly class.
Arranging space
The classroom can be arranged to accommodate an enormous number of resources and materials and to facilitate both group and independent work. An attractive environment is an inspiration to art makers.
Managing materials
Organized arrangements of materials allow students to access and return what they need. This added responsibility is a learning opportunity. Choosing materials is an important part of the artistic process.
Providing instruction
The organized learning centers contain materials, resources, and written directions and allow for students to continue the work of their choice weekly, while the teacher can interact with students in multiple ways.
Questions to Think About
- How can you arrange materials in your classroom so that students can find what they need?
- How can you use existing materials to offer choices in centers?
- Will you find it necessary to limit the number of children choosing some activities? If so, how can record keeping make the process easy and fair?
- Given the age of your students, how can you display visual resources, menus, and directions in your classroom?
- How can you use communication with parents, teachers, and administrators to introduce and advocate for your program?
|
