K-5 Elementary Work

TAB Teaching Artistic Behavior

My classroom is centers-based with exploration at the heart of instruction. The students begin class with a lesson that focuses on a synthesis of the elements and principals of art, art appreciation, and International Baccalaureate model. During this lesson, I demonstrate how I would solve that days problem, (With their help through questioning) show them examples of professional artists solving the same problems and have the students students think about how they would solve the problem themselves.

After the initial lesson the students choose a center to create their artwork at, the centers focus on using different materials, (watercolor paints, various drawing supplies, collage and sculpture). 

In this way they are encourage to choose a medium that excites them, and enjoy the art making based on that choice. I can than focus on small group instruction at each station, and present tutorials to them about how to use the different materials.