Saturday, November 17, 2018

“We don't make mistakes, just happy little accidents” . ~ Bob Ross

I got the distinct pleasure of being in a few art classes this week and wait until you see and hear about art classes at Stone Bank School!

Kym Richardson, our art teacher, uses TAB (click for more info) as a way to engage, teach, and think about art.  

Following are some of the things I noticed about art class...

  • learners knew exactly where supplies and materials were as they were/are out, ready, organized, and clearly labeled.




  • A student was working on a painting, with a Bob Ross video playing next to him. Bob Ross was guiding him, step by step, as he painted.  He came across a technique that he didn't have the correct art tool for, so another student came to his side.  They rewound the video a bit, watched one part again, then together, went to find a tool that would suit the artist's need. The artist tried the tool, with his friend by his side, critiquing its ability to achieve the desired "Bob Ross" effect.  When the tool didn't work, they returned the tool and went looking for another one, with a revised vision of what kind of tool the student artist would need.  Ultimately, they tried two more tools, until finally settling on one.  Then, the two artists returned to their work, side by side, creating two different pieces of art, both using the art room as a shared studio, where careful and thoughtful design allows for this kind of work.












  • The artists that I met were all working on different pieces of art.  Some were painting, some were working with perspective, some were using chalk to work on shading and it was clear that they had been taught how to "do" each art technique, that they were getting time to practice these techniques, and that if they needed a reminder or refresher, they had resources all over the classroom/artist studio to help them.



I guess I just remember being in art class and creating the exact same thing as everyone else, but in here, in this carefully designed art studio, budding artists not only create their own, unique works of art, but they talk about why they choose different types of art try out.  The "Artist Habits of Mind" (below) helps them also talk and write about their art.  



In talking with Ms. Richardson, she is constantly observing, assessing, and responding to the needs of these budding artists.  She has an expert eye toward what artists from age four to 15 need, in order to be able to explore and learn about different way to create and express themselves through art, all rooted in these Artists Habits of Mind.  

Thank-you, Ms. Richardson, for creating such a rich learning environment for our learners and families, ask your children about art!

Have a nice weekend,
Beth



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