Thoughts on Arting
  • Thoughts On Arting
  • Bootcamps
  • About Me
  • Fellowship Reflections

Thoughts on Arting

Making the artists of the future, one learning experience at a time. 

Can You Build It?

9/4/2017

2 Comments

 
In my classroom, the first day of school is for games. Kids learn more when content is connected to fun and I want them to start internalizing my  Artistic Thinking Process (ATP), the framework I structure all class content around, ASAP. So I build games to teach it, as well to get to know each other and have fun.

This year's version, Can You Build It?, had three rounds, meant to introduce a variety of Inspiration and Development strategies, along with collaboration and problem solving. 

As kids come in the classroom I hand them a card which tells them what table to sit at, keeping groups even. The class period starts with a brief survey using Google Forms. I ask about student's experience, goals for the class and a bit about them. During this time I ask everyone to write one verb on the card I gave them. I collect the cards to be used for round 2 and start the game.

I've written about each section below using the ATP framework. 

Picture

Round 1: Cup Stack


Challenge - stack the cups as high as you can in ten minutes. No adhesives. Points for height and aesthetics. 
Materials: styrofoam cups
​
Inspiration: New media.
Development: Experiment. Give groups a few minutes to mess around with the cups to figure out a plan for stacking. 
​Creation: Students stack and build for 10 minutes! 
Reflection: Each group shares their strategy with the class. 

Round 2: Active Illustration

Challenge - communicate the work on the card your team selects by acting it out. No sound. There must be a visual element created by the team. Points for craftsmanship, clear communication and use of humor. 
Materials: Verb cards that students created during the survey, plus a range of materials for construction.  I let my kids use paper, construction paper scraps, newspaper, markers, tape and scissors. 
​
Inspiration: Themes.
Development: Brainstorm. Give groups a few minutes to list ideas for communicating their word. 
​Creation: Quick! 15 minutes to create presentations and the visual component. 
Presentation: Each group performs, then the class attempts to guess their word. 
****Not pictured because I was laughing so hard during the presentations I forgot to take photos!***
Picture
Round 3 poster. Student explanation of use of symbolism during persentation: "We all like nachos and we're all different, so we drew different toppings. I'm kind of salty, but still awesome, so I'm the plain chip with a hint of lime."

Round 3: Table Mascot or Logo

Challenge - create a mascot or logo for your table group using symbolism. 
Materials: choice of 2D media, poster size paper.
​
​​Inspiration: Guiding question.
Development: Research. What do you have in common? How can you communicate it visually?
Creation: Students work together to create images. 
Presentation/ Reflection: Each group presents, sharing how they used symbolism to represent the group.  

Now I know my kids better and have some pretty awesome decorations. 
​
Picture
2 Comments
Shelly
9/4/2017 01:53:35 pm

What fun! It's like a TASK party with more structure. Question: for Round 3 the inspiration was a guiding question. What questions were asked? Were they just basic "get to know your tablemates" questions?

Reply
Dawn Ellison
6/3/2018 11:24:11 am

What was the verb used for the "el Nachos" visual? I couldn't make the connection in the game.

Reply

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Mrs. Purtee

    I'm interested in creating a student student centered space  for my high school students through choice and abundant opportunity for self expression. I'm also a writer for SchoolArts co-author of  The Open Art Room.

    Archives

    December 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    February 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    January 2014
    November 2013
    September 2013

    Categories

    All
    Flipped Instruction
    High School
    TAB
    The Gradual Release Model

    RSS Feed

Proudly powered by Weebly
  • Thoughts On Arting
  • Bootcamps
  • About Me
  • Fellowship Reflections