Assessment and Instruction
Self expression is an invaluable ability that everyone can learn. It allows one to develop confidence and creativity to take risks and learn from them, problem solve, and make thoughtful choices everyday. Creating visual art acts as an avenue for self expression to take place. Each person then has the chance to be utterly unique and authentic in the way they share their personal voice. As an art teacher, I have the honor of providing a platform for students to share their voice. It is my job to guide them in their art making through the studio habits of mind to make their experience thoughtful and important.
Instruction in Art:
It's all about process. Learning happens during creating, rethinking, problem solving, and reflecting. I strive to encourage students to take risks and grow from failure because, in this way, learning art can directly relate to real life issues.
I believe in learning through play; that is: movement, engagement, and freedom. Simultaneously, these aspects are tightly aligned to the state standards for art. This is possible by gauging a student’s individual independence and determination and adjusting instruction as so.
Assessment and Instruction:
They go hand in hand. I assess to guide instruction and instruct while assessing along the way. Art instruction specifically is a balance of providing freedom for exploration and self learning WITH orchestrating a fair, influential learning environment. This is only possible by meeting your students where they are and assessing them individually.
When speaking about formally assessing students, I'm constantly prepared to answer this question: “What if there’s a student who doesn’t have the same ability as another? Don’t they just get the short end of the stick?” NO. Standards-based assessment supports the growth-mindset. The student is the one doing the work and earning the necessary grade. I constantly, authentically, and informally assess students, and that directly influences the formal assessment (grades). So in this way, assessment is not an end all, it's purpose is to enhance and bring to life the pure artistic ability of each student on an individual level.
Formal Vs. Informal
Formal - an assessment that is predetermined and recorded
Informal - assessment that is not recorded and typically un-predetermined
Understanding. Knowing. Doing.
1. understand (big idea / transferable)
2. know (content / not transferable)
3. do (skill; not technique / transferable)
Within a full unit/lesson, a student cannot fully achieve one of those three without the other. There is a big idea (understand), an angle in which we can approach the content (know), and a skill (do).
An Example:
1. understand: Art is used to communicate personal thoughts and beliefs.
2. know: a. Picasso’s “Guernica.” What is this communicating, how do you know?
b. How to properly use value.
3. skill: Convert personal thoughts and beliefs into visual imagery.