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. 

Group Work and Learning

1/22/2016

0 Comments

 
Learning new things is hard. So is teaching them. I want my students to master foundational knowledge so they can make independent choices about what to make and how to do it, but things get in the way: my kids have a huge range of prior knowledge and they learn new information at different rates. Plus, some are enthusiastic and motivated, while others seem uncomfortable or disengaged. The solution for this - group work.  
Picture
 When I teach new skills I use the Gradual Release Model, which I've written about here and here. The step that I most often skip is "you do together", which I realize more and more is exactly the wrong approach. Giving students the opportunity to apply new skills with the support of others helps everyone acquire new knowledge quickly - which get us to more student choice quickly and successfully.

I started my Art 1 Bootcamp yesterday with value. Normally I teach this by demonstrating, then having kids practice. This time I demonstrated and had students draw along with me or just watch, depending on learning preference. Next we formed groups of 3 and used the base of the classroom stools to trace a big circle form for them to shade together. The conversations were great.

"Okay guys, where are we going to put the highlight?"
"Do you think this is a good shape for the cast shadow?"
"Dude, don't forget the reflected light, didn't you listen?"

The knowledge learned through these types of conversation is so important for learning. Talking through a task with a group clears up any misunderstandings, builds vocabulary and cements new learning. This short experience will give them information they need to be successful with the more student-directed drawing experience that will end this section of the bootcamp. 
​
Picture
Like my blog? Vote for me, "Thoughts on Arting",/ in Art of Ed's Blog of the year contest! 
Picture
0 Comments

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