First off, I found it strange that the author of this writing posed as a high school student. I believe it would have been a much more powerful and persuasive article if it was an actual student’s thought process. Although the journal entries are based on prior research, and an actual assignment based on Mr. R’s classroom. I feel that the writing style gives it less validity.
The actual content and “golden thread” of informing your art work seems to be a great teaching strategy that allows for DBAE style of teaching. Also it enables students to see how art is related to the world around us. Researching artist and artistic themes opens up students to the work and choices that help them see deeper insight into their own work. I liked that each day in class they build on the previous, from figure drawing, to critique, to research, and then painting. It can be easy not to make connections in art class, especially if it is a product based style of teaching.
I’ve been trying to figure out ways to incorporate student research into my classroom, however I have no more tables and only one internet connection. I recently had my students divided into collaborative teams to find out information about printmaking artists. I gave each group a manila envelope with visuals, and a variety of artist biographies per artist, and they made artist fact cards with their research. I try to help my students inform their work with videos. When I started to teach my elementary kids about printmaking I used a short video http://www.5min.com/Video/Inspiration-of-a-Printmaking-Artist-391422143 they seemed to like it especially be interested because the artists subject was animals.
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December 1, 2011 at 6:45 pm
artbenimble
Chelsie,
I like the way you have modified the way that students can do research (since you do not have access in your room). Is there anywhere in the school, such as a computer lab or the library that you could use for a couple of classes? I love the way that you had the students do research – I think this way all of the students in the collaborative group could take part.
December 7, 2011 at 1:58 pm
Leslie Gates
Chelsie, How did the manilla envelope research work for you? I wonder this: what are the reasons why you are hoping to have your students engaged in research? Are there other ways in which you could meet those goals?
January 13, 2012 at 3:35 pm
chelsief
We do have computer labs at both schools that I work at I could reserve time and research with the older students . I feel concerned about losing time working with materials and projects . I know that when a students artwork is informed it usually produces better quality so it is valid to have a research day even if I only spend one day a week with each class