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Melissa Cooper
Parents of my students might hear something about the new format for our art classes, and I want to explain the change and why I think it's the right choice for our students.
This year we are taking on the challenge of teaching our art curriculum through a new method which has been dubbed "Teaching for Artistic Behavior" or, TAB. Often it's called "Choice-based Art" or Studio Art. This method has been developed by many art teachers across the nation and has been shown to promote independence, creativity ... read more, problem solving skills, cooperation, and deep analysis of artwork made by both students and working artists.
The basic tenets of TAB are: studios are set up around the art room which the teacher gives lessons on how to properly use the materials contained in them. The students are given freedom on which studio they choose for the day and they work independently on subject, theme, or style of art. This freedom allows for experimental play, self-directed learning, and deep engagement on the part of the student. The teacher's job is to provide the materials in an easy-to-use manner, instruct students on the proper methods of using the media, find common themes among student artists and working artists, and assess student performance based on the National Core Arts Standards.
The 8 artist habits of mind are described in the book "Studio Thinking 2: The Real Benefits of Visual Arts Education" by Hetland, et.al. (2013). In performing their art practice, artists:
Express their ideas and beliefs through their artwork
Engage and Persist through challenges and setbacks
Stretch and Explore for deeper understanding of new media and artforms
Develop Craft to become more skilled in their chosen media
Envision their projects from start to finish, learning how to come up with an idea and follow through with their vision
Observe the world around them through artist's eyes
Reflect on their work, their process, and their learning in order to grow
Understand the art community and use the resources available to them through their peers, their teachers, and the greater world of other artists.
I firmly believe that by understanding these 8 facets of being an artist, my students will be more able to refine their high order thinking skills and become comfortable with expressing themselves and their ideas through visual art.
As with my students' artwork, this transition to TAB is an ongoing process, and I am learning more each day about the best practices for the art studio. However, I am already sensing a feeling of vibrant freedom thrumming through my students when they walk into my room. They know that whatever they produce on that day, it will be something deeply meaningful and personal to them. Their teacher will be supportive and encouraging, and will push them to reach for their greatest potential.
One big change that parents and students will start to see is that artwork produced in the art studio is decidedly "kid art." Because the students are not being given rigid, step-by-step directions and "have-to's" (you "have to" make a painting today, you "have to" create an abstract collage today, etc), student work is on a level appropriate for their development, not to adhere to an adult aesthetic. These pieces are so much more meaningful to the makers, and will certainly not all look the same.
For more information about the studios in the art room feel free to visit http://teachingforartisticbehavior.org
Thank you so much for all of your support!
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