Mrs. Kampfe's class gets to create using the pottery wheel!

Students in this class have been so solid in their artistic behaviors that I am able to facilitate one-on-one learning on the pottery wheel! Check out these amazing creations!

Procedures and student succes criteria in choice-based art!

Student success criteria and clear expectations are a major focus for my professional goals this year, I want to share some of the work I done so far. 

 Capturing ideas and planning are the first two steps in the artistic process.  This entire wall will be filled with the entire process.  Students will be able to look to the wall to 

1. know what they should be doing at each step 

2. understand what the work looks like

3. understand how the work should impact their project

4. justify the work that they are doing

 This just might be one of my favorite walls in my room! Here are the artistic behaviors in Thomson Art!  Beside the behavior is a strategy for students to write goals for their projects.  Students MUST have a goal that they are working on throughout their artistic process.  Success stories so far...one third grader decided that adding writing to his art would enhance and clarify his message! (his goal is communication)  Sometimes students will pick their goal, sometimes they may have more than one, and sometimes they might have a teacher-recommended goal.  

Success story number 2- a student left me a drawing in my mailbox about all the wonderful things in art.  Love, truth, beauty, drawing, goals!!

Table-top anchor charts provide success criteria for materials at each of the stations.  Another layer that students are accessing information and expectations to determine their own success! PS-they get major points for coming up with alternative ways of using the materials (INNOVATION!)

Students at Thomson EMBRACE choice-based art!

Students at Thomson are very invested in the art-making process! Above students work together to create prints from styrofoam carvings.  Students also disassemble old electronics at the sculpture station. 

Artists on Staff!

This Thomson teacher has quite the talent! Although she wants to remain anonymous, her eye for zen-tangles is something to be shared!

The adventurous treasure hunt!

I was playing a game with my brother and got inspired to create an adventurous piece of art!

I got my idea from a new nick toons show, when I was writing with the shapes it turned into a helmet! Then I made the rest.

Contemplating Art Class

On the first day of art, I asked all students to write down the most important thing about art.  They could also write how art makes them feel or what they were excited to learn this year.  As expected, the answers were energetic, creative and inspiring in a way that only elementary kids can be!

"You feel it (art) in your heart!"

"Art is important because if there wasn't art, no one would really be happy."

"I feel great and free sometimes, and sometimes sad and alone...every time I draw!"

"Art is important because everything is art. Also you get to let your ideas be free. 

LET YOUR HEART OUT!"

"You don't erase your mistakes, learn from them. Don't erase, CREATE!"

The Studio is READY!

Although it will not stay this clean for long, the art room has been redecorated to support TAB.  I am so excited to have students work in the space! And yes, those are DOG BUTT hooks on the wall!

Assessment, Choice, and the Learning Brain

Assessment, Choice, and the Learning Brain

Wonderful article when thinking about how to empower students!

Art Room TAB explanation

Live Blog of the art room!

There are many changes occurring in Thomson's Art Room this year! I will be shifting from a traditional elementary art room to a Teaching Artistic Behavior (TAB) or choice-based model.  There are many benefits to this style but most importantly, students will be in control and engaged in their learning.  

Along with arts advocacy and art happenings at Thomson, this site is for students to share their learning.  The art room now includes a "UP load Station" and students can choose to share important aspects of their creative process.  

Enjoy!