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STACY LORD
After 18 years of teaching and experimenting with what techniques work best for me and my students, I find myself gravitating towards choice based art education mixed with traditional art education.
My classroom allows children to delve into art in an environment that encompasses self-expression, creative thinking and discovery.
I say to my students there are two parts to every project-my part which is standard base and concrete and their part which encourages independent thinking and problem solving. ... read moreI have found that providing a basic demonstration at the beginning of class gives the students the tools to be able to use the principles of art to the best of their abilities. This allows the students to have the freedom to play and experiment with different materials and methods without the pressure of making it right. Examples of this include coming up with a background to their project or deciding what mediums they are going to use.
Experimentation is strongly encouraged in my classroom. If a student asks if they could “do it differently,” my answer is generally “yes”. I also use the centers as a place for students to migrate to when they are finished with a project.
This set-up accommodates all learning styles and engages children in differentiated learning by allowing them freedom to work with their ideas, make mistakes without fear and given the time to explore concepts at their own pace.
The best part about choice based learning is observing my students and trying to work with their needs and understanding at their level and to encourage confidence and success.
Offering the best from both choice based art education and traditional art education is a great way for students to develop their own sense of artistic style. It not only allows the students freedom to experiment, it allows them a focus to guide them along as they explore using art as a means of expression and communication.
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