I’m sure you will noticed your little ones bringing home scraps of paper from the art room, or maybe your student is bragging about the really tall tower they built in art class, or the yummy popsicles they are making with modeling clay. This probably doesn’t sound like the art class you had as a child, does it?
That’s because it’s not. Art standards have changed, and 21st Century skills have been added to the mix of what we are teaching in the classroom. Standards have changed, because the job market has changed. What students needed to know 20 or 30 or 50 years ago is not what they will need when they graduate. What they will need are problem solving skills. Creative thinking skills. They will need to have ideas, and know how to take those ideas and make them a reality.
Coincidentally, that’s what most artists do. They generate ideas. They gather materials to “make” their idea come to life. They create their art. They put their materials away. They reflect on their art. They display their artwork.I teach the children how to work as an artist. They learn how to get their materials independently, how to use and expand their ideas, how to reflect on their artwork by sharing about it, and how to display their artwork, digitally or otherwise.
In a class where I "give" projects, I did the planning, the thinking, the design work. Students simply follow my directions and copy my example. But, in a CHOICE-BASED art room, students take ownership of their ideas and their work.
We still study famous artists and artworks, and we will do some more “finished” artwork later in the year (once they’ve gained some independent skills). However, the student is the artist and my classroom is their studio. This is a big change for our young artists, so we will be focused on learning how to create their artwork independently through the different centers offered, and keeping the studio in working order. We also cover some art history during this time.
We will continue with skills like printmaking, clay, and fiber arts or weaving. While the artists are required to do some basic skills in these areas, they are not required to make a project. So if your little artist doesn’t bring home a weaving project, it’s probably because it’s not their cup of tea!
And finally, I want to address the artwork. Some of what comes home will be frame or shelf-worthy. Some. Likely one or two pieces from the year. The rest, well, will not be. Not all work that artists make is display ready. Most is experiments and trials. Either experiments with materials, or practicing getting those ideas out! These are scribbles. Mental scribbles. I know, this is a big change! However, experiments and allowing students to make their own choices is how they will learn best!
Could they make “prettier” artwork if I told them what to draw and paint, and made them do that? Ok, sure. But it wouldn’t teach them to use their own ideas. This is kid’s art, which doesn’t look like adult art. I ask you to encourage the scribbles. It is important to give them the time and the space to experiment and practice and even play! To like creating and making and not feel like they have to make a product to adult standards of finished. To them, it is finished.
Don’t know what to say or how to ask them about their artwork? Simply say “Tell me about this”. And then listen. They will tell you all about it. You can also ask “Why did you make this”, “What materials did you use”, “Why is this important to you”. I bet they will surprise you with their answers!
Thank you for taking the time to learn a little about the art studio! You may always contact me with questions or concerns.
That’s because it’s not. Art standards have changed, and 21st Century skills have been added to the mix of what we are teaching in the classroom. Standards have changed, because the job market has changed. What students needed to know 20 or 30 or 50 years ago is not what they will need when they graduate. What they will need are problem solving skills. Creative thinking skills. They will need to have ideas, and know how to take those ideas and make them a reality.
Coincidentally, that’s what most artists do. They generate ideas. They gather materials to “make” their idea come to life. They create their art. They put their materials away. They reflect on their art. They display their artwork.I teach the children how to work as an artist. They learn how to get their materials independently, how to use and expand their ideas, how to reflect on their artwork by sharing about it, and how to display their artwork, digitally or otherwise.
In a class where I "give" projects, I did the planning, the thinking, the design work. Students simply follow my directions and copy my example. But, in a CHOICE-BASED art room, students take ownership of their ideas and their work.
We still study famous artists and artworks, and we will do some more “finished” artwork later in the year (once they’ve gained some independent skills). However, the student is the artist and my classroom is their studio. This is a big change for our young artists, so we will be focused on learning how to create their artwork independently through the different centers offered, and keeping the studio in working order. We also cover some art history during this time.
We will continue with skills like printmaking, clay, and fiber arts or weaving. While the artists are required to do some basic skills in these areas, they are not required to make a project. So if your little artist doesn’t bring home a weaving project, it’s probably because it’s not their cup of tea!
And finally, I want to address the artwork. Some of what comes home will be frame or shelf-worthy. Some. Likely one or two pieces from the year. The rest, well, will not be. Not all work that artists make is display ready. Most is experiments and trials. Either experiments with materials, or practicing getting those ideas out! These are scribbles. Mental scribbles. I know, this is a big change! However, experiments and allowing students to make their own choices is how they will learn best!
Could they make “prettier” artwork if I told them what to draw and paint, and made them do that? Ok, sure. But it wouldn’t teach them to use their own ideas. This is kid’s art, which doesn’t look like adult art. I ask you to encourage the scribbles. It is important to give them the time and the space to experiment and practice and even play! To like creating and making and not feel like they have to make a product to adult standards of finished. To them, it is finished.
Don’t know what to say or how to ask them about their artwork? Simply say “Tell me about this”. And then listen. They will tell you all about it. You can also ask “Why did you make this”, “What materials did you use”, “Why is this important to you”. I bet they will surprise you with their answers!
Thank you for taking the time to learn a little about the art studio! You may always contact me with questions or concerns.